# Jamestown, California

Jamestown is a unincorporated community in Tuolumne County, California, United States. Formerly a California Gold Rush town, Jamestown was designated a California Historical Landmark on March 16, 1949. It is the home of Railtown 1897 State Historic Park and the Sierra Railway, which operates steam passenger trains. For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau has defined the community as a census-designated place (CDP). The population was 3,433 at the 2010 census, up from 3,017 at the 2000 census.

## Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 3.0 square miles (7.8 km$^2$), 99.93% of it land and 0.07% of it water.

## Demographics
### 2010

At the 2010 census Jamestown had a population of 3,433. The population density was 1,145.7 inhabitants per square mile (442.4/km$^2$). The racial makeup of Jamestown was 2,948 (85.9%) White, 20 (0.6%) African American, 96 (2.8%) Native American, 27 (0.8%) Asian, 4 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 135 (3.9%) from other races, and 203 (5.9%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 511 people (14.9%).
The census reported that 3,423 people (99.7% of the population) lived in households, 10 (0.3%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and no one was institutionalized.
There were 1,501 households, 399 (26.6%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 592 (39.4%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 209 (13.9%) had a female householder with no husband present, 80 (5.3%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 100 (6.7%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 4 (0.3%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 513 households (34.2%) were one person and 299 (19.9%) had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.28. There were 881 families (58.7% of households); the average family size was 2.89.
The age distribution was 752 people (21.9%) under the age of 18, 289 people (8.4%) aged 18 to 24, 686 people (20.0%) aged 25 to 44, 938 people (27.3%) aged 45 to 64, and 768 people (22.4%) who were 65 or older. The median age was 44.7 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.1 males.
There were 1,645 housing units at an average density of 549.0 per square mile, of the occupied units 885 (59.0%) were owner-occupied and 616 (41.0%) were rented. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.4%; the rental vacancy rate was 9.5%. 1,857 people (54.1% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 1,566 people (45.6%) lived in rental housing units.

### 2000

At the 2000 census there were 3,017 people, 1,293 households, and 812 families in the CDP. The population density was 987.0 inhabitants per square mile (381.1/km$^2$). There were 1,446 housing units at an average density of 473.0 per square mile (182.6/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the CDP was 91.48% White, 0.10% African American, 2.22% Native American, 1.19% Asian, 0.27% Pacific Islander, 1.92% from other races, and 2.82% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.48%.
Of the 1,293 households 26.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.9% were married couples living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.2% were non-families. 31.1% of households were one person and 18.1% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.84.
The age distribution was 23.0% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 22.2% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 24.2% 65 or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.5 males.
The median household income was $25,847 and the median family income was $34,896. Males had a median income of $27,083 versus $26,250 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $16,209. About 14.1% of families and 16.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.3% of those under age 18 and 5.5% of those age 65 or over.

## Government

In the California State Legislature, Jamestown is in the 4th Senate District, represented by Republican Marie Alvarado-Gil, and the 8th Assembly District, represented by Republican David Tangipa.
In the United States House of Representatives, Jamestown is in California's 5th congressional district, represented by Republican Tom McClintock.
Jamestown is the headquarters for the Chicken Ranch Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians of California, a federally recognized tribe of Miwok people.

## In popular culture

Scenes from Back to the Future Part III, the final installment of the Back to the Future trilogy, were filmed in Jamestown. A scene from the 2004 movie Hidalgo was also filmed there. Exterior scenes from the TV series Petticoat Junction, The Wild Wild West, and Green Acres were filmed in and near Jamestown, as well as parts of the Little House on the Prairie TV series.
Jamestown was featured by Huell Howser in Road Trip Episode 153.