Madera County, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Madera County, California
|
||
---|---|---|
County of Madera | ||
Images, from top down, left to right: Wassama Round House State Historic Park, Devils Postpile National Monument, Fresno Dome, Banner Peak above Thousand Island Lake, Bass Lake
|
||
|
||
Location in the state of California
|
||
Country | United States | |
State | California | |
Regions | San Joaquin Valley, Sierra Nevada | |
Metropolitan area | Metropolitan Fresno | |
Incorporated | 1893 | |
Named for | Spanish word meaning "wood" | |
County seat | Madera | |
Largest city | Madera | |
Area | ||
• Total | 2,153 sq mi (5,580 km2) | |
• Land | 2,137 sq mi (5,530 km2) | |
• Water | 16 sq mi (40 km2) | |
Population
(2020)
|
||
• Total | 156,255 | |
• Density | 72.575/sq mi (28.022/km2) | |
Time zone | UTC−8 (Pacific Time Zone) | |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−7 (Pacific Daylight Time) | |
FIPS code | 06-039 | |
GNIS feature ID | 277284 |
Madera County, officially the County of Madera, is a county at the geographic center of the U.S. state of California. As of the 2020 census, the population was 156,255. The county seat is Madera.
Madera County comprises the Madera, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Fresno-Madera, CA Combined Statistical Area. It is located in the eastern San Joaquin Valley and the central Sierra Nevada.
The southeasternmost part of Yosemite National Park is located in the county's northeast.
Contents
History
Madera County was formed in 1893 from the southern part of Mariposa County during a special election held on May 16, 1893. Citizens residing in the area that was to become Madera County voted 1,179 to 358 for establishment of the new county.
Madera is the Spanish term for wood. The county derives its name from the town of Madera, named when the California Lumber Company built a log flume to carry lumber to the Central Pacific Railroad there in 1876.
The Madera County Sheriff's Department employed the first woman in California to die in the line of duty as a sworn law enforcement officer—Tulare native Lucille Helm (1914-1959). For 15 years, the Madera housewife and mother of four worked on call as a "matron" assisting with female transfers.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,153 square miles (5,580 km2), of which 2,137 square miles (5,530 km2) is land and 16 square miles (41 km2) (0.8%) is water.
Madera County is part of the Madera AVA wine region.
National protected areas
- Devils Postpile National Monument
- Inyo National Forest (part)
- Sierra National Forest (part)
- Yosemite National Park (part)
Demographics
Historical population | |||
---|---|---|---|
Census | Pop. | %± | |
1900 | 6,364 | — | |
1910 | 8,368 | 31.5% | |
1920 | 12,203 | 45.8% | |
1930 | 17,164 | 40.7% | |
1940 | 23,314 | 35.8% | |
1950 | 36,964 | 58.5% | |
1960 | 40,468 | 9.5% | |
1970 | 41,519 | 2.6% | |
1980 | 63,116 | 52.0% | |
1990 | 88,090 | 39.6% | |
2000 | 123,109 | 39.8% | |
2010 | 150,865 | 22.5% | |
2020 | 156,255 | 3.6% | |
U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010 2020 |
2020 census
Race / Ethnicity | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
---|---|---|---|---|
White alone (NH) | 57,380 | 48,399 | 38.03% | 30.97% |
Black or African American alone (NH) | 5,009 | 4,131 | 3.32% | 2.64% |
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 1,790 | 1,738 | 1.19% | 1.11% |
Asian alone (NH) | 2,533 | 3,581 | 1.68% | 2.29% |
Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 107 | 122 | 0.07% | 0.08% |
Some Other Race alone (NH) | 649 | 723 | 0.43% | 0.46% |
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) | 2,405 | 4,383 | 1.59% | 2.81% |
Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 80,992 | 93,178 | 53.69% | 59.63% |
Total | 150,865 | 156,255 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.
2011
Population, race, and income | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total population | 149,611 | ||||
White | 121,045 | 80.9% | |||
Black or African American | 4,962 | 3.3% | |||
American Indian or Alaska Native | 2,541 | 1.7% | |||
Asian | 2,980 | 2.0% | |||
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander | 755 | 0.5% | |||
Some other race | 12,152 | 8.1% | |||
Two or more races | 5,176 | 3.5% | |||
Hispanic or Latino (of any race) | 79,037 | 52.8% | |||
Per capita income | $18,817 | ||||
Median household income | $47,724 | ||||
Median family income | $51,658 |
Places by population, race, and income
Places by population and race | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Place | Type | Population | White | Other |
Asian | Black or African American |
Native American |
Hispanic or Latino (of any race) |
Ahwahnee | CDP | 1,685 | 99.9% | 0.0% | 0.1% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.1% |
Bass Lake | CDP | 473 | 96.6% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 3.4% | 3.4% |
Bonadelle Ranchos-Madera Ranchos | CDP | 8,400 | 83.1% | 8.0% | 3.1% | 5.3% | 0.4% | 26.0% |
Chowchilla | City | 18,465 | 68.1% | 14.3% | 2.5% | 10.2% | 5.0% | 36.7% |
Coarsegold | CDP | 1,490 | 98.2% | 1.8% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 4.9% |
Fairmead | CDP | 1,042 | 77.7% | 17.9% | 0.8% | 3.6% | 0.0% | 53.3% |
La Vina | CDP | 788 | 100.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 100.0% |
Madera | City | 60,221 | 80.2% | 12.7% | 2.9% | 3.0% | 1.3% | 74.9% |
Madera Acres | CDP | 9,201 | 80.2% | 14.6% | 0.3% | 2.4% | 2.5% | 63.7% |
Nipinnawasee | CDP | 644 | 90.1% | 9.9% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 7.1% |
Oakhurst | CDP | 3,014 | 85.7% | 12.2% | 0.0% | 0.6% | 1.5% | 12.9% |
Parksdale | CDP | 3,094 | 75.0% | 19.5% | 0.0% | 1.1% | 4.4% | 92.5% |
Parkwood | CDP | 2,500 | 66.6% | 23.1% | 6.1% | 4.3% | 0.0% | 79.3% |
Rolling Hills | CDP | 927 | 88.2% | 4.5% | 6.8% | 0.4% | 0.0% | 8.8% |
Yosemite Lakes | CDP | 4,655 | 94.4% | 2.2% | 1.6% | 0.2% | 1.6% | 12.3% |
Places by population and income | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Place | Type | Population | Per capita income | Median household income | Median family income |
Ahwahnee | CDP | 1,685 | $36,369 | $48,289 | $59,063 |
Bass Lake | CDP | 473 | $53,315 | $77,857 | $78,839 |
Bonadelle Ranchos-Madera Ranchos | CDP | 8,400 | $29,655 | $74,917 | $83,508 |
Chowchilla | City | 18,465 | $12,612 | $41,858 | $47,283 |
Coarsegold | CDP | 1,490 | $31,284 | $40,333 | $63,719 |
Fairmead | CDP | 1,042 | $16,132 | $42,426 | $41,103 |
La Vina | CDP | 788 | $7,404 | $27,917 | $28,333 |
Madera | City | 60,221 | $14,685 | $41,991 | $43,584 |
Madera Acres | CDP | 9,201 | $20,061 | $63,462 | $66,341 |
Nipinnawasee | CDP | 644 | $23,104 | $43,083 | $63,447 |
Oakhurst | CDP | 3,014 | $22,877 | $37,609 | $46,979 |
Parksdale | CDP | 3,094 | $11,554 | $39,267 | $38,276 |
Parkwood | CDP | 2,500 | $9,352 | $38,941 | $26,654 |
Rolling Hills | CDP | 927 | $28,421 | $69,226 | $91,635 |
Yosemite Lakes | CDP | 4,655 | $34,028 | $77,214 | $79,440 |
2010
The 2010 United States Census reported that Madera County had a population of 150,865. The racial makeup of Madera County was 94,456 (62.6%) White, 5,629 (3.7%) African American, 4,136 (2.7%) Native American, 2,802 (1.9%) Asian, 162 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 37,380 (24.8%) from other races, and 6,300 (4.2%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 80,992 persons (53.7%).
Population reported at 2010 United States Census | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Population |
|
American |
American |
|
Islander |
races |
more races |
or Latino (of any race) |
Madera County | 150,865 | 94,456 | 5,629 | 4,136 | 2,802 | 162 | 37,380 | 6,300 | 80,992 |
city |
Population |
|
American |
American |
|
Islander |
races |
more races |
or Latino (of any race) |
Chowchilla | 18,720 | 11,533 | 2,358 | 376 | 395 | 37 | 3,313 | 708 | 7,073 |
Madera | 61,416 | 30,640 | 2,069 | 1,933 | 1,369 | 72 | 22,603 | 2,730 | 47,103 |
place |
Population |
|
American |
American |
|
Islander |
races |
more races |
or Latino (of any race) |
Ahwahnee | 2,246 | 2,064 | 6 | 30 | 16 | 0 | 38 | 92 | 196 |
Bass Lake | 527 | 503 | 1 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 22 |
Bonadelle Ranchos-Madera Ranchos | 8,569 | 7,034 | 114 | 120 | 207 | 4 | 811 | 279 | 2,305 |
Coarsegold | 1,840 | 1,617 | 11 | 50 | 32 | 6 | 47 | 77 | 156 |
Fairmead | 1,447 | 764 | 88 | 23 | 7 | 0 | 497 | 68 | 984 |
La Vina | 279 | 117 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 150 | 9 | 265 |
Madera Acres | 9,163 | 5,838 | 241 | 161 | 114 | 5 | 2,448 | 356 | 5,985 |
Nipinnawasee | 475 | 422 | 2 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 39 | 50 |
Oakhurst | 2,829 | 2,532 | 22 | 61 | 44 | 3 | 66 | 101 | 473 |
Parksdale | 2,621 | 1,155 | 56 | 65 | 18 | 3 | 1,231 | 93 | 2,278 |
Parkwood | 2,268 | 1,138 | 123 | 48 | 22 | 0 | 814 | 123 | 1,784 |
Rolling Hills | 742 | 642 | 16 | 11 | 25 | 2 | 34 | 12 | 143 |
Yosemite Lakes | 4,952 | 4,408 | 38 | 91 | 51 | 8 | 131 | 225 | 517 |
unincorporated areas |
Population |
|
American |
American |
|
Islander |
races |
more races |
or Latino (of any race) |
All others not CDPs (combined) | 32,771 | 24,049 | 481 | 1,148 | 501 | 22 | 5,192 | 1,378 | 11,658 |
2000
As of the census of 2000, there were 123,109 people in the county, organized into 36,155 households, and 28,598 families. The population density was 58 people per square mile (22/km2). There were 40,387 housing units at an average density of 19 per square mile (7/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 62.2% White, 4.1% Black or African American, 2.6% Native American, 1.3% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 24.4% from other races, and 5.2% from two or more races. 44.3% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 8.0% were of German, 5.9% English, 5.4% American and 5.3% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000. 63.6% spoke English and 33.7% Spanish as their first language.
There were 36,155 households, out of which 40.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.9% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.9% were non-families. 16.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.18 and the average family size was 3.52.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 29.6% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 91.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.0 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $36,286, and the median income for a family was $39,226. Males had a median income of $33,658 versus $24,415 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,682. 21.4% of the population and 15.9% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 28.6% of those under the age of 18 and 9.0% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Attractions
The Chowchilla/Madera County Fairgrounds hosts the Chowchilla Junior Fair, founded in 1946, and the Chowchilla Western Stampede. It also houses the Chowchilla Speedway, a 1/3 mile dirt track, and the Associated Feed Pavilion, a covered arena. The venue hosts numerous horse events and auctions, a Spring Festival barbecue, and other public and private events.
Transportation
Major highways
- State Route 41
- State Route 49
- State Route 99
- State Route 145
- State Route 152
- State Route 233
Other roads
The eastern side of Madera County, which includes Devil's Postpile National Monument and part of Minaret Summit, is unconnected to the rest of Madera County by road. This only road into this area is Minaret Summit Road which becomes State Route 203 at the Mono County border, connecting this area to Mammoth Lakes. Red's Meadow Road is a further extension of this route.
The gap between Minaret Road (not to be confused with Minaret Summit Road), which runs northeast into the Sierras from North Fork, and the end of the Red's Meadow Road is less than 10 miles, and plans for a highway (or tunnel) connecting the Eastern Sierra and the San Joaquin Valley via Minaret Summit had often been discussed. An area southwest of Minaret Summit was not included in the Wilderness Act of 1964 in order to leave a corridor for this possibility. During his time as Governor of California, Ronald Reagan made a horse packing trip into the area. Afterward he supported conservationists' efforts to prevent this highway. Reagan continued his efforts after being elected President in 1980, and the area was eventually designated wilderness by the California Wilderness Act of 1984.
Public transportation
- Madera County Connection provides service between the cities of Madera and Chowchilla. Routes also run to eastern Madera County. A connection to Fresno can be made at Valley Children's Hospital near the county line.
- The cities of Madera and Chowchilla also have their own local transit services.
- Greyhound buses and Amtrak trains stop in Madera.
Airports
- Madera Municipal Airport and Chowchilla Airport are general aviation airports.
Communities
Cities
- Chowchilla
- Madera (county seat)
Census-designated places
Unincorporated communities
Population ranking
The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Madera County.
† county seat
Rank | City/Town/etc. | Municipal type | Population (2010 Census) |
---|---|---|---|
1 | † Madera | City | 61,416 |
2 | Chowchilla | City | 18,720 |
3 | Madera Acres | CDP | 9,163 |
4 | Bonadelle Ranchos-Madera Ranchos | CDP | 8,569 |
5 | Yosemite Lakes | CDP | 4,952 |
6 | Oakhurst | CDP | 2,829 |
7 | Parksdale | CDP | 2,621 |
8 | Parkwood | CDP | 2,268 |
9 | Ahwahnee | CDP | 2,246 |
10 | Coarsegold | CDP | 1,840 |
11 | Fairmead | CDP | 1,447 |
12 | Rolling Hills | CDP | 742 |
13 | Bass Lake | CDP | 527 |
14 | Nipinnawasee | CDP | 475 |
15 | La Vina | CDP | 279 |
16 | Picayune Rancheria (Chukchansi Indians) | AIAN | 69 |
17 | Northfork Rancheria (Mono Indians) | AIAN | 60 |
Economy
Education
Madera County is mostly covered by the State Center Community College District centered on Fresno City College in Fresno. Other districts with territory within Madera County also include the West Hills Community College District and the Merced Community College District.
Images for kids
-
Aerial view from Madera, California, toward the snow-capped Sierras. Eastman Lake (upper left) is on the border of Madera County and Mariposa County. Hensley Lake (upper right) is near the center of Madera County. Madera Lake (lower left) is on the outskirts of Madera.
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Madera para niños