Miranda, California
Encyclopedia
Miranda is a census-designated place
in Humboldt County
, California
. It is located 2.5 miles (4 km) northwest of Phillipsville
, at an elevation of 351 feet (107 m). The ZIP Code
is 95553. The population was 520 at the 2010 census.
The town was named by a former postmistress and is within a five minute walk of the south fork of the Eel River, amidst giant redwood trees. Miranda is on the Avenue of the Giants
between Myers Flat
to the north and Phillipsville to the south.
The post office was opened on August 26, 1905. It is unclear when exactly it became a settlement prior to that, though older residents will tell you the earliest they can remember is their folks coming up from San Francisco during the California Gold Rush
era of the 1840s and '50s.
Besides the post office, the town boasts one restaurant, a resort, market, and gas station (all owned by the Eldridge family), a Seventh-day Adventist
church, a meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon
), a small, rural high school encompassing grades 8-12, a Community Grange, two gift shops, and an active Volunteer Fire Department
. There is a glass gallery one mile south of Miranda on the Avenue of the Giants in the historical unincorporated area formerly known as Firhaven.
South Fork High School is the only regular high school of Southern Humboldt Unified School District. The school's name refers to the South Fork of the Eel River
. Osprey Learning Center, an alternative continuation high school, is located across the football field from SFHS in facilities that formerly housed the now-defunct Miranda Junior High School.
The ZIP Code is 95553. The community is inside Area code 707
. Elevation is said to be 351 feet at the town sign, though the terrain is generally not flat and encompasses sea level to over 2,000-foot elevations. Miranda is in the PST zone and observes Daylight Savings.
was 346.8 people per square mile (133.9/km²). The racial makeup of Miranda was 439 (84.4%) White, 4 (0.8%) African American, 13 (2.5%) Native American, 4 (0.8%) Asian, 1 (0.2%) Pacific Islander, 31 (6.0%) from other races
, and 28 (5.4%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 75 persons (14.4%).
The Census reported that 512 people (98.5% of the population) lived in households, 8 (1.5%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.
There were 243 households, out of which 74 (30.5%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 88 (36.2%) were opposite-sex married couples
living together, 30 (12.3%) had a female householder with no husband present, 20 (8.2%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 22 (9.1%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships
, and 1 (0.4%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 92 households (37.9%) were made up of individuals and 19 (7.8%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.11. There were 138 families
(56.8% of all households); the average family size was 2.72.
The population was spread out with 117 people (22.5%) under the age of 18, 31 people (6.0%) aged 18 to 24, 127 people (24.4%) aged 25 to 44, 185 people (35.6%) aged 45 to 64, and 60 people (11.5%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.3 years. For every 100 females there were 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.2 males.
There were 265 housing units at an average density of 176.7 per square mile (68.2/km²), of which 134 (55.1%) were owner-occupied, and 109 (44.9%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.7%; the rental vacancy rate was 0%. 291 people (56.0% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 221 people (42.5%) lived in rental housing units.
. Of those over age 5, 24.6% were of disability status. Majorly of one race (97.3%), Miranda is home to 91.8% White (unspecified origin), 0.5% African American or Black, 2.9% American Indian or Alaskan Native, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, 1.4% of some other race, and 4.6% Hispanic or Latino. Median household income was $17,422, while median family income was slightly higher at $21,146. Nearly one third (29.4%) of the population as individuals were below the poverty line. Total occupied housing units were 391 out of 505 total units, leaving 114 vacancies. Median value of single-owner occupied homes was $114,400.
Miranda is located in the 2nd Senate
District, represented by Democrat
Noreen Evans
, and in the 1st Assembly
District, represented by Democrat Wesley Chesbro
. Federally, Miranda is located in California's 1st congressional district
.
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
in Humboldt County
Humboldt County, California
Humboldt County is a county in the U.S. state of California, located on the far North Coast 200 miles north of San Francisco. According to 2010 Census Data, the county’s population was 134,623...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. It is located 2.5 miles (4 km) northwest of Phillipsville
Phillipsville, California
Phillipsville is a census-designated place in Humboldt County, California. It is located on the South Fork of the Eel River north of Garberville, at an elevation of 289 feet . It is the southernmost town on the Avenue of the Giants. Near the town is the Chimney Tree...
, at an elevation of 351 feet (107 m). The ZIP Code
ZIP Code
ZIP codes are a system of postal codes used by the United States Postal Service since 1963. The term ZIP, an acronym for Zone Improvement Plan, is properly written in capital letters and was chosen to suggest that the mail travels more efficiently, and therefore more quickly, when senders use the...
is 95553. The population was 520 at the 2010 census.
The town was named by a former postmistress and is within a five minute walk of the south fork of the Eel River, amidst giant redwood trees. Miranda is on the Avenue of the Giants
California State Route 254
The Avenue of the Giants is a scenic highway in Northern California, U.S.A., running through Humboldt Redwoods State Park. It is an old alignment of U.S. Route 101, and continues to be maintained by the state as State Route 254.-Route description:...
between Myers Flat
Myers Flat, California
Myers Flat is a census-designated place in Humboldt County, California. It is located south-southeast of Weott, at an elevation of 203 feet . The ZIP Code is 95554...
to the north and Phillipsville to the south.
The post office was opened on August 26, 1905. It is unclear when exactly it became a settlement prior to that, though older residents will tell you the earliest they can remember is their folks coming up from San Francisco during the California Gold Rush
California Gold Rush
The California Gold Rush began on January 24, 1848, when gold was found by James W. Marshall at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California. The first to hear confirmed information of the gold rush were the people in Oregon, the Sandwich Islands , and Latin America, who were the first to start flocking to...
era of the 1840s and '50s.
Besides the post office, the town boasts one restaurant, a resort, market, and gas station (all owned by the Eldridge family), a Seventh-day Adventist
Seventh-day Adventist Church
The Seventh-day Adventist Church is a Protestant Christian denomination distinguished by its observance of Saturday, the original seventh day of the Judeo-Christian week, as the Sabbath, and by its emphasis on the imminent second coming of Jesus Christ...
church, a meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon
Mormon
The term Mormon most commonly denotes an adherent, practitioner, follower, or constituent of Mormonism, which is the largest branch of the Latter Day Saint movement in restorationist Christianity...
), a small, rural high school encompassing grades 8-12, a Community Grange, two gift shops, and an active Volunteer Fire Department
Volunteer fire department
See also the Firefighter article and its respective sections regarding VFDs in other countries.A volunteer fire department is a fire department composed of volunteers who perform fire suppression and other related emergency services for a local jurisdiction.The first organized force of...
. There is a glass gallery one mile south of Miranda on the Avenue of the Giants in the historical unincorporated area formerly known as Firhaven.
South Fork High School is the only regular high school of Southern Humboldt Unified School District. The school's name refers to the South Fork of the Eel River
Eel River (California)
The Eel River is a major river system of the northern Pacific coast of the U.S. state of California. Approximately 200 miles long, it drains a rugged area in the California Coast Ranges between the Sacramento Valley and the ocean. For most of its course, the river flows northwest, parallel to the...
. Osprey Learning Center, an alternative continuation high school, is located across the football field from SFHS in facilities that formerly housed the now-defunct Miranda Junior High School.
The ZIP Code is 95553. The community is inside Area code 707
Area code 707
North American area code 707 is a Californian telephone area code which covers Napa, Sebastopol, Vallejo, Benicia, Fairfield, Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Fort Bragg, Crescent City, Eureka, Clearlake, Vacaville, Ukiah, and northwestern California. It was split from area code 415 on March 1, 1959...
. Elevation is said to be 351 feet at the town sign, though the terrain is generally not flat and encompasses sea level to over 2,000-foot elevations. Miranda is in the PST zone and observes Daylight Savings.
2010
The 2010 United States Census reported that Miranda had a population of 520. The population densityPopulation density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 346.8 people per square mile (133.9/km²). The racial makeup of Miranda was 439 (84.4%) White, 4 (0.8%) African American, 13 (2.5%) Native American, 4 (0.8%) Asian, 1 (0.2%) Pacific Islander, 31 (6.0%) from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 28 (5.4%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 75 persons (14.4%).
The Census reported that 512 people (98.5% of the population) lived in households, 8 (1.5%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.
There were 243 households, out of which 74 (30.5%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 88 (36.2%) were opposite-sex married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 30 (12.3%) had a female householder with no husband present, 20 (8.2%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 22 (9.1%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships
POSSLQ
POSSLQ is an abbreviation for "Persons of Opposite Sex Sharing Living Quarters," a term coined in the late 1970s by the United States Census Bureau as part of an effort to more accurately gauge the prevalence of cohabitation in American households....
, and 1 (0.4%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 92 households (37.9%) were made up of individuals and 19 (7.8%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.11. There were 138 families
Family (U.S. Census)
A family or family household is defined by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes as "a householder and one or more other people related to the householder by birth, marriage, or adoption. They do not include same-sex married couples even if the marriage was performed in a state...
(56.8% of all households); the average family size was 2.72.
The population was spread out with 117 people (22.5%) under the age of 18, 31 people (6.0%) aged 18 to 24, 127 people (24.4%) aged 25 to 44, 185 people (35.6%) aged 45 to 64, and 60 people (11.5%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.3 years. For every 100 females there were 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.2 males.
There were 265 housing units at an average density of 176.7 per square mile (68.2/km²), of which 134 (55.1%) were owner-occupied, and 109 (44.9%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.7%; the rental vacancy rate was 0%. 291 people (56.0% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 221 people (42.5%) lived in rental housing units.
2000
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, at about the year 2000, Miranda's total population was approximately 857. This figure, however, encompasses a much larger geographic area than Miranda proper. The official town population listed on the Miranda welcome sign is significantly lower. Only 5.6% were under 5 years of age, while 75.4% were over 18 and 8.3% over 65. A marginally high 14.7% of those over 18 were civilian veteransVeteran
A veteran is a person who has had long service or experience in a particular occupation or field; " A veteran of ..."...
. Of those over age 5, 24.6% were of disability status. Majorly of one race (97.3%), Miranda is home to 91.8% White (unspecified origin), 0.5% African American or Black, 2.9% American Indian or Alaskan Native, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, 1.4% of some other race, and 4.6% Hispanic or Latino. Median household income was $17,422, while median family income was slightly higher at $21,146. Nearly one third (29.4%) of the population as individuals were below the poverty line. Total occupied housing units were 391 out of 505 total units, leaving 114 vacancies. Median value of single-owner occupied homes was $114,400.
Politics
In the state legislatureCalifornia State Legislature
The California State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of California. It is a bicameral body consisting of the lower house, the California State Assembly, with 80 members, and the upper house, the California State Senate, with 40 members...
Miranda is located in the 2nd Senate
California State Senate
The California State Senate is the upper house of the California State Legislature. There are 40 state senators. The state legislature meets in the California State Capitol in Sacramento. The Lieutenant Governor is the ex officio President of the Senate and may break a tied vote...
District, represented by Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
Noreen Evans
Noreen Evans
Noreen Evans is an American politician in the California State Senate. She is a Democrat representing the 2nd district, encompassing Humboldt, Mendocino, Lake, and Napa counties, as well as parts of Sonoma and Solano counties....
, and in the 1st Assembly
California State Assembly
The California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature. There are 80 members in the Assembly, representing an approximately equal number of constituents, with each district having a population of at least 420,000...
District, represented by Democrat Wesley Chesbro
Wesley Chesbro
Wesley P. Chesbro is a Democratic politician from California. He is currently the Assembly member for the 1st Assembly district in California. Previously, Chesbro served as a State Senator from California's 2nd district from 1998 until 2006...
. Federally, Miranda is located in California's 1st congressional district
California's 1st congressional district
California's 1st congressional district is a congressional district located in the U.S. state of California and presently consists of the northern coastline and includes Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino and Napa counties and parts of Sonoma and Yolo counties.The district is currently...
.