Alpine County, California

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Not to be confused with Alpine, California.

Alpine County, California
County
A road sign denoting the Alpine County line along California State Route 89 during a snowstorm in May 2008.
A road sign denoting the Alpine County line along California State Route 89 during a snowstorm in May 2008.
Flag of Alpine County, California
Flag
Official seal of Alpine County, California
Seal
Location in the state of California
Location in the state of California
California's location in the United States
California's location in the United States
Country United States
State California
RegionSierra Nevada
IncorporatedMarch 16, 1864[1]
Named forIts location in the Sierra Nevada resembling the (Swiss) Alps
County seatMarkleeville
Largest communityMarkleeville
Area
 • Total743 sq mi (1,920 km2)
 • Land738 sq mi (1,910 km2)
 • Water4.8 sq mi (12 km2)
Highest elevation11,464 ft (3,494 m)
Population
 • Total1,175
 • Estimate 
(2018)[3]
1,101
 • Density1.6/sq mi (0.61/km2)
Time zoneUTC−8 (Pacific Standard Time)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−7 (Pacific Daylight Time)
Area codes209, 530
FIPS code06-003
GNIS feature ID1675840
Websitewww.alpinecountyca.gov

Alpine County is a county in the U.S. state of California. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,175,[4] making it California's least populous county; the county seat is the Census Designated Place of Markleeville.[5] There are no incorporated cities in the county.

Alpine County is in the Sierra Nevada, between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite National Park.

History[edit]

County Courthouse (1928) in Markleeville
Architect: Frederic J. DeLongchamp

Alpine County was created on March 16, 1864, during a silver boom in the wake of the nearby Comstock Lode discovery,[1] it was named because of its resemblance to the Swiss Alps.[6] The county was formed from parts of Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Mono and Tuolumne Counties.[1] At its formation, there was a population of about 11,000 with its county seat at Silver Mountain City. By 1868, however, the local silver mines had proven unfruitful; and the population fell to about 1,200; the county seat moved to Markleeville in 1875.[1]

After the silver rush, Alpine County's economy consisted almost entirely of farming, ranching, and logging. By the 1920s, the population had fallen to just 200 people. With the construction of the Bear Valley and Kirkwood ski resorts in the late 1960s, the population increased to the present level.

Geography[edit]

Woods-Lake-Sierra-Nevada-Alpine-Janine-Sprout

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 743 square miles (1,920 km2), of which 738 square miles (1,910 km2) is land and 4.8 square miles (12 km2) (0.7%) is water.[7] The federal government owns about 96% of Alpine County, the highest percentage in California.[8]

Adjacent counties[edit]

National protected areas[edit]

Demographics[edit]

2011[edit]

Places by population, race, and income[edit]

2010[edit]

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1870685—
1880539−21.3%
189066723.7%
1900509−23.7%
1910309−39.3%
1920243−21.4%
1930241−0.8%
194032334.0%
1950241−25.4%
196039764.7%
197048421.9%
19801,097126.7%
19901,1131.5%
20001,2088.5%
20101,175−2.7%
Est. 20181,101[3]−6.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[17]
1790–1960[18] 1900–1990[19]
1990–2000[20] 2010–2018[4]

The 2010 United States Census reported that Alpine County had a population of 1,175; the racial makeup of Alpine County was 881 (75.0%) White, 0 (0.0%) African American, 240 (20.4%) Native American, 7 (0.6%) Asian, 0 (0.0%) Pacific Islander, 19 (1.6%) from other races, and 28 (2.4%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 84 persons (7.1%).[21]

2000[edit]

As of the census[22] of 2000, there were 1,208 people, 483 households, and 295 families residing in the county; the population density was 2 people per square mile (1/km²). There were 1,514 housing units at an average density of 2 per square mile (1/km²); the racial makeup of the county was 73.7% White, 0.6% Black or African American, 18.9% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.4% from other races, and 5.1% from two or more races. 7.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 12.1% were of German, 12.1% Irish, 9.3% English, 6.5% American and 5.7% Italian ancestry. 95.0% spoke English, 3.1% Spanish and 2.0% Washo as their first language.

There were 483 households out of which 25.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.9% were married couples living together, 11.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.9% were non-families. 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the county, the population was spread out with 22.8% under the age of 18, 10.4% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 29.3% from 45 to 64, and 9.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 110.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 117.2 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $41,875, and the median income for a family was $50,250. Males had a median income of $36,544 versus $25,800 for females; the per capita income for the county was $24,431. About 12.0% of families and 19.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.4% of those under age 18 and 10.1% of those age 65 or over.

Politics[edit]

Throughout the 20th century, Alpine County was a Republican stronghold in presidential and congressional elections. From 1892 until 2004, the only Democrat to carry Alpine County in a presidential election was Franklin Roosevelt in 1932 and 1936. In 1964, Alpine was one of only five counties in the state to back Barry Goldwater, it was among the five most Republican counties in the entire nation in 1892,[23] 1908,[24] 1920,[25] and 1928.[26] Warren Harding and Herbert Hoover gained over ninety percent of the county’s vote. However, Alpine has become more of a Democratic-leaning county in recent elections, it was carried by John Kerry in 2004 and has stayed in the Democratic column since.

Presidential elections results
Alpine County vote
by party in presidential elections
Year GOP DEM Others
2016 36.05% 217 55.48% 334 8.48% 51
2012 36.09% 236 59.48% 389 4.43% 29
2008 36.31% 252 60.81% 422 2.88% 20
2004 44.37% 311 53.21% 373 2.43% 17
2000 47.95% 281 45.22% 265 6.83% 40
1996 43.00% 264 42.02% 258 14.98% 92
1992 35.18% 222 34.07% 215 30.75% 194
1988 55.43% 306 41.67% 230 2.90% 16
1984 56.65% 264 41.63% 194 1.72% 8
1980 55.10% 254 28.85% 133 16.06% 74
1976 50.34% 225 42.28% 189 7.38% 33
1972 63.54% 366 33.85% 195 2.60% 15
1968 59.29% 150 32.81% 83 7.91% 20
1964 57.67% 124 42.33% 91
1960 76.74% 132 23.26% 40
1956 79.72% 114 20.28% 29
1952 88.10% 148 11.90% 20
1948 76.81% 106 18.12% 25 5.07% 7
1944 68.53% 98 31.47% 45
1940 66.49% 125 32.98% 62 0.53% 1
1936 46.54% 74 53.46% 85
1932 47.32% 53 50.00% 56 2.68% 3
1928 94.23% 49 5.77% 3
1924 88.14% 52 8.47% 5 3.38% 2
1920 91.43% 64 8.57% 6
1916 72.29% 60 27.71% 23
1912 10.00% 8 42.50% 34 47.50% 38
1908 87.21% 75 12.79% 11
1904 89.16% 74 10.84% 9
1900 82.14% 69 17.86% 15
1896 49.38% 40 48.15% 39 2.47% 2
1892 75.58% 65 19.77% 17 4.65% 4

In November 2008, Alpine was one of just three counties in California's interior in which voters rejected Proposition 8, the ballot initiative to amend the California Constitution to reject the legal extension of the title of marriage to same-sex couples. Alpine voters rejected Proposition 8 by 56.4 percent to 43.6 percent. The other interior counties in which Proposition 8 failed to receive a majority of votes were neighboring Mono County and Yolo County.[27]

According to the California Secretary of State, as of January 2016, there are 696 registered voters in Alpine County. Of those, 257 (36.9%) are registered Democratic, 210 (30.2%) are registered Republican, 46 (6.6%) are registered with other political parties, and 183 (26.3%) declined to state a political party.[28]

Alpine County is in California's 4th congressional district, represented by Republican Tom McClintock.[29] In the State Assembly, the county is in the 5th Assembly District, represented by Republican Frank Bigelow.[30] In the State Senate, the county is in the 1st Senate District, represented by Republican Brian Dahle.[31]

Due to its low population density, Alpine County votes entirely by mail, one of two counties in California which do so.[32] In the June 2014 primary elections, about 22% of registered voters went to the polls. In Alpine County, the number was almost 70%, the highest of any county in the state.[33]

Posse Comitatus controversy[edit]

In the late 1970s, the Posse Comitatus organization attempted to take over Alpine County by settling there and fielding candidates in local elections;[34] the Posse thought winning local elections in Alpine County was their best opportunity to take control of a single county. The group fielded a candidate for sheriff and registered fictitious voters using post office boxes and vacant lots as their addresses. Six people were prosecuted for voter fraud, the false registrations were thrown out, and the incumbent sheriff was re-elected.[35]

Voter registration statistics[edit]

Crime[edit]

The following table includes the number of incidents reported and the rate per 1,000 persons for each type of offense.

Transportation[edit]

Major highways[edit]

Airport[edit]

Alpine County Airport is a general aviation airport in the Eastern Sierra about 4 miles (6.4 km) from the town of Markleeville. The airport consists of a simple airstrip with an apron for small light aircraft to park; the airport has no buildings, no lights, and is rarely used. The airport is popular with astronomers due to the clear, dark skies.[citation needed]

Communities[edit]

All unincorporated

Population ranking[edit]

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Alpine County.[38]

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2010 Census)

1 Woodfords Community[39] AIAN 214
2 † Markleeville CDP 210
3 Mesa Vista CDP 200
4 Kirkwood (partially in Amador County) CDP 158
5 Bear Valley CDP 121
6 Alpine Village CDP 114

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Other = Some other race + Two or more races
  2. ^ Native American = Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander + American Indian or Alaska Native
  3. ^ Percentage of registered voters with respect to total population. Percentages of party members with respect to registered voters follow.
  4. ^ Only larceny-theft cases involving property over $400 in value are reported as property crimes.
  5. ^ a b c d e For statistical purposes, defined by the United States Census Bureau as a census-designated place (CDP).

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d "Alpine County General Plan" (PDF). February 2009. p. 7. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 21, 2011. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
  2. ^ "Sonora Peak". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved March 30, 2015.
  3. ^ a b c "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2018 Estimates". Retrieved May 18, 2019.
  4. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
  5. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  6. ^ William Bright; Erwin Gustav Gudde (November 30, 1998). 1500 California place names: their origin and meaning. University of California Press. p. 14. ISBN 978-0-520-21271-8. Retrieved January 20, 2012.
  7. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
  8. ^ Sabalow, Ryan; Kasler, Dale; Reese, Phillip (January 9, 2016). "Rural Californians sympathize with protesters' goals in Oregon standoff". The Sacramento Bee.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B02001. American FactFinder Archived September 11, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  10. ^ a b U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B03003. American FactFinder Archived September 11, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  11. ^ a b U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B19301. American FactFinder Archived September 11, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2013-10-21.
  12. ^ a b U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B19013. American FactFinder Archived September 11, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2013-10-21.
  13. ^ a b U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B19113. American FactFinder Archived September 11, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2013-10-21.
  14. ^ a b U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. American FactFinder Archived September 11, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2013-10-21.
  15. ^ U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B01003. American FactFinder Archived September 11, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2013-10-21.
  16. ^ Data unavailable
  17. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on April 26, 2015. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
  18. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
  19. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
  20. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
  21. ^ "2010 Census P.L. 94-171 Summary File Data". United States Census Bureau.
  22. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on September 11, 2013. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  23. ^ Dave Leip’s Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections; 1892 Presidential Election Statistics
  24. ^ Dave Leip’s Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections; 1908 Presidential Election Statistics
  25. ^ Dave Leip’s Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections; 1920 Presidential Election Statistics
  26. ^ Dave Leip’s Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections; 1928 Presidential Election Statistics
  27. ^ "California results". latimes.com. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  28. ^ "Voter Registration Statistics". California Secretary of State. January 5, 2016. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
  29. ^ "California's 4th Congressional District - Representatives & District Map". Civic Impulse, LLC. Retrieved March 1, 2013.
  30. ^ "Members Assembly". State of California. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
  31. ^ "Senators". State of California. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
  32. ^ "No voters at these polls". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 17, 2013.
  33. ^ Mehta, Seema (June 17, 2014). "California's least-populous county takes voting seriously". Los Angeles Times.
  34. ^ Levitas, Daniel. The Terrorist Next Door: The Militia Movement and the Radical Right. Macmillan. p. 164. ISBN 9781429941808. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
  35. ^ Duncan, Dayton. Miles from Nowhere: Tales from America's Contemporary Frontier. University of Nebraska Press. p. 259. ISBN 0803266278. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
  36. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k California Secretary of State. February 10, 2013 - Report of Registration Archived November 3, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2013-10-31.
  37. ^ 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 December 2, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2013-11-14.
  38. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on December 6, 2013. Retrieved 2015-12-06.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  39. ^ Staff, Website Services & Coordination. "US Census Bureau 2010 Census Interactive Population Map". www.census.gov. Retrieved March 26, 2018.[permanent dead link]

External links[edit]

Coordinates: 38°35′N 119°48′W / 38.58°N 119.80°W / 38.58; -119.80

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