# Mariposa County, California

Mariposa County (/ˌmærɪˈpoʊzə, -sə/ ) is a county located in the U.S. state of California. As of the 2020 U.S. Census, the population was 17,131. The county seat is Mariposa. It is located in the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, north of Fresno, east of Merced, and southeast of Stockton.
The county's eastern section is the central portion of Yosemite National Park.
Mariposa County is one of only three counties in California that does not include any incorporated cities (with Alpine and Trinity counties being the other two). The county does include, however, 17 communities that are recognized as census-designated places for statistical purposes. It also has the distinction of not having any permanent traffic signals anywhere in the county.

## History

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".
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.

### Gold Rush

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 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." The best-known example is "The Dragon", now on display at the Houston Museum of Natural Science.

## Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,463 square miles (3,790 km$^2$), of which 1,449 square miles (3,750 km$^2$) is land and 14 square miles (36 km$^2$) (1.0%) is water. 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.

### Water

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.

### Adjacent counties

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

### National protected areas

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

## Demographics
### 2020 census

Mariposa County, California – Racial and ethnic composition Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race. :
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000 | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
| White alone (NH) | 14,539 | 15,192 | 12,838 | 87.87% | 83.24% | 74.94% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 111 | 129 | 105 | 0.65% | 0.71% | 0.61% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 530 | 459 | 410 | 3.09% | 2.51% | 2.39% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 120 | 201 | 287 | 0.70% | 1.10% | 1.68% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 17 | 26 | 15 | 0.10% | 0.14% | 0.09% |
| Other Race alone (NH) | 21 | 22 | 114 | 0.12% | 0.12% | 0.67% |
| Mixed Race or Multi-Racial (NH) | 463 | 546 | 1,222 | 2.70% | 2.99% | 7.13% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1,329 | 1,676 | 2,140 | 7.76% | 9.18% | 12.49% |
| Total | 17,130 | 18,251 | 17,131 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |

### 2014

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%).

### 2011

Population, race, and income :
| Total population | 18,290 | 18,290 |
| White | 16,357 | 89.4% |
| Black or African American | 180 | 1.0% |
| American Indian or Alaska Native | 335 | 1.8% |
| Asian | 200 | 1.1% |
| Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander | 50 | 0.3% |
| Some other race | 458 | 2.5% |
| Two or more races | 710 | 3.9% |
| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) | 1,727 | 9.4% |
| Per capita income | $27,209 | $27,209 |
| Median household income | $49,174 | $49,174 |
| Median family income | $58,237 | $58,237 |

#### Places by population, race, and income

Places by population and race :
| Place | Type | Population | White | Other | Asian | Black or African American | Native American | Hispanic or Latino (of any race) |
| Bear Valley | CDP | 255 | 100.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Bootjack | CDP | 951 | 85.0% | 13.6% | 1.5% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Buck Meadows | CDP | 12 | 0.0% | 0.0% | 100.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Catheys Valley | CDP | 811 | 83.5% | 16.5% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 11.6% |
| Coulterville | CDP | 190 | 100.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 7.4% |
| El Portal | CDP | 509 | 72.5% | 7.1% | 6.1% | 7.3% | 7.1% | 19.4% |
| Fish Camp | CDP | 53 | 41.5% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 58.5% | 0.0% |
| Greeley Hill | CDP | 805 | 97.8% | 0.6% | 0.0% | 0.1% | 1.5% | 6.3% |
| Hornitos | CDP | 67 | 100.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Lake Don Pedro | CDP | 1,088 | 88.4% | 7.1% | 3.4% | 1.1% | 0.0% | 14.8% |
| Mariposa | CDP | 2,479 | 74.4% | 18.3% | 0.0% | 0.4% | 7.0% | 27.4% |
| Midpines | CDP | 661 | 91.8% | 5.6% | 1.7% | 0.9% | 0.0% | 7.1% |
| Wawona | CDP | 80 | 56.2% | 0.0% | 43.8% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Yosemite Valley | CDP | 779 | 90.9% | 2.1% | 1.0% | 6.0% | 0.0% | 6.0% |
Places by population and income :
| Place | Type | Population | Per capita income | Median household income | Median family income |
| Bear Valley | CDP | 255 | $17,787 | $15,417 | $12,050 |
| Bootjack | CDP | 951 | $26,801 | $45,875 | $46,333 |
| Buck Meadows | CDP | 12 | | | |
| Catheys Valley | CDP | 811 | $18,940 | $26,759 | $26,759 |
| Coulterville | CDP | 190 | $9,579 | $12,351 | $43,000 |
| El Portal | CDP | 509 | $27,412 | $70,870 | $45,862 |
| Fish Camp | CDP | 53 | $15,630 | | |
| Greeley Hill | CDP | 805 | $19,854 | $29,333 | $28,625 |
| Hornitos | CDP | 67 | | | |
| Lake Don Pedro | CDP | 1,088 | $44,112 | $83,372 | $86,771 |
| Mariposa | CDP | 2,479 | $19,614 | $43,418 | $39,830 |
| Midpines | CDP | 661 | $39,161 | $36,803 | $36,947 |
| Wawona | CDP | 80 | $19,068 | $22,353 | $85,156 |
| Yosemite Valley | CDP | 779 | $28,524 | $62,321 | $147,717 |

### 2010 Census

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%).
Population reported at 2010 United States census :
| The County | Total Population | White | African American | Native American | Asian | Pacific Islander | other races | two or more races | Hispanic or Latino (of any race) |
| Mariposa County | 18,251 | 16,103 | 138 | 527 | 204 | 26 | 508 | 745 | 1,676 |
| Census-designated place | Total Population | White | African American | Native American | Asian | Pacific Islander | other races | two or more races | Hispanic or Latino (of any race) |
| Bear Valley | 125 | 117 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 8 |
| Bootjack | 960 | 811 | 2 | 34 | 11 | 0 | 31 | 71 | 76 |
| Buck Meadows | 31 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 7 |
| Catheys Valley | 825 | 730 | 6 | 12 | 12 | 1 | 33 | 31 | 80 |
| Coulterville | 201 | 181 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 20 |
| El Portal | 474 | 434 | 1 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 20 | 28 |
| Fish Camp | 59 | 57 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Greeley Hill | 915 | 847 | 7 | 14 | 1 | 6 | 11 | 29 | 53 |
| Hornitos | 75 | 66 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 5 |
| Lake Don Pedro | 1,077 | 979 | 7 | 18 | 12 | 2 | 18 | 41 | 109 |
| Mariposa | 2,173 | 1,895 | 10 | 105 | 30 | 0 | 59 | 74 | 215 |
| Midpines | 1,204 | 990 | 4 | 63 | 7 | 0 | 97 | 43 | 208 |
| Wawona | 169 | 138 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 8 | 14 | 12 |
| Yosemite Valley | 1,035 | 831 | 28 | 31 | 31 | 7 | 70 | 37 | 123 |
| Other unincorporated areas | Total Population | White | African American | Native American | Asian | Pacific Islander | other races | two or more races | Hispanic or Latino (of any race) |
| All others not CDPs (combined) | 8,928 | 8,004 | 71 | 230 | 86 | 10 | 170 | 357 | 729 |

### 2000

As of the census of 2000, there were 17,130 people, 6,613 households, and 4,490 families residing in the county. The population density was 12 people per square mile (4.6 people/km$^2$). There were 8,826 housing units at an average density of 6 units per square mile (2.3 units/km$^2$). 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.

## Government

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.

### State and federal representation

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

## Politics

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. 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. 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 of forty-one votes.
United States presidential election results for Mariposa County, California :
| Year | Republican | Republican | Democratic | Democratic | Third party(ies) | Third party(ies) |
| Year | No. | % | No. | % | No. | % |
| 2024 | 5,625 | 59.15% | 3,622 | 38.09% | 262 | 2.76% |
| 2020 | 5,950 | 57.88% | 4,088 | 39.77% | 242 | 2.35% |
| 2016 | 5,185 | 58.41% | 3,122 | 35.17% | 570 | 6.42% |
| 2012 | 5,140 | 56.87% | 3,498 | 38.70% | 400 | 4.43% |
| 2008 | 5,298 | 54.75% | 4,100 | 42.37% | 279 | 2.88% |
| 2004 | 5,215 | 60.23% | 3,251 | 37.55% | 192 | 2.22% |
| 2000 | 4,727 | 58.55% | 2,816 | 34.88% | 531 | 6.58% |
| 1996 | 3,976 | 50.02% | 2,920 | 36.73% | 1,053 | 13.25% |
| 1992 | 2,982 | 35.98% | 3,023 | 36.48% | 2,282 | 27.54% |
| 1988 | 3,768 | 54.53% | 2,998 | 43.39% | 144 | 2.08% |
| 1984 | 3,989 | 61.20% | 2,399 | 36.81% | 130 | 1.99% |
| 1980 | 3,082 | 54.96% | 1,889 | 33.68% | 637 | 11.36% |
| 1976 | 2,012 | 46.61% | 2,093 | 48.48% | 212 | 4.91% |
| 1972 | 2,122 | 56.15% | 1,487 | 39.35% | 170 | 4.50% |
| 1968 | 1,496 | 49.92% | 1,187 | 39.61% | 314 | 10.48% |
| 1964 | 1,264 | 42.59% | 1,704 | 57.41% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 1,599 | 53.97% | 1,338 | 45.16% | 26 | 0.88% |
| 1956 | 1,577 | 60.31% | 1,031 | 39.43% | 7 | 0.27% |
| 1952 | 2,214 | 65.91% | 1,102 | 32.81% | 43 | 1.28% |
| 1948 | 1,378 | 55.86% | 983 | 39.85% | 106 | 4.30% |
| 1944 | 965 | 44.16% | 1,203 | 55.06% | 17 | 0.78% |
| 1940 | 1,035 | 34.47% | 1,935 | 64.44% | 33 | 1.10% |
| 1936 | 621 | 24.23% | 1,907 | 74.40% | 35 | 1.37% |
| 1932 | 560 | 27.48% | 1,386 | 68.01% | 92 | 4.51% |
| 1928 | 656 | 55.03% | 517 | 43.37% | 19 | 1.59% |
| 1924 | 344 | 40.23% | 168 | 19.65% | 343 | 40.12% |
| 1920 | 484 | 55.38% | 320 | 36.61% | 70 | 8.01% |
| 1916 | 451 | 32.75% | 802 | 58.24% | 124 | 9.01% |
| 1912 | 20 | 1.71% | 689 | 58.89% | 461 | 39.40% |
| 1908 | 352 | 36.86% | 480 | 50.26% | 123 | 12.88% |
| 1904 | 461 | 42.88% | 486 | 45.21% | 128 | 11.91% |
| 1900 | 505 | 40.79% | 717 | 57.92% | 16 | 1.29% |
| 1896 | 563 | 39.68% | 829 | 58.42% | 27 | 1.90% |
| 1892 | 404 | 39.92% | 526 | 51.98% | 82 | 8.10% |
On November 4, 2008, Mariposa County voted 62.1% for Proposition 8 which amended the California Constitution to ban same-sex marriages.

### Voter registration

Population and registered voters :
| Total population | 18,290 | 18,290 |
| Registered voters | 10,613 | 58.0% |
| Democratic | 3,156 | 29.7% |
| Republican | 4,751 | 44.8% |
| Democratic–Republican spread | -1,595 | -15.1% |
| Independent | 459 | 4.3% |
| Green | 117 | 1.1% |
| Libertarian | 97 | 0.9% |
| Peace and Freedom | 22 | 0.2% |
| Americans Elect | 1 | 0.0% |
| Other | 155 | 1.5% |
| No party preference | 1,855 | 17.5% |

## Crime

The following table includes the number of incidents reported and the rate per 1,000 persons for each type of offense.
Population and crime rates :
| Population | 18,290 | 18,290 |
| Violent crime | 48 | 2.62 |
| Homicide | 0 | 0.00 |
| Forcible rape | 3 | 0.16 |
| Robbery | 1 | 0.05 |
| Aggravated assault | 44 | 2.41 |
| Property crime | 179 | 9.79 |
| Burglary | 106 | 5.80 |
| Larceny-theft | 173 | 9.46 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 16 | 0.87 |
| Arson | 1 | 0.05 |

## Healthcare

Mariposa County has one hospital, John C. Fremont Hospital.
According to a 2013 study, Mariposa County had the highest rate of child abuse and neglect, and as recently as 2014, had the second highest of rate of unvaccinated children in the state of California.

## Media

Mariposa County primarily receives the major Fresno TV and radio stations.
The county also has media outlets that serve the local community. These include:
* Mariposa Gazette
* Sierra Sun Times

## Transportation
### Major highways

* State Route 41
* State Route 49
* State Route 120
* State Route 132
* State Route 140

### Public transportation

* 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.

### Airports

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

## Communities
### Census-designated places

* Bear Valley
* Bootjack
* Buck Meadows
* Catheys Valley
* Coulterville
* El Portal
* Fish Camp
* Foresta★
* Greeley Hill
* Hornitos
* Lake Don Pedro
* Mariposa (county seat)
* Midpines
* Mount Bullion
* Wawona
* Yosemite Valley
* Yosemite West
★ Formerly known as the Crane Creek CDP; renamed in 2022

### Unincorporated communities

* Foresta
* Jerseydale
* Mormon Bar
* Lushmeadows

### Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Mariposa County.
† county seat
| Rank | City/Town/etc. | Municipal type | Population (2010 Census) |
| 1 | † Mariposa | CDP | 2,173 |
| 2 | Midpines | CDP | 1,204 |
| 3 | Lake Don Pedro | CDP | 1,077 |
| 4 | Yosemite Valley | CDP | 1,035 |
| 5 | Bootjack | CDP | 960 |
| 6 | Greeley Hill | CDP | 915 |
| 7 | Catheys Valley | CDP | 825 |
| 8 | El Portal | CDP | 474 |
| 9 | Coulterville | CDP | 201 |
| 10 | Wawona | CDP | 169 |
| 11 | Bear Valley | CDP | 125 |
| 12 | Hornitos | CDP | 75 |
| 13 | Fish Camp | CDP | 59 |
| 14 | Buck Meadows | CDP | 31 |