Snelling, California

Snelling
census-designated place
Country	United States
State	California
County	Merced
Area
• Total	0.540 sq mi (1.400 km2)
• Land	0.540 sq mi (1.400 km2)
• Water	0 sq mi (0 km2)  0%
Elevation	256 ft (78 m)
Population  (2010)
• Total	231
• Density	430/sq mi (170/km2)
Time zone	UTC-8 (Pacific (PST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP Code	95369
Area code	209
GNIS feature IDs	234756; 2583146
U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Snelling, California; U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Snelling, California

Snelling (formerly, Snelling's Ranch) is a census-designated place in Merced County, California. It is located on the north bank of the Merced River 15 miles (24 km) north of Merced, at an elevation of 256 feet (78 m). The population was 231 at the 2010 census.

History

The Snelling Ranch post office opened in 1853, was closed for a time during 1861, and changed its name to Snelling in 1870. The name is from the Snelling family that operated a way station at the place beginning in 1851.

Snelling's zip code is 95369 and its area code is 209.

Snelling was the county seat of Merced County from 1857 to 1872. The courthouse constructed in 1857 continued to serve as a justice court until the 1990s. The two-story building remains standing today and is a rare surviving example of a simple early California courthouse.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP covers an area of 0.5 square miles (1.4 km²), all of it land.  

Demographics

The 2010 United States Census reported that Snelling had a population of 231. The population density was 427.5 people per square mile (165.1/km²). The racial makeup of Snelling was 206 (89.2%) White, 0 (0.0%) African American, 3 (1.3%) Native American, 6 (2.6%) Asian, 0 (0.0%) Pacific Islander, 13 (5.6%) from other races, and 3 (1.3%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 33 persons (14.3%).

The Census reported that 231 people (100% of the population) lived in households, 0 (0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.

There were 94 households, out of which 31 (33.0%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 37 (39.4%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 18 (19.1%) had a female householder with no husband present, 3 (3.2%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 8 (8.5%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 1 (1.1%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 30 households (31.9%) were made up of individuals and 12 (12.8%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46. There were 58 families (61.7% of all households); the average family size was 3.02.

The population was spread out with 61 people (26.4%) under the age of 18, 13 people (5.6%) aged 18 to 24, 51 people (22.1%) aged 25 to 44, 71 people (30.7%) aged 45 to 64, and 35 people (15.2%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.3 years. For every 100 females there were 110.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 112.5 males.

There were 112 housing units at an average density of 207.3 per square mile (80.0/km²), of which 49 (52.1%) were owner-occupied, and 45 (47.9%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.9%; the rental vacancy rate was 6.1%. 113 people (48.9% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 118 people (51.1%) lived in rental housing units.

Politics

In the state legislature Snelling is located in the 12th Senate District, represented by Republican Anthony Cannella, and in the 17th Assembly District, represented by Democrat Cathleen Galgiani. Federally, Snelling is located in California's 18th congressional district, which has a Cook PVI of D +4 and is represented by Democrat Dennis Cardoza.