Lake County, California
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Lake County, California | |
| Map | |
 Location in the state of California |
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 California's location in the USA |
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| Statistics | |
| Founded | 1861 |
|---|---|
| Seat | Lakeport |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
3,443 km² (1,329 mi²) 3,258 km² (1,258 mi²) 185 km² (72 mi²), 5.38% |
| Population - (2000) - Density |
58,309 18/km² |
| Website: co.lake.ca.us | |
Lake County is a county located in the north central portion of the U.S. state of California, north of the San Francisco Bay Area. It takes its name from Clear Lake, the dominant geographic feature in the county. As of 2000 the population was 58,309. The county seat is Lakeport. The central geographical feature of Lake County being Clear Lake, the largest natural lake wholly within California (unlike Lake Tahoe which is partially in Nevada). The county is fast becoming known as the second "Napa Valley" for its extensive vineyards and wineries. A 70 picture photo gallery of the county's wonderful views can be seen at:Lake County Photo Gallery
Contents |
[edit] History
Lake County was formed in 1861 from parts of Napa and Mendocino counties. Lake County has long been known as a farming community. Vineyards were planted in the 1870s; by the early 1900’s the area was earning a reputation for producing some of the world's greatest wines. However, in 1920 Prohibition forced an end to Lake County wine production. Most of the vineyards were ripped out and replanted with walnut and pear farms. Re-emergence of the wine industry began in the 1960's when a few growers rediscovered the area's grape growing potential and began planting vineyards. The area went from less than 100 acres of grapevines in 1965 to over 8,800 acres of vineyards today, and has seen the recent establishment of several American Viticultural Areas such as High Valley and Red Hills. Many of the vineyards in Lake County today support sustainable farming practices.
[edit] Geography and environment
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 3,443 km² (1,329 mi²). 3,258 km² (1,258 mi²) of it is land and 185 km² (72 mi²) of it (5.38%) is water. A number of watercouses drain the county including Cache Creek, Forbes Creek and Scotts Creek.
Clear Lake is believed to be the oldest lake in North America, due to a geological fluke. The lake sits on a huge block of stone which slowly tilts in the northern direction at the same rate as the lake fills in with sediment, thus keeping the water at roughly the same depth. The geology of the county is chaotic, being based on Franciscan Assemblage hills. Numerous small faults are present in the south end of the lake as well as many old volcanoes, the largest being Mount Konocti. The geologic history of the county shows events of great violence, such as the eruption of Mount Konocti and Mount St. Helena, and the collapse of Cow Mountain, which created the hills around the county seat of Lakeport. Blue Lakes, Lake Pillsbury, and Indian Valley Reservoir are the county's other major bodies of water.
Lake County has habitats for a variety of species of concern including the uncommon herb, Legenere limosa and the rare tule elk. Waterfowl, fish and other wildlife abound in the Clear Lake basin.
[edit] Cities and towns
- Rivieras
- Clearlake
- Clearlake Highlands
- Clearlake Oaks
- Cobb
- Hidden Valley Lake
- Kelseyville
- Lakeport
- Lower Lake
- Lucerne
- Middletown
- Nice
- North Lakeport
- Upper Lake
[edit] Adjacent Counties
- Napa County, California - south
- Sonoma County, California - southwest
- Mendocino County, California - west, northwest
- Glenn County, California - northeast
- Colusa County, California - east
- Yolo County, California - southeast
[edit] Transportation Infrastructure
[edit] Major Highways
[edit] Public Transportation
Lake Transit serves all areas around Clear Lake, with most service focused on the city of Clearlake. Connections are also provided to St. Helena (Napa County) and Ukiah (Mendocino County).
[edit] Airports
Lampson Field is the county's public airport. There are also several private airstrips located throughout the county.
[edit] Demographics
UNITED STATES CENSUS INFORMATION Thursday, November 09, 2006 Housing Report for Lake County, California
In Lake County, there were a total of 34,031 homes in the year 2005. This county has gone through a growth in housing units, adding a sum of 1,414 residential structures since 2001, a change of 4.3 percent.
The residential home values in Lake County, California have increased very sharply from the real estate values reported in 2000. The valuations have increased by $132,700, or 108.2 percent, from their 2000 value of $122,600.
When compared to other counties in California, Lake County is positioned 34 of 58 in terms of percentage growth in new housing structures. The county ranks 978 of 3,141, compared to change in residential structure growth in counties throughout the Unities States.
Lake County had a median home value in the year 2005 of $255,300, according to the American Community Survey. This median is less than the overall California 2005 home median value of $477,700 and greater than median home value of $167,500 for the rest of the nation in that year.
Lake County may be be described as having a relatively high proportion of residential real estate that is high priced. In 2005, the American Community Survey reported that 14.4 percent owner-occupied dwelling are valued over a half a million dollars.
In the county the population was spread out with 24.10% under the age of 18, 6.00% from 18 to 24, 23.60% from 25 to 44, 26.80% from 45 to 64, and 19.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 97.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $49,627, and the median income for a family was $55,818. Males had a median income of $45,771 versus $44,026 for females. The per capita income for the county was $43,825. About 6.90% of families and 4.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.80% of those under age 18 and 7.30% of those age 65 or over. (Source: U.S. Census Bureau)
The recent sharp increase in per capita income can be directly linked to those people who have recently relocated to Lake County and telecommute to their jobs in the Bay Area. In addition, real estate values have risen due to a boom from 2003 to 2006, caused by Bay Area residents' discovery that Lake County residential real estate was lower in cost than that in adjacent Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino counties.
Within Lake County are two incorporated cities, the county seat of Lakeport and Clearlake, the largest city, and the communities of Clearlake Riviera, Blue Lakes, Clearlake Oaks, Clearlake Park, Cobb, Finley, Glenhaven, Hidden Valley Lake, Kelseyville, Loch Lomond, Lower Lake, Lucerne, Middletown, Nice, Spring Valley, Upper Lake, Whispering Pines, and Witter Springs.
The income of residents of the county varies widely. Many wealthy people and retirees maintain residences near the lake, but many of these are unused except during the summer. Lake County is mostly agricultural, with tourist facilities and some light industry. Major crops include pears, walnuts and, increasingly, wine grapes.
Otherwise the local economy has long been, and is still, somewhat depressed, with few employers of any size. Indeed, the County of Lake government is believed to be the county's largest employer. Lake County suffers from geographic isolation, poor transportation infrastructure, poor water supplies (the water in Clear Lake belongs to Yolo County, and is mostly not available for use within Lake County), plus a lack of investment capital. These factors have kept Lake County from experiencing any substantial economic growth, except for vineyard planting and residual construction business caused by the 2003-2006 housing real estate boom. Poverty still exists in rural parts of the county. Many of the unincorporated villages, such as Clearlake Oaks, Lucerne and Nice, continue to be economically depressed.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Lake County government website
- Lake County visitor website
- Lake County Photo Gallery
- Lake County News | California www.lakeconews.com -- Community driven, comprehensive and ad-free online news source typically days or weeks ahead of other local and regional media
- In depth website about Middletown
- Observer American Clear Lake Newspaper
- Lake County Record Bee Newspaper
- Wine country moves north (San Francisco Chronicle)
- The Ample Charms of a Well-Fed Lake, by Richerson & Richerson
- Lake County, California: History of the County
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Lake County, California County Seat: Lakeport |
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| Incorporated places |
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| CDPs |
Clearlake Oaks • Cobb • Hidden Valley Lake • Kelseyville • Lower Lake • Lucerne • Middletown • Nice • North Lakeport • Upper Lake |
