Stirling City, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Stirling City, California
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USGS satellite photo of Stirling City
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 Stirling City, California
Location in California
Stirling City, California
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  California |
| County | Butte County |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.178 sq mi (3.051 km2) |
| • Land | 1.177 sq mi (3.049 km2) |
| • Water | 0.001 sq mi (0.002 km2) 0.07% |
| Elevation | 3,570 ft (1,088 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 284 |
| • Density | 241.1/sq mi (93.08/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP Code |
95978
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| Area code(s) | 530 |
| GNIS feature ID | 235493; 2612488 |
Stirling City is a small community in Butte County, California. It's located on Paradise Ridge, which is in the western part of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Even though its name includes "City," Stirling City is actually a small, unincorporated community, not a large city.
The community uses the ZIP Code 95978 and area code 530. It sits at an elevation of about 3,570 feet (1,088 meters) above sea level. In 2020, about 284 people lived in Stirling City.
Stirling City is located at 39°54′28″N 121°31′41″W / 39.90778°N 121.52806°W. It is about 32 miles (45 kilometers) northeast of Chico, California. The town was built around a special railway line. This line was part of the Southern Pacific Railroad and was used to transport lumber from the nearby Lassen National Forest.
Contents
History of Stirling City
How Stirling City Started
Stirling City was founded in 1903. It was created by a company called the Diamond Match Company, which was based in Barberton, Ohio. The company built Stirling City to be a main place for processing wood cut from the surrounding forests.
A man named Fred Clough, who worked for Diamond Match, named the town. He chose the name "Stirling" after a type of boiler (a machine that heats water) used at the company's plant in Barberton.
Changes Over Time
The large sawmill in Stirling City closed down in the early 1970s. However, the land around Stirling City is still used for cutting timber (wood). The areas where trees have been cleared are now used for farming. Farmers raise cattle and grow fruits and nuts there.
A post office was opened in Stirling City in the same year it was founded, 1903.
Surviving the Camp Fire
In 2018, a very large wildfire called the Camp Fire happened nearby. Stirling City was very lucky and only received minor damage. Firefighters from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) worked hard to protect the community.
Population and People
Who Lives in Stirling City?
Stirling City was first officially counted as a "census-designated place" in the 2010 U.S. Census.
According to the 2010 United States Census, Stirling City had 295 people living there. By 2020, the population was 284.
Most people in Stirling City live in regular homes. In 2010, there were 117 households. Some households had children under 18, while others had adults living alone or with other adults.
The population includes people of different ages. In 2010, about 25.8% of the people were under 18 years old. About 14.9% were 65 years old or older. The average age of people in Stirling City was about 41.1 years.
Climate and Weather
Stirling City's Weather
Stirling City is in a climate zone called the 8a USDA hardiness zone. This means that winter temperatures can sometimes drop as low as 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit (about -12 to -9 degrees Celsius).
On average, there are about 4 days each year when the temperature goes above 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius). There are also about 2 days each year when the temperature drops below 20 degrees Fahrenheit (-6 degrees Celsius).
See also
In Spanish: Stirling City (California) para niños
