:Mariposa County, California

Mariposa County was one of the original 27 counties of California, created at the time of statehood in 1850. While it began as the state's largest county, territory that was once part of Mariposa was ceded over time to form all or part of twelve other counties, including all of Merced, Madera, Fresno, Tulare, Kings, and Kern; and parts of San Benito, Mono, Inyo, San Bernardino, and Los Angeles. Thus, Mariposa County is known as the "Mother of Counties".{{cite web | title= Mariposa: Mother Of Counties | url= http://mariposacourt.org/HistoryMother.htm | publisher= Superior Court of California, County of Mariposa | access-date= May 17, 2009 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090611011105/http://mariposacourt.org/HistoryMother.htm | archive-date= June 11, 2009 | url-status= dead }}

Mariposa County's original seat was a now-nonexistent hamlet known as Agua Fria (Spanish for "cold water"), about 3 miles directly west of Mariposa proper on Agua Fria Road, which runs from Highway 140 to the south, to the community of Mt. Bullion to the northwest. Charles Fremont moved the county seat to Mariposa in 1854, resulting in the construction of the Mariposa County Courthouse, whose grounds occupies an entire block. The historic structure is fronted by Bullion Street; Jones Street is to the rear, with 9th and 10th Streets on either side. The courthouse's likeness is on the Mariposa County Seal.

The county took its name from Mariposa Creek, which was so named by Spanish explorers in 1806, when they discovered a great cluster of butterflies ("mariposas" in Spanish and Portuguese) in the foothills of the Sierra. Each year, the first weekend in May, residents mark the annual arrival of migrating monarch butterflies with a "Butterfly Days" festival and parade.

File:Gold-mm08a.jpg

Mariposa County is located at the southern end of California's Mother Lode region. During the California Gold Rush, great quantities of the prized mineral were found and extracted, first in local stream-beds and later in hard rock mines. One of the most notable beneficiaries of this wealth was the famed explorer and 1856 Republican presidential candidate, John Charles Frémont, for whom the local hospital and Charles Street (more commonly known as "Highway 140") are named. Jessie Street, in the town of Mariposa, is named for Fremont's wife, Jessie Benton Frémont, who came to Mariposa with her husband on many extended visits although they never took up permanent residence within the county.

Many aspects of the area's mining history are depicted in exhibits at two local museums: the [http://www.mariposamuseum.com/ Mariposa History Museum], located in the town of Mariposa; and the California Mining and Mineral Museum, located at the Mariposa Fairgrounds (2 miles southeast of Mariposa on Highway 49).

Two small gold mines in Mariposa County, the Mockingbird mine and the Colorado Quartz mine, intermittently produce world-class (and very expensive) specimens of crystalline gold for mineral collectors. "Specimens from these occurrences commonly have bright luster and rich color, with well-developed crystals in unusual and attractive arrangements."[http://www.rocksandminerals.org/Back%20Issues/2009/September-October%202009/Colorado-Quartz-abstract.html The Colorado Quartz Gold Mine], Rocks and Minerals, Sept-Oct 2009. The best-known example is "The Dragon", now on display at the Houston Museum of Natural Science.{{cite web|url=http://www.mindat.org/photo-153026.html|title=Gold|website=mindat.org}}

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of {{convert|1463|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|1449|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|14|sqmi}} (1.0%) is water.{{cite web|url=http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_06.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 28, 2015|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files}} The county extends:

• West from the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada range to the edge of the Central Valley.
• East into the Sierra including Yosemite Valley and a portion of the Cathedral Range.

A significant portion of the Merced River's course is within the county including its white water runs through Yosemite and the Merced River Canyon. Its run through the Merced River Canyon contains the sole habitat for the limestone salamander, a rare species endemic to Mariposa County.

There are a number of lakes within the county including: Lake McClure, Lake McSwain, Merced Lake, and Tenaya Lake.

• Tuolumne County - north
• Madera County - southeast
• Merced County - southwest
• Stanislaus County - west
• Mono County - east

• Sierra National Forest (part)
• Stanislaus National Forest (part)
• Yosemite National Park (part)

{{US Census population

|1850= 4379

|1860= 6243

|1870= 4572

|1880= 4339

|1890= 3787

|1900= 4720

|1910= 3956

|1920= 2775

|1930= 3233

|1940= 5605

|1950= 5145

|1960= 5064

|1970= 6015

|1980= 11108

|1990= 14302

|2000= 17130

|2010= 18251

|2020= 17131

|estyear=2024

|estimate=17048

|estref={{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.html|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2024|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 9, 2025}}

|align-fn=center

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|title=Census of Population and Housing from 1790-2000|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=January 24, 2022}}
1790–1960{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=September 28, 2015}} 1900–1990{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/ca190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|editor-last=Forstall|editor-first=Richard L.|date=March 27, 1995|access-date=September 28, 2015}}
1990–2000{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|date=April 2, 2001|access-date=September 28, 2015}} 2010 2020

}}

The largest self-reported ancestry groups in Mariposa County were English (14.5%), German (13.7%), Irish (13.1%), Italian (4.1%), "American" (3.8%), Scottish (3.2%) and Portuguese (3.0%).{{cite web |title=American FactFinder - Results |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/14_5YR/DP02/0500000US06043 |website=factfinder.census.gov|access-date=October 27, 2016 |url-status=dead|archive-date=February 13, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213032716/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/14_5YR/DP02/0500000US06043}}

The 2010 United States census reported that Mariposa County had a population of 18,251. The racial makeup of Mariposa County was 16,103 (88.2%) White, 138 (0.8%) African American, 527 (2.9%) Native American, 204 (1.1%) Asian, 26 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 508 (2.8%) from other races, and 745 (4.1%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1,676 persons (9.2%).{{USCensus2010CA}}

As of the census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 14, 2011|title=U.S. Census website}} of 2000, there were 17,130 people, 6,613 households, and 4,490 families residing in the county. The population density was {{convert|12|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people |people}}. There were 8,826 housing units at an average density of {{convert|6|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units |units|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 88.9% White, 0.7% Black or African American, 3.5% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 2.7% from other races, and 3.4% from two or more races. 7.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 17.8% were of German, 13.4% English, 12.7% Irish and 6.7% American ancestry according to Census 2000. 96.0% spoke English and 3.5% Spanish as their first language.

There were 6,613 households, out of which 25.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.8% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.1% were non-families. 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.6% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 29.2% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 104.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.4 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,626, and the median income for a family was $42,655. Males had a median income of $31,194 versus $25,440 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,190. About 10.5% of families and 14.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.5% of those under age 18 and 9.0% of those age 65 or over.

File:MariposaCtyHSAuditorium (cropped).jpg style Mariposa County High School, built in 1914.]]

The Government of Mariposa County is defined and authorized under the California Constitution and law as a general law county. The County government is composed of the Board of Supervisors, which has legislative and executive power. It is composed of five members elected from the five separate districts of the county, on a non-partisan basis, to serve four-year staggered terms.

In the California State Legislature, Mariposa is in {{Representative|casd|4|fmt=sdistrict}}, and in {{Representative|caad|5|fmt=adistrict}}.

In the United States House of Representatives, Mariposa County is in {{Representative|cacd|5|fmt=district}}.{{Cite GovTrack|CA|5|access-date=November 17, 2023}}

In its early history Mariposa was one of the most reliable Democratic counties in California. Along with Colusa County, it was one of only two counties in the Pacific States to support Alton B. Parker in 1904.Menendez, Albert J.; The Geography of Presidential Elections in the United States, 1868-2004, pp. 153-155 {{ISBN|0786422173}} Over time, however, the county has steadily moved away from its Democratic roots, seen demonstrably in 1948 when Thomas E. Dewey won Mariposa without carrying California, as part of a trend turning the Great Basin into a rock-solid Republican stronghold.Mendendez; The Geography of Presidential Elections in the United States, p. 74 Currently Mariposa is a strongly Republican county in Presidential and congressional elections. The last Democrat to win a majority in the county was Lyndon Johnson in 1964 but the last Democrat to win Mariposa was Bill Clinton in 1992 who won a plurality by 41 votes.

{{PresHead|place=Mariposa County, California|source={{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=September 1, 2018}}}}

{{PresRow|2024|Republican|5,625|3,622|262|California}}

{{PresRow|2020|Republican|5,950|4,088|242|California}}

{{PresRow|2016|Republican|5,185|3,122|570|California}}

{{PresRow|2012|Republican|5,140|3,498|400|California}}

{{PresRow|2008|Republican|5,298|4,100|279|California}}

{{PresRow|2004|Republican|5,215|3,251|192|California}}

{{PresRow|2000|Republican|4,727|2,816|531|California}}

{{PresRow|1996|Republican|3,976|2,920|1,053|California}}

{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|2,982|3,023|2,282|California}}

{{PresRow|1988|Republican|3,768|2,998|144|California}}

{{PresRow|1984|Republican|3,989|2,399|130|California}}

{{PresRow|1980|Republican|3,082|1,889|637|California}}

{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|2,012|2,093|212|California}}

{{PresRow|1972|Republican|2,122|1,487|170|California}}

{{PresRow|1968|Republican|1,496|1,187|314|California}}

{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|1,264|1,704|0|California}}

{{PresRow|1960|Republican|1,599|1,338|26|California}}

{{PresRow|1956|Republican|1,577|1,031|7|California}}

{{PresRow|1952|Republican|2,214|1,102|43|California}}

{{PresRow|1948|Republican|1,378|983|106|California}}

{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|965|1,203|17|California}}

{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|1,035|1,935|33|California}}

{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|621|1,907|35|California}}

{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|560|1,386|92|California}}

{{PresRow|1928|Republican|656|517|19|California}}

{{PresRow|1924|Republican|344|168|343|California}}

{{PresRow|1920|Republican|484|320|70|California}}

{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|451|802|124|California}}

{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|20|689|461|California}}

{{PresRow|1908|Democratic|352|480|123|California}}

{{PresRow|1904|Democratic|461|486|128|California}}

{{PresRow|1900|Democratic|505|717|16|California}}

{{PresRow|1896|Democratic|563|829|27|California}}

{{PresFoot|1892|Democratic|404|526|82|California}}

On November 4, 2008, Mariposa County voted 62.1% for Proposition 8 which amended the California Constitution to ban same-sex marriages.{{cite web

|url=https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/sov/2008-general/sov_complete.pdf

|title=Statement of Vote November 4, 2008 General Election

|last=Bowen

|first=Debra

|website=California Secretary of State

|access-date= January 8, 2020}}

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

Mariposa County has one hospital, John C. Fremont Hospital.{{Cite web|url=http://gis.oshpd.ca.gov/atlas/places/facility/106220733|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907185822/http://gis.oshpd.ca.gov/atlas/places/facility/106220733|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 7, 2015|title=John C Fremont Healthcare District in California|last=O'Neill|first=Michael|website=gis.oshpd.ca.gov|language=en|access-date=August 29, 2017}}

According to a 2013 study, Mariposa County had the highest rate of child abuse and neglect,{{cite web|url=http://www.mariposagazette.com/news/2013-01-03/Front_Page/Mariposa_County_has_states_highest_rate_of_child_a.html|title=Mariposa Gazette|website=Mariposa Gazette}} and as recently as 2014, had the second highest of rate of unvaccinated children{{cite web|url=http://www.mariposagazette.com/news/2014-09-18/Front_Page/Countys_youth_second_highest_of_unvaccinated_in_th.html|title=Mariposa Gazette|website=Mariposa Gazette}} in the state of California.

Mariposa County primarily receives the major Fresno TV and radio stations.

The county also has media outlets that serve the local community. These include:

• [http://mariposagazette.com/ Mariposa Gazette]
• [http://goldrushcam.com/sierrasuntimes/ Sierra Sun Times]

• File:California 41.svg State Route 41
• File:California 49.svg State Route 49
• File:California 120.svg State Route 120
• File:California 132.svg State Route 132
• File:California 140.svg State Route 140

• Mariposa County Transit provides dial-a-ride and some fixed route service
• Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS) provides service along State Routes 120 and 140 to Yosemite National Park.
• Amtrak Thruway: 15A connects Mariposa with Merced station and Yosemite with five trips daily.{{cite web | url=https://amtraksanjoaquins.com/route-15a/ | title=Route 15A }}

Mariposa-Yosemite Airport is a general aviation airport. The nearest airports with scheduled flights are Fresno and Merced.

File:Wawona Hotel1.jpg, built in 1876]]

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}

• Bear Valley
• Bootjack
• Buck Meadows
• Catheys Valley
• Coulterville
• El Portal
• Fish Camp
• Foresta{{font color|blue|★}}
• Greeley Hill
• Hornitos
• Lake Don Pedro
• Mariposa (county seat)
• Midpines
• Mount Bullion
• Wawona
• Yosemite Valley
• Yosemite West

{{div col end}}

{{font color|blue|★}} Formerly known as the Crane Creek CDP; renamed in 2022

• Foresta
• Jerseydale
• Mormon Bar
• [https://www.lushmeadows.org/ Lushmeadows]

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Mariposa County.{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade.2010.html|title=This site has been redesigned and relocated. - U.S. Census Bureau Bureau|last=CNMP|website=www.census.gov}}

† county seat

• List of school districts in Mariposa County, California
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Mariposa County, California
• Valley and Sierra Miwok people
• Yokuts people (Mariposan)

{{reflist|group=note}}

{{reflist|30em}}

• A Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties of Merced, Stanislaus, Calaveras, Tuolumne and Mariposa, California. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1892.

• {{Official website}}
• [http://mariposachamber.org Mariposa County Chamber of Commerce]
• [http://www.homeofyosemite.com/ Yosemite / Mariposa County Tourism Bureau] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100924024335/http://homeofyosemite.com/ |date=September 24, 2010 }}
• [http://www.Goldrushcam.com Daily News and Photos of Mariposa County]
• [http://www.mariposaresearch.net History and Genealogy of Mariposa County ]
• [http://www.the-vug.com/vug/article20.html Mockingbird mine crystalline gold discovery] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111209184707/http://www.the-vug.com/vug/article20.html |date=December 9, 2011 }}, c. 2006, includes photo gallery

{{coord|37.58|-119.91|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-CA_source:UScensus1990}}

{{Commons category}}

{{Geographic Location

| Centre = Mariposa County, California

| North = Tuolumne County

| Northeast =

| East = Madera County

| Southeast =

| South = Madera County

| Southwest =

| West = Merced County

| Northwest = Stanislaus County

}}

{{Mariposa County, California}}

{{California}}

{{authority control}}

Category:California counties

Category:1850 establishments in California

Category:Populated places established in 1850

Category:California Gold Rush