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West Point, California

Coordinates: 38°23′57″N 120°31′39″W / 38.39917°N 120.52750°W / 38.39917; -120.52750
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

West Point
Unincorporated Community
Census Designated Place
Location in Calaveras County and the state of California
Location in Calaveras County and the state of California
West Point is located in the United States
West Point
West Point
Location in the United States
Coordinates: 38°23′57″N 120°31′39″W / 38.39917°N 120.52750°W / 38.39917; -120.52750
Country United States
State California
CountyCalaveras
Area
[1]
 • Total
2.964 sq mi (7.678 km2)
 • Land2.964 sq mi (7.678 km2)
 • Water0 sq mi (0 km2)  0%
Elevation
2,769 ft (844 m)
Population
 (2020)[2]
 • Total
688
 • Density230/sq mi (90/km2)
Time zoneUTC-8 (Pacific (PST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP code
95255
Area code209
FIPS code06-84732
GNIS feature IDs255226, 2409563
Reference no.268

West Point (formerly, Indian Gulch and Westpoint) is a census-designated place (CDP) in Calaveras County, California, in the United States. As of the 2020 United States census, West Point's population was 688, up from 674 as of the 2010 census. The town is registered as California Historical Landmark #268.[3] There is an annual West Point Lumberjack Days festival in the community.

History

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West Point was originally the name of a camp established here by scout Kit Carson, who was searching for a pass over the Sierra Nevada.[4] The town was originally named Indian Gulch when founded in 1852; the name was changed to West Point in 1854.[4] The first post office was opened in 1856, the name changed to Westpoint in 1895 and changed back to West Point in 1947.[4]

One emigrant road forked by Big Meadow – its north branch came directly to West Point, which was a thriving trading post prior to the gold discovery. Author Bret Harte lived there for a time.

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 3.0 square miles (7.8 km2), all land.[1]

Climate

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According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, West Point has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, abbreviated "Csa" on climate maps.[5]

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
2000746—
2010674−9.7%
20206882.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1860–1870[7][8] 1880-1890[9]
1900[10] 1910[11] 1920[12]
1930[13] 1940[14] 1950[15]
1960[16] 1970[17] 1980[18]
1990[19] 2000[20] 2010[21]

West Point first appeared as a census designated place in the 2000 U.S. Census.[20]

2010

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The 2010 United States Census[22] reported that West Point had a population of 674. The population density was 181.2 inhabitants per square mile (70.0/km2). The racial makeup of West Point was 563 (83.5%) White, 0 (0.0%) African American, 43 (6.4%) Native American, 2 (0.3%) Asian, 7 (1.0%) Pacific Islander, 29 (4.3%) from other races, and 30 (4.5%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 67 persons (9.9%).

The Census reported that 673 people (99.9% of the population) lived in households, 1 (0.1%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.

There were 308 households, out of which 70 (22.7%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 125 (40.6%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 39 (12.7%) had a female householder with no husband present, 18 (5.8%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 18 (5.8%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 0 (0%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 109 households (35.4%) were made up of individuals, and 48 (15.6%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19. There were 182 families (59.1% of all households); the average family size was 2.81.

The population was spread out, with 133 people (19.7%) under the age of 18, 36 people (5.3%) aged 18 to 24, 119 people (17.7%) aged 25 to 44, 223 people (33.1%) aged 45 to 64, and 163 people (24.2%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.9 males.

There were 378 housing units at an average density of 101.6 per square mile (39.2/km2), of which 308 were occupied, of which 213 (69.2%) were owner-occupied, and 95 (30.8%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.3%; the rental vacancy rate was 6.9%. 434 people (64.4% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 239 people (35.5%) lived in rental housing units.

2000

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As of the census[23] of 2000, there were 746 people, 305 households, and 203 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 199.4 inhabitants per square mile (77.0/km2). There were 345 housing units at an average density of 92.2 per square mile (35.6/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 82.04% White, 1.21% Black or African American, 8.18% Native American, 0.67% Asian, 2.82% from other races, and 5.09% from two or more races. 8.04% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 305 households, out of which 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.6% were married couples living together, 14.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.4% were non-families. 26.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.1% 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 2.86.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 24.4% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 20.0% from 25 to 44, 30.0% from 45 to 64, and 19.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.7 males. For every 100 over, there are 85.5 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $25,417, and the median income for a family was $27,794. Males had a median income of $24,028 versus $22,500 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $11,439. About 28.2% of families and 33.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 45.3% of those under age 18 and 15.7% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

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In the state legislature, West Point is in the 8th senatorial district, represented by Democrat Angelique Ashby,[24] and the 5th Assembly district, represented by Republican Joe Patterson.[25] Federally, West Point is in California's 4th congressional district, represented by Democrat Mike Thompson.[26]

References

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  1. ^ a b "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
  2. ^ "US Census Bureau". www.census.gov. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  3. ^ "West Point". Office of Historic Preservation, California State Parks. Retrieved October 6, 2012.
  4. ^ a b c Durham, David L. (1998). California's Geographic Names: A Gazetteer of Historic and Modern Names of the State. Clovis, California: Word Dancer Press. p. 845. ISBN 1-884995-14-4.
  5. ^ Climate Summary for West Point, California
  6. ^ "Decennial Census by Decade". United States Census Bureau.
  7. ^ "1870 Census of Population - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties - California - Almeda County to Sutter County" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  8. ^ "1870 Census of Population - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties - California - Tehama County to Yuba County" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  9. ^ "1890 Census of Population - Population of California by Minor Civil Divisions" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  10. ^ "1900 Census of Population - Population of California by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  11. ^ "1910 Census of Population - Supplement for California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  12. ^ "1920 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  13. ^ "1930 Census of Population - Number and Distribution of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  14. ^ "1940 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  15. ^ "1950 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  16. ^ "1960 Census of Population - General population Characteristics - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  17. ^ "1970 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  18. ^ "1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  19. ^ "1990 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  20. ^ a b "2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  21. ^ "2010 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  22. ^ "2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - West Point CDP". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  23. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  24. ^ "Senators". State of California. Retrieved March 21, 2013.
  25. ^ "Members Assembly". State of California. Retrieved March 21, 2013.
  26. ^ "California's 4th Congressional District - Representatives & District Map". Civic Impulse, LLC. Retrieved March 2, 2013.
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