Beckwourth, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Beckwourth
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Location in Plumas County and the state of California
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 Beckwourth, California
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  California |
| County | Plumas |
| Area | |
| • Total | 11.69 sq mi (30.27 km2) |
| • Land | 11.68 sq mi (30.26 km2) |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.01 km2) 0.04% |
| Elevation | 4,911 ft (1,497 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 478 |
| • Density | 40.91/sq mi (15.80/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP code |
96129
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| Area code(s) | 530 |
| FIPS code | 06-04772 |
| GNIS feature IDs | 1658022; 2407819 |
Beckwourth is a small community in Plumas County, California, United States. It's known as a census-designated place (CDP), which means it's a special area defined for gathering population information. Beckwourth is located about 5 miles (8 km) east of Portola, right by the Middle Fork Feather River. In 2020, about 478 people lived there.
Contents
What's in a Name?
This community was named after a famous explorer named James P. Beckwourth. He was an important person who discovered a mountain pass in 1851. This pass is now known as Beckwourth Pass. The town was originally called "Beckwith" and "Beekwith" before its name was officially changed to Beckwourth in 1932.
A Look Back in Time
The first post office in Beckwourth opened way back in 1870. This was an important step for the community, helping people send and receive mail. The name change to Beckwourth happened much later, in 1932.
Exploring Beckwourth's Location
Beckwourth is located in a beautiful part of California. It covers an area of about 11.7 square miles (30.3 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with only a tiny bit of water.
Beckwourth Airport
Close to Beckwourth, you'll find Nervino Airport. It's also known as Beckwourth Airport or Plumas County Airport. This airport has a runway that is 4,600 feet (1,400 meters) long. It's located along State Route 70.
State Facilities in Town
Beckwourth is home to some important state facilities. The State of California's Department of Water Resources has a maintenance yard here. There's also a Caltrans Maintenance Station, which helps keep the roads in good condition. These two facilities are located together.
Beckwourth's Climate
Beckwourth has a special type of weather called a "warm-summer Mediterranean climate." This means that the summers are warm and dry, but not too hot. The average monthly temperatures usually stay below 71.6°F (22°C). Winters are generally mild and wet.
Who Lives in Beckwourth?
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2020 | 478 | — | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Let's look at the people who call Beckwourth home!
Population in 2020 and 2010
In 2020, the population of Beckwourth was 478 people. Back in 2010, there were 432 people living here. This shows that the community has grown a bit over the years.
Most people in Beckwourth are White. There are also some Native American, Asian, and Pacific Islander residents. A small number of people are from other backgrounds or identify with two or more races. About 7% of the population in 2010 identified as Hispanic or Latino.
In 2010, the population was spread out by age. About 16% of the people were under 18 years old. Around 23% were 65 years or older. The median age was about 54 years old, meaning half the population was older than 54 and half was younger.
Most people in Beckwourth live in homes they own. In 2010, about 86% of the homes were owner-occupied.
Population in 2000
In the year 2000, Beckwourth had a population of 342 people. The community was also mostly White, with smaller numbers of Native American, Pacific Islander, and other racial groups. About 3% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
At that time, about 19% of the population was under 18. About 23% were 65 years or older. The median age was 48 years.
Famous Faces from Beckwourth
- Jim Beckwourth: A well-known mountain man, fur trader, and explorer who discovered the pass that the town is named after.
- Alice Marble: A very famous American tennis player. She was once ranked number one in the world and won 18 Grand Slam championships!
See also
In Spanish: Beckwourth para niños
