# Manchester, California

Manchester is a census-designated place in Mendocino County, California, United States. It is located 5 miles (8 km) north of Point Arena at an elevation of 85 feet (26 m). The population was 159 at the 2020 census, down from 195 in 2010.

## History

The Manchester post office opened in 1871, closed in 1876, and reopened in 1877. The place was named after Manchester, England, an early settler's former home.

## Geography

Manchester is in southwestern Mendocino County along California State Route 1 and 1.5 miles (2.4 km) inland from the Pacific Ocean. Route 1 leads north 29 miles (47 km) to Mendocino and south through Point Arena, 67 miles (108 km) to Bodega Bay.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP covers an area of 2.6 square miles (6.7 km$^2$), all of it land. It is bordered to the west by Manchester State Park.

### Climate

The region experiences warm (but not hot) and dry summers, with no average monthly temperatures above 71.6 °F (22.0 °C). According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Manchester has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, abbreviated Csb on climate maps.

## Demographics

At the 2010 census Manchester had a population of 195. The population density was 74.5 inhabitants per square mile (28.8/km$^2$). The racial makeup of Manchester was 151 (77.4%) White, 0 (0.0%) African American, 4 (2.1%) Native American, 1 (0.5%) Asian, 0 (0.0%) Pacific Islander, 29 (14.9%) from other races, and 10 (5.1%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 48 people (24.6%).
The whole population lived in households; no one lived in non-institutionalized group quarters and no one was institutionalized.
There were 79 households; of these, 23 (29.1%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 38 (48.1%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 7 (8.9%) had a female householder with no husband present, and 4 (5.1%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 8 (10.1%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 1 (1.3%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 25 households (31.6%) were one person and 7 (8.9%) had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.47. There were 49 families (62.0% of households); the average family size was 3.02.
The age distribution was 50 people (25.6%) under the age of 18, 12 people (6.2%) aged 18 to 24, 42 people (21.5%) aged 25 to 44, 60 people (30.8%) aged 45 to 64, and 31 people (15.9%) who were 65 or older. The median age was 41.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.1 males.
There were 104 housing units, at an average density of 39.7 per square mile; of the occupied units, 45 (57.0%) were owner-occupied and 34 (43.0%) were rented. The homeowner vacancy rate was 6.3%; the rental vacancy rate was 2.9%. 114 people (58.5% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 81 people (41.5%) lived in rental housing units.

## Politics

In the state legislature, Manchester is in the 2nd Senate District, represented by Democrat Mike McGuire, and the 2nd Assembly District, represented by Democrat Jim Wood.
Federally, Manchester is in California's 2nd congressional district, represented by Democrat Jared Huffman.