Tuolumne County, California

38.02°N 119.94°W / 38.02; -119.94

Tuolumne County, California
County
County of Tuolumne
Images, from top down, left to right: the Old Tuolumne County Courthouse in Sonora, a shop in Columbia State Historic Park, Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park
Flag of Tuolumne County, California
Flag
Official seal of Tuolumne County, California
Seal
Interactive map of Tuolumne County
Location in the state of California
Location in the state of California
CountryUnited States
StateCalifornia
RegionsSierra Nevada, Gold Country
IncorporatedFebruary 15, 1850[1]
County seatSonora
Largest citySonora
Government
 • TypeCouncil–Administrator
 • BodyBoard of Supervisors
 • ChairKathleen Haff
 • Vice ChairDavid Goldemberg
 • Board of Supervisors[2]
Supervisors
  • David Goldemberg
  • Ryan Campbell
  • Daniel Anaiah Kirk
  • Kathleen Haff
  • Jaron Brandon
 • County AdministratorTracie Riggs[3]
Area
 • Total2,274 sq mi (5,890 km2)
 • Land2,221 sq mi (5,750 km2)
 • Water54 sq mi (140 km2)
Highest elevation
13,114 ft (3,997 m)
Population
 (April 1, 2020)[4]
 • Total55,620
 • Density24/sq mi (9.4/km2)
Time zoneUTC−8 (Pacific Time Zone)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−7 (Pacific Daylight Time)
Congressional district5th
Websitewww.co.tuolumne.ca.us
Very fine old crystalline-gold specimen, most likely from Tuolumne County. Sold in the 1950s for $65; more recently for $12,500. Published twice.[5]

Tuolumne County (/tuˈɒləmi/ ⓘ), officially the County of Tuolumne, is a county located in the U.S. state of California. As of the 2020 census, the population was 55,620.[6] The county seat and only incorporated city is Sonora.[7]

Tuolumne County comprises the Sonora, CA Micropolitan Statistical Area. The county is in the Sierra Nevada region.

City of Sonora in Tuolumne County California
City of Sonora in Tuolumne County California

The northern half of Yosemite National Park is located in the eastern part of the county.

Etymology

The name Tuolumne is of Native American origin and has been given different meanings, such as Many Stone Houses, The Land of Mountain Lions, and Straight Up Steep, the latter an interpretation of William Fuller, a native Chief.[8] Mariano Vallejo, in his report to the first California State Legislature, said that the word is "a corruption of the Native American word talmalamne which signifies 'cluster of stone wigwams.'"[9] The name may mean "people who dwell in stone houses," i.e., in caves.

History

Tuolumne County Boundaries

One of California's original 27 counties, Tuolumne was organized in 1850.

Prior to the official naming of counties by the state, Tuolumne was sometimes referred to as Oro County.[10]

The original lines of Tuolumne County were not long established. In 1854 and 1855 the portion of Tuolumne County that extended west into the San Joaquin Valley was reorganized as Stanislaus County. In 1864 a number of the original counties including Tuolumne contributed lands that would lead to the establishment of Alpine County to the northeast. With the State's Adoption of the Political Code in 1872 the current boundaries of Tuolumne County were largely established as shown in the maps below.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,274 square miles (5,890 km2), of which 2,221 square miles (5,750 km2) is land and 54 square miles (140 km2) (2.4%) is water.[11] A California Department of Forestry document reports Tuolumne County's 1,030,812 acres (4,171.55 km2) include federal lands such as Yosemite National Park, Stanislaus National Forest, Bureau of Land Management lands, and Indian reservations. Notable landforms in the county include Table Mountain.

Special Districts

Special districts in Tuolumne County include:

  • Belleview Elementary School District
  • Big Oak Flat-Groveland Unified School District
  • Chinese Camp Elementary School District
  • Columbia Fire District
  • Columbia Union Elementary School District
  • Curtis Creek Elementary School District
  • Groveland Community Services District
  • Jamestown Elementary School District
  • Jamestown Fire District
  • Mi-Wuk Sugar Pine Fire Protection District
  • Sonora Elementary School District
  • Sonora Union High School District
  • Soulsbyville Elementary School District
  • Strawberry Fire District
  • Summerville Elementary School District
  • Summerville Union High School District
  • Tuolumne County Air Pollution Control District
  • Tuolumne County Water District No. 1
  • Tuolumne Fire District
  • Tuolumne Regional Water District
  • Tuolumne Utilities District
  • Twain Harte Fire District
  • Twain Harte-Long Barn Union Elementary School District
  • Yosemite Community College District

Adjacent counties

Geographical features
Environmental
Valleys

Transportation

Major highways

Public transportation

Tuolumne County Transit bus routes radiate from Sonora to serve most of the county. In Columbia, a connection can be made to Calaveras County Transit. There is no public transportation into or out of Tuolumne County that connects to any of the closest metropolitan areas.

Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS) makes a single daily round trip from Sonora into Yosemite Valley during the summer months.

Airports

Columbia Airport and Pine Mountain Lake Airport are both general aviation airports located in the Southwest and Northeast corners of the county respectively.

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

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18508,351—
186016,22994.3%
18708,150−49.8%
18807,848−3.7%
18906,082−22.5%
190011,16683.6%
19109,979−10.6%
19207,768−22.2%
19309,27119.3%
194010,88717.4%
195012,58415.6%
196014,40414.5%
197022,16953.9%
198033,92853.0%
199048,45642.8%
200054,50112.5%
201055,3651.6%
202055,6200.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[16]
1790-1960[17] 1900-1990[18]
1990-2000[19] 2010[20] 2020[21]

2020 census
Tuolumne County, California - Demographic Profile
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
Race / Ethnicity Pop 2010[20] Pop 2020[21] % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 45,325 42,254 81.87% 75.97%
Black or African American alone (NH) 1,114 989 2.01% 1.78%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 830 784 1.50% 1.41%
Asian alone (NH) 530 770 0.96% 1.38%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 62 110 0.11% 0.20%
Some Other Race alone (NH) 230 313 0.42% 0.56%
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) 1,356 3,276 2.45% 5.89%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 5,918 7,124 10.69% 12.81%
Total 55,365 55,620 100.00% 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 Tuolumne County had a population of 55,365. The racial makeup of Tuolumne County was 48,274 (87.2%) White, 1,143 (2.1%) African American, 1,039 (1.9%) Native American, 572 (1.0%) Asian, 76 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 2,238 (4.0%) from other races, and 2,023 (3.7%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5,918 persons (10.7%).[28]

2000

As of the census[29] of 2000, there were 54,501 people, 21,004 households, and 14,240 families residing in the county. The population density was 9/km2 (23/sq mi). There were 28,336 housing units at an average density of 5/km2 (13/sq mi). The racial makeup of the county was 89.5% White, 2.1% Black or African American, 1.8% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 2.9% from other races, and 2.8% from two or more races. 8.2% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 94.7% spoke English and 3.5% Spanish as their first language.

There were 21,004 households, out of which 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.4% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.2% were non-families. 26.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.82.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 20.7% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 25.3% from 25 to 44, 27.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 111.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 112.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $38,725, and the median income for a family was $44,327. Males had a median income of $35,373 versus $25,805 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,015. About 8.1% of families and 11.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.2% of those under age 18 and 4.0% of those age 65 or over.

Government and policing

The Government of Tuolumne County is established and defined by the California Constitution and is a five-member elected Board Of Supervisors who serve four year elected terms. The government provides services such as elections and voter registration, law enforcement, jails, vital records, property records, tax collection, public health, and social services. The Board is government for all unincorporated areas. Sonora is the only incorporated city in Tuolumne County.

Sheriff

The Tuolumne County Sheriff provides court protection, jail administration, and coroner services for the entire county. It provides patrol and detective services for the unincorporated areas of the county.

Politics

Voter registration statistics

Cities by population and voter registration

Overview

Tuolumne county tends to vote Republican in Presidential and congressional elections. The last Democrat to win the county was Bill Clinton in 1992. In the 2008 presidential election, 14,988 votes were counted for John McCain with former president Barack Obama receiving 11,532 votes.[31]

United States presidential election results for Tuolumne County, California[32]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 17,689 58.17% 11,978 39.39% 741 2.44%
2016 14,551 56.20% 9,123 35.23% 2,219 8.57%
2012 13,880 56.06% 9,998 40.38% 880 3.55%
2008 14,988 54.90% 11,532 42.24% 783 2.87%
2004 15,745 60.02% 10,104 38.51% 386 1.47%
2000 13,172 55.51% 9,359 39.44% 1,196 5.04%
1996 10,386 47.27% 8,950 40.73% 2,636 12.00%
1992 8,525 35.26% 9,216 38.12% 6,437 26.62%
1988 10,646 54.00% 8,717 44.22% 352 1.79%
1984 10,485 58.09% 7,283 40.35% 283 1.57%
1980 8,810 54.85% 5,449 33.92% 1,804 11.23%
1976 6,104 46.94% 6,492 49.93% 407 3.13%
1972 5,894 54.29% 4,596 42.34% 366 3.37%
1968 4,330 47.48% 3,913 42.91% 876 9.61%
1964 2,861 36.59% 4,939 63.16% 20 0.26%
1960 3,691 49.11% 3,781 50.31% 44 0.59%
1956 3,619 52.12% 3,310 47.67% 14 0.20%
1952 4,050 59.18% 2,735 39.96% 59 0.86%
1948 2,639 48.21% 2,561 46.78% 274 5.01%
1944 1,864 41.77% 2,566 57.51% 32 0.72%
1940 2,004 35.63% 3,541 62.96% 79 1.40%
1936 1,199 26.40% 3,303 72.72% 40 0.88%
1932 1,145 30.18% 2,521 66.45% 128 3.37%
1928 1,731 54.80% 1,360 43.05% 68 2.15%
1924 1,287 43.03% 357 11.94% 1,347 45.04%
1920 1,285 59.38% 659 30.45% 220 10.17%
1916 1,057 36.17% 1,584 54.21% 281 9.62%
1912 8 0.30% 1,459 55.58% 1,158 44.11%
1908 943 44.40% 878 41.34% 303 14.27%
1904 1,280 48.76% 1,006 38.32% 339 12.91%
1900 1,309 45.09% 1,530 52.70% 64 2.20%
1896 834 38.06% 1,308 59.70% 49 2.24%
1892 739 40.56% 916 50.27% 167 9.17%

Tuolumne County is in California's 5th congressional district, represented by Republican Tom McClintock.[33] In the state legislature Tuolumne is in the 8th Assembly district, which is held by Republican Jim Patterson and the 4th Senate district, which is held by Republican Marie Alvarado-Gill.

Communities

City

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Tuolumne County.[34]

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2010 Census)
1 † Sonora City 4,610
2 Phoenix Lake CDP 4,269
3 Jamestown CDP 3,433
4 Mono Vista CDP 3,127
5 Pine Mountain Lake CDP 2,796
6 Columbia CDP 2,297
7 East Sonora CDP 2,266
8 Twain Harte CDP 2,226
9 Soulsbyville CDP 2,215
10 Tuolumne City CDP 1,779
11 Cedar Ridge CDP 1,132
12 Mi-Wuk Village CDP 941
13 Tuttletown CDP 668
14 Groveland CDP 601
15 Sierra Village CDP 456
16 Tuolumne Rancheria[35] AIAN 185
17 Cold Springs CDP 181
18 Long Barn CDP 155
19 Chinese Camp CDP 126
20 Strawberry CDP 126
21 Chicken Ranch Rancheria[36] AIAN 91

See also

Explanatory notes
  1. Only larceny-theft cases involving property over $400 in value are reported as property crimes.
  2. Other = Some other race + Two or more races
  3. Native American = Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander + American Indian or Alaska Native
  4. Percentage of registered voters with respect to total population. Percentages of party members with respect to registered voters follow.

References
  1. "Chronology". California State Association of Counties. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
  2. "Board of Supervisors | Tuolumne County, CA - Official Website".
  3. "Tuolumne County". Tuolumne County Government. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
  4. "State & County QuickFacts".
  5. rar09-mf07 - Gold - $ 12,500 SOLD Archived May 14, 2013, at the Wayback Machine, scroll down
  6. "Tuolumne County, California". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  7. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  8. "Chief Fuller Historical Monument". Twainhartevisitor.com. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
  9. Fabian, Jose; Schlepp, Travis (July 2, 2022). "The most mispronounced places in California". KTLA. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  10. "Tuolumne County, California – International Cities of Peace". Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  11. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  12. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Lone Gulch
  13. U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B02001. U.S. Census website. Retrieved 2013-10-26.
  14. 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.
  15. United States Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation. Crime in the United States, 2012, Table 8 (California). Retrieved 2013-11-14.
  16. "Census of Population and Housing from 1790-2000". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  17. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved May 31, 2014.
  18. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 31, 2014.
  19. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 31, 2014.
  20. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Tuolumne County, California". United States Census Bureau.
  21. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Tuolumne County, California". United States Census Bureau.
  22. U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B03003. U.S. Census website. Retrieved 2013-10-26.
  23. U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B19301. U.S. Census website. Retrieved 2013-10-21.
  24. U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B19013. U.S. Census website. Retrieved 2013-10-21.
  25. U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B19113. U.S. Census website. Retrieved 2013-10-21.
  26. U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. U.S. Census website. Retrieved 2013-10-21.
  27. U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B01003. U.S. Census website. Retrieved 2013-10-21.
  28. "2010 Census P.L. 94-171 Summary File Data". United States Census Bureau.
  29. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  30. California Secretary of State. February 10, 2013 - Report of Registration Archived July 27, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2013-10-31.
  31. "Local and National Election Results - Election Center 2008 - Elections & Politics from CNN.com". Cnn.com. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
  32. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
  33. "California's 4th Congressional District - Representatives & District Map". Civic Impulse, LLC. Retrieved March 1, 2013.
  34. "Census Coverage Measurement". Census.gov. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
  35. "2010 Census Interactive Population Search : Tuolumne Rancheria". Census.gov. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
  36. "2010 Census Interactive Population Search : Chicken Ranch Rancheria". Census.gov. Retrieved November 7, 2017.

Further reading
  • A Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties of Merced, Stanislaus, Calaveras, Tuolumne and Mariposa, California. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1892.
  • "Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit: 2005 Pre-Fire Management Plan, September 28, 2005 Edition," California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, 09-28-2005, pp. 16.
  • US Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics.
  • CNN News, "Local and National Election Results - Election Center 2008", CNN News, November, 2008.
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