Lassen County, California

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Template:Short description Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox settlement

Lassen County (Template:IPAc-en Template:Respell) is a county located in the northeastern portion of the U.S. state of California. As of the 2020 census, the population was 32,730,<ref name="2020 Census (City)">Template:Cite web</ref> and was estimated to be 28,340 in 2024,<ref name="QF"/> Its county seat and the largest city is Susanville.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Lassen County comprises the Susanville, California micropolitan statistical area. A former farming, mining, and lumber area, its economy now depends on employment at one federal and two state prisons; the former in Herlong and the latter two in Susanville. In 2007, half the adults in Susanville worked in one of the facilities.<ref name="taylor"/>

History

Lassen County was formed on April 1, 1864,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> from parts of Plumas and Shasta counties following the two-day conflict known as the Sagebrush War, also called the Roop County War,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> that started on Sunday morning, February 15, 1863. Due to uncertainties over the California border, the area that is now Lassen County was part of the unofficial Nataqua Territory and Roop County, Nevada, during the late 1850s and early 1860s.

The county was named by California after Peter Lassen,<ref name="LCH">Lassen County History, Lassen County, California Genweb Project, 2006, accessed January 14, 2014</ref> along with Lassen Peak, which is in adjoining Shasta County.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Lassen was one of General John C. Fremont's guides, and a famous trapper, frontiersman, and Indian fighter. He was murdered under mysterious circumstances near the Black Rock Desert in 1859, and his murder was never solved.

By the 1880s small towns began to spring up all over Lassen County. Bieber developed at the north end of the county, in rich farmland. Gold was discovered at Hayden Hill, and the small town developed to support the miners. Hayden Hill no longer exists: when the mining stopped, the townspeople left for other communities. Madeline was formed at the north end of another rich farming valley, and along the railroad tracks heading north to Alturas, California. This community still has about 50 people living in and around the town. In the 1890s many immigrant family groups arrived in the county, primarily coming from Lincolnshire and Herefordshire, England as well as the towns of Belgrade, Novi Sad, Niš and Kragujevac in Serbia.<ref name="ReferenceA">Serbian Studies, Volumes 4–5 - North American Society for Serbian Studies, 1986</ref><ref>Henderson, George; Olasiji, Thompson Dele (1995). Migrants, Immigrants, and Slaves: Racial and Ethnic Groups in America. Lanham, Maryland: University Press of America. ISBN 0-8191-9738-6.</ref> Several "Yankee" settlers arrived from Waldo County, Maine and Lincoln County, Maine as well.<ref>Durham, David L. (1998). California's Geographic Names: A Gazetteer of Historic and Modern Names of the State. Clovis, Calif.: Word Dancer Press. p. 355</ref>

During World War I, the area was heavily in favor of American entry into the war, and a disproportionate amount of volunteers from Lassen County signed up to take part in the war effort. A pro-German newspaper editor from San Francisco noted that "the inhabitants of Lassen County" were "sympathetic to Britain, hostile to Germany, and indifferent to France."<ref>The Projection of Britain British Overseas Publicity and Propaganda 1919-1939 by Philip M. Taylor, Taylor Philip M. Taylor · 1981</ref><ref>Serb World. 5–6. Neven Publishing Corporation. 1988. p. 40.</ref><ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref>California at War The State and the People During World War I By Diane M. T. North · 2018</ref>

A narrow gauge railroad, the Nevada-California-Oregon Railway, ran through Lassen County from 1880 to 1927. The NCOR was the longest small gauge of the century. It was intended to connect Reno, Nevada, to the Columbia River, but only Template:Convert of track were laid, from Reno to Lakeview, Oregon.

In 1913, the Fernley & Lassen Railroad was built and it was used to export timber from the large forests of Lassen County. As this railroad was completed, the Red River Lumber Company set up shop,<ref name ="LCH" /> building the town of Westwood, California, to support its massive logging operation. Two other lumber mills followed the Red River Lumber Co. They built their mills in the county seat of Susanville. The Lassen Lumber and Box Company and the Fruit Growers Company both operated mills in Susanville for several decades.

In 2003, Anderson-based Sierra Pacific Industries announced plans to relocate or lay off 150 workers as they closed the last lumber mill in Susanville due to the lack of large timber for the mill.<ref name ="LAT">"Town's Last Mill to Be Shut Down", Los Angeles Times, December 18, 2003</ref> Sierra Pacific chose to close the mill permanently rather than spend the several million dollars required to convert the mill from large to small timber.

Since the late 20th century, three prisons have been opened in and near Susanville: California Correctional Center (minimum security, 1963) and High Desert State Prison (California) (maximum security, 1995), both in the city; and the nearby Federal Correctional Institution, Herlong (opened 2007). In 2007, half the adults in Susanville worked in one of the three prisons.<ref name="taylor"/> In "job-starved rural America, ... residents see them [prisons] as the last and only chance for employment after work at the lumber mill or the dairy dries up."<ref name="taylor">Taylor, Robert. "'Prison Town' a view from outside," Contra Costa Times, 28 July 2007; hosted at Mercury News.</ref>

Education

Lassen County is served by Lassen Community College, Lassen High School District, Mt. Lassen Charter School, Thompson Peak Charter School, Diamond Mountain Charter High, Diamond View Middle School, Herlong High School, Meadow View Elementary, McKinley Elementary, Long Valley Charter School, Fort Sage Charter School, and Westwood Junior Senior High School.

Geography

File:Hog Flat Reservoir.jpg
Hog Flat Reservoir covered in snow during early April

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of Template:Convert, of which Template:Convert is land and Template:Convert (3.79%) is water.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It is the 8th largest county in California by total area.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Part of Lassen Volcanic National Park extends onto a western corner of the county.

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Demographics

Template:US Census population

As of the third quarter of 2024, the median home value in Lassen County was $264,340.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

As of the 2023 American Community Survey, there are 9,060 estimated households in Lassen County with an average of 2.64 persons per household. The county has a median household income of $64,395. Approximately 17.1% of the county's population lives at or below the poverty line. Lassen County has an estimated 39.5% employment rate, with 13.2% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 79.1% holding a high school diploma.<ref name="QF">Template:Cite web</ref>

The top five reported ancestries (people were allowed to report up to two ancestries, thus the figures will generally add to more than 100%) were English (81.9%), Spanish (15.0%), Indo-European (0.8%), Asian and Pacific Islander (2.1%), and Other (0.3%).

The median age in the county was 37.8 years.

2023 estimate

As of the 2023 estimate, there were 28,861 people and 9,060 households residing in the county. There were 12,238 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the county was 81.5% White (63.5% NH White), 6.8% African American, 4.4% Native American, 1.7% Asian, 0.9% Pacific Islander, _% from some other races and 4.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 21.8% of the population.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

2020 census

Lassen County, California – Racial and ethnic composition
Template:Nobold
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 1980<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Pop 1990<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>Template:Cite web</ref> Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>Template:Cite web</ref> Pop 2020<ref name=2020CensusP2>Template:Cite web</ref> % 1980 % 1990 % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 18,700 21,920 23,893 23,270 19,534 86.33% 79.43% 70.63% 66.69% 59.68%
Black or African American alone (NH) 751 1,699 2,976 2,790 2,244 3.47% 6.16% 8.80% 8.00% 6.86%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 634 790 959 999 939 2.93% 2.86% 2.83% 2.86% 2.87%
Asian alone (NH) 121 293 244 337 472 0.56% 1.06% 0.72% 0.97% 1.44%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) x <ref>included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census</ref> x <ref>included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census</ref> 134 163 283 0.40% 0.47% 0.40% 0.47% 0.86%
Other race alone (NH) 38 13 267 363 142 0.18% 0.05% 0.79% 1.04% 0.43%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) x <ref>not an option in the 1980 Census</ref> x <ref>not an option in the 1990 Census</ref> 674 856 1,585 x x 1.99% 2.45% 4.84%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1,417 2,883 4,681 6,117 7,531 6.54% 10.45% 13.84% 17.53% 23.01%
Total 21,661 27,598 33,828 34,895 32,730 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

As of the 2020 census, there were 32,730 people, 9,888 households, and 6,383 families residing in the county.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The population density was Template:Convert. There were 12,216 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the county was 64.36% White, 6.96% African American, 3.32% Native American, 1.51% Asian, 0.87% Pacific Islander, 15.06% from some other races and 7.91% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 23.01% of the population.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 34,895 people, 10,058 households, and _ families residing in the county. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 12,216 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the county was 73.17% White, 8.12% African American, 3.54% Native American, 1.02% Asian, 0.47% Pacific Islander, 10.21% from some other races and 3.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 17.53% of the population.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 33,828 people, 9,625 households, and 6,776 families residing in the county. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 12,000 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the county was 80.81% White, 8.84% African American, 3.26% Native American, 0.74% Asian, 0.43% Pacific Islander, 3.23% from some other races and 2.69% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 13.84% of the population.

In terms of ancestry, 13.8% were of German, 12.1% Irish, 10.5% English, 8.7% American and 5.0% Italian ancestry. 88.2% spoke English and 10.3% Spanish as their first language.

There were 9,625 households, out of which 35.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.8% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.6% were non-families. Of all households, 24.5% were made up of individuals, and 9.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.08.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.8% under the age of 18, 10.8% from 18 to 24, 36.9% from 25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 9.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 168.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 192.2 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,310, and the median income for a family was $43,398. Males had a median income of $37,333 versus $26,561 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,749. About 11.1% of families and 14.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.1% of those under age 18 and 7.8% of those age 65 or over.

Places by population, race, and income in 2011

Places by population and race
Place Type<ref name="US-CB">U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. U.S. Census website. Retrieved October 21, 2013.</ref> Population<ref name="US-CB-B02001">U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B02001. U.S. Census website. Retrieved October 26, 2013.</ref> White<ref name="US-CB-B02001"/> Other<ref name="US-CB-B02001"/>
<ref name="other" group=note>Other = Some other race + Two or more races</ref> 		Asian<ref name="US-CB-B02001"/> Black or African
American<ref name="US-CB-B02001"/> 		Native American<ref name="US-CB-B02001"/>
<ref name="na" group=note>Native American = Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander + American Indian or Alaska Native</ref> 		Hispanic or Latino
(of any race)<ref name="US-CB-B03003">U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B03003. U.S. Census website. Retrieved October 26, 2013.</ref>
Bieber CDP 280 82.5% 16.1% 1.4% 0.0% 0.0% 16.1%
Clear Creek CDP 138 96.4% 3.6% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 15.2%
Doyle CDP 367 96.5% 3.5% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.8%
Herlong CDP 1,260 32.0% 38.5% 1.0% 24.4% 4.1% 47.0%
Janesville CDP 1,302 92.8% 1.2% 6.0% 0.0% 0.0% 2.5%
Johnstonville CDP 656 97.0% 0.9% 0.0% 0.0% 2.1% 5.6%
Litchfield CDP 95 100.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Milford CDP 99 100.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Nubieber CDP 38 92.1% 7.9% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 7.9%
Patton Village CDP 624 58.0% 9.6% 0.0% 19.2% 13.1% 8.0%
Spaulding CDP 137 94.9% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 5.1% 0.0%
Susanville City 17,728 65.0% 17.3% 1.5% 10.7% 5.5% 19.9%
Westwood CDP 1,473 92.7% 2.9% 0.6% 0.1% 3.7% 2.6%
Places by population and income
Place Type<ref name="US-CB"/> Population<ref name="US-CB-B01003">U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B01003. U.S. Census website. Retrieved October 21, 2013.</ref> Per capita income<ref name="US-CB-B19301">U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B19301. U.S. Census website. Retrieved October 21, 2013.</ref> Median household income<ref name="US-CB-B19013">U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B19013. U.S. Census website. Retrieved October 21, 2013.</ref> Median family income<ref name="US-CB-B19113">U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B19113. U.S. Census website. Retrieved October 21, 2013.</ref>
Bieber CDP 280 $25,141 $61,250 $54,844
Clear Creek CDP 138 $29,639 $44,167 $60,313
Doyle CDP 367 $23,339 $27,917 $32,885
Herlong CDP 1,260 $5,943 $43,958 $45,893
Janesville CDP 1,302 $25,821 $71,090 $70,481
Johnstonville CDP 656 $31,534 $60,682 $67,813
Litchfield CDP 95 $37,227 $41,528 $45,556
Milford CDP 99 $38,215 $61,472 <ref name="ND">Data unavailable</ref>
Nubieber CDP 38 $9,524 $31,250 $31,563
Patton Village CDP 624 $27,081 $46,447 $62,656
Spaulding CDP 137 $30,669 $35,714 $51,806
Susanville City 17,728 $16,580 $49,160 $68,780
Westwood CDP 1,473 $23,055 $38,512 $51,215

Politics

Voter registration

Population and registered voters
Total population<ref name="US-CB-B02001"/> 35,001
  Registered voters<ref name="CA-SS">California Secretary of State. February 10, 2013 - Report of Registration Template:Webarchive. Retrieved October 31, 2013.</ref><ref name="PCT-RV" group=note>Percentage of registered voters with respect to total population. Percentages of party members with respect to registered voters follow.</ref> 13,932 39.8%
    Democratic<ref name="CA-SS"/> 3,401 24.4%
    Republican<ref name="CA-SS"/> 6,687 48.0%
    Democratic–Republican spread<ref name="CA-SS"/> -3,286 -23.6%
    Independent<ref name="CA-SS"/> 726 5.2%
    Green<ref name="CA-SS"/> 43 0.3%
    Libertarian<ref name="CA-SS"/> 95 0.7%
    Peace and Freedom<ref name="CA-SS"/> 37 0.3%
    Americans Elect<ref name="CA-SS"/> 1 0.0%
    Other<ref name="CA-SS"/> 67 0.5%
    No party preference<ref name="CA-SS"/> 2,875 20.6%

Cities by population and voter registration

Overview

From 1932 through 1976, Lassen was powerfully Democratic, voting for the Democratic presidential nominee in every election save 1972, when it voted for Nixon over McGovern by just 6.8%. From 1980 on, however, it has been overwhelmingly Republican in presidential and congressional elections, coinciding with the dominance of the prisons in local employment. Jimmy Carter (in 1976) remains the last Democrat to have carried the county. In 2016, 2020, and 2024, Lassen stood as Donald Trump's best county in the state, giving him a 50% or greater margin over overwhelming statewide winners Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, and Kamala Harris.

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Lassen County is in Template:Representative.<ref>Template:Cite GovTrack</ref> is in the 1st Senate District, represented by Republican Megan Dahle,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Template:Representative.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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

Infrastructure

The Tunnison Mountain Wilderness Study Area

Airports

Susanville Municipal Airport, Herlong Airport and Westwood Airport are general aviation airports in the county. The closest major airport is in Reno.

Major highways

Public transportation

Lassen Rural Bus (LRB), operated by the Lassen Transit Service Agency, runs a local service in Susanville, with longer distance routes to Westwood and Doyle.

Utilities

The Lassen Municipal Utility District (LMUD) is the primary electric utility in the county, and was created in 1986 by purchasing transmission facilities from CP National (now Pacificorp) at a cost of $19 million.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> In 2019 it had 42 employees, and the General Manager was Doug C. Smith.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It is powered in part by the Honey Lake biomass power plant, which runs on wood waste from the nearby Lassen National Forest.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Whaleback Fire caused a significant outage in 2018.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Communities

City

Census-designated places

Template:Div col

Template:Div col end

Unincorporated communities

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Lassen County.

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2020 Census)
1 † Susanville City 16,728
2 Janesville CDP 2,461
3 Westwood CDP 1,541
4 Johnstonville CDP 973
5 Patton Village CDP 632
6 Susanville Indian Rancheria<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> AIAN 570
7 Doyle CDP 536
8 Bieber CDP 266
9 Herlong CDP 237
10 Spaulding CDP 206
11 Clear Creek CDP 175
12 Litchfield CDP 160
13 Milford CDP 147
14 Stones Landing CDP 86
15 Little Valley CDP 84
16 Madeline CDP 21
17 Nubieber CDP 19

See also

Notes

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References

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