Tehama County (/təˈhmə/ tə-HAY-mə; Wintun for "high water") is a county located in the northern part of the U.S. state of California. As of the 2020 census, the population was 65,829.[3] The county seat and largest city is Red Bluff.[4]

Tehama County, California
County of Tehama
Images, from top down, left to right: Black Rock in the Ishi Wilderness, State Theatre in Red Bluff, Park Headquarters in Lassen Volcanic National Park, front of the William B. Ide Adobe
Official seal of Tehama County, California
Map
Interactive map of Tehama County
Location in the state of California
Location in the state of California
Country United States
State California
RegionShasta Cascade
IncorporatedApril 9, 1856
County seatRed Bluff
Largest cityRed Bluff
Government
 • TypeCouncil–Administrator
 • ChairBill Moule
 • Vice ChairJohn Leach
 • Board of Supervisors[1]
Supervisors
  • Bill Moule
  • Candy Carlson
  • Pati Nolen
  • Matt Hansen
  • John Leach
 • Chief AdministratorGabriel Hydrick
Area
 • Total2,962 sq mi (7,670 km2)
 • Land2,950 sq mi (7,600 km2)
 • Water12 sq mi (30 km2)
Highest elevation9,239 ft (2,816 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total65,829
 • Density22/sq mi (8.6/km2)
Time zoneUTC-8 (Pacific Standard Time)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-7 (Pacific Daylight Time)
Congressional district1st
Websitewww.co.tehama.ca.us

Tehama County comprises the Red Bluff, California micropolitan statistical area, which is also included in the Redding-Red Bluff, California combined statistical area. The county is bisected by the Sacramento River.

Etymology

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The county is named for the City of Tehama. Tehama is most commonly believed to be derived from the Wintun word for "high water". Others definitions of native origin that have been proposed such as "low land", "salmon", "mother nature" or "shallow". A less accepted theory proposes the names origin is tejamanil, shingle in Spanish.

History

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Tehama County was formed from parts of Butte, Colusa, and Shasta Counties in 1856.

The first permanent non-indigenous settlers in the area that is now Tehama County were Robert Hasty Thomes, Albert Gallatin Toomes, William George Chard, and Job Francis Dye. The four men were each given land grants by the government of Mexico in 1844. Thomes received Rancho Saucos, Toomes received Rancho Rio de los Molinos, Chard received Rancho Las Flores, and Dye received Rancho Primer Cañon o Rio de Los Berrendos. Later in the same year Josiah Belden received Rancho Barranca Colorado.[5]

Famous early figures include Kit Carson, who took part in a fight that gave name to Bloody Island and Battle Creek, Jedediah Smith, John C. Fremont, and William B. Ide, the first and only president of the California Republic.

The history of Tehama County includes the January 1886 relocation of Red Bluff's Chinese population, followed by the August 1886 torching of Red Bluff's Chinatown by alleged arsonists.[6] The January 29, 1886, edition of The Daily Alta detailed 'The Anti-Coolie Move' and confirms that a secret anti-Chinese meeting was convened in the town of Tehama, and an organization established to relocate the estimated 2,000 Chinese in and around Vina. Secret daily anti-Chinese caucuses in Red Bluff were also held.[7]

 
School at Red Bluff, 1902

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,962 square miles (7,670 km2), of which 2,950 square miles (7,600 km2) is land and 12 square miles (31 km2) (0.4%) is water.[8] Watercourses in Tehama County include Dye Creek and Payne's Creek. The county is intersected by Sacramento River.[9] A small part of Lassen Volcanic National Park extends into the northeast corner of the county. The highest point of the county[10] is Brokeoff Mountain (9,235 feet[11]).

Adjacent counties

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National protected areas

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Transportation

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Major highways

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Public transportation

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Tehama Rural Area Express (TRAX) operates local service in Red Bluff, with service to Los Molinos and Corning. Greyhound and FlixBus buses stop in Red Bluff.

The Shasta Regional Transportation Agency has proposed a weekday commuter bus to/from Red Bluff and the Sacramento Valley Station, following a route similar to the twice daily Amtrak Thruway 3.[12][13]

Airports

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Red Bluff Municipal Airport and Corning Municipal Airport are two general aviation airports.

Crime

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The following table includes the number of incidents reported and the rate per 1,000 persons for each type of offense.

Cities by population and crime rates

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18604,044
18703,587−11.3%
18809,301159.3%
18909,9166.6%
190010,99610.9%
191011,4013.7%
192012,88213.0%
193013,8667.6%
194014,3163.2%
195019,27634.6%
196025,30531.3%
197029,51716.6%
198038,88831.7%
199049,62527.6%
200056,03912.9%
201063,46313.2%
202065,8293.7%
2023 (est.)64,896[17]−1.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[18]
1790-1960[19] 1900-1990[20]
1990-2000[21] 2010[22] 2020[23]

2020 census

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Tehama County, California – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2000[24] Pop 2010[22] Pop 2020[23] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 43,792 45,603 41,340 78.47% 71.86% 62.80%
Black or African American alone (NH) 279 349 391 0.50% 0.55% 0.59%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 1,008 1,205 1,167 1.80% 1.90% 1.77%
Asian alone (NH) 423 625 985 0.75% 0.98% 1.50%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 48 64 96 0.09% 0.10% 0.15%
Other Race alone (NH) 109 67 324 0.19% 0.11% 0.49%
Mixed Race or Multi-Racial (NH) 1,329 1,644 3,588 2.37% 2.59% 5.45%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 8,871 13,906 17,938 15.83% 21.91% 27.25%
Total 56,039 63,463 65,829 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

2011

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Places by population, race, and income

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2010 Census

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The 2010 United States Census reported that Tehama County had a population of 63,463. The racial makeup of Tehama County was 51,721 (81.5%) White, 406 (0.6%) African American, 1,644 (2.6%) Native American, 656 (1.0%) Asian, 76 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 6,258 (9.9%) from other races, and 2,702 (4.3%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13,906 persons (21.9%).[32]

2000 Census

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As of the census[33] of 2000, there were 56,039 people, 21,013 households, and 14,898 families residing in the county. The population density was 19 people per square mile (7.3 people/km2). There were 23,547 housing units at an average density of 8 units per square mile (3.1 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 84.8% White, 0.6% Black or African American, 2.1% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 8.3% from other races, and 3.4% from two or more races. 15.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 14.4% were of German, 11.0% English, 9.6% Irish and 9.5% American ancestry according to the 2000 United States Census. 86.0% spoke English and 13.0% Spanish as their first language.

There were 21,013 households, out of which 32.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.6% were married couples living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.1% were non-families. 24.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.08.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.4% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 97.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.0 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,206, and the median income for a family was $37,277. Males had a median income of $30,872 versus $22,864 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,793. About 13.0% of families and 17.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.0% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

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Voter registration statistics

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Cities by population and voter registration

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Overview

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Tehama is a strongly Republican county in Presidential and congressional elections. The last Democrat to win a majority in the county was Jimmy Carter in 1976. Bill Clinton won a plurality in 1992.

United States presidential election results for Tehama County, California[35]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 19,141 66.62% 8,911 31.02% 679 2.36%
2016 15,494 64.81% 6,809 28.48% 1,605 6.71%
2012 14,235 61.95% 7,934 34.53% 808 3.52%
2008 14,843 60.44% 8,945 36.42% 772 3.14%
2004 15,572 66.42% 7,504 32.01% 368 1.57%
2000 13,270 63.63% 6,507 31.20% 1,077 5.16%
1996 10,292 50.34% 7,290 35.66% 2,861 14.00%
1992 7,419 35.36% 7,508 35.79% 6,052 28.85%
1988 9,854 56.52% 7,213 41.37% 367 2.11%
1984 11,586 62.78% 6,527 35.37% 342 1.85%
1980 9,140 59.13% 4,832 31.26% 1,485 9.61%
1976 6,110 44.81% 6,990 51.27% 535 3.92%
1972 6,054 48.73% 5,175 41.65% 1,195 9.62%
1968 5,198 47.26% 4,565 41.50% 1,236 11.24%
1964 4,529 39.50% 6,928 60.42% 10 0.09%
1960 5,522 49.96% 5,483 49.61% 47 0.43%
1956 4,866 53.82% 4,143 45.82% 33 0.36%
1952 5,742 64.31% 3,110 34.83% 77 0.86%
1948 3,348 51.27% 2,920 44.72% 262 4.01%
1944 2,903 47.79% 3,130 51.53% 41 0.68%
1940 2,913 43.95% 3,618 54.59% 97 1.46%
1936 2,376 38.46% 3,687 59.68% 115 1.86%
1932 2,001 34.20% 3,534 60.40% 316 5.40%
1928 3,393 65.58% 1,650 31.89% 131 2.53%
1924 1,943 45.97% 486 11.50% 1,798 42.54%
1920 2,462 61.81% 1,079 27.09% 442 11.10%
1916 1,739 36.32% 2,534 52.92% 515 10.76%
1912 13 0.38% 1,595 47.16% 1,774 52.45%
1908 1,064 47.46% 894 39.88% 284 12.67%
1904 1,234 56.32% 720 32.86% 237 10.82%
1900 1,210 50.35% 1,138 47.36% 55 2.29%
1896 969 45.39% 1,135 53.16% 31 1.45%
1892 969 43.39% 1,045 46.80% 219 9.81%
1888 1,171 46.88% 1,290 51.64% 37 1.48%
1884 1,075 47.80% 1,146 50.96% 28 1.24%
1880 868 47.61% 954 52.33% 1 0.05%

In the United States House of Representatives, Tehama County is in California's 1st congressional district, represented by Republican Doug LaMalfa.[36]

In the California State Legislature, the county is in the 1st Senate District, represented by Republican Megan Dahle, and the 3rd Assembly District, represented by Republican James Gallagher.

On November 4, 2008, Tehama County voted 72.7% for Proposition 8, which amended the California Constitution to ban same-sex marriages.[37]

Communities

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Cities

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Unincorporated communities

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Census-designated places

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Population ranking

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The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Tehama County.[38]

county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2020 Census)
1 Red Bluff City 14,710
2 Corning City 8,244
3 Lake California CDP 3,377
4 Los Molinos CDP 2,098
5 Rancho Tehama CDP 1,572
6 Gerber CDP 1,044
7 Bend CDP 603
8 Tehama City 435
9 Manton CDP 310
10 Richfield CDP 309
11 Proberta CDP 237
12 Vina CDP 198
13 Las Flores CDP 190
14 Mineral CDP 136
15 Flournoy CDP 117
16 Paskenta CDP 110
17 Paynes Creek CDP 54

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Only larceny-theft cases involving property over $400 in value are reported as property crimes.
  2. ^ Other = Some other race + Two or more races
  3. ^ Native American = Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander + American Indian or Alaska Native
  4. ^ a b Percentage of registered voters with respect to total population. Percentages of party members with respect to registered voters follow.

References

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  1. ^ "Board of Supervisors".
  2. ^ Brokeoff Mountain
  3. ^ "Tehama County, California". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  4. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  5. ^ E. J. Lewis ,1891,Tehama County History:A Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California, Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago
  6. ^ Chan, Sucheng (2000). Wu, Jean; Song, Min (eds.). Hostility and Conflict. Rutgers University Press. p. 53. ISBN 0-8135-2726-0. Retrieved October 10, 2015. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help) Via Google Books
  7. ^ "THE ANTI-COOLIE MOVE. Tehama Taking a Hand—Chinese Leaving Sacramento". Daily Alta California. San Francisco, California. January 29, 1886. p. 5, column 4. Retrieved October 10, 2015. Volume 40, Number 13304. Via California Digital Newspaper Collection of the University of California at Riverside
  8. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  9. ^ Ripley, George; Dana, Charles A., eds. (1879). "Tehama" . The American Cyclopædia.
  10. ^ Helman, Adam. "Tehama County - Brokeoff Mountain (9,235 feet)". California County Highpoint Trip Reports. County Highpointers. Retrieved November 13, 2017.
  11. ^ Suess, Bubba. "Brokeoff Mountain". SummitPost.org. Retrieved November 13, 2017.
  12. ^ "North State Intercity Bus System Business Plan June 2018". Srta.ca.gov. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
  13. ^ "Shasta Intercity Bus Transportation Studies | Shasta Regional Transportation Agency, CA".
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B02001. U.S. Census website. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Office of the Attorney General, Department of Justice, State of California. Table 11: Crimes – 2009 Archived December 2, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 14, 2013.
  16. ^ a b c United States Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation. Crime in the United States, 2012, Table 8 (California). Retrieved November 14, 2013.
  17. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  18. ^ "Census of Population and Housing from 1790-2000". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  19. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved May 31, 2014.
  20. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 31, 2014.
  21. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 31, 2014.
  22. ^ a b "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Tehama County, California". United States Census Bureau.
  23. ^ a b "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race –- 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Tehama County, California". United States Census Bureau.
  24. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Tehama County, California". United States Census Bureau.
  25. ^ a b U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B03003. U.S. Census website. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  26. ^ a b U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B19301. U.S. Census website. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
  27. ^ a b U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B19013. U.S. Census website. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
  28. ^ a b U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B19113. U.S. Census website. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
  29. ^ a b U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. U.S. Census website. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
  30. ^ U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B01003. U.S. Census website. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
  31. ^ Data unavailable
  32. ^ "2010 Census P.L. 94-171 Summary File Data". United States Census Bureau.
  33. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  34. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q California Secretary of State. February 10, 2013 - Report of Registration Archived July 27, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 31, 2013.
  35. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  36. ^ "California's 1st Congressional District - Representatives & District Map". Civic Impulse, LLC. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  37. ^ "County Results - Election Center 2008 - Elections & Politics from CNN.com". cnn.com.
  38. ^ "2020 Census".

Further reading

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  • Vestra (April 2006). Tehama West Watershed Assessment (PDF). Tehama County Resource Conservation District.
  • Smith, Josie (2016). Tehama County. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 9781540201430.
  • Hislop, Donald L.; Hughes, Benjamin M. (2007). Tehama County Place Names. Red Bluff, California.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  • Smith, Dottie (1997). Ritter, Eric W. (ed.). Historical Overview of the Western Tehama County Foothills. Bureau of Land Management, Redding Resource Area.
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40°08′N 122°14′W / 40.13°N 122.23°W / 40.13; -122.23