Alturas is the county seat of Modoc County, California, United States. As the county seat, the town is a home to regional government offices, including a California Highway Patrol office and a state Department of Motor Vehicles office. Modoc Subdivision track of the Union Pacific Railroad, and the Lake County Railroad, (of Lake County, Oregon) serve the area.

The population was 2,892 at the 2000 census, and the ZIP code for the community is 96101.

Geography

Alturas straddles the North Fork of the Pit River, near its confluence with the South Fork in the north end of South Fork Valley, in the extreme northeastern corner of California at (41.488814, -120.545935). The tall Warner Mountains lie to the east, the wetlands and wild rice fields of South Fork Valley to the south, and the extensive Modoc Plateau to the north.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.2 square miles (5.7 km²) and none of it is covered by water.

History

Alturas now occupies what was initially an Achumawi (Pit River) village known as Kosealekte. The city was initially known as Dorris Bridge, named after Presley Dorris, who built a bridge across the Pit River at this location. In 1876, the town was renamed Alturas, which means "The Heights" in Spanish.^[1]

Settlement continued over the next few decades, until the city was officially incorporated on September 16, 1901. Alturas is the current seat of Modoc County, and its only incorporated city.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,892 people, 1,181 households, and 753 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,316.3 people per square mile (507.5/km²). There were 1,367 housing units at an average density of 622.2/sq mi (239.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 85.89% White, 0.31% Black or African American, 4.39% Native American, 0.73% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 4.84% from other races, and 3.73% from two or more races. 11.89% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,181 households out of which 35.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.6% were married couples living together, 14.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.2% were non-families. 32.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the city the population was spread out with 28.7% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 90.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $24,351, and the median income for a family was $31,385. Males had a median income of $36,500 versus $21,750 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,281. About 23.0% of families and 27.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 38.3% of those under age 18 and 7.9% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

In the state legislature Alturas is located in the 1st Senate District, represented by Republican Dave Cox, and in the 2nd Assembly District, represented by Republican Doug LaMalfa. Federally, Alturas is located in California's 4th congressional district, which has a Cook PVI of R +11^[2] and is represented by Republican John Doolittle.

Economy

It is the headquarters to the Modoc National Forest, the Alturas Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management, the Modoc National Wildlife Refuge and other recreation areas, and is the trade center for the agricultural region, which produces beef, sheep, potatoes, alfalfa and lumber. Despite its abundance of wilderness, recreational opportunities, hunting and fishing resources, and resplendent natural beauty, tourism is not a major sector of the local economy -- largely due to the city's remote location.

Local, State, Federal, and Tribal governments are the largest employers in Alturas. A vibrant timber industry collapsed in the early 1980s due to increased production costs and low market prices for softwood lumber.

The Modoc Joint Unified School District is headquartered in Alturas.

The Alturas Rancheria, a band of Pit River Indians, operates a small casino just outside the city limits.

Services

Schools:

HeadStart (Pre-K)

Alturas Elementary School (K-5)

Modoc Middle School (6-8)

Modoc High School (9-12)

Warner High School (Alternative High School, 9-12)

Health Care:

Modoc Medical Center

Modoc Health Clinic

Modoc Indian Health Project, contracted Indian Health Service program

Alturas Railroad Museum

Alturas Municipal Airport

Central Modoc Resource Conservation District

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT Alturas office

DMV Alturas office

CHP Alturas office

Dr. Tom Krauel, Optometrist

Automation Solar, SiVly

Notable residents

• WNBA basketball player Kayte Christensen attended high school in Alturas.
• Dani Johnston sued Modoc County in Federal court for gender discrimination in the County Sherriff?s Office, and a jury found in her favor.
• Ernest S. Brown (born September 25, 1903 in Alturas) served briefly as a United States Senator from Nevada in 1954.

References

1. ↑
2. ↑

External links

• Official Website
• h2g2 Guide Entry A1065278: Modoc County, California, USA

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