Beckwourth, California
# Beckwourth, California

Beckwourth (formerly, Beckwith and Beekwith) is a census-designated place (CDP) in Plumas County, California, United States. Beckwourth is located on the Middle Fork Feather River 5 miles (8.0 km) east of Portola. The population was 432 at the 2010 census, up from 342 at the 2000 census.

## Name

The community was named for James P. Beckwourth, an explorer who discovered Beckwourth Pass in 1851.

## History

The Beckwith post office opened in 1870 and changed its name to Beckwourth in 1932.

## Geography

Beckwourth is located at 39°49′39″N 120°24′13″W﻿ / ﻿39.82750°N 120.40361°W﻿ / 39.82750; -120.40361 (39.827528, -120.403710).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 11.7 square miles (30 $km^2),$ 99.96% of it land and 0.04% of it water.

Nervino Airport (FAA identifier: O02 or oscar-zero-two) is plotted three quarters of a mile east of Beckwourth along State Route 70 on the Reconnaissance Peak, California 7.5 minute quadrangle. It has a 4,600-foot (1,400 m) runway and is located at 39°49′05″N 120°21′20″W﻿ / ﻿39.81806°N 120.35556°W﻿ / 39.81806; -120.35556. The US Geological Survey says variant names for the airport are Beckwourth Airport and Plumas County Airport.

State facilities in the town include a State of California, Department of Water Resources maintenance yard and a Caltrans Maintenance Station. These appear to be colocated (at the same site).

### Climate

This region experiences warm (but not hot) and dry summers, with no average monthly temperatures above 71.6 °F. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Beckwourth has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, abbreviated "Csb" on climate maps.

## Demographics

### 2010

The 2010 United States Census reported that Beckwourth had a population of 432. The population density was 37.0 inhabitants per square mile $(14.3/km^2).$ The racial makeup of Beckwourth was 402 (93.1%) White, 0 (0.0%) African American, 11 (2.5%) Native American, 2 (0.5%) Asian, 1 (0.2%) Pacific Islander, 7 (1.6%) from other races, and 9 (2.1%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 29 persons (6.7%).

The Census reported that 432 people (100% of the population) lived in households, 0 (0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.

There were 196 households, out of which 41 (20.9%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 111 (56.6%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 9 (4.6%) had a female householder with no husband present, 11 (5.6%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 8 (4.1%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 0 (0%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 53 households (27.0%) were made up of individuals, and 15 (7.7%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20. There were 131 families (66.8% of all households); the average family size was 2.64.

The population was spread out, with 71 people (16.4%) under the age of 18, 14 people (3.2%) aged 18 to 24, 72 people (16.7%) aged 25 to 44, 177 people (41.0%) aged 45 to 64, and 98 people (22.7%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 53.9 years. For every 100 females, there were 118.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 121.5 males.

There were 342 housing units at an average density of 29.3 per square mile $(11.3/km^2),$ of which 169 (86.2%) were owner-occupied, and 27 (13.8%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 8.6%; the rental vacancy rate was 0%. 363 people (84.0% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 69 people (16.0%) lived in rental housing units.

### 2000

As of the census of 2000, there were 342 people, 147 households, and 108 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 29.3 inhabitants per square mile $(11.3/km^2).$ There were 225 housing units at an average density of 19.3 per square mile $(7.5/km^2).$ The racial makeup of the CDP was 93.86% White, 2.05% Native American, 0.88% Pacific Islander, 1.46% from other races, and 1.75% from two or more races. 2.92% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 147 households, out of which 23.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.0% were married couples living together, 5.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.9% were non-families. 19.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.67.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 19.0% under the age of 18, 3.5% from 18 to 24, 21.3% from 25 to 44, 33.6% from 45 to 64, and 22.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.7 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $47,813, and the median income for a family was $52,031. Males had a median income of $49,219 versus $31,250 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $16,928. None of the families and 2.8% of the population were living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and 4.8% of those over 64.

## Politics

In the state legislature Beckwourth is located in the 1st Senate District, represented by Republican Brian Dahle, and the 1st Assembly District, represented by Republican Megan Dahle.

Federally, Beckwourth is in California's 1st congressional district, represented by Republican Doug LaMalfa.

