Nevada County is a county located in California's Sierra Nevada, in the Mother Lode country. As of 2000 its population is 92,033. The county seat is Nevada City.
History
Nevada County was created in 1851 from parts of Yuba County.
The county was named after the mining town of Nevada City, a name derived from the term "Sierra Nevada." The word nevada in Spanish means "snowy" or "snowcovered."
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,524 km² (974 mi²). 2,480 km² (958 mi²) of it is land and 44 km² (17 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.73% water.
The western part of the county is defined by the course of several rivers and the irregular boundaries of adjoining counties. When the county was created, the founders wanted to include access to the transcontinental railroad, so a rectangular section was added that includes the railroad town of Truckee. What is remarkable about this is that the final shape of the county closely resembles the Deringer pocket pistol, a favorite at the time of the more urbane residents of this gold rush county.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 92,033 people, 36,894 households, and 25,936 families residing in the county. The population density is 37/km² (96/mi²). There are 44,282 housing units at an average density of 18/km² (46/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 93.39% White, 0.28% Black or African American, 0.88% Native American, 0.78% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 1.94% from other races, and 2.64% from two or more races. 5.65% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 36,894 households out of which 28.70% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.60% are married couples living together, 8.80% have a female householder with no husband present, and 29.70% are non-families. 22.80% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.80% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.47 and the average family size is 2.88.
In the county the population is spread out with 23.10% under the age of 18, 6.10% from 18 to 24, 24.10% from 25 to 44, 29.30% from 45 to 64, and 17.40% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 43 years. For every 100 females there are 98.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 94.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county is $45,864, and the median income for a family is $52,697. Males have a median income of $40,742 versus $27,173 for females. The per capita income for the county is $24,007. 8.10% of the population and 5.50% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 9.50% of those under the age of 18 and 4.90% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Cities and towns
External link