53-506: Plumas Unified School District is a public school district in Plumas County, California , United States . This California school-related article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Plumas County, California Plumas County ( / ˈ p l uː m ə s / ) is a county located in the Sierra Nevada of the U.S. state of California . As of
106-472: A female householder with no husband present, and 35.1% were non-families. 29.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.83. In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.3% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 30.2% from 45 to 64, and 17.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age
159-477: A household in the county was $ 36,351, and the median income for a family was $ 46,119. Males had a median income of $ 38,742 versus $ 25,734 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 19,391. About 9.0% of families and 13.1% of the population were below the poverty line , including 16.7% of those under age 18 and 6.4% of those age 65 or over. Plumas County has five elected Supervisors, each elected within their own district. The Board of Supervisors oversees
212-582: A majority in the county was Jimmy Carter in 1976 . On November 4, 2008, Sierra County voted 64.2% for Proposition 8, which amended the California Constitution to ban same-sex marriages. In the 2009 special statewide election, Sierra County had the highest voter turnout of any county in California, with 53.6% of registered voters participating, according to the Los Angeles Times. The election
265-437: A population of 20,007. The racial makeup of Plumas County was 17,797 (89.0%) White , 192 (1.0%) African American , 539 (2.7%) Native American , 134 (0.7%) Asian , 18 (0.1%) Pacific Islander , 603 (3.0%) from other races , and 724 (3.6%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1,605 persons (8.0%). As of the census of 2000, there were 20,824 people, 9,000 households, and 6,047 families residing in
318-421: A population of 3,240. The racial makeup of Sierra County was 3,022 (93.3%) White , 6 (0.2%) African American , 44 (1.4%) Native American , 12 (0.4%) Asian , 2 (0.1%) Pacific Islander , 75 (2.3%) from other races , and 79 (2.4%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 269 persons (8.3%). As of the census of 2000, there were 3,555 people, 1,520 households and 986 families residing in
371-449: Is National Forest Service land. The management of Plumas National Forest is overseen by three districts: Beckwourth Ranger District, Mt. Hough Ranger District, and Feather River Ranger District. [ data missing ] In its early history, Plumas was a reliable Republican county, voting for that party in every election from 1864 to 1908. It then became one of the most reliably Democratic counties in California, voting for
424-668: Is Sierra County's most populous municipality and its only incorporated city, generally half of the meetings of the county's board of supervisors are held in Downieville and the other half are held in Loyalton. The county is governed by the five-member Sierra County Board of Supervisors, consisting of the following members as of August 2021. Law enforcement is provided by the Sierra County Sheriff's Department, headed by current Sierra County Sheriff-Coroner Michael "Mike" Fisher. Due to
477-572: Is a general aviation airport near Quincy. Rogers Field is near Chester; in addition to its civil-aviation role it also serves as the Chester Air Attack Base, a logistical and coordination facility for the California Department of Forestry 's aerial firefighting (both fixed-wing and helicopter). Resources include fueling, retardant loading, communications, and some quartering for aircrew and ground firefighting teams. Nervino Airport
530-508: Is in Beckwourth, east of Portola. The closest major airport is in Reno . The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Plumas County. † county seat 40°01′N 120°50′W / 40.01°N 120.83°W / 40.01; -120.83 Sierra County, California Sierra County ( / s i ˈ ɛr ə / ) is a county located in
583-554: Is the Sierra Buttes Gold Mine was located in 1850 near Sierra City. The Gold Bluff Mine was located near Downieville in 1854. By 1880 the county was "crushing" 70,000 tons of quartz and had 266 miles of mining ditches. Since the enactment of the statute in which the California State Legislature defined the common boundary between Nevada and Sierra Counties in 1874, no survey was conducted to determine where
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#1732859067013636-511: Is the section of Highway 89 that connects the Volcanic Legacy and Feather River Scenic Byways. Featuring the alpine meadows of Indian Valley, the rushing waters of Indian Creek, and views of Mt. Hough and the surrounding mountains, the route is about 18 miles long. Plumas Transit Systems, operated by the county, provides local service in Quincy and routes to Chester and Portola. Gansner Field
689-509: Is today run by their daughter Janice Wright Buck. The other paper serving the county is The Mountain Messenger which is based in Downieville. The Messenger has been in constant publication since 1853 and is currently the longest-running weekly newspaper in the state of California. Its more notable former contributor was Mark Twain , at the time in hiding from Nevadan authorities and writing under his birth name of Samuel Clemens. This paper
742-487: The 1st Assembly District , represented by Republican Megan Dahle . The following table includes the number of incidents reported and the rate per 1,000 persons for each type of offense. The primary local news source since 1866 is Feather Publishing Co., Inc. Until 2020, four Plumas County newspapers were published every Wednesday, except for certain holidays; all content was available online instead at plumasnews.com until June 29, 2023, when Plumas News announced it
795-583: The 2020 census , the population was 19,790. The county seat is Quincy , and the only incorporated city is Portola . The largest community in the county is East Quincy . The county was named for the Spanish Río de las Plumas (the Feather River ), which flows through it. The county itself is also the namesake of a native moth species, Hadena plumasata . Prehistorically, the indigenous Mountain Maidu were
848-757: The Sierra Nevada . Prior to the California Gold Rush , the area was home to both the Maidu and the Washoe peoples. They generally summered in the higher elevations to hunt and fish, and returned to lower elevations for the winter months. After the discovery of gold in the Sierra foothills sparked the California Gold Rush, more than 16,000 miners settled in Sierra County between 1848 and 1860. Most mining settlements in
901-470: The U.S. Census Bureau , the county has an area of 2,613 square miles (6,770 km ), of which 2,553 square miles (6,610 km ) is land and 60 square miles (160 km ) (2.3%) is water. Plumas County is in the far northern end of the Sierra Nevada range . The area's rugged terrain marks the transition point between the northern Sierra Nevada and the southern end of the Cascade Range. Lassen Peak ,
954-408: The U.S. state of California . As of the 2020 census , the population was 3,236, making it California's second-least populous county. The county seat is Downieville ; the sole incorporated city is Loyalton . The county is in the Sierra Nevada , northeast of Sacramento on the border with Nevada . Sierra County was formed from parts of Yuba County in 1852. The county derives its name from
1007-475: The poverty line , including 14.3% of those under age 18 and 2.2% of those age 65 or over. Sierra County is served by two long-running local newspapers. The Sierra Valley region, which is partially within Sierra County, is served by the Sierra Booster , based in Loyalton. This paper has been published bi-weekly since 1949 when it was established by reporter, miner, and airman Hal Wright and his wife Allene. It
1060-549: The Beckwourth Trail declined. Plumas County was formed in 1854 during a meeting of three commissioners at the American Ranch in Quincy. It was carved from the eastern portion of Butte County . Quincy , originally a mining town, was chosen as the county seat after an early settler donated a plot of land there to establish the seat. Once it became the seat, nearby Elizabethtown faded and ultimately became defunct. In 1864,
1113-542: The Democratic nominee for president in 13 straight elections from 1928 to 1976. The county has voted Republican in every presidential election since 1980, except for 1992, when Bill Clinton won a small plurality. Plumas County is in California's 1st congressional district , represented by Republican Doug LaMalfa . At the state level, Plumas is in the 1st Senate District, represented by Republican Ted Gaines , and
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#17328590670131166-744: The Middle Fork of the Feather River and following it to its headwaters in Sierra Valley . After going through Beckwourth Pass, the route terminates at Hallelujah Junction on Highway 395. The southernmost point of the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway , Lake Almanor , is in Plumas County. The route spans 500 miles between California and Oregon and has views of dramatic volcanic landscapes, including nearby Lassen Peak . The Scenic Byway Link
1219-613: The Middle and North Forks of the Feather River, traversing steep canyon walls and high mountain valleys. The route features grasslands, oak woodlands, mixed conifer, and high desert chaparral. It begins in the Sacramento Valley, following the Feather River Canyon and entering Plumas County just west of Storrie . As it gains elevation, it climbs over the crest of the Sierra and passes through Quincy and Portola , eventually reaching
1272-524: The South Fork of the Middle Yuba River to a point ten miles above the mouth of the latter. Since the line was not surveyed and the legislature never defined where the "point east of the source of the South Fork of the Middle Yuba River" was, the location of the straight air line between the state line and this point was unknown. As such, both counties claimed that the point east of the source, which itself
1325-550: The county sprung up along the North and Middle Forks of the Yuba River , both of which had rich deposits of gold. While some of the mining boom towns faded away once gold fever died down, other settlements such as Downieville and Sierra City have remained. Notable gold nuggets found in the county include a 26.5 pound specimen, avoirdupois , found by a group of sailors at Sailor Ravine, two miles above Downieville . A 51-pound specimen
1378-595: The county's annual budget, and undertaking studies and investigations for the Board of Supervisors. The sheriff is the chief law enforcement officer of the county. The sheriff's jurisdiction extends throughout the county, including federal and state lands. The county sheriff is elected to the nonpartisan office for a four-year term and is charged with preserving the peace, enforcing criminal statutes, and investigating known or suspected criminal activity. More than three-quarters of Plumas County's 2,618 square miles (6,780 km )
1431-514: The county's sparse population and geographical obstacles, the Sheriff's Department operates a substation in Loyalton in addition to their main headquarters in Downieville. Sierra County at one time had favored the Democratic party in presidential elections and was one of few counties in California to be won by George McGovern . In more recent times it is a strongly Republican county in presidential and congressional elections. The last Democrat to win
1484-414: The county. The population density was 4 people per square mile (1.5 people/km ). There were 2,202 housing units at an average density of 2 units per square mile (0.77 units/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 94.2% White , 0.2% Black or African American , 1.9% Native American , 0.2% Asian , 0.1% Pacific Islander , 1.0% from other races , and 2.5% from two or more races. Six percent of
1537-407: The county. The population density was 8 people per square mile (3.1 people/km ). There were 13,386 housing units at an average density of 5 units per square mile (1.9 units/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 91.8% White , 0.6% Black or African American , 2.6% Native American , 0.5% Asian , 0.1% Pacific Islander , 1.8% from other races , and 2.6% from two or more races. 5.7% of
1590-470: The general public may ride on a space-available basis. Sierraville-Dearwater Field Airport is a general aviation airport located near Sierraville. The closest major airport is in Reno . The following table includes the number of incidents reported and the rate per 1,000 persons for each type of offense. As of 2015 the largest self-reported ancestry groups in Sierra County, California are: The 2010 United States Census reported that Sierra County had
1643-479: The late 1850s. Chester was formed near the area that is now Lake Almanor , as a result of cattle ranching and the timber industry. When the Western Pacific Railroad was constructed in 1910, Portola developed as an important railroad stop. Thanks to the railroad, Plumas County could export its lumber beyond the local area, and the timber industry became dominant in the county's economy for decades. As
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1696-443: The legislature defined the boundary in dispute by referencing Public Land Survey System lines. It also determined that the source of South Fork of the Middle Yuba River was that of several springs in the Sierra Nevada , contrary to the artificial English Lake, which ceased to exist after the failure of its dam in 1883, which is where the source of said waterway was in the eyes of Nevada County. The California Supreme Court affirmed
1749-460: The lowest pass through the Sierras, which became known as Beckwourth Pass . Using the pass, he blazed a trail from Western Nevada through much of Plumas County, eventually terminating in the Sacramento Valley. Many erstwhile miners followed this trail into Plumas County. Beckwourth also set up a trading post in the western Sierra Valley that still stands today. Though the Beckwourth Trail was longer than
1802-446: The management of county government and members serve four-year terms. The Clerk of the Board of Supervisors provides support to the Board of Supervisors and information to the public. The County Administrative Office's purpose is to facilitate the delivery of cost-effective county services in accordance with the vision and policies outlined by the Board of Supervisors. Its responsibilities include monitoring legislative affairs, preparing
1855-521: The natural lakes are glacial in origin and can be found in and around Lakes Basin Recreation Area. The artificial lakes include Lake Almanor , Lake Davis , Frenchman Lake , Little Grass Valley Reservoir , Antelope Lake , and Bucks Lake . Plumas County also has more than 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of rivers and streams. All three forks of the Feather River run through the area. The 2010 United States Census reported that Plumas County had
1908-494: The original emigrant trail that ran south of Plumas County, its lower elevations extended its seasonal use when the higher trail was snowbound and impassable. Between 1851 and 1854, the Beckwourth Trail was frequently traveled, but in 1854, use dropped sharply when it became a toll road. The toll to move a ton of freight from Bidwell Bar to Quincy was about $ 18. This made using the Beckwourth Road an expensive enterprise and use of
1961-412: The population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Eighteen percent were of English ancestry, 16% were of Irish , 11% German and 8% Italian ancestry. Over ninety-five (95.3) percent spoke English and 3.4% Spanish as their first language. There were 1,520 households, out of which 27.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.1% were married couples living together, 7.9% had
2014-556: The population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 16.1% were of German , 15.0% English , 10.1% Irish and 8.0% American ancestry according to Census 2000 . 95.4% spoke English and 3.6% Spanish as their first language. There were 9,000 households, out of which 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.4% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.8% were non-families. 27.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.1% had someone living alone who
2067-480: The primary inhabitants of the area now known as Plumas County. The Maidu lived in small settlements along the edges of valleys, subsisting on roots, acorns, grasses, seeds, and occasionally fish and big game. They were decentralized and had no tribal leadership; most bands lived along waterways in and around their own valleys. Areas with high snowfall, including the Mohawk and Sierra valleys, were hunting grounds for game in
2120-575: The purported lake of gold. But some had success panning for gold in the rivers and creeks in the area, and created squatters' villages, the first non-Native American settlements. Rough shanty towns quickly sprang up around successful mining areas, including Rich Bar, Indian Bar, and Rabbit Creek (now La Porte ). Many were developed adjacent to the Feather River , named Río de las Plumas by Spanish explorer Captain Luis Arguello in 1820. In 1850, African-American frontiersman James Beckwourth discovered
2173-523: The railroad route extended up the Feather River Canyon , it was also used by the area's first tourists and sightseers. When the Feather River Highway was completed in 1937 with federal investment in infrastructure by President Franklin D. Roosevelt during the Great Depression , Plumas County became linked to the Sacramento Valley year-round thanks to the route's low elevation. According to
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2226-506: The southernmost volcanic peak in the Cascade Range , is just north of Plumas County's border, and part of Lassen Volcanic National Park extends into the county's northwest corner. Plumas National Forest's 1,200,000 acres (4,900 km ) offer a wide variety of outdoor recreation opportunities, including hiking, camping, kayaking, swimming, mountain biking, hunting and fishing. The area has more than 100 natural and artificial lakes. Many of
2279-457: The state legislature took a large portion of Plumas County to organize Lassen County . Shortly afterward, Plumas County annexed part of Sierra County , including the prosperous mining town of La Porte. Over the next decades, different industries drove the growth of the various settlements that sprang up around the county. Greenville began as a mining and farming community in Indian Valley in
2332-472: The straight line segment of the common boundary between the two counties ran. In particular, the statute, at the time codified as Section 3921 of the California Political Code, at the time stated: ...thence south on said state line (state of Nevada) to the northeast corner of Nevada County, a point east of the source of the South Fork of the Middle Yuba River; thence west to the source of, and down
2385-445: The trial courts decision on December 28, 1908. Sierra County, California covers 962 square miles according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The county comprises 953 square miles of land and 9 square miles of water. The county is located in the Sierra Nevada . The county has a diverse range of landscapes, from mountains to forests, with numerous lakes and streams. The area has opportunities for hiking, fishing, and hunting. Because Loyalton
2438-402: The warmer months. In 1848, European Americans discovered gold in the Sierra foothills. Miners were attracted to Plumas County in particular, largely due to the tales of Thomas Stoddard, who claimed to have discovered a lake lined with gold nuggets while lost in the wilderness. Gold-hungry prospectors flooded the area. Though hopeful miners scoured the glacial lakes for months, they did not find
2491-411: Was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 102.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.9 males. The median income for a household in the county was $ 35,827, and the median income for a family was $ 42,756. Males had a median income of $ 36,121 versus $ 30,000 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 18,815. About 9.0% of families and 11.3% of the population were below
2544-450: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.77. In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.7% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 22.6% from 25 to 44, 30.8% from 45 to 64, and 17.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 99.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.9 males. The median income for
2597-450: Was also unknown, was located in different places. This created a situation where a strip of land averaging 1.22 miles in width and around 31.29 square miles were under dispute, with Sierra County claiming that Nevada County was encroaching on their jurisdiction when attempting to levy property taxes . The trial court , that of Plumas County , sided with Sierra County, declaring that the disputed area had always belonged to Sierra County since
2650-653: Was found in 1853 by a group of Frenchmen in French Ravine. The 106 pound Monumental Nugget was found in Sept. 1869 at Sierra City . The Bald Mountain drift mine in Forest City was founded in Aug. 1864, and was the largest of its kind in the state at the time. The Bald Mountain Extension was located in 1874 east of Forest. The Monte Cristo Mine was located in 1854. The largest quartz-mine
2703-417: Was nearly double the overall voter turnout in the state, about 23%. There is only one traffic signal (a flashing red light at the intersection of highways 49 and 89) in Sierra County. In the winter of 2007 it was removed after an automobile accident and was replaced in the fall of 2008. Public transportation in Sierra County is limited to vans run by senior citizen agencies in Downieville and Loyalton which
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#17328590670132756-488: Was shutting down. Feather Publishing will continue to release High Country Life, The Dining Guide, The Visitor Guide, maps, and more while also providing commercial printing to the local community. Plumas County is in the Sacramento television market, and thus receives Sacramento media . Sacramento stations KXTV and KCRA regularly cover major news events in Plumas County. The Feather River National Scenic Byway follows
2809-504: Was the center of considerable media attention in early 2020 when its future was uncertain with the retirement of Don Russell, who had owned and operated it for 30 years; it was saved by local retiree Carl Butz, who purchased the paper and runs it today. The Mountain Messenger is printed every Thursday by Feather Publishing Co., based in Quincy ; it is distributed across Sierra, eastern Plumas and western Nevada counties. The population ranking of
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