McKinleyville, California

McKinleyville, California
CDP
Location in Humboldt County and the state of California
Country	United States
State	California
County	Humboldt
Area
• Total	22.8 sq mi (59.1 km2)
• Land	20.9 sq mi (54.1 km2)
• Water	1.9 sq mi (5 km2)
Elevation	141 ft (43 m)
Population  (2000)
• Total	13,599
• Density	596.4/sq mi (230.1/km2)
Time zone	UTC-8 (Pacific (PST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP codes	95519, 95521
Area code	707
FIPS code	06-44910
GNIS feature ID	1659090

McKinleyville is a census-designated place (CDP) in Humboldt County, California, United States. The population was 13,599 at the 2000 census. It is also the location of the Arcata-Eureka Airport.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 59.1 km² (22.8 mi²). 54.1 km² (20.9 mi²) of it is land and 5.0 km² (1.9 mi²) of it (8.42%) is water.

McKinleyville consists of several watershed areas. The north bank of the Mad River in the farthest watershed to the south. Next watershed to the north is Mill Creek, then Strawberry Creek, Widow White Creek, Norton Creek, Patrick Creek and finally the farthest watershed to the north is the south bank of the Little River. To the west lies the Pacific Ocean.

History

First Nation

The Wiyot and Yurok lived in this area prior to European settlement. Both cultural groups are an active part of today's life in McKinleyville.

European settlement

McKinleyville is a community made up of a combination of smaller settlements. Joe Dow settled in the general area in the 1860s and that area was known as Dow's Prairie. Slightly south was a small community called Minor (also known as Minorville). Minor was first settled in the late-1800s. Just south of Minor was Calville. Calville was settled by the employees of the California Barrel Company. After President William McKinley was assassinated in 1901 the community of Minor changed its name in his honor. All three areas are collectively considered to be what is now known as Mckinleyville. Dow's Prairie continues to be known by the original place name and, although it is considered part of McKinleyville, local residents further refine location by this neighborhood name. [1], [2]

Post timberboom

The area had several nicknames. Derogatory names such as "Oklahoma by the Sea" and "McKinleymobile" came from the area historically having lower property values, and a larger concentration of mobile homes.

Current history

The area serves as a bedroom community to neighboring Arcata and Eureka. Property values increased dramatically in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and the larger McKinleyville community has experienced gentrification. The town has made numerous attempts to incorporate as a city, but all of them have failed and the community is still trying and struggling to become a city.

Motto

"Where horses have the right of way."

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 13,599 people, 5,277 households, and 3,604 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 251.5/km² (651.4/mi²). There were 5,494 housing units at an average density of 101.6/km² (263.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 87.64% White, 0.38% Black or African American, 4.56% Native American, 1.07% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 1.66% from other races, and 4.63% from two or more races. 4.33% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 5,277 households out of which 34.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.9% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.7% were non-families. 21.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 26.4% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 30.9% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 10.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 95.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.4 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $38,047, and the median income for a family was $42,926. Males had a median income of $35,395 versus $24,385 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $17,870. About 11.7% of families and 14.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.9% of those under age 18 and 5.1% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation

Land

U.S. Route 101 extends north and south through the community. The route lies to the west of the majority of the community and bisects a small portion of the area. U.S. Route 299 connects to U.S. Route 101 at the northern end of the nearby city of Arcata. U.S. Route 299 begins at that point and extends easterly to serve as the major traffic artery to the east for the community of McKinleyville.

Humboldt Transit Authority (HTA) is the major provider of public bus transportation in McKinleyville and the county. HTA has several stops in McKinleyville.[3] Dial-A-Ride service is available from Humboldt Senior Resource Center through an application process.

At times, vehicle traffic into and out of McKinleyville has been restricted due to landslides on the U.S. Routes. A 7.0 magnitude earthquake on November 8, 1980 caused an over-crossing at Tompkins Hill, just south of Eureka, to collapse.[4]

Trail

The Hammond Trail runs through the community beginning at where the Mad River walking bridge crosses the Mad River. The trail continues beyond McKinleyville northward. The trail welcomes horseback riders, bicycle riders and hikers.

Air

The Arcata-Eureka Airport is a full service airport located in McKinleyville. The name of the airport comes from the names of the primary population centers that it serves. The location of this airport was chosen to serve as an experimental field to test landing during heavy fog conditions. Due to weather patterns and geographic conditions the area is one of the foggiest in Northern California.[5]

Murry Field is a commuter airport for private and charter air service. Murry Field is located at the northern end of Eureka, California roughly 15 miles to the south.

Water

A deep water port is located roughly 18 miles to the south, across the bay from the city of Eureka. The port is serviced in the community of Samoa.

Several small marinas are in Eureka and are available for private use.

Climate

McKinleyville's climate is characterized by mild, rainy winters and cool, dry summers, with an average temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit (13°C). The area experiences coastal influence fog year round.

Events

• Clam Beach Run
• Azalea Festival (previously know as Pony Express Days, the Azalea Festival received its new name in 2005)

Site of Interest

World's Tallest Single Log Totem Pole

• This fact is highly speculative, as many other totem poles around the globe have laid claim to this distinct honor

Otherwise known as "Oklahoma by the Sea"

Commemorative plaque honoring Nicole Perez, McKinleyville High Valedictorian, Class of 2002

Parks

Azalea State Reserve, Pierson Park, Hiller Park, and Clam Beach County Park.

External links

• The McKinleyville Press