Humboldt County, California facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Humboldt County, California
County
County of Humboldt
Aerial view of Humboldt Bay
Seal
Motto(s):  "The Home of the Redwoods"
Location in the state of California
Country	United States
State	California
Region	California North Coast
Incorporated	May 12, 1853
Named for	Humboldt Bay, which was named after Alexander von Humboldt
County seat	Eureka
Largest city	Eureka
Government
• Type	Council–CAO
Area
• Total	4,052 sq mi (10,490 km2)
• Land	3,568 sq mi (9,240 km2)
• Water	484 sq mi (1,250 km2)
Highest elevation	6,956 ft (2,120 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	136,463
• Density	38/sq mi (15/km2)
GDP
• Total	.843 billion (2022)
Time zone	UTC−8 (Pacific Time Zone)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−7 (Pacific Daylight Time)
Area codes	707, 530
Congressional district	2nd
Website	humboldtgov.org

Humboldt County is a county in the state of California. In 2020, about 136,463 people lived here. The main city and county seat is Eureka.

Humboldt County is on the far North Coast of California. It is about 270 miles (435 km) north of San Francisco. The weather here is very varied. Coastal summers are mild, while inland areas can have hot days. Summers are usually very dry, and winters get a lot of rain.

The main cities are Eureka and Arcata. Eureka is home to College of the Redwoods. Arcata has California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt. Both cities are near Humboldt Bay, which is California's second largest natural bay. Many towns in the area are famous for their beautiful Victorian architecture.

Humboldt County is a very green and mountainous area. It has about 110 miles (177 km) of coastline, more than any other county in California. This area is part of Northern California's rugged Coast (Mountain) Ranges. A lot of the land, about 1.5 million acres (6,070 km²), is covered in forests. Humboldt County produces a large amount of California's forest products. The county also has over 40% of the remaining old growth Coast Redwood forests. Most of these ancient forests are protected in national, state, and local parks.

A Look Back in Time: History

The first people to live in the area now called Humboldt County were Native American tribes. These included the Wiyot, Yurok, Hupa, Karuk, Chilula, Whilkut, and Eel River Athapaskan peoples.

In 1565, Andrés de Urdaneta explored the coast near Cape Mendocino. Spanish traders also visited California by accident on their way back from the Philippines. The first time people from Europe were recorded landing here was in 1775 in Trinidad.

Humboldt Bay was first visited by non-natives in 1806. This was a sea otter hunting group from Alaska. They worked for the Russian-American Company. The group included an American captain, Jonathan Winship, and some Aleut hunters. The bay was not visited again until 1849. In 1850, Douglas Ottinger and Hans Buhne entered the bay. They named it Humboldt to honor the famous scientist and explorer, Alexander von Humboldt. This name was later given to the whole county.

The Wiyot Indian tribe lived around Humboldt Bay. One of their biggest villages, Tolowot, was on Indian Island. This village was founded around 900 BC. It has a large shell midden (a mound of shells and other waste) that is 6 acres (2.4 ha) big and 14 feet (4.3 m) deep. Sadly, Tolowot was the site of a terrible event on February 26, 1860. Between 60 and 200 Wiyot men, women, and children were killed that night. Today, Tolowot is a protected site and a National Historic Landmark.

Many places in Humboldt County are state historic landmarks. These include the Arcata and Mad River Railroad, California's first drilled oil wells in Petrolia, and the City of Eureka. Other landmarks are the town of Ferndale, Fort Humboldt, and the Jacoby Building.

In 1885, about 320 Chinese residents were asked to leave Eureka. This happened after a shooting incident. They were put on steamships and sent to San Francisco. No one was hurt during this event. Later, in 1906, more Chinese workers were asked to leave a cannery on the Eel River. However, some Chinese people stayed in the Orleans area. Some local landowners helped them by providing shelter and food. Chinese people did not return to the coastal cities until the 1950s.

Nature and Geography

Humboldt County covers about 4,052 square miles (10,490 km²). About 3,568 square miles (9,240 km²) is land, and 484 square miles (1,250 km²) is water.

Cape Mendocino, the westernmost point in California, is located here.

Humboldt County has many different kinds of plants and animals. It has important forest and coastal areas. Along the coast, you can find huge redwood forests. A common shrub found here is the toyon.

Humboldt Bay

Humboldt Bay is the only deep-water port between San Francisco and Coos Bay, Oregon. It is located on the coast in the middle of the county.

Rivers of Humboldt

Mouth of Humboldt County's Little River on the Pacific Coast.

Rockefeller Forest, the largest remaining old growth Redwood forest on earth, is located within Humboldt Redwoods State Park.

Humboldt County has several major rivers:

• Klamath River
• Eel River
• Trinity River
• Mad River

Smaller rivers include Redwood Creek, the Van Duzen, and parts of the Eel River system like the South Fork and North Fork. Other rivers are the Mattole, Salmon, Elk, Bear, and Little rivers.

Protecting Nature: Parks and Reserves

Humboldt County has many protected areas where nature is kept safe.

National Parks and Forests

• Redwood National and State Parks
• King Range National Conservation Area and The Lost Coast
• Samoa Dunes Recreation Area
• Headwaters Forest Reserve
• Six Rivers National Forest
• Trinity National Forest
• Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge

State Parks and Beaches

• Little River State Beach
• Trinidad State Beach
• Fort Humboldt State Historic Park
• Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park
• Humboldt Lagoons State Park
• Humboldt Redwoods State Park
• Patrick's Point State Park (now Sue-meg State Park)
• Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
• Richardson Grove State Park
• Sinkyone Wilderness State Park
• Benbow State Recreation Area
• Harry A. Merlo State Recreation Area
• Azalea State Reserve
• John B. Dewitt Redwoods State Reserve

Tide Pools

• Patrick's Point State Park (now Sue-meg State Park)
• Moonstone Beach
• Indian Beach (also known as Old Home Beach)

County Parks

People and Population

2020 Census Information

In 2020, Humboldt County had a population of 136,463 people.

• About 68.4% of the people were White (not Hispanic).
• About 1.3% were Black or African American (not Hispanic).
• About 5.5% were Native American or Alaska Native (not Hispanic).
• About 2.6% were Asian (not Hispanic).
• About 0.3% were Pacific Islander (not Hispanic).
• About 0.8% were of another race (not Hispanic).
• About 7.6% were of two or more races (not Hispanic).
• About 13.6% of the population was Hispanic or Latino (of any race).

2010 Census Information

In 2010, the population was 134,623.

• About 81.7% were White.
• About 1.1% were African American.
• About 5.7% were Native American.
• About 2.2% were Asian.
• About 0.3% were Pacific Islander.
• About 3.7% were from other races.
• About 5.3% were from two or more races.
• About 9.8% of people were Hispanic or Latino.

2000 Census Information

In 2000, Humboldt County had 126,518 people. There were 51,238 households. The population density was about 35 people per square mile (14/km²).

The average household had 2.39 people, and the average family had 2.95 people.

• About 23.2% of the population was under 18 years old.
• About 12.4% were between 18 and 24.
• About 27.4% were between 25 and 44.
• About 24.5% were between 45 and 64.
• About 12.5% were 65 years or older.

The average age was 36 years.

The median income for a household was $31,226. For a family, it was $39,370. About 19.5% of the population lived below the poverty line. This included 22.5% of those under 18.

Economy

Humboldt County is famous for its amazing redwood trees. It is the top timber (wood) producer in California. The rich soil near the rivers and ocean helps produce high-quality dairy products. In warmer valleys further inland, apples and other fruits used to grow a lot. More recently, vineyards (places where grapes are grown for wine) have been planted in the Trinity, Klamath, Mattole, and upper Eel river areas.

Some well-known local companies include:

• Cypress Grove Chevre (makes goat cheese)
• Humboldt Creamery (makes dairy products)
• Lost Coast Brewery (makes drinks)
• C. Crane Company (electronics)
• Holly Yashi (jewelry)
• Eel River Brewing Company (makes drinks)
• Six Rivers Brewery (makes drinks)
• Restoration Hardware (home furnishings)
• Pacific Lumber Company (lumber)

Dairy Farming

Humboldt County is known for its many family-run dairy farms. The Humboldt Creamery makes high-quality ice cream and other dairy products. Its main office is in Fernbridge, near the Eel River.

Fun Things to Do: Parks and Recreation

Humboldt County offers many places for outdoor fun and relaxation.

National Parks and Forests

• Redwood National and State Parks
• King Range National Conservation Area and The Lost Coast
• Samoa Dunes Recreation Area
• Headwaters Forest Reserve
• Six Rivers National Forest
• Trinity National Forest
• Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge

State Parks and Beaches

• Little River State Beach
• Trinidad State Beach
• Fort Humboldt State Historic Park
• Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park
• Humboldt Lagoons State Park
• Humboldt Redwoods State Park
• Sue-meg State Park
• Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
• Richardson Grove State Park
• Sinkyone Wilderness State Park
• Benbow State Recreation Area
• Harry A. Merlo State Recreation Area
• Azalea State Reserve
• John B. Dewitt Redwoods State Reserve

Tide Pools

• Sue-meg State Park
• Moonstone Beach
• Indian Beach (also known as Old Home Beach)

County Parks

Arts and Culture

• The Sequoia Park Zoo in Eureka is California's oldest zoo. It covers 7 acres (2.8 ha) within the 60-acre (24 ha) Sequoia Park.
• The Clarke Historical Museum in Eureka shows the history and culture of the North Coast. It is in the old Bank of Eureka building.
• The Ferndale Museum in Ferndale has items and papers from the California Gold Rush era up to the 1950s.
• The Morris Graves Museum of Art displays art by local artists in a restored Carnegie Library building.
• The Ferndale Repertory Theatre is the oldest theater company in the county. It has been performing since 1972.
• The Humboldt Crabs, started in 1945, are the oldest continuously running summer college baseball team in the country.
• You can find more information in the List of museums in the North Coast (California).

Education

Salmon Creek Community School, Humboldt County, California

Humboldt County has many school districts, including charter and private schools, for elementary and high school students. For higher education, students can go to the College of the Redwoods or California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt (Cal Poly Humboldt). The Dell'Arte International School of Physical Theatre in Blue Lake offers special master's degrees in physical theater.

Media

Print News

The Times-Standard is the only daily newspaper in the area. It has been published since 1854. They also print three weekly papers: the Redwood Times, the Tri-City Weekly, and Northcoast 101. Other local papers include The Independent, the North Coast Journal, the Ferndale Enterprise, and The Lumberjack. The Arcata Eye and the McKinleyville Press joined together in 2013 to form the Mad River Union.

Television

Humboldt County has local TV stations in Eureka. These include NBC station KIEM and PBS station KEET. KIEM produces the only local TV news. KEET is the only PBS station in the area.

Radio

There are many radio stations in Humboldt County, both for-profit and non-profit.

For-profit Stations

Non-profit Stations

Community Media

Local TV channels and broadband networks allow people to share their voices. Access Humboldt provides air time for local programs on public, educational, and government access (PEG) cable TV channels. These programs are also available online.

Getting Around: Transportation

Historic Fernbridge (1911) on the road to Ferndale – California State Route 211

Main Roads

Public Transport

• The Humboldt Transit Authority runs two bus systems. The Redwood Transit System connects towns like Trinidad, Eureka, Arcata, and Garberville. The Eureka Transit Service provides local bus service within Eureka.
• The Arcata and Mad River Transit System serves Arcata and the university.
• The Blue Lake Rancheria Transit Authority connects Arcata to the Blue Lake Rancheria Indian Reservation and casino.
• Del Norte County's Redwood Coast Transit offers bus service between Arcata and Crescent City.
• Amtrak Thruway buses also stop in many towns, including Eureka, Arcata, and Fortuna.

Airports and Seaports

The Arcata-Eureka Airport in McKinleyville has commercial flights. Smaller airports for general aviation are located in Dinsmore, Garberville, and other towns. The Port of Humboldt Bay is on Humboldt Bay, which is California's second largest natural bay.

Events and Festivals

Humboldt County hosts many fun events throughout the year:

Towns and Communities

The Carson Mansion of Eureka

Cities

Census-Designated Places (CDPs)

These are areas that are like towns but are not officially incorporated as cities.

Other Unincorporated Communities

These are smaller communities that are not officially part of a city or CDP.

Indian Reservations

Humboldt County has eight Indian reservations within its borders. Only four other counties in the United States have more. The Hoopa Valley Indian Reservation is the largest in California.

• Big Lagoon Rancheria
• Blue Lake Rancheria
• Hoopa Valley Indian Reservation
• Karuk Indian Reservation (partly in Siskiyou County)
• Rohnerville Rancheria
• Table Bluff Rancheria
• Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria
• Yurok Indian Reservation (partly in Del Norte County)

Population Ranking of Communities (2010)

This table shows the population of cities and towns in Humboldt County based on the 2010 census. † county seat

Famous People from Humboldt County

Images for kids

• 

  The Lanphere Dunes, a protected coastal environment

See also

In Spanish: Condado de Humboldt (California) para niños