# Yosemite Lakes Park, California

Yosemite Lakes Park is an unincorporated community in Madera County, California. It lies at an elevation of 1,230 feet (370 m). As a census-designated place (CDP) it is known as Yosemite Lakes. It is part of the Madera Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 5,022 at the 2020 census.
The area was developed by Titan Group in the 1970s, and includes an equestrian center, clubhouse, and three man-made lakes. Additionally the community has a homeowners association which operates the Blue Heron restaurant and the Fairway Cafe which is situated next to the golf course. The community also supports a local grocery store and other small shops.

## Natural Disasters
### 2013 Arson

In 2013 the community was struck by a series of fires which were set over a 46 day period. The next year Kenneth Jackson and Alice Waterman were both convicted of starting the series fires, in 2018 a Fresno County judge ruled that there had been insufficient evidence to convict the pair on two of the charges. Kenneth Jackson was sentenced to 30 years in prison, in 2021 he was eligible for parole under Proposition 57 which was met with significant community pushback.

## Geography

Yosemite Lakes is located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada at 37°11′28″N 119°46′22″W﻿ / ﻿37.19111°N 119.77278°W﻿ / 37.19111; -119.77278. Its northwest border follows road 400 west of Yosemite Springs Parkway to south lilley way, and to the south and east it is bound by Coarsegold creek. The north east community border follows to the north and east of yosemite springs parkway, Ranger Circle Drive and North Dome Drive, and it is 34 miles (55 km) north of Fresno. According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 21.0 square miles (54 km$^2$), of which 0.1 square miles (0.3 km$^2$), or 0.46%, are water.
The highest point in the community is Lilley Mountain at 1,929 feet (588 m), and was a known landmark for drivers coming from Fresno on the way to Yosemite National Park.

## Demographics
### 2010

The 2010 United States Census reported that Yosemite Lakes had a population of 4,952. The population density was 235.8 inhabitants per square mile (91.0/km$^2$). The racial makeup of Yosemite Lakes was 4,408 (89.0%) White, 38 (0.8%) African American, 91 (1.8%) Native American, 51 (1.0%) Asian, 8 (0.2%) Pacific Islander, 131 (2.6%) from other races, and 225 (4.5%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 517 persons (10.4%).
The Census reported that 4,952 people (100% of the population) lived in households, 0 (0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.
There were 1,902 households, out of which 569 (29.9%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 1,304 (68.6%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 136 (7.2%) had a female householder with no husband present, 83 (4.4%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 69 (3.6%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 10 (0.5%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 295 households (15.5%) were made up of individuals, and 135 (7.1%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60. There were 1,523 families (80.1% of all households); the average family size was 2.87.
The population was spread out, with 1,114 people (22.5%) under the age of 18, 252 people (5.1%) aged 18 to 24, 964 people (19.5%) aged 25 to 44, 1,666 people (33.6%) aged 45 to 64, and 956 people (19.3%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.7 males.
There were 2,156 housing units at an average density of 102.7 per square mile (39.7/km$^2$), of which 1,612 (84.8%) were owner-occupied, and 290 (15.2%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.6%; the rental vacancy rate was 9.3%. 4,061 people (82.0% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 891 people (18.0%) lived in rental housing units.

### 2000

As of the census of 2000, there were 4,160 people, 1,534 households, and 1,288 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 198.9 inhabitants per square mile (76.8/km$^2$). There were 1,763 housing units at an average density of 84.3 per square mile (32.5/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the CDP was 93.20% White, 0.36% African American, 0.99% Native American, 0.70% Asian, 0.41% Pacific Islander, 2.28% from other races, and 2.07% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.93% of the population.
There were 1,534 households, out of which 32.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 73.6% were married couples living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.0% were non-families. 12.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 25.1% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 23.4% from 25 to 44, 29.4% 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 97.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.5 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $56,382, and the median income for a family was $58,341. Males had a median income of $44,792 versus $31,442 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $24,096. About 3.5% of families and 3.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.6% of those under age 18 and 4.2% of those age 65 or over.

## Government

In the California State Legislature, Yosemite Lakes is in the 4th Senate District, represented by Republican Marie Alvarado-Gil, and the 5th Assembly District, represented by Republican Joe Patterson.
In the United States House of Representatives, Yosemite Lakes is in California's 5th congressional district, represented by Republican Tom McClintock.