Forest Ranch, California
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name = Forest Ranch, California
|settlement_type = Unincorporated community
|image_skyline =
|imagesize =
|image_caption =
|pushpin_map = California
|pushpin_label_position = bottom
|pushpin_mapsize =
|pushpin_map_caption = Location in California
|subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name = {{USA}}
|subdivision_type1 = State
|subdivision_name1 = {{flag|California}}
|subdivision_type2 = County
|subdivision_name2 = Butte County
|subdivision_type3 =
|subdivision_name3 =
| population_total = 1304
| population_as_of = 2020
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_footnotes = {{cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/all?q=Forest+Ranch+CDP,+California |website=data.census.gov |access-date=30 June 2023}}
| unit_pref = US
| area_footnotes = {{Cite US Gazetteer|2010|places|CA}}
| area_total_sq_mi = 13.923
| area_land_sq_mi = 13.923
| area_water_sq_mi = 0
| area_total_km2 = 36.060
| area_land_km2 = 36.060
| area_water_km2 = 0
| area_water_percent = 0
| area_note =
|timezone = Pacific (PST)
|utc_offset = -8
|timezone_DST = PDT
|utc_offset_DST = -7
|
|established_title =
|established_date =
|coordinates = {{coord|39|52|56|N|121|40|22|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|elevation_footnotes = {{gnis|260256}}
|elevation_m = 736
|elevation_ft = 2415
|postal_code_type = ZIP Code
|postal_code = 95942
|area_code = 530
|blank_name = GNIS feature IDs
|blank_info = 260256; 2612481
|website =
|footnotes = {{gnis|260256}}; {{gnis|2612481}}
|image_map = File:Butte County California Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Forest Ranch Highlighted 0624918.svg
|map_caption = Location of Forest Ranch in Butte County, California.
}}
Forest Ranch is an unincorporated community and census-designated place{{gnis|2612481}} in Butte County, California. It includes Forest Ranch Charter School (K-8), its own post office, and a CDF and Volunteer fire stations. The community's ZIP code is 95942, and is shared with the community of Butte Meadows. The area code is 530. Forest Ranch's population was 1,184 at the 2010 census.
In late July 2024, the community was affected by the Park Fire. Several structures were destroyed, but the majority of the community was left standing.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}
The US Geological Survey reports the town's elevation as {{convert|2415|ft|m}} above mean sea level. The eastern end of the community is about {{convert|3500|ft|m|0}}: about {{convert|1000|ft|m|0}} higher. This is high enough that residents occasionally get "snowed in." Residents east of the center of the community report the snowfall is heavy enough to prevent driving about one to three days each year. This is only true of homes not located along State Route 32. Some residents commute to work in Chico, about fifteen driving miles west on SR32.
History
Forest Ranch post office was opened in 1878, closed in 1926, and re-established in 1932, and moved several times in 1938 to its present location.{{California's Geographic Names|237}} The town once was the site of a lumber mill,{{cite book |last=Chang |first=Anita L. |title=The Historical Geography of the Humboldt Wagon Road |publisher = Association for Northern California Records and Research |date=1992 |location=Chico, CA |page=23}} established around 1873 and operated by Elias Findley. In the mid-1870s, Findley's residence was taken over by a Mr. and Mrs. Weld, who provided accommodations for teams and travelers on the Humboldt Wagon Road.{{cite book |last=Mark |first=Andy |title=Stories of the Humboldt Wagon Road |publisher=The History Press |location=Charleston, SC |year=2020 |page=85 |isbn=978-1-4396-6978-5 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PmfVDwAAQBAJ&q=humboldt+wagon+road}} In the 1890s, Forest Ranch had an active literary society and its school hosted regular performances and athletic events for the general community.{{sfn|Mark|2020|p=121}} The town is now mostly a bedroom community for nearby Chico.
Demographics
{{US Census population
|2010=1184
|2020=1304
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade.html|title=Decennial Census by Decade|website=United States Census Bureau|access-date=}}
2010{{Cite web|title= 2010 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/2010/cph-2/cph-2-6.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}
}}
Forest Ranch first appeared as a census designated place in the 2010 U.S. Census.
The 2020 United States census reported that Forest Ranch had a population of 1,304. The population density was {{convert|93.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of Forest Ranch was 1,085 (83.2%) White, 12 (0.9%) African American, 12 (0.9%) Native American, 16 (1.2%) Asian, 1 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 33 (2.5%) from other races, and 145 (11.1%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 108 persons (8.3%).{{cite web |title=Forest Ranch CDP, California; DP1: Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics - 2020 Census of Population and Housing |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALDP2020.DP1?g=1600000US0624918 |website=US Census Bureau |access-date=May 20, 2025}}
The whole population lived in households. There were 555 households, out of which 127 (22.9%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 301 (54.2%) were married-couple households, 48 (8.6%) were cohabiting couple households, 75 (13.5%) had a female householder with no partner present, and 131 (23.6%) had a male householder with no partner present. 150 households (27.0%) were one person, and 83 (15.0%) were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.35. There were 367 families (66.1% of all households).{{cite web |title=Forest Ranch CDP, California; P16: Household Type - 2020 Census of Population and Housing |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALDHC2020.P16?g=1600000US0624918 |website=US Census Bureau |access-date=May 20, 2025}}
The age distribution was 238 people (18.3%) under the age of 18, 45 people (3.5%) aged 18 to 24, 279 people (21.4%) aged 25 to 44, 392 people (30.1%) aged 45 to 64, and 350 people (26.8%) who were 65{{nbsp}}years of age or older. The median age was 51.8{{nbsp}}years. For every 100 females, there were 112.4 males.
There were 601 housing units at an average density of {{convert|43.1|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units |units|}}, of which 555 (92.3%) were occupied. Of these, 499 (89.9%) were owner-occupied, and 56 (10.1%) were occupied by renters.
References
{{reflist}}
- US Geological Survey, National Geographic Names Database
- Map: Cohasset, California, 7.5 minute quadrangle, 1995, US Geological Survey.
{{Butte County, California}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Census-designated places in Butte County, California
Category:Populated places in the Sierra Nevada (United States)