Lake County, California Explained

Official Name:County of Lake
Lake County, California
Settlement Type:County
Named For:Clear Lake
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:California
Subdivision Type2:Metro area
Seat Type:County seat
Seat:Lakeport
Seat1 Type:Largest city
Seat1:Clearlake
Unit Pref:US
Area Total Sq Mi:1329
Area Land Sq Mi:1256
Area Water Sq Mi:73
Elevation Max Footnotes:[1]
Elevation Max Ft:7059
Population As Of:April 1, 2020
Population Total:68163
Population Density Sq Mi:54
Established Title:Incorporated
Established Date:May 20, 1861
Government Type:Council–CAO
Governing Body:Board of Supervisors
Leader Title1:Chair
Leader Name1:Jessica Pyska
Leader Title2:Vice Chair
Leader Name2:Moke Simon
Leader Title3:Board of Supervisors[2]
Leader Title4:County Administrative Officer
Leader Name4:Susan R Parker
Timezone:Pacific Standard Time
Utc Offset:-8
Timezone Dst:Pacific Daylight Time
Utc Offset Dst:-7
Area Code Type:Area code
Area Code:707
Blank Name Sec1:FIPS code
Blank Info Sec1:06-033
Blank1 Name Sec1:GNIS feature ID
Blank2 Name Sec1:Congressional district
Blank2 Info Sec1:4th
Image Map1:Map of California highlighting Lake County.svg
Mapsize1:200px
Map Caption1:Location in the state of California
Website:https://www.lakecountyca.gov/

Lake County is a county located in the north central portion of the U.S. state of California. As of the 2020 census, the population was 68,163.[3] The county seat is Lakeport.[4] The county takes its name from Clear Lake, the dominant geographic feature in the county and the largest non-extinct natural lake wholly within California.[5] (Lake Tahoe is partially in Nevada; the Salton Sea was formed by flooding; Tulare Lake was drained by the agricultural industry.)

Lake County forms the Clearlake, California micropolitan statistical area.[6] It is directly north of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Lake County is part of California's Wine Country, which also includes Napa, Sonoma, and Mendocino counties. It includes nine American Viticultural Areas[7] and around 20 bonded wineries.

History

Lake County has been inhabited by Pomo Native Americans for over ten thousand years. Pomos had been fishermen and hunters, known especially for their intricate basketry made from lakeshore tules and other native plants and feathers. Pomo people continue to live in Lake County.[8]

The area had European American settlers since at least the 1840s. Lake County was created in 1861 from parts of Napa and Mendocino counties.[9] The eastern boundary of Lake County, which was not clearly specified in the 1861 act, was clarified by legislative acts passed in 1864 and 1868.[10] A major effect of the 1868 act was to include in Lake County the entire watershed of North Fork Cache Creek, which had previously been claimed by Colusa County.[11]

The 1911 California Blue Book lists the major crops as Bartlett pears and beans. Other crops include grain, alfalfa, hay, prunes, peaches, apples, grapes and walnuts. Stockraising included goats, hogs, turkeys and dairying.[12]

Some vineyards were planted in the 1870s by European Americans, but the first in the state were established in the 18th century by Spanish missionaries. By the early 20th century, the area was earning a reputation for producing some of the world's greatest wines. However, in 1920, national prohibition essentially ended Lake County's wine production. With authorized cultivation limited to sacramental purposes, most of the vineyards were ripped out and replanted with walnut and pear orchards.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which is land and (5.5%) is water.[13] Two main watercourses drain the county: Cache Creek, which is the outlet of Clear Lake; and Putah Creek. Both of these flow to the Sacramento River. The main streams which flow into Clear Lake are Forbes Creek, Scotts Creek, Middle Creek, and Kelsey Creek. At the extreme north of the county Lake Pillsbury and the Van Arsdale Reservoir dam the Eel River, providing water and power to Ukiah in Mendocino County.

Clear Lake is believed to be the oldest warmwater lake in North America, due to a geological fluke. The lake sits on a huge block of stone which slowly tilts in the northern direction at the same rate as the lake fills in with sediment, thus keeping the water at roughly the same depth. The geology of the county is chaotic, being based on Franciscan Assemblage hills. Numerous small faults are present in the south end of the lake as well as many old volcanoes, the largest being Cobb Mountain. The geologic history of the county shows events of great violence, such as the eruption of Mount Konocti and Mount St. Helena and the collapse of Cow Mountain, which created the hills around the county seat of Lakeport. Blue Lakes, Lake Pillsbury, and Indian Valley Reservoir are the county's other major bodies of water.

Lake County has habitats for a variety of species of concern including the uncommon herb, Legenere limosa, the rare Eryngium constancei, and the tule elk. Waterfowl, bear, and other wildlife abound in the Clear Lake basin.

Due to its surrounding hilly terrain, Lake is the only one of California's 58 counties never to have been served by a railroad line.

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

In 2015 President Barack Obama created the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, incorporating these and other areas.

State protected areas

Mineral springs

In the late 19th century, the worldwide popularity of mineral water for the relief of myriad physical ailments resulted in the development of mineral resorts around Clear Lake.[14]

Climate

Lake County has a mediterranean climate with hot summer daytime temperatures in its lower elevations. Nighttime temperatures remain cool year-round, somewhat moderating average temperatures and relieving the summer heat.

Air quality

Lake County has been ranked by the American Lung Association as having the cleanest air in the nation, including in 2013, 2014 and 2015.[18] Lake County has also been ranked 24 times as having the cleanest air in California. Currently, the American Lung Association's website gives Lake County air a "C" grade for high ozone days and an "A" grade for particle pollution.[19]

Demographics

2020 census

Lake County, California - Demographic Profile
(NH = Non-Hispanic)!Race / Ethnicity!Pop 2010[20] !Pop 2020[21] !% 2010!% 2020
White alone (NH)47,93844,20274.13%64.85%
Black or African American alone (NH)1,1861,1581.83%1.70%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)1,5301,7372.37%2.55%
Asian alone (NH)6959401.07%1.38%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)97890.15%0.13%
Some Other Race alone (NH)1073860.17%0.57%
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH)2,0244,2093.13%6.17%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)11,08815,44217.15%22.65%
Total64,66568,163100.00%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

Places by population, race, and income

2010 Census

The 2010 United States Census reported that Lake County had a population of 64,665. The racial makeup of Lake County was 52,033 (80.5%) White, 1,232 (1.9%) African American, 2,049 (3.2%) Native American, 724 (1.1%) Asian, 108 (0.2%) Pacific Islander, 5,455 (8.4%) from other races, and 3,064 (4.7%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11,088 persons (17.1%).

2005

There were a total of 34,031 homes in Lake County in 2005. This county has gone through a growth in housing units, adding a sum of 1,414 residential structures since 2001, a change of 4.3 percent. Lake County ranks 978 of 3,141, compared to change in residential structure growth in counties throughout the Unities States.

Lake County had a median home value in the year 2005 of $255,300, according to the American Community Survey. This median is less than the overall California 2005 home median value of $477,700 and greater than median home value of $167,500 for the rest of the nation in that year. In 2005, the American Community Survey reported that 14.4% of Lake County's owner-occupied dwellings are valued over a half a million dollars.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.1% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 23.6% from 25 to 44, 26.8% from 45 to 64, and 19.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 97.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.7 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $49,627, and the median income for a family was $55,818. Males had a median income of $45,771 versus $44,026 for females. The per capita income for the county was $43,825. About 6.9% of families and 4.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.8% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over. (Source: U.S. Census Bureau)

Within Lake County are two incorporated cities, the county seat of Lakeport and Clearlake, the largest city, and the communities of Kelseyville, Blue Lakes, Clearlake Oaks, Clearlake Park, Cobb, Finley, Glenhaven, Hidden Valley Lake, Clearlake Riviera, Loch Lomond, Lower Lake, Lucerne, Middletown, Nice, Spring Valley, Upper Lake, Whispering Pines, and Witter Springs.

Lake County is mostly agricultural, with tourist facilities and some light industry. Major crops include pears, walnuts and, increasingly, wine grapes.

2000

According to official estimates based on the 2000 Census, 30% of housing units in Lake County were manufactured housing units.[31] This was the highest percentage of any California county.[32]

Politics

Voter registration

Cities by population and voter registration

Overview

In its early history, Lake County leaned Democratic in Presidential and congressional elections. It supported every Democratic presidential candidate between 1864 and 1916 except Alton B. Parker in his 1904 landslide defeat.[35] Nonetheless, between 1920 and 1984 Lake County tended towards being Republican and was won by just four Democratic nominees – Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932 and 1936, Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964 and Jimmy Carter in 1976. Ronald Reagan in 1984 remains the last Republican to win a majority in the county, which has reverted to leaning Democratic.[35]

Lake County is in California's 4th congressional district, represented by .[36]

In the state legislature, Lake is part of the 4th Assembly district and the 2nd Senate district.

On November 4, 2008, Lake County voted 52.6% for Proposition 8, which amended the California Constitution to ban same-sex marriages.[37]

Crime

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

Cities by population and crime rates

Economy

The county's largest employers are the healthcare industry, Native American casinos, grocery stores, school districts, and electricity company Calpine, which operates in the Geysers geothermal field in the Mayacamas Mountains.

The only significant manufacturing operations in Lake County are Stokes Ladders in Kelseyville, which builds orchard and industrial ladders, and Reynolds Systems in Middletown, which specializes in detonators, igniters, precision initiating couplers, leads and boosters for the aerospace industry.

Lake County's economy is largely driven by agriculture. The main crops in 2022 were:

CropProduction (tons)ValueBearing acres
Grapes (wine) 45,637 $84,756,086[41] 10,987
Pears 16,371 $16,286,443 1,375.5
Walnuts 262 $239,959 3,485
Nursery production $624,085 16
Vegetables (misc.) $287,078 9
Cannabis (mixed light) unknown 7.6
Cannabis (outdoor) unknown 178

Wine Country

See main article: Lake County wine. The first vineyards in Lake County were planted in the late 19th century, but Prohibition and its remoteness dealt a blow to the area's viticulture. A reemergence of the wine industry began in the 1970s, although most of the region's grapes are still trucked to neighboring Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino counties for vinification. The county saw its vineyard acreage increase from fewer than 100acres in 1965 to more than 11000acres in 2023

The region is host to nine American Viticultural Areas, notably Guenoc Valley, High Valley and the Red Hills, and about 20 winery operations.

Transportation

Major highways

There are also several numbered county routes in Lake County.

Public transportation

Lake Transit serves all areas around Clear Lake. Local routes serve Lakeport, Clearlake and Lower Lake. Connections are also provided to St. Helena (in Napa County) and Ukiah (in Mendocino County). Some routes operate on weekdays only; no service is provided on Sundays and observed public holidays.[42] [43]

Airports

Lampson Field is the county's public airport. A 4000foot airstrip is located in Gravelly Valley, north of Lake Pillsbury. There are also several private airstrips located throughout the county. The county was once host to the Paul Hoberg Airport in the Cobb area, which by the early 1980s was considered abandoned.

Historical railroads

In 1888 the Vaca Valley and Clear Lake Railroad reached Rumsey, but the planned line to Clear Lake was never built. The Clear Lake Railroad started work on a line from Hopland to Lakeport: "In November 1911 first ground was broken for the Hopland-Clear Lake railroad to Hopland. Mrs Harriet Lee Hammond, wife of the president of the road started construction. ... There were six miles of track out of Hopland ...", but this was also abandoned.[44] [45] [46]

Communities

Cities

Census-designated places

As of 2022, the U.S. Census continues to use the community's former name of Clear Lake Riviera

Unincorporated communities

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Lake County.[47]

county seat

RankCity/Town/etc.Municipal typePopulation (2010 Census)
1Clearlake City15,250
2Hidden Valley Lake CDP5,579
3 Lakeport City4,753
4Kelseyville CDP3,353
5North Lakeport CDP3,314
6Clearlake RivieraCDP3,090
7Lucerne CDP3,067
8Nice CDP2,731
9Clearlake Oaks CDP2,359
10Cobb CDP1,778
11Middletown CDP1,323
12Lower Lake CDP1,294
13Upper Lake CDP1,052
14Soda Bay CDP1,016
15Spring Valley CDP845
16Robinson Rancheria (Pomo Indians)[48] AIAN207
17Big Valley Rancheria (Pomo Indians)[49] AIAN139
18Upper Lake Rancheria (Pomo Indians)[50] AIAN87
19Sulphur Bank Rancheria (Pomo Indians)[51] AIAN61
20Middletown Rancheria (Pomo Indians)[52] AIAN56

Notable people

See also

External links

39.09°N -122.76°W

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Snow Mountain. Peakbagger.com. April 9, 2015. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20150502070122/http://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=1174. May 2, 2015.
  2. Web site: Board of Supervisors . July 1, 2022 . www.lakecountyca.gov.
  3. Web site: Lake County, California. United States Census Bureau. January 30, 2022.
  4. Web site: Find a County. June 7, 2011. National Association of Counties. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx. May 31, 2011.
  5. Web site: Clear Lake Is Unique . Official Website of the County of Lake . County of Lake . September 13, 2013 . October 9, 2015 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20151006084252/http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Page2593.aspx . October 6, 2015 .
  6. Web site: 2002 Economic Census: Summary Statistics by 2002 NAICS - Clearlake, CA Micropolitan Statistical Area . May 27, 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140527215336/https://www.census.gov/econ/census02/data/metro1/M17340.HTM . May 27, 2014 . Clearlake, CA Micropolitan Statistical Area
  7. Web site: Lake County Appellations. Lake County Winegrape Growers.
  8. Web site: Our Mission/History.
  9. Web site: Lake County, California . Genealogy Trails . 2006 . October 9, 2015 .
  10. Book: The Statutes of California Passed at the Seventeenth Session of the Legislature. 269. 1868. California. J. Winchester.
  11. Book: California County Boundaries: A Study of the Division of the State into Counties and the Subsequent Changes in their Boundaries. California Historical Survey Commission. Coy, Owen C.. 1923. https://web.archive.org/web/20201113065127/https://www.tellusventure.com/downloads/reference/California_county_boundaries.pdf. November 13, 2020.
  12. Book: California Secretary of State. California Blue Book. 1911. 655.
  13. Web site: 2010 Census Gazetteer Files. United States Census Bureau. September 26, 2015. August 22, 2012. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20150925144550/http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_06.txt. September 25, 2015.
  14. Book: Sanderson, Marcia . Lake County . 2005 . Arcadia Publishing . Charleston, South Carolina . 978-0-7385-3030-7 . 39–52 .
  15. Web site: LAKE COUNTY HISTORY. September 8, 2012. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20130831054720/http://clearlake-cabins4rent.com/history.html. August 31, 2013.
  16. https://www.sfgate.com/weather/article/Harbin-Hot-Springs-opening-pools-reservations-fire-13535539.php Clothing optional resort Harbin Hot Springs reopens its pools 3 years after wildfire
  17. Web site: Lake County History Timeline. https://archive.today/20130222214546/http://community-2.webtv.net/@HH!AA!91!4CAFDBA8D9BC/jbond008/lchist/page3.html. dead. February 22, 2013. September 8, 2012.
  18. Web site: Lake County's air rated cleanest in the nation. April 30, 2015. July 2, 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160816211707/http://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/3870157-181/lake-countys-air-rated-cleanest. August 16, 2016.
  19. Web site: How healthy is the air you breathe?. lung.org. March 26, 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180112155944/http://www.lung.org/our-initiatives/healthy-air/sota/city-rankings/states/california/. January 12, 2018.
  20. Web site: P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Lake County, California. United States Census Bureau.
  21. Web site: P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Lake County, California. United States Census Bureau.
  22. U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B02001. U.S. Census website . Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  23. U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B03003. U.S. Census website . Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  24. U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B19301. U.S. Census website . Retrieved October 21, 2013.
  25. U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B19013. U.S. Census website . Retrieved October 21, 2013.
  26. U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B19113. U.S. Census website . Retrieved October 21, 2013.
  27. U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. U.S. Census website . Retrieved October 21, 2013.
  28. Other = Some other race + Two or more races
  29. Native American = Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander + American Indian or Alaska Native
  30. U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B01003. U.S. Census website . Retrieved October 21, 2013.
  31. Web site: American FactFinder - Results. https://archive.today/20200212092400/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/00_SF3/DP4/0500000US06033. dead. February 12, 2020. U.S. Census. Bureau. factfinder2.census.gov. March 26, 2018.
  32. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/maps/california_map.html U.S. Department of Commerce
  33. California Secretary of State. February 10, 2013 - Report of Registration . Retrieved October 31, 2013.
  34. Percentage of registered voters with respect to total population. Percentages of party members with respect to registered voters follow.
  35. Menendez, Albert J.; The Geography of Presidential Elections in the United States, 1868-2004, pp. 152-155
  36. February 25, 2023.
  37. California Secretary of State: “Statement of Vote for November 4, 2008, General Election”, page 62.
  38. Office of the Attorney General, Department of Justice, State of California. Table 11: Crimes  - 2009 . Retrieved November 14, 2013.
  39. Only larceny-theft cases involving property over $400 in value are reported as property crimes.
  40. United States Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation. Crime in the United States, 2017, Table 8 (California) . Retrieved May 27, 2019.
  41. Gross value
  42. Web site: Routes & Schedules. laketransit.org. March 26, 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180327090046/http://laketransit.org/routes-schedules/. March 27, 2018.
  43. Web site: General Information. laketransit.org. March 26, 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180327084602/http://laketransit.org/general-information/. March 27, 2018.
  44. News: Glimpses of the past. February 28, 2014. Cloverdale Reveille. August 1, 1984.
  45. News: CLEAR LAKE RAILROAD TO BEGIN WORK SOON. February 28, 2014. San Francisco Call. September 30, 1911. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140306074919/http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=SFC19111001.2.43. March 6, 2014.
  46. Book: Aurelius O. Carpenter And Percy H. Millberry, (Transcribed by Peggy Hooper). History of Mendocino and Lake Counties, California With Biographical Sketches. 1914. Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20141117211306/http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/biographies2/bios2/clear-lake-railroad-company.txt. November 17, 2014.
  47. Web site: 2010 U.S. Census website . . February 10, 2013 .
  48. Web site: US Census Bureau 2010 Census Interactive Population Map. Website Services & Coordination. Staff. www.census.gov. March 26, 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180429232408/https://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=3195. April 29, 2018.
  49. Web site: US Census Bureau 2010 Census Interactive Population Map. Website Services & Coordination. Staff. www.census.gov. March 26, 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180429232408/https://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=0275. April 29, 2018.
  50. Web site: US Census Bureau 2010 Census Interactive Population Map. Website Services & Coordination. Staff. www.census.gov. March 26, 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180429232409/https://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=4430. April 29, 2018.
  51. Web site: US Census Bureau 2010 Census Interactive Population Map. Website Services & Coordination. Staff. www.census.gov. March 26, 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180429232408/https://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=4030. April 29, 2018.
  52. Web site: US Census Bureau 2010 Census Interactive Population Map. Website Services & Coordination. Staff. www.census.gov. March 26, 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180429232408/https://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=2255. April 29, 2018.