Mariposa County, California

Indigenous peoples

The territory now comprising Mariposa County was inhabited by the Southern Sierra Miwok, whose villages occupied the foothills and lower mountain slopes along the Merced, Tuolumne, and Chowchilla river drainages. The Yokuts occupied the San Joaquin Valley floor and adjacent foothills; early Spanish and American accounts applied the name "Mariposas" to the Yokuts bands near the creek. The two groups maintained trade relationships across the foothill boundary.

During the Gold Rush, the rapid expansion of mining camps into indigenous territories produced violent conflict. In December 1850, Governor John McDougal authorized the Mariposa Battalion, a state militia unit mustered on February 12, 1851, under Major James D. Savage. The battalion's pursuit of the Ahwahnechee leader Tenaya into the Sierra Nevada resulted in the first documented entry by non-indigenous people into Yosemite Valley, in March 1851.^[12] The conflict, known as the Mariposa War, ended with Tenaya's capture and the forced removal of Ahwahnechee to a reservation on the Fresno River.^[13]

Gold Rush

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 him on extended visits to Las Mariposas between 1849 and 1861.^[14]

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."^[15] The best-known example is "The Dragon", on display at the Houston Museum of Natural Science.^[16]

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.^[17]

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 supports the only known population of the limestone salamander (Hydromantes brunus), a species endemic to a short stretch of the Merced River in Mariposa County.^[19][20] Becknell Creek is located near the historic community of Ben Hur.^[21]

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

Adjacent counties

• Tuolumne County – north
• Mono County – east
• Madera County – southeast
• Merced County – southwest
• Stanislaus County – west

National protected areas

• Sierra National Forest (part)
• Stanislaus National Forest (part)
• Yosemite National Park (part)

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.^[29]

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.^[29]

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%.^[29]

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.^[30]

100% of residents lived in rural areas.^[31]

Racial and ethnic composition

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%).^[39]

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%).^[40]

2000 census

As of the 2000 census^[41], 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.

State and federal representation

In the California State Legislature, Mariposa County 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.^[42]

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.^[43] 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.^[44] 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.

On November 4, 2008, Mariposa County voted 62.1% for Proposition 8, which amended the California Constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman.^[48]

Voter registration

Major highways

• State Route 41
• State Route 49
• State Route 120
• State Route 132
• State Route 140

Public transportation

• Mariposa County Transit provides dial-a-ride and some fixed-route service.
• Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS) provides service along State Routes 120 and 140 to Yosemite National Park.
• Amtrak Thruway: Route 15A connects Mariposa with Merced station and Yosemite with five trips daily.^[60]

Airports

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

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

• Jerseydale
• Lushmeadows
• Mormon Bar

Ghost towns

• Agua Fria
• Bagby
• Ben Hur
• Briceburg
• Bridgeport

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Mariposa County.^[61]

† county seat