Anderson is a city in
Shasta County, California
Shasta County (), officially the County of Shasta, is a County (United States), county located in the Northern California, northern portion of the U.S. state of California. Its population is 182,155 as of the 2020 census, up from 177,223 from t ...
, approximately south of
Redding. Its population is 11,323 as of the
2020 census, up from 9,932 from the
2010 census.
Located north of
Sacramento
Sacramento ( or ; ; ) is the capital city of the U.S. state of California and the seat of Sacramento County. Located at the confluence of the Sacramento and American Rivers in Northern California's Sacramento Valley, Sacramento's 2020 p ...
, the city's roots are as a railroad town near the northern tip of the
Central Valley of California.
The city was named after ranch owner Elias Anderson, who granted the
Oregon and California Railroad trackage rights and land for a station.
Elias Anderson was a farmer, hotel owner, and postmaster. Elias married Elizabeth Summers in 1839 and built the Prairie House in the community of Cottonwood in 1856 on the south side of Cottonwood Creek (now Tehama County).
Elias Anderson purchased the American Ranch from Thomas Freeman in 1856 and built the American Ranch Hotel in what would become downtown Anderson, California. The post office was inside the hotel. Elias Anderson purchased from Pierson B. Reading in 1865 and deeded a right-of-way through his property to Central Pacific Railroad in 1872; in return the railroad gave the depot his name. Elias and Elizabeth Anderson built their new home at 2865 East Street in 1873; it no longer exists. While it stood, the house was designated as California Historical Landmark No. 12. In 1876 the Andersons moved their ranch hotel to the corner of Main and Ferry Streets.
History
Railroad activity came to the area in 1872. Anderson is named after Elias Anderson, who owned the largest land grant in the vicinity. The city's Anderson River Park sits on part of the original land grant owned by Anderson.
Geography
Anderson is located at .
According to the
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau, officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the Federal statistical system, U.S. federal statistical system, responsible for producing data about the American people and American economy, econ ...
, the city has a total area of , of which of it is land and of it (2.50%) is water.
Climate
According to the
Köppen Climate Classification
The Köppen climate classification divides Earth climates into five main climate groups, with each group being divided based on patterns of seasonal precipitation and temperature. The five main groups are ''A'' (tropical), ''B'' (arid), ''C'' (te ...
system, Anderson has a
Hot-summer Mediterranean climate
A Mediterranean climate ( ), also called a dry summer climate, described by Köppen and Trewartha as ''Cs'', is a temperate climate type that occurs in the lower mid-latitudes (normally 30 to 44 north and south latitude). Such climates typic ...
, abbreviated "Csa" on climate maps.
Demographics
The
2020 United States census reported that Anderson had a population of 11,323. The population density was . The racial makeup of Anderson was 75.8%
White
White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no chroma). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully (or almost fully) reflect and scatter all the visible wa ...
, 1.1%
African American
African Americans, also known as Black Americans and formerly also called Afro-Americans, are an Race and ethnicity in the United States, American racial and ethnic group that consists of Americans who have total or partial ancestry from an ...
, 3.8%
Native American, 3.0%
Asian, 0.3%
Pacific Islander
Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, Pacificans, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the list of islands in the Pacific Ocean, Pacific Islands. As an ethnic group, ethnic/race (human categorization), racial term, it is used to describe th ...
, 4.6% from
other races, and 11.4% from two or more races.
Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.0% of the population.
The census reported that 98.8% of the population lived in households, 0.1% lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 1.1% were institutionalized.
There were 4,502 households, out of which 33.8% included children under the age of 18, 36.2% were married-couple households, 9.0% were
cohabiting couple households, 36.8% had a female householder with no partner present, and 18.0% had a male householder with no partner present. 31.1% of households were one person, and 15.9% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.48. There were 2,764
families (61.4% of all households).
The age distribution was 25.5% under the age of 18, 7.6% aged 18 to 24, 26.3% aged 25 to 44, 22.7% aged 45 to 64, and 18.1% who were 65years of age or older. The median age was 37.4years. For every 100 females, there were 89.7 males.
There were 4,732 housing units at an average density of , of which 4,502 (95.1%) were occupied. Of these, 49.6% were owner-occupied, and 50.4% were occupied by renters.
In 2023, the US Census Bureau estimated that the median household income was $50,306, and the
per capita income
Per capita income (PCI) or average income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year.
In many countries, per capita income is determined using regular population surveys, such ...
was $28,728. About 15.8% of families and 20.4% of the population were below the poverty line.
In areas north of Anderson, 4,036 live in unincorporated urban areas along Highway 273. Another 8,342 live in rural areas, including at least 3,500 people in the communities of Olinda and Happy Valley, which is west of Anderson and southwest of Redding. A total of 21,400 people live in the entire Anderson area, including Olinda, Happy Valley, and some areas south of Churn Creek Bottom.
Politics
In the
state legislature Anderson is located in , and .
Federally, Anderson is in .
Economy
Sierra Pacific Industries is headquartered in Anderson.
Education
High schools
*
Anderson Union High School
*North Valley High School
*
Anderson New Technology High School
Elementary schools
*Anderson Heights Elementary School
*Anderson Middle School
*Northern Summit Academy
*Meadow Lane Elementary
Recreation
The city is home to Anderson River Park, North Volonte Park, and South Volonte Park.
Anderson River Park
Anderson River Park is located off of Stingy Ln. down Rupert Rd. The park is situated on the
Sacramento River. The park consists of athletic fields, picnic areas, fishing access, play structures, and a disc golf course.
In fall 2020, the city added
River Splash a
Splash pad, Shasta County's newest water play park to the park.
River Splash has three large shade structures, picnic tables, seating, lawn areas, restrooms, and a 106-feet diameter water play area. The water features include above-ground items such as water spray tunnels, a tipping bucket of water and water jets. All 35 water jets that are cast into the concrete play area have
LED
A light-emitting diode (LED) is a semiconductor device that emits light when current flows through it. Electrons in the semiconductor recombine with electron holes, releasing energy in the form of photons. The color of the light (corresp ...
lights that are timed with the water spray.
North Volonte Park
North Volonte Park is located off South St. on Emily Rd. North Volonte Park is separated from South Volonte Park. North Volonte Park is a developed park which consists of softball and baseball fields. It also has a skate park.
South Volonte Park
South Volonte Park is located behind North Volonte Park. South Volonte Park consists of wetlands that are outlined by a jogging trail. It also contains exercise equipment.
References
External links
Official City WebsiteAnderson Union High School DistrictImages of Andersonfrom th
Eastman’s Originals CollectionSpecial Collections Dept. University of California, Davis.
{{Authority control
1956 establishments in California
Cities in Shasta County, California
Incorporated cities and towns in California
Populated places on the Sacramento River