# Mono County, California

Mono County (/ˈmoʊnoʊ/ MOH-noh) is a county located in the east central portion of the U.S. state of California. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 13,195, making it the fourth-least populous county in California. The county seat is Bridgeport. The county is located east of the Sierra Nevada between Yosemite National Park and Nevada. The only incorporated town in the county is Mammoth Lakes, which is located at the foot of Mammoth Mountain. Other locations, such as June Lake, are also famous as skiing and fishing resorts. Located in the middle of the county is Mono Lake, a vital habitat for millions of migratory and nesting birds. The lake is located in a wild natural setting, with pinnacles of tufa arising out of the salty and alkaline lake. Also located in Mono County is Bodie, the official state gold rush ghost town, which is now a California State Historic Park.

## History

Mono County was formed in 1861 from parts of Calaveras, Fresno and Mariposa counties. A portion of northern Mono County contributed to the formation of Alpine County in 1864; parts of the county's territory were given to Inyo County in 1866.
The county is named after Mono Lake which, in 1852, was named for a Native American Paiute tribe, the Mono people, who historically inhabited the Sierra Nevada from north of Mono Lake to Owens Lake. The tribe's western neighbors, the Yokuts, called them monachie, meaning "fly people" because they used fly larvae as their chief food staple and trading article.
Archeologists know almost nothing about the first inhabitants of the county, as little material evidence has been found from them. The Kuzedika, a band of Paiute, had been there many generations by the time the first anglophones arrived. The Kuzedika were hunter-gatherers and their language is a part of the Shoshone language.

## Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 3,132 square miles (8,110 km$^2$), of which 3,049 square miles (7,900 km$^2$) is land and 83 square miles (210 km$^2$) (2.6%) is water. The highest point in Mono County is White Mountain Peak which, at 14,252 feet (4,344 m), is the third-highest peak in California.

### Adjacent counties

* Inyo County - south
* Fresno County - southwest
* Madera County - southwest
* Tuolumne County- west
* Alpine County - northwest
* Douglas County, Nevada - north
* Lyon County, Nevada - northeast
* Mineral County, Nevada - east
* Esmeralda County, Nevada - southeast

### National protected areas

* Inyo National Forest (part)
* Humboldt–Toiyabe National Forest (part)
* Granite Mountain Wilderness (California)

## Demographics
### 2021

In June 2021, U.S. News & World Report ranked the county with the third best life expectancy in the United States at 96.5 years old.

### 2020 census

Mono 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) | 9,837 | 9,687 | 8,679 | 76.53% | 68.21% | 65.77% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 53 | 42 | 68 | 0.41% | 0.30% | 0.52% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 267 | 239 | 177 | 2.08% | 1.68% | 1.34% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 140 | 191 | 159 | 1.09% | 1.34% | 1.21% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 10 | 11 | 26 | 0.08% | 0.08% | 0.20% |
| Other Race alone (NH) | 82 | 33 | 78 | 0.64% | 0.23% | 0.59% |
| Mixed Race or Multi-Racial (NH) | 190 | 237 | 501 | 1.48% | 1.67% | 3.80% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2,274 | 3,762 | 3,507 | 17.69% | 26.49% | 26.58% |
| Total | 12,853 | 14,202 | 13,195 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |

### 2011

Population, race, and income :
| Total population | 14,016 | 14,016 |
| White | 11,313 | 80.7% |
| Black or African American | 180 | 1.3% |
| American Indian or Alaska Native | 633 | 4.5% |
| Asian | 78 | 0.6% |
| Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander | 47 | 0.3% |
| Some other race | 1,459 | 10.4% |
| Two or more races | 306 | 2.2% |
| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) | 3,613 | 25.8% |
| Per capita income | $28,789 | $28,789 |
| Median household income | $60,469 | $60,469 |
| Median family income | $78,079 | $78,079 |

#### 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) |
| Aspen Springs | CDP | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Benton | CDP | 76 | 67.1% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 32.9% | 27.6% |
| Bridgeport | CDP | 456 | 82.7% | 1.8% | 0.0% | 2.6% | 12.9% | 5.3% |
| Chalfant | CDP | 749 | 100.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 1.3% |
| Coleville | CDP | 652 | 89.0% | 7.7% | 0.0% | 3.4% | 0.0% | 38.3% |
| Crowley Lake | CDP | 496 | 100.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 8.9% |
| June Lake | CDP | 406 | 100.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Lee Vining | CDP | 406 | 32.8% | 13.1% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 54.2% | 50.7% |
| McGee Creek | CDP | 107 | 100.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Mammoth Lakes | Town | 8,081 | 75.4% | 18.6% | 0.8% | 1.8% | 3.3% | 35.7% |
| Mono City | CDP | 126 | 89.7% | 10.3% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Paradise | CDP | 383 | 94.5% | 4.4% | 1.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 12.0% |
| Sunny Slopes | CDP | 149 | 100.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Swall Meadows | CDP | 461 | 100.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Topaz | CDP | 75 | 100.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Walker | CDP | 750 | 79.6% | 13.2% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 7.2% | 10.7% |
| ‡ Data for Mono County area of this CDP |||||||||
Places by population and income :
| Place | Type | Population | Per capita income | Median household income | Median family income |
| Aspen Springs | CDP | 0 | | | |
| Benton | CDP | 76 | $12,570 | $7,414 | |
| Bridgeport | CDP | 456 | $21,597 | $68,750 | $78,500 |
| Chalfant | CDP | 749 | $36,325 | $64,018 | $108,219 |
| Coleville | CDP | 652 | $17,365 | $56,591 | $43,250 |
| Crowley Lake | CDP | 496 | $41,610 | $85,299 | $96,500 |
| June Lake | CDP | 406 | $22,958 | $25,570 | |
| Lee Vining | CDP | 406 | $18,698 | $70,840 | $71,152 |
| McGee Creek | CDP | 107 | $34,573 | $85,990 | $85,990 |
| Mammoth Lakes | Town | 8,081 | $27,832 | $56,521 | $72,469 |
| Mono City | CDP | 126 | $26,037 | $49,020 | $49,020 |
| Paradise | CDP | 383 | $33,544 | $81,736 | $105,227 |
| Sunny Slopes | CDP | 149 | $61,994 | $128,310 | $128,310 |
| Swall Meadows | CDP | 461 | $53,616 | $93,983 | $94,331 |
| Topaz | CDP | 75 | | | |
| Walker | CDP | 750 | $23,381 | $49,097 | $54,028 |

### 2010 Census

The 2010 United States census reported that Mono County had a population of 14,202. The racial makeup of Mono County was 11,697 (82.4%) White, 47 (0.3%) African American, 302 (2.1%) Native American, 192 (1.4%) Asian, 11 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 1,539 (10.8%) from other races, and 414 (2.9%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3,762 persons (26.5%).
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) |
| Mono County | 14,202 | 11,697 | 47 | 302 | 192 | 11 | 1,539 | 414 | 3,762 |
| Incorporated town | Total Population | White | African American | Native American | Asian | Pacific Islander | other races | two or more races | Hispanic or Latino (of any race) |
| Mammoth Lakes | 8,234 | 6,643 | 29 | 49 | 128 | 5 | 1,151 | 229 | 2,772 |
| 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) |
| Aspen Springs | 65 | 62 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Benton | 280 | 199 | 1 | 59 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 5 | 38 |
| Bridgeport | 575 | 484 | 1 | 43 | 1 | 0 | 25 | 21 | 148 |
| Chalfant | 651 | 594 | 0 | 13 | 5 | 0 | 16 | 23 | 67 |
| Coleville | 495 | 386 | 6 | 10 | 8 | 0 | 62 | 23 | 110 |
| Crowley Lake | 875 | 769 | 4 | 6 | 11 | 0 | 60 | 25 | 128 |
| June Lake | 629 | 534 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 78 | 8 | 137 |
| Lee Vining | 222 | 126 | 0 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 64 | 7 | 96 |
| McGee Creek | 41 | 39 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Mono City | 172 | 156 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 11 | 37 |
| Paradise | 153 | 130 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 10 | 14 |
| Sunny Slopes | 182 | 159 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 10 | 3 |
| Swall Meadows | 220 | 201 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 6 |
| Topaz | 50 | 44 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 24 |
| Walker | 721 | 629 | 3 | 57 | 3 | 1 | 13 | 15 | 70 |
| 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) | 637 | 542 | 3 | 24 | 11 | 1 | 41 | 15 | 109 |

### 2000

As of the census of 2000, there were 12,853 people, 5,137 households, and 3,143 families residing in the county. The population density was 4/sq mi (1.5/km$^2$). There were 11,757 housing units at an average density of 4/sq mi (1.5/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the county was 84.2% White, 0.5% Black or African American, 2.4% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 9.5% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races. 17.7% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 13.4% were of German, 12.6% Irish and 11.4% English ancestry according to Census 2000. 84.0% spoke English and 15.1% Spanish as their first language.
There were 5,137 households, out of which 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.6% were married couples living together, 6.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.8% were non-families. 26.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.0% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 33.4% from 25 to 44, 25.6% from 45 to 64, and 7.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 121.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 126.8 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $44,992, and the median income for a family was $50,487. Males had a median income of $32,600 versus $26,227 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,422. About 6.3% of families and 11.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.2% of those under age 18 and 1.9% of those age 65 or over.

## Politics
### Voter registration

Population and registered voters :
| Total population | 14,016 | 14,016 |
| Registered voters | 6,000 | 42.8% |
| Democratic | 1,970 | 32.8% |
| Republican | 2,167 | 36.1% |
| Democratic–Republican spread | -197 | -3.3% |
| Independent | 248 | 4.1% |
| Green | 62 | 1.0% |
| Libertarian | 43 | 0.7% |
| Peace and Freedom | 17 | 0.3% |
| Americans Elect | 0 | 0.0% |
| Other | 5 | 0.1% |
| No party preference | 1,488 | 24.8% |

#### Cities by population and voter registration

Cities by population and voter registration :
| City | Population | Registered voters | Democratic | Republican | D–R spread | Other | No party preference |
| Mammoth Lakes | 8,081 | 36.5% | 35.0% | 29.3% | +5.7% | 10.3% | 29.1% |
| North Mono County | 2,803 | 46.7% | 28.5% | 45.7% | -17.2% | 5.3% | 20.3% |
| South Mono County excluding Mammoth Lakes | 3,130 | 55.6% | 32.3% | 40.5% | -8.2% | 5.7% | 20.8% |

### Overview

In November 2008, Mono County was one of just three counties in California's interior in which voters rejected Proposition 8 which sought to ban gay marriage. The county's voters rejected Proposition 8 by 55.5 percent to 44.5 percent. The other interior counties in which Proposition 8 failed to receive a majority of votes were neighboring Alpine County and Yolo County.
Mono County is in California's 3rd congressional district, represented by Republican Kevin Kiley.
In the state legislature Mono is in the 5th Assembly district, which is held by Republican Joe Patterson, and the 4th Senate district, which is held by Republican Marie Alvarado-Gil.
United States presidential election results for Mono County, California :
| Year | Republican | Republican | Democratic | Democratic | Third party(ies) | Third party(ies) |
| Year | No. | % | No. | % | No. | % |
| 2024 | 2,294 | 37.83% | 3,522 | 58.08% | 248 | 4.09% |
| 2020 | 2,513 | 37.30% | 4,013 | 59.56% | 212 | 3.15% |
| 2016 | 2,111 | 39.97% | 2,773 | 52.51% | 397 | 7.52% |
| 2012 | 2,285 | 44.10% | 2,733 | 52.75% | 163 | 3.15% |
| 2008 | 2,354 | 42.25% | 3,093 | 55.52% | 124 | 2.23% |
| 2004 | 2,621 | 49.10% | 2,628 | 49.23% | 89 | 1.67% |
| 2000 | 2,296 | 52.53% | 1,788 | 40.91% | 287 | 6.57% |
| 1996 | 1,882 | 46.00% | 1,580 | 38.62% | 629 | 15.38% |
| 1992 | 1,570 | 36.05% | 1,489 | 34.19% | 1,296 | 29.76% |
| 1988 | 2,177 | 61.38% | 1,284 | 36.20% | 86 | 2.42% |
| 1984 | 2,659 | 72.31% | 962 | 26.16% | 56 | 1.52% |
| 1980 | 2,132 | 62.32% | 865 | 25.29% | 424 | 12.39% |
| 1976 | 1,600 | 58.80% | 1,025 | 37.67% | 96 | 3.53% |
| 1972 | 1,872 | 66.88% | 828 | 29.58% | 99 | 3.54% |
| 1968 | 1,130 | 64.28% | 465 | 26.45% | 163 | 9.27% |
| 1964 | 850 | 56.07% | 666 | 43.93% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 912 | 66.33% | 457 | 33.24% | 6 | 0.44% |
| 1956 | 673 | 73.79% | 237 | 25.99% | 2 | 0.22% |
| 1952 | 891 | 76.61% | 264 | 22.70% | 8 | 0.69% |
| 1948 | 541 | 64.79% | 255 | 30.54% | 39 | 4.67% |
| 1944 | 378 | 60.87% | 242 | 38.97% | 1 | 0.16% |
| 1940 | 459 | 46.13% | 523 | 52.56% | 13 | 1.31% |
| 1936 | 241 | 34.09% | 458 | 64.78% | 8 | 1.13% |
| 1932 | 199 | 34.25% | 374 | 64.37% | 8 | 1.38% |
| 1928 | 220 | 61.80% | 127 | 35.67% | 9 | 2.53% |
| 1924 | 166 | 53.55% | 45 | 14.52% | 99 | 31.94% |
| 1920 | 170 | 67.73% | 56 | 22.31% | 25 | 9.96% |
| 1916 | 137 | 42.02% | 158 | 48.47% | 31 | 9.51% |
| 1912 | 3 | 0.81% | 182 | 49.32% | 184 | 49.86% |
| 1908 | 224 | 59.89% | 121 | 32.35% | 29 | 7.75% |
| 1904 | 245 | 64.64% | 82 | 21.64% | 52 | 13.72% |
| 1900 | 284 | 52.11% | 258 | 47.34% | 3 | 0.55% |
| 1896 | 259 | 44.27% | 315 | 53.85% | 11 | 1.88% |
| 1892 | 286 | 53.36% | 166 | 30.97% | 84 | 15.67% |

## 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 | 14,016 | 14,016 |
| Violent crime | 49 | 3.50 |
| Homicide | 0 | 0.00 |
| Forcible rape | 3 | 0.21 |
| Robbery | 2 | 0.14 |
| Aggravated assault | 44 | 3.14 |
| Property crime | 253 | 18.05 |
| Burglary | 120 | 8.56 |
| Larceny-theft | 275 | 19.62 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 13 | 0.93 |
| Arson | 1 | 0.07 |

### Cities by population and crime rates

Cities by population and crime rates :
| City | Population | Violent crimes | Violent crime rate per 1,000 persons | Property crimes | Property crime rate per 1,000 persons |
| Mammoth Lakes | 8,373 | 38 | 4.54 | 196 | 23.41 |

## Transportation
### Major highways

* U.S. Route 6
* U.S. Route 395
* State Route 89
* State Route 108
* State Route 120
* State Route 158
* State Route 167
* State Route 168
* State Route 182
* State Route 203
* State Route 266
* State Route 270

### Public transportation

Eastern Sierra Transit Authority operates intercity bus service along U.S. 395, as well as local services in Mammoth Lakes. Service extends south to Lancaster, California (Los Angeles County) and north to Reno, Nevada.
Yosemite Area Regional Transit System (YARTS) also runs along U.S. 395 from Mammoth Lakes to Lee Vining before entering Yosemite National Park.

### Airports

General aviation airports in Mono County include Bryant Field near Bridgeport, Mammoth Yosemite Airport and Lee Vining Airport. In December 2021, seasonal commercial air service by United Airlines to San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Denver began at the Eastern Sierra Regional Airport in Bishop, providing local service to southern Mono County.

## Communities
### Town

* Mammoth Lakes

### Census-designated places

* Aspen Springs
* Benton
* Bridgeport (county seat)
* Chalfant
* Coleville
* Crowley Lake
* June Lake
* Lee Vining
* McGee Creek
* Mono City
* Paradise
* Sunny Slopes
* Swall Meadows
* Topaz
* Twin Lakes
* Virginia Lakes
* Walker

### Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Mono County.
† county seat
| Rank | City/Town/etc. | Municipal type | Population (2010 Census) |
| 1 | Mammoth Lakes | Town | 8,234 |
| 2 | Crowley Lake | CDP | 875 |
| 3 | Walker | CDP | 721 |
| 4 | Chalfant | CDP | 651 |
| 5 | June Lake | CDP | 629 |
| 6 | † Bridgeport | CDP | 575 |
| 7 | Coleville | CDP | 495 |
| 8 | Benton | CDP | 280 |
| 9 | Lee Vining | CDP | 222 |
| 10 | Swall Meadows | CDP | 220 |
| 11 | Sunny Slopes | CDP | 182 |
| 12 | Mono City | CDP | 172 |
| 13 | Paradise | CDP | 153 |
| 14 | Benton Reservation (Utu Utu Gwaitu Paiute Tribe) | AIAN | 76 |
| 15 | Aspen Springs | CDP | 65 |
| 16 | Topaz | CDP | 50 |
| 17 | McGee Creek | CDP | 41 |
| 18 | Bridgeport Reservation (Paiute Indians) | AIAN | 35 |