Placer County, California
Placer County, California | |
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County | |
County of Placer | |
![]() ![]() ![]() Images from top, left to right: The Auburn Courthouse, a panorama of a forested area, Lake Tahoe in Kings Beach | |
![]() Flag ![]() Seal | |
![]() Interactive map of Placer County | |
![]() Location in the state of California | |
Coordinates: 39°04′N 120°44′W / 39.06°N 120.73°WCoordinates: 39°04′N 120°44′W / 39.06°N 120.73°W | |
Country | United States |
State | California |
Regions | Sacramento Valley, Sierra Nevada |
Metro area | Greater Sacramento |
Incorporated | April 25, 1851[1] |
Named for | Placer mining, a reference to the area being a center of the California Gold Rush |
County seat | Auburn |
Largest city | Roseville |
Area | |
• Total | 1,502 sq mi (3,890 km2) |
• Land | 1,407 sq mi (3,640 km2) |
• Water | 95 sq mi (250 km2) |
Highest elevation | 9,044 ft (2,757 m) |
Population | |
• Total | 348,432 |
• Estimate (2019)[4] | 398,329 |
• Density | 230/sq mi (90/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−8 (Pacific Time Zone) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−7 (Pacific Daylight Time) |
Area codes | 530, 916, 279 |
FIPS code | 06-061 |
GNIS feature ID | 277295 |
Website | www |
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8f/Gold-Quartz-22791.jpg/220px-Gold-Quartz-22791.jpg)
Placer County (/ˈplæsər/ PLASS-ərr; Spanish for "sand deposit"), officially the County of Placer, is a county in the U.S. state of California. As of the 2010 census, the population was 348,432.[3] The county seat is Auburn.[5]
Placer County is included in the Greater Sacramento metropolitan area. It is in both the Sacramento Valley and Sierra Nevada regions, in what is known as the Gold Country. The county stretches roughly 65 miles from Sacramento's suburbs at Roseville to the Nevada border and the shore of Lake Tahoe.
Etymology[]
The discovery of gold in 1848 brought tens of thousands of miners from around the world during the California Gold Rush. In addition, many more thousands came to provide goods and services to the miners. On April 25, 1851, the fast-growing county was formed from parts of Sutter and Yuba Counties with Auburn as the county seat. Placer County took its name from the Spanish word for sand or gravel deposits containing gold. Miners washed away the gravel, leaving the heavier gold, in a process known as "placer mining".
History[]
Gold mining was a major industry through the 1880s, but gradually the new residents turned to farming the fertile foothill soil, harvesting timber and working for the Southern Pacific Railroad. Auburn was settled when Claude Chana discovered gold in Auburn Ravine in May 1848 and later became a shipping and supply center for the surrounding gold camps. The cornerstone of Placer's courthouse, which is clearly visible from Interstate 80 through Auburn, was laid on July 4, 1894. The building was renovated during the late 1980s and continues to serve the public with courtrooms, a sheriff's office and the Placer County Museum. Roseville, once a small agricultural center, became a major railroad center and grew to the county's most populous city after Southern Pacific Railroad moved its railroad switching yards there in 1908.
Loomis and Newcastle began as mining towns, but soon became centers of a booming fruit-growing industry, supporting many local packing houses. Penryn was founded by a Welsh miner, Griffith Griffith, who established a large granite quarry. Rocklin began as a railroad town and became home to a number of granite quarries. Lincoln and Sheridan continue to support ranching and farming. Lincoln also is the home of one of the county's oldest businesses, the Gladding, McBean terra cotta clay manufacturing plant, established in 1875.
The 1960 Winter Olympics were hosted in Squaw Valley, in Placer County.
Geography[]
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 1,502 square miles (3,890 km2), of which 1,407 square miles (3,640 km2) is land and 95 square miles (250 km2) (6.4%) is water.[6] Watercourses in Placer County include the American River and Bunch Creek. 40.96% of Lake Tahoe's surface area is in Placer County, more than in any of the four other counties in which it lies.[7]
Adjacent counties[]
- Nevada County - north
- Washoe County, Nevada - northeast
- Carson City, Nevada - east
- Douglas County, Nevada - southeast
- El Dorado County - south
- Sacramento County - southwest
- Sutter County - west
- Yuba County - northwest
National protected areas[]
- Eldorado National Forest in part
- Tahoe National Forest in part
Demographics[]
2011[]
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Places by population, race, and income[]
showPlaces by population and race |
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showPlaces by population and income |
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2010[]
Historical population | |||
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Census | Pop. | %± | |
1860 | 13,270 | — | |
1870 | 11,357 | −14.4% | |
1880 | 14,232 | 25.3% | |
1890 | 15,101 | 6.1% | |
1900 | 15,786 | 4.5% | |
1910 | 18,237 | 15.5% | |
1920 | 18,584 | 1.9% | |
1930 | 24,468 | 31.7% | |
1940 | 28,108 | 14.9% | |
1950 | 41,649 | 48.2% | |
1960 | 56,998 | 36.9% | |
1970 | 77,306 | 35.6% | |
1980 | 117,247 | 51.7% | |
1990 | 172,796 | 47.4% | |
2000 | 248,399 | 43.8% | |
2010 | 348,432 | 40.3% | |
2019 (est.) | 398,329 | [4] | 14.3% |
U.S. Decennial Census[16] 1790–1960[17] 1900–1990[18] 1990–2000[19] 2010–2015[3] |
The 2010 United States Census reported that Placer County had a population of 348,432. The racial makeup of Placer County was 290,977 (83.5%) White, 4,751 (1.4%) African American, 3,011 (0.9%) Native American, 20,435 (5.9%) Asian, 778 (0.2%) Pacific Islander, 13,375 (3.8%) from other races, and 15,105 (4.3%) from two or more races. There were 4,710 Hispanics or Latinos of any race (12.8%).[20]
showPopulation reported at 2010 United States Census |
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2000[]
As of the census[21] of 2000, there were 248,399 people, 93,382 households, and 67,701 families residing in the county. The population density was 177 people per square mile (68/km2). There were 107,302 housing units at an average density of 76 per square mile (30/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 88.6% White, 0.8% Black or African American, 0.9% Native American, 3.0% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 3.4% from other races, and 3.2% from two or more races. 9.7% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 15.5% were of German, 12.3% English, 10.6% Irish, 7.1% Italian and 7.0% American ancestry according to Census 2000. 89.7% spoke only English at home; 6.0% spoke Spanish.
There were 93,382 households, out of which 35.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.4% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.5% were non-families. 21.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.06.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.5% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 29.00% from 25 to 44, 24.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.9 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $57,535, and the median income for a family was $65,858 (these figures had risen to $68,463 and $80,987 respectively as of a 2007 estimate[22]). Males had a median income of $50,410 versus $33,763 for females. The per capita income for the county was $27,963. About 3.9% of families and 5.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.3% of those under age 18 and 3.8% of those age 65 or over. Unemployment in the county is just under 7% which is considerably lower than the state's average.
Politics, government, and policing[]
Government[]
County government is by a five-person four-year term elected board of supervisors with a board-appointed county manager and his/her department administrators.
Law enforcement[]
The Placer County Sheriff's Office provides court protection, jail administration, and coroner services for all of Placer County. It provides patrol, detective, and other police services for the unincorporated areas of the county plus by contract to the city of Colfax and the town of Loomis.
Politics[]
Voter registration[]
showPopulation and registered voters |
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Cities by population and voter registration[]
showCities by population and voter registration |
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Overview[]
In its early history Placer County was solidly Republican: it voted Republican in every election between 1860 and 1912, when Bull Moose nominee Theodore Roosevelt was California's official Republican nominee.[24] Between 1916 and 1976, however, the county voted Republican only in three landslide elections of 1920, 1952 and 1972 – in all of which its GOP margins were much smaller than for the state or nation. Since the “Reagan Revolution” Placer County has become and remained a stronghold of the Republican Party; it consistently elects Republican public officials and has voted for presidential candidates from the party in every election since 1980. In 2020, the popular Mercury News incorrectly called the county for Joe Biden 51–47.
In the United States House of Representatives, Placer County is split between California's 1st and 4th congressional districts,[26] represented by Doug LaMalfa (R–Richvale) and Tom McClintock (R–Elk Grove), respectively.[27]
In the California State Senate, Placer County is split between the 1st and 4th districts,[28] represented by Brian Dahle and Jim Nielsen, respectively.
In the California State Assembly, the county is split between the 1st, 5th, and 6th districts,[29] represented by Megan Dahle, Frank Bigelow, and Kevin Kiley, respectively.
Crime[]
The following table includes the number of incidents reported and the rate per 1,000 persons for each type of offense.
showPopulation and crime rates |
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Cities by population and crime rates[]
showCities by population and crime rates |
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Economy[]
Top employers[]
According to the county's 2010 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,[33] the top employers in the county are:
# | Employer | # of Employees |
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1 | Kaiser Permanente | 3,064 |
2 | Hewlett-Packard | 2,500 |
3 | Placer County | 2,400 |
4 | Union Pacific Railroad | 2,000 |
5 | Sutter Health | 1,983 |
6 | Northstar at Tahoe | 1,500 |
7 | Thunder Valley Casino Resort | 1,412 |
8 | City of Roseville | 1,282 |
9 | PRIDE Industries | 1,135 |
10 | Raley's Supermarkets | 1,006 |
mPOWER Placer[]
mPOWER Placer is Placer County's Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program. It provides financing to commercial, industrial, agricultural and multifamily property owners to install energy efficiency, water conservation and renewable energy retrofits. The program, administered by the Placer County Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office, was approved by the Board of Supervisors on February 9, 2010, and launched on March 22, 2010, and is open to eligible Placer County property owners.
Transportation[]
Major highways[]
Interstate 80
State Route 28
State Route 49
State Route 65
State Route 89
State Route 174
State Route 267
Public transportation[]
- Placer County Transit provides basic bus service primarily along the I-80 corridor between Alta and the Watt Ave. Sacramento Regional Transit light rail station. PCT also runs commuter service to Downtown Sacramento.
- The cities of Auburn, Lincoln, and Roseville have their own local transit service. The city of Roseville also offers a commuter service to Sacramento.
- Gold Country Stage (Nevada County) provides a connection between Auburn and Grass Valley.
- , operated by Placer County and the City of Truckee, operates in Truckee (Nevada County), Tahoe City and along the North Shore of Lake Tahoe to Incline Village, Nevada.
- Greyhound and Amtrak provide long-distance intercity service.
Airports[]
There are three general aviation airports in Placer County:
- Lincoln Regional Airport
- Auburn Airport
- Truckee-Tahoe Airport
The closest commercial airport is Sacramento International Airport in Sacramento.
Communities[]
Cities[]
- Auburn (county seat)
- Colfax
- Lincoln
- Rocklin
- Roseville
Towns[]
- Loomis
Census-designated places[]
- Alta
- Carnelian Bay
- Cedar Flat
- Dollar Point
- Dutch Flat
- Foresthill
- Granite Bay
- Kings Beach
- Kingvale
- Meadow Vista
- Newcastle
- North Auburn
- Penryn
- Sheridan
- Sunnyside-Tahoe City
- Tahoe Vista
- Tahoma
Other communities[]
- Applegate
- Baxter
- Blue Canyon
- Emigrant Gap
- Northstar
- Ophir
- Olympic Valley
- Weimar
Ghost town[]
- Iowa Hill
Population ranking[]
The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Placer County.[34]
† county seat
Rank | City/Town/etc. | Municipal type | Population (2010 Census) |
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1 | Roseville | City | 118,788 |
2 | Rocklin | City | 56,974 |
3 | Lincoln | City | 42,819 |
4 | Granite Bay | CDP | 20,402 |
5 | † Auburn | City | 13,330 |
6 | North Auburn | CDP | 13,022 |
7 | Loomis | Town | 6,430 |
8 | Kings Beach | CDP | 3,796 |
9 | Meadow Vista | CDP | 3,217 |
10 | Colfax | City | 1,963 |
11 | Sunnyside-Tahoe City | CDP | 1,557 |
12 | Foresthill | CDP | 1,483 |
13 | Tahoe Vista | CDP | 1,433 |
14 | Sheridan | CDP | 1,238 |
15 | Newcastle | CDP | 1,224 |
16 | Dollar Point | CDP | 1,215 |
17 | Tahoma (partially in El Dorado County) | CDP | 1,191 |
18 | Penryn | CDP | 831 |
19 | Alta | CDP | 610 |
20 | Carnelian Bay | CDP | 524 |
21 | Dutch Flat | CDP | 160 |
22 | Kingvale (mostly in Nevada County) | CDP | 143 |
23 | Auburn Rancheria[35] | AIAN | 0 |
See also[]
- Hiking trails in Placer County
- List of school districts in Placer County, California
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Placer County, California
Notes[]
- ^ Other = Some other race + Two or more races
- ^ Native American = Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander + American Indian or Alaska Native
- ^ Jump up to: a b Percentage of registered voters with respect to total population. Percentages of party members with respect to registered voters follow.
References[]
- ^ "Placer County". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
- ^ "Mount Baldy-West Ridge". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved April 4, 2016.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "American FactFinder". Archived from the original on February 14, 2020. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved October 3, 2015.
- ^ Bureau, U.S. Census. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B02001. U.S. Census website. Retrieved 2013-10-26.
- ^ Jump up to: a b U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B03003. U.S. Census website. Retrieved 2013-10-26.
- ^ Jump up to: a b U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B19301. U.S. Census website. Retrieved 2013-10-21.
- ^ Jump up to: a b U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B19013. U.S. Census website. Retrieved 2013-10-21.
- ^ Jump up to: a b U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B19113. U.S. Census website. Retrieved 2013-10-21.
- ^ Jump up to: a b U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. U.S. Census website. Retrieved 2013-10-21.
- ^ U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B01003. U.S. Census website. Retrieved 2013-10-21.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c Data unavailable
- ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 3, 2015.
- ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved October 3, 2015.
- ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 3, 2015.
- ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved October 3, 2015.
- ^ "2010 Census P.L. 94-171 Summary File Data". United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
- ^ "Placer County, California - Fact Sheet - American FactFinder". Factfinder.census.gov. Archived from the original on February 11, 2020. Retrieved July 22, 2010.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q California Secretary of State. February 10, 2013 - Report of Registration Archived July 27, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2013-10-31.
- ^ Menendez, Albert J.; The Geography of Presidential Elections in the United States, 1868-2004, pp. 153-156 ISBN 0786422173
- ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.
- ^ "Counties by County and by District". California Citizens Redistricting Commission. Archived from the original on September 30, 2013. Retrieved September 24, 2014.
- ^ "California's 4th Congressional District - Representatives & District Map". Civic Impulse, LLC. Retrieved March 1, 2013.
- ^ "Communities of Interest — County". California Citizens Redistricting Commission. Archived from the original on October 23, 2015. Retrieved September 28, 2014.
- ^ "Communities of Interest — County". California Citizens Redistricting Commission. Archived from the original on October 23, 2015. Retrieved September 28, 2014.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i j Office of the Attorney General, Department of Justice, State of California. Table 11: Crimes – 2009 Archived 2013-12-02 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2013-11-14.
- ^ Only larceny-theft cases involving property over $400 in value are reported as property crimes.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c United States Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation. Crime in the United States, 2012, Table 8 (California). Retrieved 2013-11-14.
- ^ County of Placer CAFR
- ^ CNMP, US Census Bureau. "This site has been redesigned and relocated. - U.S. Census Bureau". www.census.gov.
- ^ Staff, Website Services & Coordination. "2010 Census Interactive Population Map (Text Version) - U.S. Census Bureau". www.census.gov.
External links[]
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- Placer County, California
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- Populated places established in 1851