Redding, California#Metropolitan Statistical Area

During the Gold Rush, the area that now comprises Redding was called Poverty Flats.{{Cite news |last=Donion |first=Preston |date=October 4, 2022 |title=City of Redding turns 135 years old |url=https://krcrtv.com/news/local/happy-135th-birthday-redding |access-date=October 6, 2022 |work=KRCR |language=en }} In 1868 the first land agent for the Central Pacific Railroad, a former Sacramento politician named Benjamin Bernard Redding, bought property in Poverty Flats on behalf of the railroad so that it could build a northern terminus there. In the process of building the terminus, the railroad also built a town in the same area, which they named Redding in honor of Benjamin Redding.

In 1874, there was a dispute over the name by local legislators and it was changed for a time to Reading, in order to honor Pierson B. Reading, who arrived in the area in 1843, owned the Buenaventura land grant on which Redding sits, and had died only a few years before, in 1868. The name was officially changed back to Redding by 1880.{{cite web |url=http://shastahistorical.org/how-redding-got-its-name/ |title=How Redding got its Name |access-date=August 25, 2017 |archive-date=March 28, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160328123650/http://shastahistorical.org/how-redding-got-its-name/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite book |last1=Peterson |first1=Edward |title=In the Shadow of the Mountain, a Short History of Shasta County, California |date=1964 |publisher=Edward Peterson |location=Redding, California |pages=passim |url=https://northernposts.com/in-the-shadow-of-the-mountain-a-short-history-of-shasta-county/ |access-date=July 21, 2020 }}

The area is inhabited by a tribe of Native Americans called the Wintu. At their height, the Wintu had as many as 239 villages in the Shasta County area.{{cite book |author= |title=Papers On Wintu Ethnography : 239 Wintu Villages In Shasta County Circa 1850 |location=Redding, CA |publisher=Redding Museum and Art Center |date=1980 }}

Although Europeans had been to California as early as 1542, when Juan Cabrillo sailed to what is now San Diego Bay, indigenous natives long remained the only inhabitants of the Northern California region.

The first European settlement in the area was established in 1844 by Pierson B. Reading, an early California pioneer who received a Rancho Buena Ventura Mexican land grant for {{convert|26,632|acre}} that is now covered by Redding and Cottonwood, California. At the time, it was the northernmost nonnative settlement in California.

During the Gold Rush, 49ers found gold to the north on Rock, Middle and Salt creeks, near Shasta, California, and to the south along Oregon and Olney creeks but the area that is now Redding was poor placer gold ground and called Poverty Flats. In 1868 the first land agent for the Central Pacific Railroad, a former Sacramento politician named Benjamin B. Redding, bought property in Poverty Flats on behalf of the railroad for a northern terminus, which the tracks reached in 1872. In the process of building the terminus, the railroad also built the town of Redding which was officially incorporated on October 4, 1887. In 1888, Redding won the county seat from Shasta.{{cite web |url=http://www.calafco.org/docs/Cities_by_incorp_date.doc |title=California Cities by Incorporation Date |format=Word |publisher=California Association of Local Agency Formation Commissions |access-date=August 25, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103002921/http://www.calafco.org/docs/Cities_by_incorp_date.doc |archive-date=November 3, 2014 }}

File:Lorenz Hotel post card.jpg

In the early twentieth century the town's economic growth was spurred by the significant copper and iron mineral extraction industry nearby. The mining industry eventually declined, causing the economy and population to falter by 1920. It recovered in the thirties as the economy boomed due to the construction of Shasta Dam to the northwest. The building of the dam, which was completed in 1945, caused Redding's population to nearly double, also spurring the growth and development of other towns in the area.{{cite web |url=http://www.cityofredding.org/about-us/brief-history-of-redding |title=Historic Redding California |access-date=August 27, 2017 |archive-date=June 6, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606153157/http://www.cityofredding.org/about-us/brief-history-of-redding |url-status=dead }}

File:Motion picture show at the Cascade Theatre in Redding, California.jpg in 1942]]

Redding continued to grow steadily in the 1950s due to the region's growing lumber industry and tourism brought about by the newly completed dam. The constructions of Whiskeytown and Keswick dams also helped boost the economy by bringing new workers to the area. Interstate 5 was built during the sixties and seventies, which added to development and tourism in the region.

Growth in Redding during the 1960s and 1970s was further spurred by the annexation of an area east of the Sacramento River that included the unincorporated community of Enterprise; the residents voted to support the annexation primarily to acquire less expensive electricity via Redding's municipal utility, which receives power from the dam.

During the 1970s, the lumber industry suffered from decline. In the early 1990s Lumber mills in the area closed down due to the preservation of the living habitat of the Spotted Owl. This heavily impacted the Redding area. The economy picked up, due to a retail and housing boom in the late 1980s that continued until the mid-1990s.

Also in the 1970s, the Market Street Redevelopment Project, established in 1968, began the development of the Midtown Mall. The mall was established to prevent further property deterioration and to restore and maintain the economic health of the downtown area's commercial and retail activity. The mall suffered multiple difficulties. The passage of Proposition 13 in 1978 reduced the mall's property valuation and consequently, the city had to continuously loan money to keep the bonds for the mall's parking structure from going into default; the bonds completely repaid in 2003 and Midtown began to pay off its more than $1.5 million debt to the City of Redding. By the 1980s, the properties around the mall and along the old State Highway 99/273 corridor continued to suffer urban blight, including deteriorating and dilapidated utilities and structures and inappropriate mixed land uses; this required further public intervention in the form of another Market Street Redevelopment Project with significant changes to Midtown in 1990 to include a mix of residential and commercial land around the original project.{{Cite journal |year=2010 |title=Market Street Redevelopment Project Area |url=https://www.cityofredding.org/home/showpublisheddocument/4885/635767142171170000 |journal=Redding Redevelopment Agency Five-Year Implementation Plan 2010-2014 |access-date=April 17, 2023 |archive-date=March 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301225826/https://www.cityofredding.org/home/showpublisheddocument/4885/635767142171170000 |url-status=live }}

Following redevelopment of Midtown, property values within the Market Street Redevelopment Project area improved; further redevelopment continued. A plan for the downtown area adopted in January 2001 led to the renovation of the historic Cascade Theatre, the removal of the Midtown Mall roof creating an open air pedestrian street, the installation of a visitor way-finding system, the completion of a Health Sciences and University Center with partnership with Shasta College, and the renovation of various buildings along California Street with the help of a private developer.

In 2017, the city adopted a new flag after holding a redesign contest.{{cite web |title=City of Redding Flag |access-date=August 19, 2017 |url=http://reddingcityflag.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171227231311/http://reddingcityflag.com/ |archive-date=December 27, 2017 }}

The 21st century has also seen a number of devastating wildfires near and in Redding. In 1999, the Jones Fire destroyed over 100 structures, followed by the Bear Fire in 2004. In late July 2018, the Carr Fire in Shasta County seriously impacted the Redding area with the destruction of at least 1,100{{cite web |title=Carr Fire Incident Update 7/29/18 PM |url=http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/pub/cdf/images/incidentfile2164_3752.pdf |access-date=July 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730080923/http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/pub/cdf/images/incidentfile2164_3752.pdf |archive-date=July 30, 2018 |url-status=dead }} buildings, with several thousand more threatened, 38,000 people instructed to evacuate and 8 deaths.{{cite news |title='Terrifying' tornadoes of flame leave 2 dead as inferno destroys Californian city of Redding |date=July 28, 2018 |access-date=July 28, 2018 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/07/28/two-dead-terrifying-tornados-flame-burn-california-cityredding/ |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London }} Most recently, the Fawn Fire in 2021 also resulted in the evacuation of over 4,000 people and the destruction of 185 buildings.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|61.2|sqmi|km2|abbr=off|sp=us}}. {{convert|59.6|sqmi|km2|sp=us}} of it is land, and {{convert|1.5|sqmi|km2|sp=us}} of it (2.50%) is beneath water.

Redding is located at the very northwestern end of the Central Valley, which transitions into the Cascade foothills. The city is surrounded by mountains to the north, east, and west and fertile farm land to the south. Outermost parts of the city are part of the Cascade foothills, whereas southern and central areas are in the Sacramento Valley.{{Citation needed|date=September 2017}}

The elevation in Redding is {{convert|495|ft|m|abbr=off|sp=us}} on average, whereas anywhere to the north, east, or west of downtown ranges between {{convert|550|and|800|ft|m|sp=us}}. Southern portions range between {{convert|400|and|500|ft|m|sp=us}}.

The Shasta Dam on the Sacramento River provides a considerable level of flood protection for Redding. The dam is capable of controlling flows up to 79,000 cubic feet (7,300 cubic meters) per second. The flow rate exceeded this threshold in both 1970 and 1974.Environmental Impact Report for the Redding Redevelopment Plan, Earth Metrics, City of Redding and California State Clearinghouse Report (1990)

Soils in and around town are composed mostly of clay or gravelly loam texture, with red or brown mineral horizons. They are slightly or moderately acidic in their natural state.{{cite web |url=http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/WebSoilSurvey.aspx |title=Web Soil Survey |website=Websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov |access-date=February 28, 2016 |archive-date=March 2, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302004416/http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/WebSoilSurvey.aspx |url-status=live }}

There are several rare and endangered species in Redding and its immediate vicinity. The Redding Redevelopment Plan EIR notes the California State listed endangered species, slender Orcutt grass (Orcuttia tenuis), occurs in eastern Redding near the municipal airport, where vernal pools are known to exist. This endemic grass is a Federal Candidate for listing and is endangered throughout its range, confined to several populations, and seriously threatened by agriculture, overgrazing, and residential development. Vernal pools provide the preferred habitat for this plant, which the California Native Plant Society considers a rare and endangered species. These same vernal pools also support federally protected species such as the [https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp0/profile/speciesProfile?spcode=K03G federally threatened vernal pool fairy shrimp (Branchinecta lynchi)].

File:Redding, California 6959156824 o.jpg passes through Redding.]]

File:ShastaCountyJail 05 (cropped).jpg

Redding has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate (Köppen: Csa), with very hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. Redding is known for very high summer temperatures, despite being located north of the 40th parallel north. The somewhat strange juxtaposition of its northern position within the United States and non-desert climate, with the extreme summer heat, has long been noted by visitors and residents.{{cite book |last=Rocca |first=A.M. |last2=Society |first2=S.H. |title=Redding |publisher=Arcadia |series=Images of America |year=2004 |isbn=978-0-7385-2934-9 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=a3UCq48qw-kC&pg=PA36 |access-date=July 21, 2024 |page=36 }} The exceptional temperatures found in the city are often cited in national news sources.{{cite web |last=Sistek |first=Scott |title=Historic heat wave toppling all-time temperature records in the West |publisher=Fox Weather |date=July 5, 2024 |url=https://www.foxweather.com/weather-news/historic-heat-wave-set-topple-all-time-temperature-records-west |access-date=July 29, 2024 }}{{cite web |last=Berardelli |first=Jeff |title=Another record-breaking heat wave is building in the West |website=CBS News |date=September 3, 2020 |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/labor-day-weekend-heat-wave-forcast-western-united-states/ |access-date=July 29, 2024 |archive-date=July 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240729231503/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/labor-day-weekend-heat-wave-forcast-western-united-states/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=The West sizzled in a September heat wave, closing... |website=UPI |date=September 5, 1988 |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1988/09/05/The-West-sizzled-in-a-September-heat-wave-closing/7868589435200/ |access-date=July 29, 2024 }}

Winter (October–April) provides the most precipitation of any season in Redding—the weather tends to be either rainy or foggy and at times, snow occurs. While summers are mostly hot and dry, thunderstorms are not uncommon. The average daily maximum temperature in July stays near {{convert|100|°F|°C|1}}. The highest official recorded temperature in Redding is {{convert|119|°F|0}} on July 6, 2024. Redding has an average possible sunshine of 88%, the second-highest percentage (after Yuma, Arizona) of any US city.{{cite web |url=http://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/data/ccd-data/pctposrank.txt |title=NOAA |website=noaa.gov |access-date=November 19, 2017 |archive-date=May 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210522235037/https://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/data/ccd-data/pctposrank.txt |url-status=live }}

Summer overnight lows are unusually warm by Sacramento Valley standards and on average warmer than coastal towns' daytime highs. The warmest night annually averages {{convert|79|F|C}}. Since the station opened in 1986, the hottest night was {{convert|86|F|C}} in June 2004. Redding's warm summer days and nights compared to areas further south are a result of a greater distance to maritime influences than the lower end of the valley.

Redding occasionally receives snow, though it has received as much as {{convert|23|in|cm|abbr=off|sp=us}} of snow in a single storm, occurring on December 4–7, 1909 and December 22–24, 1968, including {{cvt|16|in|cm}} on December 23, 1968, the most in any calendar day on record. It rarely gets sleet or freezing rain. Frost occurs commonly in December through February, less often in March or November. In spring, rain is common. The city is located near the foothills of the Cascade and Klamath mountain ranges and it therefore gets much more rain than most places in the Sacramento Valley. The Northern parts of the city can get up to a few more inches of rain a year due to its closer location to the mountains; temperature differentials between land and sea cause moist air from the latter to flow over the southern Sacramento valley during the summer months, producing intense heat in Redding. The direction of this winds switches from the north and east in the summer, as hot, high-pressure air flows from land to sea, making the area very dry. Tornadoes are extremely rare; flooding occurs only around the area near the Sacramento River. The coldest temperature recorded in Redding was {{convert|16|°F|0}} on January 17, 2012, and December 9, 2009. The average coldest daytime high of the year is {{convert|41|F|C}} and the lowest on record is {{convert|29|F|C}} in 1990, which remains the latest year to record an ice day.

{{Weather box

| location = Redding Regional Airport, California (1991–2020 normals,{{efn|Mean monthly maxima and minima (i.e. the expected highest and lowest temperature readings at any point during the year or given month) calculated based on data at said location from 1991 to 2020.}} extremes 1893–present{{efn|Records for Redding observed at:{{cite web |url=http://threadex.rcc-acis.org/ |title=Threaded Station Extremes |access-date=June 2, 2021 |archive-date=March 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200305195121/http://threadex.rcc-acis.org/ |url-status=live }}

• Redding Weather Service Office, January 1893–April 1929
• Benton Field, May 1929–July 1944
• Two differing fire stations, August 1944–August 1986
• Redding Regional Airport since September 1986}})

| single line = Y

| Jan record high F = 87

| Feb record high F = 87

| Mar record high F = 93

| Apr record high F = 98

| May record high F = 109

| Jun record high F = 117

| Jul record high F = 119

| Aug record high F = 118

| Sep record high F = 116

| Oct record high F = 106

| Nov record high F = 99

| Dec record high F = 83

| Jan avg record high F = 70.5

| Feb avg record high F = 74.3

| Mar avg record high F = 80.7

| Apr avg record high F = 88.0

| May avg record high F = 97.4

| Jun avg record high F = 106.5

| Jul avg record high F = 110.5

| Aug avg record high F = 108.2

| Sep avg record high F = 104.9

| Oct avg record high F = 94.9

| Nov avg record high F = 79.8

| Dec avg record high F = 68.9

| year avg record high F = 112.0

| Jan high F = 57.2

| Feb high F = 61.0

| Mar high F = 65.7

| Apr high F = 71.8

| May high F = 82.0

| Jun high F = 91.9

| Jul high F = 99.9

| Aug high F = 98.1

| Sep high F = 92.3

| Oct high F = 79.4

| Nov high F = 64.4

| Dec high F = 56.0

| year high F = 76.6

| Jan mean F = 47.5

| Feb mean F = 50.5

| Mar mean F = 54.4

| Apr mean F = 59.4

| May mean F = 68.2

| Jun mean F = 77.1

| Jul mean F = 83.4

| Aug mean F = 81.0

| Sep mean F = 75.3

| Oct mean F = 64.8

| Nov mean F = 52.9

| Dec mean F = 46.6

| year mean F = 63.4

| Jan low F = 37.7

| Feb low F = 40.1

| Mar low F = 43.2

| Apr low F = 47.0

| May low F = 54.3

| Jun low F = 62.4

| Jul low F = 67.0

| Aug low F = 63.9

| Sep low F = 58.2

| Oct low F = 50.2

| Nov low F = 41.5

| Dec low F = 37.2

| year low F = 50.2

| Jan avg record low F = 27.0

| Feb avg record low F = 28.8

| Mar avg record low F = 32.0

| Apr avg record low F = 34.5

| May avg record low F = 42.6

| Jun avg record low F = 51.3

| Jul avg record low F = 58.0

| Aug avg record low F = 56.1

| Sep avg record low F = 48.9

| Oct avg record low F = 39.1

| Nov avg record low F = 29.7

| Dec avg record low F = 25.7

| year avg record low F = 23.5

| Jan record low F = 16

| Feb record low F = 20

| Mar record low F = 27

| Apr record low F = 28

| May record low F = 31

| Jun record low F = 38

| Jul record low F = 48

| Aug record low F = 44

| Sep record low F = 39

| Oct record low F = 29

| Nov record low F = 21

| Dec record low F = 16

| precipitation colour = green

| Jan precipitation inch = 6.04

| Feb precipitation inch = 5.48

| Mar precipitation inch = 4.62

| Apr precipitation inch = 2.41

| May precipitation inch = 1.81

| Jun precipitation inch = 0.75

| Jul precipitation inch = 0.07

| Aug precipitation inch = 0.13

| Sep precipitation inch = 0.45

| Oct precipitation inch = 1.92

| Nov precipitation inch = 3.53

| Dec precipitation inch = 6.31

| year precipitation inch = 33.52

| Jan snow inch = 1.1

| Feb snow inch = 0.8

| Mar snow inch = 0.0

| Apr snow inch = 0.0

| May snow inch = 0.0

| Jun snow inch = 0.0

| Jul snow inch = 0.0

| Aug snow inch = 0.0

| Sep snow inch = 0.0

| Oct snow inch = 0.0

| Nov snow inch = 0.0

| Dec snow inch = 0.7

| unit precipitation days = 0.01 in

| Jan precipitation days = 12.2

| Feb precipitation days = 10.9

| Mar precipitation days = 11.7

| Apr precipitation days = 8.1

| May precipitation days = 6.1

| Jun precipitation days = 2.9

| Jul precipitation days = 0.5

| Aug precipitation days = 0.6

| Sep precipitation days = 1.4

| Oct precipitation days = 4.7

| Nov precipitation days = 8.8

| Dec precipitation days = 12.6

| year precipitation days = 80.6

| unit snow days = 0.1 in

| Jan snow days = 0.4

| Feb snow days = 0.3

| Mar snow days = 0.0

| Apr snow days = 0.0

| May snow days = 0.0

| Jun snow days = 0.0

| Jul snow days = 0.0

| Aug snow days = 0.0

| Sep snow days = 0.0

| Oct snow days = 0.0

| Nov snow days = 0.0

| Dec snow days = 0.1

| source 1 = NOAA{{cite web |url=https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=sto |title=NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data |website=W2.weather.gov |access-date=July 16, 2020 |archive-date=June 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627154631/https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=sto |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USW00024257&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |title=U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Redding MUNI AP, CA |access-date=February 24, 2023 |archive-date=February 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224151545/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USW00024257&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL |url-status=live }}

| source 2 = WRCC{{cite web |url=https://wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?ca7304 |title=Western Regional Climate Center Data |website=wrcc.dri.edu |access-date=September 18, 2022 |archive-date=August 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240812213909/https://wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?ca7304 |url-status=live }}

| source =

}}

{{US Census population

|1880= 600

|1890= 1821

|1900= 2946

|1910= 3572

|1920= 2962

|1930= 4188

|1940= 8109

|1950= 10256

|1960= 12773

|1970= 16659

|1980= 42103

|1990= 66462

|2000= 80865

|2010= 89861

|2020= 93611

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |title=Census of Population and Housing |website=Census.gov |access-date=June 4, 2015 |archive-date=August 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210829184404/https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |url-status=live }}

}}

File:Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Redding California (cropped).jpg

The 2020 United States census counted 93,611 people, 37,761 households, and 23,231 families in Redding.{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table P16: HOUSEHOLD TYPE |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Redding%20city,%20California%20p16&y=2020 |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}} The population density was 1,569.4 per square mile (606.0/km{{sup|2}}). There were 40,083 housing units at an average density of 672.0 per square mile (259.5/km{{sup|2}}).{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table DP1: PROFILE OF GENERAL POPULATION AND HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALDP2020.DP1?q=Redding%20city,%20California%20dp1 |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}{{Cite web |author=US Census Bureau |title=Gazetteer Files |url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/2020/geo/gazetter-file.html |access-date=2023-12-30 |website=Census.gov}} The racial makeup was 76.97% (72,057) white or European American (73.44% non-Hispanic white), 1.49% (1,395) black or African-American, 2.37% (2,214) Native American or Alaska Native, 4.44% (4,161) Asian, 0.23% (216) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 3.49% (3,270) from other races, and 11.0% (10,298) from two or more races.{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table P1: RACE |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALPL2020.P1?q=Redding%20city,%20California%20p1&y=2020 |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}} Hispanic or Latino of any race was 11.21% (10,490) of the population.{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table P2: HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALPL2020.P2?q=Redding%20city,%20California%20p2&y=2020 |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}

Of the 37,761 households, 27.8% had children under the age of 18; 42.1% were married couples living together; 30.7% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 29.8% of households consisted of individuals and 14.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.5 and the average family size was 3.0.{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1101: HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1101?q=Redding%20city,%20California%20s1101%20&y=2020 |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}} The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 17.7% of the population.{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1501: EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1501?q=Redding%20city,%20California%20s1501%20&y=2020 |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}

21.6% of the population was under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 21.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 107.1 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 110.7 males.

The 2016–2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $56,098 (with a margin of error of +/- $2,238). The median family income was $68,340 (+/- $3,919).{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1903: MEDIAN INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS) |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1903?q=Redding%20city,%20California%20s1903%20&y=2020 |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}} Males had a median income of $37,945 (+/- $3,187) versus $27,470 (+/- $2,240) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $32,199 (+/- $1,165).{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S2001: EARNINGS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS)|url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S2001?q=Redding%20city,%20California%20s2001%20&y=2020 |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}} Approximately, 10.3% of families and 16.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.8% of those under the age of 18 and 8.8% of those ages 65 or over.{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1701: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1701?q=Redding%20city,%20California%20s1701%20&y=2020 |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1702: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS OF FAMILIES |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1702?q=Redding%20city,%20California%20s1702&y=2020 |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}

The 2010 United States census{{cite web |url=http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0659920 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140715032639/http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0659920 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 15, 2014 |title=2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA – Redding city |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=July 12, 2014 }} reported that Redding had a population of 89,861. The population density was {{convert|1,468.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of Redding was 77,117 (85.8%) White, 1,092 (1.2%) African American, 2,034 (2.3%) Native American, 3,034 (3.4%) Asian, 156 (0.2%) Pacific Islander, 2,307 (2.6%) from other races, and 4,121 (4.6%) from two or more races. There were 7,787 people of Hispanic or Latino origin, of any race (8.7%).

The Census reported that 87,841 people (97.8% of the population) lived in households, 1,138 (1.3%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 882 (1.0%) were institutionalized.

There were 36,130 households, out of which 11,012 (30.5%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 16,001 (44.3%) were married couples living together, 4,806 (13.3%) had a female householder with no husband present, 1,984 (5.5%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 2,570 (7.1%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 204 (0.6%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 10,344 households (28.6%) were made up of individuals, and 4,622 (12.8%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43. There were 22,791 families (63.1% of all households); the average family size was 2.94.

The population was spread out, with 20,518 people (22.8%) under the age of 18, 9,436 people (10.5%) aged 18 to 24, 21,725 people (24.2%) aged 25 to 44, 23,424 people (26.1%) aged 45 to 64, and 14,758 people (16.4%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.4 males.

There were 38,679 housing units at an average density of {{convert|632.3|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units |units|}}, of which 19,968 (55.3%) were owner-occupied, and 16,162 (44.7%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.3%; the rental vacancy rate was 6.9%. 48,179 people (53.6% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 39,662 people (44.1%) lived in rental housing units.

File:Sundial Bridge (8841257183) (cropped).jpg is the world's largest sundial.]]

File:JacksGrillRedding 02 (cropped).jpg

Redding is the economic hub of the Shasta Cascade region of Northern California.

The Redding Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) was recognized as the 29th Most Dynamic MSA in the United States in 2019 by the Walton Family Foundation.{{Cite web |url=https://www.shastaedc.org/press-release-redding-msa-recognized-once-again/ |title=PRESS RELEASE: REDDING MSA RECOGNIZED ONCE AGAIN |last=Janiszewski |first=Erik |date=June 11, 2019 |website=Shasta EDC |language=en-US |access-date=April 27, 2020 |archive-date=April 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200422234019/https://www.shastaedc.org/press-release-redding-msa-recognized-once-again/ |url-status=live }} Redding was recognized for having a diversified economy with several large employers in different sectors.

The Redding Cultural District is one of 14 Arts and Culture Districts recognized by the State of California Arts Council. The district includes Downtown Redding; the adjacent Turtle Bay Complex; and City of Redding Parks across the Sacramento River from Downtown and Turtle Bay.

According to the city's 2016 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,{{cite web |url=http://www.cityofredding.org/home/showdocument?id=10342 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020171212/https://www.cityofredding.org/Home/ShowDocument?id=10342 |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 20, 2020 |title=Comprehensive Annual Financial Report |website=cityofredding.org |access-date=December 16, 2017 }} the top employers in Redding are:

File:Redding City Hall.jpg

In the California State Legislature, Redding is in {{Representative|casd|1|fmt=sdistrict}},{{cite web |url=http://senate.ca.gov/senators |title=Senators |access-date=March 10, 2013 |publisher=State of California |archive-date=December 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225150448/https://www.senate.ca.gov/senators |url-status=live }} and {{Representative|caad|1|fmt=adistrict}}.{{cite web |url=http://assembly.ca.gov/assemblymembers |title=Members Assembly |access-date=March 2, 2013 |publisher=State of California |archive-date=January 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190108124355/https://www.assembly.ca.gov/assemblymembers |url-status=live }}

In the United States House of Representatives, Redding is in {{Representative|cacd|1|fmt=district}}.{{Cite GovTrack|CA|1 |access-date=March 1, 2013 }}

The city council is composed of Mayor Tenessa Audette, Vice Mayor Jack Munns, Julie Winter, Mark Mezzano and Michael Dacquisto.{{cite web |title=City of Redding |url=https://www.cityofredding.gov/government/departments/city_council/index.php |website=cityofredding.gov |access-date=January 8, 2024 |archive-date=January 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240108224136/https://www.cityofredding.gov/government/departments/city_council/index.php |url-status=live }} The city manager is Barry Tippin.{{cite web |title=City of Redding |url=https://www.cityofredding.gov/government/departments/city_manager/index.php |website=cityofredding.gov |access-date=January 8, 2024 |archive-date=January 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240108224136/https://www.cityofredding.gov/government/departments/city_manager/index.php |url-status=live }}

Redding is a general law city operating under the council-manager form of government.{{cite web |url=http://www.cityofredding.org/city-council/mayor-missy-mcarthur |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151206123702/http://www.cityofredding.org/city-council/mayor-missy-mcarthur |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 6, 2015 |title=City Council Information |publisher=City of Redding |access-date=November 12, 2016 }}

File:Old City Hall on Market Street in Redding, California LCCN2013630842.tif

File:Cascade Theater 1935 - Redding, CA.JPG]]

• Sculpture park at City Hall
• Sundial Bridge at Turtle Bay, by Santiago Calatrava
• Santiago Calatrava sculpture, at Domke Plaza{{cite news |url=http://archive.redding.com/news/new-plaza-to-open-at-sundial-bridge-in-time-for-celebrate-10-ep-447797953-353512041.html/ |title=New plaza to open at Sundial Bridge in time for Celebrate 10 |newspaper=Redding Record Searchlight |date=April 30, 2014 |access-date=November 2, 2020 |archive-date=January 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120035709/http://archive.redding.com/news/new-plaza-to-open-at-sundial-bridge-in-time-for-celebrate-10-ep-447797953-353512041.html/ |url-status=live }}
• Shasta Historical Society

• Hotel Lorenz
• Pilgrim Congregational Church

• Cascade Theatre
• The Dip
• [https://www.vivadowntownredding.org/conferenceroom-1 IOOF Hall]
• Riverfront Amphitheater
• Old City Hall
• Redding Civic Auditorium{{Cite web |url=https://www.reddingcivic.com/ |title=Redding Civic Auditorium | Concert, Show & Event Tickets |website=Redding Civic |access-date=February 26, 2020 |archive-date=February 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221005542/https://www.reddingcivic.com/ |url-status=live }}
• Axiom Repertory Theatre{{Cite web |url-status=live |archive-date=July 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705015539/https://www.axreptheatre.com/ |title=Axiom Repertory Theatre |language=en |website=www.axreptheatre.com |access-date=August 21, 2023 |url=https://www.axreptheatre.com }}

• Riverfront Playhouse
• Axiom Repertory Theater

File:Simpson University (cropped).jpg.]]

File:Shasta College Amphitheatre (cropped).JPG.]]

• Shasta College

• National University
• Shasta Bible College and Graduate School
• Simpson University

• Shasta High School
• Enterprise High School
• Foothill High School
• Pioneer High School

• Freedom High School
• University Preparatory School
• North State Independence High School
• Redding Christian High School
• Liberty Christian High School

• [https://www.chrysalischarter.org/ Chrysalis Charter School]
• Monarch Learning Center
• Stellar Charter School
• Phoenix Charter Academy
• Redding Collegiate Academy
• Redding School of the Arts
• Rocky Point Charter School
• Shasta Charter Academy

• Redding Institute of Technology
• Shasta School of Cosmetology
• CloudWise Academy

• Redding Record Searchlight
• After Five

{{Chico-Redding TV}}

{{Redding Radio}}

File:SP 4449 Sac Riv Bridge Redding Apr29 1977xRP - Flickr - drewj1946.jpg

• 25px Interstate 5 runs through the east central portion of Redding.
• 25px CA 299, formerly 25px U.S. 299, runs through the western, central, and northeastern parts of the city.
• 25px CA 44 runs through the middle and eastern part of town. Its western terminus is at Market Street (California 273) in downtown Redding.
• 25px CA 273, formerly the Interstate 5 Business Route and also formerly 25px U.S. 99, runs through the city.

Amtrak provides service to Redding station, operating its Coast Starlight daily in both directions between Seattle, Washington, and Los Angeles, California via Portland, Oregon; Sacramento, California; Oakland, California; San Jose, California; Santa Barbara, California and all Intermediate station stops.

Amtrak Thruway also provides twice daily service to Stockton or Sacramento for connections to the San Joaquins, which serve the San Francisco Bay Area, San Joaquin Valley and the Los Angeles area via bus connections.

Redding's municipal bus transportation system is called RABA (Redding Area Bus Authority). RABA serves routes throughout the City of Redding and also provides transportation to/from Redding's suburbs. Transportation is also available by RABA to Burney, by Sage Stage to Alturas and by Trinity Transit to Weaverville.{{cite web |url=http://sagestage.com/routes/redding/ |title=Modoc County, California : Redding |website=Sagestage.com |date=January 30, 2014 |access-date=February 28, 2016 |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303223827/http://sagestage.com/routes/redding/ |url-status=live }} Redding is also served by the intercity bus companies Greyhound and Fronteras del Norte.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}}

Shasta Regional Transportation Agency has proposed a weekday commuter bus to/from Redding and the Sacramento Valley Station, following a route similar to the twice daily Amtrak Thruway 3.{{cite web |url=https://www.srta.ca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4099/North-State-Intercity-Bus-System-Business-Plan-June-2018?bidId= |title=North State Intercity Bus System Business Plan June 2018 |website=Srta.ca.gov |access-date=February 11, 2024 |archive-date=August 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240812214037/https://www.srta.ca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4099/North-State-Intercity-Bus-System-Business-Plan-June-2018?bidId= |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.srta.ca.gov/285/Shasta-Intercity-Bus-Transportation-Stud |title=Shasta Intercity Bus Transportation Studies | Shasta Regional Transportation Agency, CA |access-date=September 3, 2020 |archive-date=September 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922143851/https://www.srta.ca.gov/285/Shasta-Intercity-Bus-Transportation-Stud |url-status=live }}

Air transportation for the Redding area is provided by two airports, one a commercial one and one a general aviation airport. Redding Regional Airport, located south of Redding, has scheduled flights from SkyWest (United Express) and Avelo Airlines. There is also planned service by Core Airlines in late 2024 to other cities in Northern California, Southern Oregon, and Western Nevada. The smaller Benton Airpark is located on the western side of Redding.

This list includes notable persons who were born/raised/worked in, lived in, or whose identity was significantly influenced by Redding, as well as music groups that were founded in the area.

• David de Berry{{snd}}theater composer and actor
• Eloise B. Cushing{{snd}}attorney
• Shane Drake{{snd}}music video director
• Ashley Parker Angel{{snd}}recording artist and actor
• Francesca Eastwood{{snd}}actor
• Lynsi Snyder {{snd}} owner of In-N-Out{{Cite web |last=Buck |first=Fielding |date=October 10, 2023 |title=Lynsi Snyder's In-N-Out book gives an inside, top-down and ground-up history of the burger chain |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2023/10/10/lynsi-snyders-in-n-out-book-gives-an-inside-top-down-and-ground-up-history-of-the-burger-chain/ |website=Orange County Register |access-date=January 6, 2024 |archive-date=August 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240812214106/https://www.ocregister.com/2023/10/10/lynsi-snyders-in-n-out-book-gives-an-inside-top-down-and-ground-up-history-of-the-burger-chain/ |url-status=live }}
• Rich Eisen{{snd}}sportscaster
• Kathleen Kennedy{{snd}}film producer
• Matthew Kennedy{{snd}}author
• Tommy Kirk{{snd}}film actor
• Tom Meyer{{snd}}professor, speaker, and author
• Kevin Rose{{snd}}Internet entrepreneur
• Cory Asbury{{snd}}contemporary Christian singer
• Duffy Bishop{{snd}}electric blues singer and songwriter
• Brian Johnson - contemporary worship singer and songwriter
• Scott Joss{{snd}}fiddle player, songwriter
• Randy Miller{{snd}}drummer of The Myriad
• Craig Padilla{{snd}}ambient electronic musician and film score composer
• Bryce Pinkham – actor and singer
• Jessica Pratt{{snd}}singer/songwriter
• Roy Rogers{{snd}}guitarist
• Bruce Turgon {{snd}}musician, songwriter, producer
• Rick Bosetti{{snd}}professional baseball player
• Greg Cadaret{{snd}}MLB player
• Mel Hein{{snd}}football player, 1938 MVP, NFL Hall of Fame inductee
• Paul Howard{{snd}}former NFL player
• Eddie Machen{{snd}}heavyweight boxer
• Buck Martinez{{snd}}professional MLB player, manager, broadcaster
• Matt Nichols{{snd}}Canadian Football League player
• Ryan O'Callaghan{{snd}}NFL football player
• Frank Crowe{{snd}} chief engineer and designer of the Hoover Dam.
• Jonathan Foster {{snd}} singer-songwriter
• Hilary Pecis (born 1979){{snd}}artist{{Cite web |url=https://www.rockefellercenter.com/magazine/arts-culture/art-in-focus-spotlight-hilary-pecis/ |title=Hilary Pecis Brings Still-Life Art to Rockefeller Center |website=www.rockefellercenter.com |access-date=October 14, 2021 |archive-date=October 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022040036/https://www.rockefellercenter.com/magazine/arts-culture/art-in-focus-spotlight-hilary-pecis/ |url-status=live }}
• Bill Plummer{{snd}}MLB player, coach and manager
• Megan Rapinoe{{snd}}professional soccer player, Olympic gold medalist
• Ricky Ray{{snd}}football player in the Canadian Football League
• Lynne Roberts{{snd}}college basketball coach
• Jason Sehorn{{snd}}former NFL player
• John Strohmayer{{snd}}former MLB player and high school coach
• Raymond Jacobs{{snd}}US Marine, said to be in photo of first flag raised on Iwo Jima
• Brian Sandoval{{snd}}29th governor of Nevada
• Sam Butcher{{snd}}artist, Precious Moments, Inc.
• Jeffery Dangl{{snd}}plant immunologist
• Bill Johnson{{snd}}Christian minister and evangelist
• Ruggles brothers{{snd}}stagecoach robbers
• Michael Zagaris{{snd}}sports and music photographer
• Terry Riley {{snd}} American composer{{Cite web |last=Christman |first=Laura |date=June 19, 2013 |title=Back to his roots: Music pioneer Terry Riley returns for Redding concert |url=https://archive.redding.com/news/back-to-his-roots-music-pioneer-terry-riley-returns-for-redding-concert-ep-299576668-353858821.html/ |website=archive.redding.com |access-date=September 3, 2023 |archive-date=September 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230903215159/https://archive.redding.com/news/back-to-his-roots-music-pioneer-terry-riley-returns-for-redding-concert-ep-299576668-353858821.html/ |url-status=live }}

{{Portal|California}}

Informational notes

{{notelist}}

Citations

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Redding, California}}

{{Wikivoyage|Redding|Redding, California}}

• [https://www.cityofredding.org Official website]
• {{cite web |title=Redding, California |url=https://www.c-span.org/series/?citiesTour&city=814 |publisher=C-SPAN Cities Tour |date=May 2017}}

{{Geographic location

| Centre = Redding

| North = Shasta Lake City

| East = Burney via 299E
Palo Cedro via 44

| Southeast =

| South = Anderson

| Southwest =

| West = Weaverville

| Northwest =

}}

{{California county seats}}

{{Sacramento Valley}}

{{Shasta Cascade}}

{{Shasta County, California}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:1887 establishments in California

Category:Cities in Shasta County, California

Category:County seats in California

Category:Geography of the Sacramento Valley

Category:Incorporated cities and towns in California

Category:Logging communities in the United States

Category:Populated places established in 1887

Category:Populated places on the Sacramento River

Category:Shasta Cascade