Mariposa County, California
Encyclopedia : M : MA : MAR : Mariposa County, California
The county's eastern half is the central portion of Yosemite National Park.
There are no incorporated cities in Mariposa County, though there are three communities recognized as census-designated places for statistical purposes.
History
Mariposa County was one of the original counties of California, created at time of statehood. It was the largest of the state's original counties, but territory that was once part of Mariposa is now in twelve other counties: Fresno, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Los Angeles, Madera, Merced, Mono, San Benito, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, and Tulare. Thus, Mariposa County is known as the [Mother of Counties]. Part of the county's territory was given to Tulare County in 1852, to Merced County in 1855, to Fresno County in 1856 and to Mono County in 1861.The county took its name from Mariposa Creek. The area was so named by Spanish explorers in 1807 when they discovered great clusters of butterflies ("mariposas" in Spanish) in the foothills of the Sierras. Some say these butterflies were really butterfly lilies.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 3,789 km² (1,463 mi²). 3,758 km² (1,451 mi²) of it is land and 30 km² (12 mi²) of it (0.80%) is water.Adjacent Counties
- Tuolumne County - north
- Merced County - west
- Madera County - south, east
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 17,130 people, 6,613 households, and 4,490 families residing in the county. The population density was 5/km² (12/mi²). There were 8,826 housing units at an average density of 2/km² (6/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 88.93% White, 0.67% Black or African American, 3.51% Native American, 0.71% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 2.67% from other races, and 3.38% from two or more races. 7.76% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.There were 6,613 households out of which 25.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.80% were married couples living together, 8.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.10% were non-families. 26.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.86.
In the county the population was spread out with 21.60% under the age of 18, 6.90% from 18 to 24, 25.10% from 25 to 44, 29.20% from 45 to 64, and 17.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 104.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $34,626, and the median income for a family was $42,655. Males had a median income of $31,194 versus $25,440 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,190. About 10.50% of families and 14.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.50% of those under age 18 and 9.00% of those age 65 or over.
Communities
Census-designated places
Other unincorporated places
- Buck Meadows
- El Portal
- Wawona
See also
External links
- [Mariposa County official website]
- [Photographic virtual tour of Mariposa County.]
- [Daily photos of Mariposa County]
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