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Mariposa County Demographics

Headwaters Economics (www.headwaterseconomics.org) prepared SocioEconomic Profile of Mariposa County that provides a comprehensive overview of population, employment and income trends in Mariposa County.  To download the profile click here.   

On This Page

• Population
• Income and Spending
• Households and Housing
• Commercial Property
• Schools and Nearby Universities
• Health Care and Medical Services
• County Government
• Broadband Access
• Climate
• Transportation
• Traffic Patterns

Population

Population	2000	2003	2008
Total population	17,130	17,520	18,048
Population by Age
Median Age	42.9	44.8	47.3
0-4	4.4%	4.2%	4.0%
5-9	5.9%	5.0%	4.1%
10-14	7.0%	6.4%	5.4%
15-24	11.2%	12.0%	12.7%
25-34	9.4%	8.7%	8.7%
35-44	15.6%	13.9%	11.3%
45-54	16.1%	17.1%	17.1%
55-64	13.1%	14.3%	16.3%
65-74	9.8%	10.2%	11.3%
75-84	5.8%	6.2%	6.9%
95+	1.6%	1.8%	9.1%
Population by Sex
Males	51.2%	50.9%	50.5%
Females	48.8%	49.1%	49.5%
Population by Race/Ethnicity
White	88.9%	88.9%	88.9%
Black	0.7%	0.76%	0.6%
Native	3.5%	3.3%	3.1%
Asian	0.7%	0.7%	0.7%
Pacific Islander	0.1%	0.1%	0.1%
Hispanic Origin	7.8%	8.4%	9.1%
Other	2.7%	3.0%	3.3%

Social Characteristics	Number	Percent	U.S.
Population 25 years and over	12,196
High school graduate or higher	10,375	85.1	80.4%
Bachelor's degree or higher	2,462	20.2	24.4%
Civilian veterans (civilian population 18 years and over)	2,744	20.6	12.7%
Disability status (population 5 years and over)	3,516	21.9	19.3%
Foreign born	475	2.8	11.1%
Male, Now married, except separated (population 15 years and over)	3,858	53.4	56.7%
Female, Now married, except separated (population 15 years and over)	3,951	57.6	52.1%
Speak a language other than English at home (population 5 years and over)	856	5.2	17.9%

Source:  http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/QTTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=05000US06043&-qr_name=DEC_2000_SF3_U_DP2&-ds_name=DEC_2000_SF3_U&-_lang=en&-redoLog=false&-_sse=on

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Income and Spending

Economic Characteristics	Number	Percent	U.S.
In labor force (population 16 years and over)	7,958	57.7	63.9%
Mean travel time to work in minutes (workers 16 years and over)	32.1	(X)	25.5
Median household income in 1999 (dollars)	34,626	(X)	41,994
Median family income in 1999 (dollars)	42,655	(X)	50,046
Per capita income in 1999 (dollars)	18,190	(X)	21,587
Families below poverty level	471	10.5	9.2%
Individuals below poverty level	2,489	14.8	12.4%

Source:  http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/QTTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=05000US06043&-qr_name=DEC_2000_SF3_U_DP4&-ds_name=DEC_2000_SF3_U&-_lang=en&-redoLog=false&-_sse=on

Household Income	2003	2008
Median Household Income	$37,688	$43,424
Average Household Income	$50,232	$59,289
Per Capita Income	$19,419	$23,084
Median Family Income	$46,281	$53,363
Average Family Income	$59,201	$69,078
Households by Income	2003	2008
<$15,000	19.1%	16.1%
$15,000-$24,999	14.8%	13.0%
$25,000-$34,999	12.8%	11.8%
$35,000-$49,999	11.4%	10.5%
$50,000-$74,999	18.2%	18.6%
$75,000-$99,999	9.1%	10.8%
$100,000-$149,999	6.6%	9.2%
$150,000-$249,999	2.4%	3.8%
$250,000+	0.8%	1.2%

Consumer Spending (2003)
 
Spending Potential Index represents the amount spent in the area relative to a national average of 100.

Apparel: Total $	$15,000
Average Spent	$2,191.5
Spending Potential Index	74
Computers and Accessories: Total $	$1,000
Average Spent	$119.8
Spending Potential Index	65
Entertainment: Total $	$3,000
Average Spent	$391.5
Spending Potential Index	68
Food at Home: Total $	$27,000
Average Spent	$3,969.7
Spending Potential Index	82
Food Away from Home: Total $	$14,465,000
Average Spent	$2,135.7
Spending Potential Index	76
Health Care: Total $	$20,656,000
Average Spent	$3,049.8
Spending Potential Index	96
HH Furnishings & Equipment: Total $	$13,000
Average Spent	$1,859.7
Spending Potential Index	77
Television, Radio, and Sound: Total $	$5,000
Average Spent	$792.1
Spending Potential Index	79
Automotive Aftermarket: Total $	$16,000
Average Spent	$2,429.6
Spending Potential Index	85
Vehicle Maint and Repair: Total $	$6,000
Average Spent	$921.1
Spending Potential Index	81
Vehicle Loans: Total $	$18,000
Average Spent	$2,705.8
Spending Potential Index	91
Home Loans and Mortgages: Total $	$27,000
Average Spent	$3,994.1
Spending Potential Index	69
Travel: Total $	$10,000
Average Spent	$1,508.2
Spending Potential Index	74
Child Care: Total $	$2,000
Average Spent	$233.9
Spending Potential Index	60
Insurance: Total $	$3,772,000
Average Spent	$556.9
Spending Potential Index	85
Investments: Total $	$15,000
Average Spent	$2,210.2
Spending Potential Index	72
Investments to Business: Total $	$6,629,000
Average Spent	$978.7
Spending Potential Index	106

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Households and Housing

Housing Characteristics	Number	Percent	U.S.
Single-family owner-occupied homes	2,430
Median value (dollars)	141,900	(X)	119,600
Median of selected monthly owner costs	(X)	(X)
With a mortgage (dollars)	1,005	(X)	1,088
Not mortgaged (dollars)	268	(X)	295

Source:  http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/QTTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=05000US06043&-qr_name=DEC_2000_SF3_U_DP4&-ds_name=DEC_2000_SF3_U&-_lang=en&-_sse=o 

Households	2000	2003	2008
Total Families	4,490	4,546	4,680
Total Households	6,613	6,773	7,027
Average Household Size	2.37	2.37	2.37
Owner Occupied	4,615	6,773	7,027
Renter Occupied	1,998	2,032	2,096

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Commercial Property

Find the most recent Commercial Property and Business for sale at:
http://mariposabor.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Mariposabor&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=dsAMI5TGWkiNU6w2Vy9gGA%3D%3D&KeyRid=1

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Schools and Nearby Universities

Mariposa County Unified School District
http://www.mariposa.k12.ca.us/ 
 
Mariposa Elementary School is located in the county seat of rural Mariposa County in the picturesque Sierra foothills, 34 miles southwest of Yosemite National Park. The school is arranged over three levels of a hillside and has approximately 300 students in Kindergarten through 6th grade, Preschool, K-6 Special Day Class, and thirteen kindergarten through sixth grade classrooms. We are fortunate to have a very dedicated staff and many volunteers working for our students.
 
Mariposa Middle School is located near the town of Mariposa on twenty-five beautiful rolling, wooded acres. This school serves approximately 280 students in grades 7 and 8 coming from various parts of the County. The program is fully departmentalized, offering required and elective subjects, which are standards-based. Many parents and past students have commended this school as "an outstanding example of successful teaching and learning, setting high standards for all students, rigorous graduation requirements, strong family and community involvement, and a safe and clean environment."
 
Mariposa County High School is located 45 miles west of Yosemite National Park in the historic town of Mariposa. The school has approximately 735 students with minimal student discipline problems and a dedicated teaching staff who care and work closely with students. MCHS is ranked in the top 15% academically of schools in California, has an excellent 26:1 student to teacher ratio, and enjoys outstanding men's and women's sports programs. MCHS prides itself on involving business and community organizations in school curriculum, and has received grant awards of $350,000 for technology for 2000-2002. Teachers enjoy weekly minimum days for staff development activities.
 
Colleges and Universities
 
The County of Mariposa is not included in a community college district.  Columbia Community College is located near Columbia State Park, approximately 45 minutes from Coulterville, Merced Community College is located approximately 45 minutes west of Catheys Valley, and Central California College is located in Fresno, approximately an hour south of the County.  Merced College offers classes in Mariposa, and Central California College offers classes in Oakhurst.
 
California State University at Fresno is located in Fresno, approximately an hour south of Mariposa County.  California State University at Stanislaus is located approximately 90 minutes north and west of the County.  The University of California at Merced campus broke ground in 2002 and is now operating. 
 
California State University Fresno
www.csufresno.edu
 
Fresno Pacific University
www.fresno.edu
 
Merced College
www.mccd.edu
 
University of California at Merced
www.ucmerced.edu

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Health Care and Medical Services

John C. Fremont Healthcare District
http://www.jcfhospital.com/
 
The John C. Fremont Hospital District is a countywide independent district.  Its five-member elected Board of Directors is independent of the County.  The hospital operates a clinic, an extended care facility, inpatient beds, twenty-four-hour emergency trauma services, and a heliport for emergency air transportation.

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County Government

The County of Mariposa is a general law county.  The County is administered by an elected, five member Board of Supervisors.  Except for departments run by constitutional officers, the Board appoints all department heads.  The County has decentralized management with each department head reporting directly to the Board of Supervisors.  Elected department heads include the Auditor, Assessor/Recorder, Treasurer/Tax Collector/County Clerk, District Attorney, Sheriff/Coroner, and California Superior Court Judges.
 
Appointed department heads are Agriculture Commissioner/Sealer, Building Director, Child Support Services Director, Clerk of the Board, County Administrative Officer, County Counsel, Farm Advisor, Fire Chief/Emergency Planning Coordinator, County Health Officer, Human Services Director, Planning Director, Chief Probation Officer, Public Works Director, Librarian, and Community Services Director.  The Superior Court Judges appoint the Chief Probation Officer.
 
The Board of Supervisors appoints commissions and committees to consider and provide advice on designated matters and Board members serve as the directors for a number of dependent special districts in the County.

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Broadband Access

The map below shows where digital subscriber line (DSL) services are available in Mariposa and neighboring Madera counties.  For detailed information on plans and rates visit SierraTel Internet at www.sti.net/s-DSL.html. 

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Climate

Mariposa County claims to be “Above the fog and below the snow.”  This saying resonates well with people living in California’s Central Valley where Tule fog often blocks the sun for days and even weeks at a time.  These same residents, accustomed to temperatures routinely in excess of 100°F during the summer months, often have an aversion to colder weather and, therefore, snow. 
 
The truth is:  Mariposa County experiences four distinct seasons, and with its diverse terrain, many locations enjoy regular snowfall.  Yes, many people do enjoy snow.  Yosemite itself affords opportunities for both cross-country and down-hill skiing, as well as snowboarding and sledding.  Mariposa County’s four seasons are also moderate—not too cold in the winter and not too hot in the summer.  And tourists and residents alike appreciate the fact that events can be planned from May through October with virtually no chance of being “rained-out.”

Source:  http://www.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.asp?ID=KCAMARIP1&graphspan=year&month=12&day=8&year=2008

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Transportation

The County of Mariposa is located in central California, adjacent to the San Joaquin Valley within the central Sierra Nevada.  Mariposa County is surrounded by Tuolumne County on the north and east, Madera County on the south, and Merced and Stanislaus counties on the west (Figure 1-1).  Mariposa County boundaries are approximately 25 minutes from Merced and one hour from the cities of Modesto, Madera, Sonora, and Fresno.  The Town of Mariposa is a little less than two hours from Fresno-Yosemite International Airport, three and one half hours from Oakland International Airport, four hours from Sacramento International Airport, and over four hours from San Francisco International Airport.  Merced’s Amtrak train station is an inter-modal transfer point with the Yosemite Area Regional Transit System.
 
Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System
www.yarts.com
 
Mariposa/Yosemite Airport
www.mariposacounty.org/index.asp?nid=228
 
PO Box 786
5020 Macready Way
Mariposa, CA 95338
Phone:  209-966-2143
Fax:  209-966-5497
mpa-airport@mariposacounty.org
 
Location: Lat/Long: 37-30.64620N / 120-2.51063W
(37.5107700 / -120.0418439) (Estimated)
Elevation: 2250 ft. / 686 m (estimated)
Variation: 15E (1985)
From City: 4 miles W of Mariposa, Ca
 
Airport Specifics

• Facility use: Open to the public
• Sectional Chart: San Francisco (South Side)
• Control Tower: No
• ARTCC: Oakland Center 125.75 or 126.85
• FSS: Ranch Murieta Flight Service Station 122.55
• Attendance: Apr-Nov 0800 - 1700, Dec-Mar 0900 - 1600
• Pattern Altitude: 1000 ft. AAGL / 3250 ft. MSL
• Wind Indicator: Lighted
• Segmented Circle: Yes
• Lights: Dusk - Dawn (Pilot controlled on 122.7)
• 7 Clicks for High
• Beacon: White-Green (Lighted land airport)

Road Conditions & Weather
www.homeofyosemite.com/static/index.cfm?contentID=130

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Traffic Patterns

Traffic Count on Highway 140 in Mariposa County
Note:  Same definitions apply to Highway 140 as to Highway 49

Source:  www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/saferesr/trafdata/2006all/r134161i.htm
Source:  www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/saferesr/trafdata/2006all/r044-50i.htm

Traffic Profile
These files list 2006 traffic volumes for all count locations on the California state highway system. Peak hours, peak month ADTs and annual ADTs are shown at each count location. Significant volume changes (breakpoints) in the traffic profile along each route are counted and identified by name and milepost value. In addition to the profile breakpoints, these files list county lines and well-known landmarks to aid in orientation. All traffic volume figures listed include traffic in both directions unless otherwise indicated.
 
Milepost
Each profile breakpoint is identified by the milepost value corresponding to that point on the highway. The milepost values increase from the beginning of a route within a count to the next county line. The milepost values start over again at each county line. Milepost values usually increase from south to north or west to east depending upon the general direction the route follows within the state.
 
The milepost at a given location will remain the same year after year. When a section of road is relocated, new milepost (usually noted by an alphabetical prefix such as "R" or "M") are established for it. If relocation results in a change in length, "milepost equations" are introduced at the end of each relocated portion so that mileposts on the reminder of the route within the county will remain unchanged.
 
Peak Month ADT
The peak month ADT is the average daily traffic for the month of heaviest traffic flow. This data is obtained because on many routes, high traffic volumes which occur during a certain season of the year are more representative of traffic conditions than the annual ADT.
 
Back and Ahead
Back AADT, Peak Month, and Peak Hour usually represents traffic South or West of the count location. Ahead AADT, Peak Month, and Peak Hour usually represent traffic North or East of the count location. A listing of routes with their designated direction of travel is listed here. 

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