Klamath, California

Klamath ( Tolowa: ''Taa-chit'') is an unincorporated community in Del Norte County, California, situated on US Route 101 inland from the mouth of the Klamath River. The population of Klamath is 1088 based on the 2020 US Census. For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau has defined Klamath as a census-designated place (CDP). Klamath is at an elevation of . Klamath is located within the Yurok Indian Reservation.

The original town center was destroyed by the 1964 Flood. Streets and sidewalks of this original site, west of US 101 and the current site of the town's core, remain visible.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of , all of it land.

Climate

The region experiences warm (but not hot) and dry summers, with no average monthly temperatures above . According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Klamath has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, abbreviated "Csb" on climate maps.

Demographics

2020

The 2020 United States census reported that Klamath had a population of 1,088. The population density was . The racial makeup of Klamath was 452 (41.5%) White, 4 (0.4%) African American, 447 (41.1%) Native American, 2 (0.2%) Asian, 3 (0.3%) Pacific Islander, 14 (1.3%) from other races, and 166 (15.3%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 81 persons (7.4%).

The census reported that 99.7% of the population lived in households and 3 people (0.3%) were institutionalized.

There were 425 households, out of which 113 (26.6%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 128 (30.1%) were married-couple households, 49 (11.5%) were cohabiting couple households, 137 (32.2%) had a female householder with no partner present, and 111 (26.1%) had a male householder with no partner present. 160 households (37.6%) were one person, and 72 (16.9%) were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.55. There were 231 families (54.4% of all households).

The age distribution was 256 people (23.5%) under the age of 18, 65 people (6.0%) aged 18 to 24, 248 people (22.8%) aged 25 to 44, 273 people (25.1%) aged 45 to 64, and 246 people (22.6%) who were 65years of age or older. The median age was 42.4years. For every 100 females, there were 98.9 males.

There were 560 housing units at an average density of , of which 425 (75.9%) were occupied. Of these, 278 (65.4%) were owner-occupied, and 147 (34.6%) were occupied by renters.

2010

At the 2010 census Klamath had a population of 779. The population density was . The racial makeup of Klamath was 379 (48.7%) White, 1 (0.1%) African American, 325 (41.7%) Native American, 3 (0.4%) Asian, 0 (0.0%) Pacific Islander, 5 (0.6%) from other races, and 66 (8.5%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 90 people (11.6%).

The census reported that 775 people (99.5% of the population) lived in households, 4 (0.5%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and no one was institutionalized.

There were 307 households, 83 (27.0%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 107 (34.9%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 37 (12.1%) had a female householder with no husband present, 30 (9.8%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 38 (12.4%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 5 (1.6%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 94 households (30.6%) were one person and 35 (11.4%) had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.52. There were 174 families (56.7% of households); the average family size was 3.20.

The age distribution was 183 people (23.5%) under the age of 18, 53 people (6.8%) aged 18 to 24, 168 people (21.6%) aged 25 to 44, 231 people (29.7%) aged 45 to 64, and 144 people (18.5%) who were 65 or older. The median age was 43.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 107.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 109.9 males.

There were 406 housing units at an average density of , of which 307 were occupied, 173 (56.4%) by the owners and 134 (43.6%) by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.9%; the rental vacancy rate was 8.8%. 398 people (51.1% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 377 people (48.4%) lived in rental housing units.

Economy

Salmon fishing was a major component of the local economy. As of 2023, fish stocks were in steep decline due to political feuds with upstream agribusiness water users in the Klamath Falls area.

Arts and culture

Klamath has a statue of Babe the Blue Ox, the legendary sidekick of Paul Bunyan, the famous mythical lumberjack, at Trees of Mystery.

Klamath is home to one of three California redwood trees that can be driven through.

Government

In the state legislature, Klamath is in , and .

Federally, Klamath is in .

Notable people

* Tom Darby – American journalist, Nevada Broadcast Hall of Fame inductee, author and blogger. He now lives in Spanish Springs, Nevada.

See also

*
* Trees of Mystery

References

External links

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Census-designated places in Del Norte County, California
Redwood National and State Parks
Census-designated places in California
Populated coastal places in California