Mariposa County, California

Not to be confused with Maricopa County, Arizona.

Mariposa County
County
Panoramic view of Yosemite Valley showing El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Fall
Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park, showing El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Fall (left to right)
Downtown Mariposa with historic hotel building
Mariposa
El Portal schoolhouse building
El Portal
Lake McClure reservoir surrounded by golden hills
Lake McClure
Wawona Hotel, a large Victorian-era wooden building
Wawona
Buildings in Yosemite Village historic district
Yosemite Village
Glacier Point Trailside Museum building
Glacier Point
Flag of Mariposa County
Flag
Official seal of Mariposa County
Seal
Map
Interactive map of Mariposa County
Location in the state of California
Location in the state of California
CountryUnited States
StateCalifornia
RegionSierra Nevada
IncorporatedFebruary 18, 1850; 176 years ago (1850-02-18)[1]
Named afterSpanish word for "butterfly" and Mariposa Creek
County seatMariposa
Largest communityLake Don Pedro (population)
Greeley Hill (area)
Government
 • TypeCouncil–CAO
 • BodyBoard of Supervisors[2]
 • ChairRosemarie Smallcombe
 • Vice ChairMiles Menetrey
 • Board of Supervisors
Supervisors
  • Rosemarie Smallcombe
  • Shannon Poe
  • Danette Toso
  • Jenni Kiser
  • Miles Menetrey
 • County Administrative OfficerJoe Lynch
Area
 • Total
1,463 sq mi (3,790 km2)
 • Land1,449 sq mi (3,750 km2)
 • Water14 sq mi (36 km2)
Highest elevation
12,040 ft (3,670 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
17,131
 • Density11.82/sq mi (4.565/km2)
GDP
[3]
 • Total$1.036 billion (2024)
Time zoneUTC-8 (Pacific Standard Time)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-7 (Pacific Daylight Time)
Congressional district5th
Websitemariposacounty.gov

Mariposa County (/ˌmærɪˈpoʊzə, -sə/ ⓘ)[4] is a county in the U.S. state of California. As of the 2020 U.S. census, the population was 17,131.[5] The county seat is Mariposa.[6] The county lies in the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada, north of Fresno, east of Merced, and southeast of Stockton. The eastern portion of the county encompasses the principal area of Yosemite National Park.

Mariposa County is one of only three counties in California that does not include any incorporated cities, along with Alpine and Trinity counties. The county includes 17 communities recognized as census-designated places for statistical purposes. It also has no permanent traffic signals anywhere within its borders.

White wooden courthouse with clock tower surrounded by trees
The Mariposa County Courthouse, built in 1854, is the oldest county courthouse in continuous use in California.

History

Mariposa County was one of the original 27 counties of California, created at the time of statehood in 1850. While it began as the state's largest county, territory that was once part of Mariposa was ceded over time to form all or part of eleven other counties, including all of Merced, Madera, Fresno, Tulare, Kings, and Kern; and parts of San Benito, Mono, Inyo, San Bernardino, and Los Angeles. Mariposa County is thus known as the "Mother of Counties".[7]

The county's original seat was a now-nonexistent hamlet known as Agua Fria (Spanish for "cold water"), about 3 miles (4.8 km) west of present-day Mariposa on Agua Fria Road. Frémont moved the county seat to Mariposa in 1854, resulting in the construction of the Mariposa County Courthouse, whose grounds occupy an entire block. The courthouse, fronted by Bullion Street with Jones Street to the rear and 9th and 10th Streets on either side, is depicted on the Mariposa County Seal.

The county took its name from Mariposa Creek, named by Spanish explorers in 1806 when they discovered a large cluster of butterflies (mariposas in Spanish) in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. Each year on the first weekend in May, residents mark the annual arrival of migrating monarch butterflies with a "Butterfly Days" festival and parade.

Gold Rush

Gold specimen with crystalline structures on dark matrix
Specimen gold from the Mockingbird mine

Mariposa County lies at the southern end of California's Mother Lode region. During the California Gold Rush, large quantities of gold were found and extracted, first in local stream beds and later in hard-rock mines. One of the most notable beneficiaries was John C. Frémont, explorer and 1856 Republican presidential candidate, for whom the local hospital and Charles Street (more commonly known as "Highway 140") are named. Jessie Street in Mariposa is named for Frémont's wife, Jessie Benton Frémont, who accompanied her husband on extended visits to the area, though they never established permanent residence in the county.

Row of Gold Rush-era buildings along a main street in Coulterville
Buildings along the Coulterville Main Street Historic District

Many aspects of the area's mining history are depicted in exhibits at two local museums: the Mariposa History Museum in the town of Mariposa, and the California Mining and Mineral Museum at the Mariposa Fairgrounds, 2 miles (3.2 km) southeast of Mariposa on State Route 49.

The Coulterville Main Street Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982, preserves 24 Gold Rush-era buildings along the main street of Coulterville.

Two small gold mines in Mariposa County, the Mockingbird mine and the Colorado Quartz mine, intermittently produce world-class specimens of crystalline gold for mineral collectors. "Specimens from these occurrences commonly have bright luster and rich color, with well-developed crystals in unusual and attractive arrangements."[8] The best-known example is "The Dragon", on display at the Houston Museum of Natural Science.[9]

Among the county's Gold Rush-era settlements, Cat Town gave its name to the Cat Town Mining District, a gold-bearing area in the western Sierra Nevada foothills catalogued by the California Division of Mines and Geology.[10]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,463 square miles (3,790 km2), of which 1,449 square miles (3,750 km2) is land and 14 square miles (36 km2) (1.0%) is water.[11] The county extends:

Water

Much of the Merced River's course lies within the county, including its whitewater runs through Yosemite and the Merced River Canyon. The canyon contains the sole habitat for the limestone salamander, a rare species endemic to Mariposa County. Becknell Creek is located near the historic community of Ben Hur.

There are several lakes within the county, including Lake McClure, Lake McSwain, Merced Lake, and Tenaya Lake.

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18504,379—
18606,24342.6%
18704,572−26.8%
18804,339−5.1%
18903,787−12.7%
19004,72024.6%
19103,956−16.2%
19202,775−29.9%
19303,23316.5%
19405,60573.4%
19505,145−8.2%
19605,064−1.6%
19706,01518.8%
198011,10884.7%
199014,30228.8%
200017,13019.8%
201018,2516.5%
202017,131−6.1%
2024 (est.)17,048[12]−0.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[13]
1790–1960[14] 1900–1990[15]
1990–2000[16] 2010[17] 2020[18]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 17,131. The median age was 52.1 years. 17.2% of residents were under 18 and 28.0% were 65 or older. For every 100 females there were 101.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 100.4 males.[19]

There were 7,372 households, of which 22.6% had children under 18 living with them and 24.5% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 30.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 or older.[19]

There were 9,760 housing units, of which 24.5% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 72.1% were owner-occupied and 27.9% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.7%.[19]

The racial makeup of the county was 78.1% White, 0.6% Black or African American, 2.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.7% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 4.6% from some other race, and 11.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 12.5% of the population.[20]

100% of residents lived in rural areas.[21]

Racial and ethnic composition

Mariposa County, California – Racial and ethnic composition
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 may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 1980 Pop 1990 Pop 2000[22] Pop 2010[17] Pop 2020[18] % 1980 % 1990 % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 10,099 12,771 14,539 15,192 12,838 90.92% 89.30% 84.87% 83.24% 74.94%
Black or African American alone (NH) 70 120 111 129 105 0.63% 0.84% 0.65% 0.71% 0.61%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 357 593 530 459 410 3.21% 4.15% 3.09% 2.51% 2.39%
Asian alone (NH) 55 113 120 201 287 0.50% 0.79% 0.70% 1.10% 1.68%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) x [23] x [24] 17 26 15 0.10% 0.14% 0.10% 0.14% 0.09%
Other race alone (NH) 23 8 21 22 114 0.21% 0.06% 0.12% 0.12% 0.67%
Mixed race or multiracial (NH) x [25] x [26] 463 546 1,222 x x 2.70% 2.99% 7.13%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 504 697 1,329 1,676 2,140 4.54% 4.87% 7.76% 9.18% 12.49%
Total 11,108 14,302 17,130 18,251 17,131 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

Ancestry

According to the American Community Survey 2019–2023 five-year estimates, the largest self-reported ancestry groups in Mariposa County were English (16.6%), Irish (15.9%), German (15.3%), Italian (6.1%), French (3.5%), "American" (3.2%), Portuguese (2.5%), and Swedish (2.3%).[27]

2010 census

The 2010 United States census reported that Mariposa County had a population of 18,251. The racial makeup was 16,103 (88.2%) White, 138 (0.8%) African American, 527 (2.9%) Native American, 204 (1.1%) Asian, 26 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 508 (2.8%) from other races, and 745 (4.1%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1,676 persons (9.2%).[28]

2000

As of the census[29] of 2000, there were 17,130 people, 6,613 households, and 4,490 families residing in the county. The population density was 12 people per square mile (4.6 people/km2). There were 8,826 housing units at an average density of 6 units per square mile (2.3 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 88.9% White, 0.7% Black or African American, 3.5% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 2.7% from other races, and 3.4% from two or more races. 7.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 17.8% were of German, 13.4% English, 12.7% Irish, and 6.7% American ancestry according to Census 2000. 96.0% spoke English and 3.5% Spanish as their first language.

There were 6,613 households, of which 25.6% had children under 18, 55.8% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.1% were non-families. 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.86.

The population was spread out, with 21.6% under 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 29.2% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% who were 65 or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 104.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.4 males.

The median income for a household was $34,626, and the median income for a family was $42,655. Males had a median income of $31,194 versus $25,440 for females. The per capita income was $18,190. About 10.5% of families and 14.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.5% of those under 18 and 9.0% of those 65 or over.

Government

Spanish Colonial Revival style school building with arched entrance
Historic Spanish Colonial Revival style Mariposa County High School, built in 1914

The government of Mariposa County is defined and authorized under the California Constitution and law as a general law county. The county government is composed of the Board of Supervisors, which has legislative and executive power. The board consists of five members elected from five separate districts on a nonpartisan basis to serve four-year staggered terms.

State and federal representation

In the California State Legislature, Mariposa is in the 4th senatorial district, represented by Republican Marie Alvarado-Gil, and in the 8th Assembly district, represented by Republican David Tangipa.

In the United States House of Representatives, Mariposa County is in California's 5th congressional district, represented by Republican Tom McClintock.[30]

Politics

In its early history, Mariposa was one of the most reliably Democratic counties in California. Along with Colusa County, it was one of only two counties in the Pacific States to support Alton B. Parker in 1904.[31] Over time the county steadily moved away from its Democratic roots, seen demonstrably in 1948 when Thomas E. Dewey won Mariposa without carrying California, as part of a trend turning the Great Basin into a Republican stronghold.[32] Mariposa is now a strongly Republican county in presidential and congressional elections. The last Democrat to win a majority was Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964; the last Democrat to carry the county was Bill Clinton in 1992, who won a plurality by 41 votes.

United States presidential election results for Mariposa County, California[33]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1892 404 39.92% 526 51.98% 82 8.10%
1896 563 39.68% 829 58.42% 27 1.90%
1900 505 40.79% 717 57.92% 16 1.29%
1904 461 42.88% 486 45.21% 128 11.91%
1908 352 36.86% 480 50.26% 123 12.88%
1912 20 1.71% 689 58.89% 461 39.40%
1916 451 32.75% 802 58.24% 124 9.01%
1920 484 55.38% 320 36.61% 70 8.01%
1924 344 40.23% 168 19.65% 343 40.12%
1928 656 55.03% 517 43.37% 19 1.59%
1932 560 27.48% 1,386 68.01% 92 4.51%
1936 621 24.23% 1,907 74.40% 35 1.37%
1940 1,035 34.47% 1,935 64.44% 33 1.10%
1944 965 44.16% 1,203 55.06% 17 0.78%
1948 1,378 55.86% 983 39.85% 106 4.30%
1952 2,214 65.91% 1,102 32.81% 43 1.28%
1956 1,577 60.31% 1,031 39.43% 7 0.27%
1960 1,599 53.97% 1,338 45.16% 26 0.88%
1964 1,264 42.59% 1,704 57.41% 0 0.00%
1968 1,496 49.92% 1,187 39.61% 314 10.48%
1972 2,122 56.15% 1,487 39.35% 170 4.50%
1976 2,012 46.61% 2,093 48.48% 212 4.91%
1980 3,082 54.96% 1,889 33.68% 637 11.36%
1984 3,989 61.20% 2,399 36.81% 130 1.99%
1988 3,768 54.53% 2,998 43.39% 144 2.08%
1992 2,982 35.98% 3,023 36.48% 2,282 27.54%
1996 3,976 50.02% 2,920 36.73% 1,053 13.25%
2000 4,727 58.55% 2,816 34.88% 531 6.58%
2004 5,215 60.23% 3,251 37.55% 192 2.22%
2008 5,298 54.75% 4,100 42.37% 279 2.88%
2012 5,140 56.87% 3,498 38.70% 400 4.43%
2016 5,185 58.41% 3,122 35.17% 570 6.42%
2020 5,950 57.88% 4,088 39.77% 242 2.35%
2024 5,625 59.15% 3,622 38.09% 262 2.76%

On November 4, 2008, Mariposa County voted 62.1% for Proposition 8, which amended the California Constitution to ban same-sex marriages.[34]

Voter registration

Crime

The following table includes the number of incidents reported and the rate per 1,000 persons for each type of offense in 2023.

Healthcare

Mariposa County has one hospital, John C. Fremont Hospital.[38]

According to a 2013 study, Mariposa County had the highest rate of child abuse and neglect in California.[39] As of 2014, the county had the second-highest rate of unvaccinated children in the state.[40]

Media

Mariposa County primarily receives Fresno television and radio stations.

Local media outlets include:

  • Mariposa Gazette — published since 1854, one of the oldest continuously published newspapers in California
  • Sierra Sun Times

Transportation

Major highways

Public transportation

Airports

Mariposa-Yosemite Airport is a general aviation airport. The nearest airports with scheduled commercial service are Fresno and Merced.

Communities

Large wooden hotel building with wide veranda and surrounding lawn
The historic Wawona Hotel, built in 1876

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Mariposa County.[42]

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2020 census)
1 Lake Don Pedro CDP 1,765
2 † Mariposa CDP 1,526
3 Greeley Hill CDP 927
4 Catheys Valley CDP 829
5 Bootjack CDP 661
6 Midpines CDP 379
7 El Portal CDP 372
8 Yosemite Valley CDP 337
9 Bear Valley CDP 156
10 Mount Bullion CDP 154
11 Coulterville CDP 115
12 Wawona CDP 111
13 Fish Camp CDP 49
14 Yosemite West CDP 47
15 Hornitos CDP 38
16 Foresta CDP 29
17 Buck Meadows CDP 21

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Formerly known as the Crane Creek CDP; renamed in 2022.

References

  1. ^ "Chronology". California State Association of Counties. Archived from the original on January 29, 2016. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
  2. ^ "Staff Directory". Mariposa County. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
  3. ^ "Gross Domestic Product: All Industries in Mariposa County, CA". Federal Reserve Economic Data. Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
  4. ^ "mariposa". Dictionary.com Unabridged (Online). n.d.
  5. ^ "Mariposa County, California". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  6. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  7. ^ "Mariposa: Mother Of Counties". Superior Court of California, County of Mariposa. Archived from the original on June 11, 2009. Retrieved May 17, 2009.
  8. ^ "The Colorado Quartz Gold Mine". Rocks and Minerals. September–October 2009.
  9. ^ "Gold". Mindat.org. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
  10. ^ Clark, William B. (1970). Gold Districts of California. Bulletin 193. California Division of Mines and Geology. p. 142.
  11. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved September 28, 2015.
  12. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2024". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
  13. ^ "Census of Population and Housing from 1790–2000". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  14. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 28, 2015.
  15. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 28, 2015.
  16. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved September 28, 2015.
  17. ^ a b "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Mariposa County, California". United States Census Bureau.
  18. ^ a b "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Mariposa County, California". United States Census Bureau.
  19. ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
  20. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
  21. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
  22. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Mariposa County, California". United States Census Bureau.
  23. ^ Included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census.
  24. ^ Included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census.
  25. ^ Not an option in the 1980 Census.
  26. ^ Not an option in the 1990 Census.
  27. ^ "ACS 5-Year Estimates Detailed Tables: Ancestry (B04006), Mariposa County, California". United States Census Bureau. 2024. Retrieved February 21, 2026.
  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's 5th Congressional District - Representatives & District Map". Civic Impulse, LLC. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  31. ^ Menendez, Albert J. The Geography of Presidential Elections in the United States, 1868–2004. pp. 153–155. ISBN 0786422173.
  32. ^ Menendez, Albert J. The Geography of Presidential Elections in the United States, 1868–2004. p. 74. ISBN 0786422173.
  33. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
  34. ^ Bowen, Debra. "Statement of Vote November 4, 2008 General Election" (PDF). California Secretary of State. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
  35. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Report of Registration, February 10, 2025". California Secretary of State. Retrieved February 21, 2026.
  36. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2024". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 21, 2026.
  37. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Crimes and Clearances with Arson, 1985–2024". California Department of Justice, Criminal Justice Statistics Center. July 2025. Retrieved February 21, 2026.
  38. ^ O'Neill, Michael. "John C Fremont Healthcare District in California". gis.oshpd.ca.gov. Archived from the original on September 7, 2015. Retrieved August 29, 2017.
  39. ^ "Mariposa County has state's highest rate of child abuse". Mariposa Gazette. January 3, 2013. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
  40. ^ "County's youth second highest of unvaccinated in the state". Mariposa Gazette. September 18, 2014. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
  41. ^ "Route 15A". Retrieved February 20, 2026.
  42. ^ "2020 U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 4, 2025.

Further reading

  • A Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties of Merced, Stanislaus, Calaveras, Tuolumne and Mariposa, California. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1892.

37°35′N 119°55′W / 37.58°N 119.91°W / 37.58; -119.91


allikas: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/County_of_Mariposa