Nicolaus, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nicolaus
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 Nicolaus, California
Location in California
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  California |
| County | Sutter |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.138 sq mi (8.127 km2) |
| • Land | 3.138 sq mi (8.127 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0 km2) 0% |
| Elevation | 26 ft (8 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 176 |
| • Density | 56.09/sq mi (21.66/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 2583093 |
Nicolaus is a small community in Sutter County, California. It's called a census-designated place (CDP), which means it's a special area identified by the government for counting people. Nicolaus is part of the larger Yuba City Metropolitan Statistical Area. It sits at an elevation of about 26 feet (8 meters) above sea level. In 2020, about 176 people lived there.
The town gets its name from Nicolaus Allgeier, who was a local rancher. Before it was just "Nicolaus," it was known as Nicolaus Ferry and Nicolaus' Ranche.
Contents
History of Nicolaus
Nicolaus Allgeier started a ferry service in 1843. This ferry helped people cross the Feather River on their way between Sutter's Fort and Sutter's Hock Farm. The town of Nicolaus officially began in 1850. It has had a post office since July 28, 1851, making it one of the oldest post offices in California.
During the California Gold Rush, Nicolaus was an important stop along the Feather River. It was even the county seat (the main government town) for Sutter County from 1850 to 1851, and again from 1852 to 1856. A government agent once described the area near Nicolaus as "a most beautiful country" and "the most fertile" he had seen in California.
Over time, the population of Nicolaus changed. The town was once home to a large Chinese American community, but these residents later moved to other areas. There was also a mix of Maidu Native Americans and Hawaiians, known as Kanakas. These Kanakas were descendants of workers brought by John Sutter in 1839. This group has since moved to El Dorado County, California.
Today, about 200 people live in the town itself, with around 600 more in the surrounding area. Nicolaus is located just off California State Route 99 and is right next to the Feather River. The main highway used to go through the town. However, a big flood in 1955 destroyed the bridge over the Feather River. Since then, the town's business area has become smaller.
The community uses area code 530. The zip code is 95659, which also covers nearby places like East Nicolaus, Trowbridge, Lee, and Verona. Students in Nicolaus attend East Nicolaus High School, which is well-known for its successful sports teams. The football team even won the California Small Schools Championship in 2015. Younger students go to Marcum-Illinois Elementary School.
Fun Things to Do in Nicolaus
There are many fun things to do outdoors in the Nicolaus area. If you like golf, you can visit the River Oaks Golf Course. It's a public 18-hole course right by the Feather River.
The area is also great for hunting, fishing, and watching birds. You can go canoeing or kayaking on the Feather River. Bicycling along the local roads is another popular activity.
Nicolaus has kept its rural feel, even though it's only about 20 minutes north of Sacramento, the state capital. The economy in the Nicolaus area is mostly based on farming. You'll see lots of walnut orchards and rice fields. Every year, the town of Nicolaus hosts a Labor Day parade, which brings visitors from all over California.
Geography and Climate
Nicolaus covers an area of about 3.1 square miles (8.1 square kilometers). All of this area is land, with no water.
Climate in Nicolaus
Nicolaus has a type of weather called a Mediterranean climate. This means it has warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. On climate maps, this is often called a "Csa" climate.
Population Information
The 2010 United States Census counted 211 people living in Nicolaus. Most of these people lived in homes, with a small number in group living situations. The population included people of different backgrounds, with most identifying as White. There were also people of Asian, African American, and other races. About 6.2% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
See also
In Spanish: Nicolaus (California) para niños
