Grass Valley, California | |
|---|---|
 Grass Valley (2025) | |
 Location of Grass Valley in Nevada County, California | |
  Grass Valley, California Location in the United States | |
| Coordinates:39°13′9″N121°3′30″W / 39.21917°N 121.05833°W /39.21917; -121.05833 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Nevada |
| Incorporated | March 13, 1893[1] |
| Area | |
• Total | 5.25 sq mi (13.59 km2) |
| • Land | 5.25 sq mi (13.59 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0.00 km2) 0% |
| Elevation | 2,411 ft (735 m) |
| Population | |
• Total | 14,016 |
| • Density | 2,671/sq mi (1,031/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−7 (PDT) |
| ZIP Codes | 95945, 95949 |
| Area code | 530, 837 |
| FIPS code | 06-30798 |
| GNIS feature IDs | 277525,2410651 |
| Website | www |
Grass Valley is a city inNevada County, California, United States. As of the2020 United States census, its population was 14,016. Situated at roughly 2,500 feet (760 m) in elevation in the western foothills of theSierra Nevada mountain range, this northernGold Country city is 57 miles (92 km) by car fromSacramento and 88 miles (142 km) west ofReno.
Grass Valley, which was originally known as Boston Ravine and later named Centerville, dates from theCalifornia Gold Rush, as does nearbyNevada City. Gold was discovered atGold Hill in October 1850 and population grew around the mine. When a post office was established in 1851, it was renamed Grass Valley the next year for unknown reasons. The town wasincorporated in 1860.[5]
The essential history of Grass Valley mining belongs to the North Star, Empire and Idaho-Maryland mines, for continuous production over a span of years. From 1868 until 1900, the Idaho-Maryland mine was the most productive in the district. From 1900 until 1925, the North Star and the Empire produced the most gold in the county. In 1932, the Empire and North Star were physically connected at the 4600-foot level and 5300-foot level.[6]
Grass Valley has theEmpire Mine andNorth Star Mine, two of California's richest mines. George Starr, manager of the Empire Mine, andWilliam Bowers Bourn II, the owner, donated mine property which became Memorial Park.[7]: 42 Wiliam Bourn Jr. had taken over management of the Empire Mine in 1878 after his father's death, replacing water power with steam. In 1884, Bourn purchased and rejuvenated the North Star mine. The Idaho and Maryland mines were consolidated by Samuel P. Dorsey in 1893. In 1925, Errol MacBoyle acquired the Idaho-Maryland. By 1938, the Idaho-Maryland was the second largest gold producer in the country. However, gold mining operations in the area ended duringWWII, due toWar Production Board Limitation Order 208. After the war, renewed operations were attempted, but according to Gage McKinney, "by the mid-1950s mining was no longer profitable in what had been the richest gold mining district in California."[8][9][10][11]
Many of those who came to settle in Grass Valley were tin miners fromCornwall, United Kingdom. Most arrived between 1860 and 1895, composing three quarters of Grass Valley's population.[12]
After the Civil War ended and news of death of President Lincoln many in the town rejoiced. When these acts of celebration were heard by1st Battalion of Native Cavalry they sent out a detachment of 25 men. Commanded bySecond Lieutenant M. E. Jimenez, the detachment rode into town and got into a skirmish with 10 locals. Two troopers were wounded in the action. The soldiers arrested all 10 of the rebels and took them toCamp Low.[13]
Grass Valley still holds on to itsCornish heritage, with events such as its annual Cornish Christmas andSt. Piran's Day celebrations.[14]Cornish pasties are a local favorite dish with a few restaurants in town specializing in recipes handed down from the original immigrant generation. Grass Valley is also twinned withBodmin inCornwall (UK).
There was formerly a (short-lived)Roman Catholic Diocese of Grass Valley[15] in 1868–1884, later relocated inSacramento (and now atitular see).
The Grass ValleyKmart store, opened in 1981, was the last remaining location in California at the time that it closed in 2021. It is now aTarget department store.[16][17]
Grass Valley is located at39°13′9″N121°3′30″W / 39.21917°N 121.05833°W /39.21917; -121.05833 (39.219215, -121.058414).[18] According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 4.7 square miles (12 km2), all of it land.
A variety ofigneous andmetamorphic rock supports Grass Valley.Granitic rock such asquartz diorite underlies the downtown core and extends south along Highway 49. Metavolcanic rock anddiabase underlie areas around the granitic zone. Neighborhoods around Nevada County Golf Course and Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital are underlain byultramafic rock[19] which supports infertile soils of theDubakella series. Here the vegetation is sparse considering the high average annual precipitation, with much grassland, and forested areas are often dominated by several species of oaks and the crooked, thin-crownedgray pine.[20] Luxuriant forest dominated by straight, denseponderosa pine inhabits the more fertile soils, which include Musick series on granitic rock and Sites series on mafic or metamorphic rock.[21][22]
Grass Valley has ahot-summer Mediterranean climate (Köppen Csa) with warm to hot, dry summers and wet, cool, rainy winters. Summer is very dry, but thunderstorms may occur. Rainfall averages over 50 inches (1,300 mm) per year, in extreme contrast with the semi-arid valley below, which average as low as 12 inches (300 mm) in some parts. The high rainfall also gives the area green vegetation typical of an oceanic climate. This contributes to a heavy fuel-loading of brush and grass, which dry out during the near-rainless summer, posing a wildfire hazard.
Winters are cool but rarely cold. There are at least one or more snow events per year, often in the late winter. Frequent and large disruptive winter storms occur some years, while other years may have little to no snow. Less marine influence means that snow tends to occur more irregularly than some communities at similar elevation nearby to the south, such asPollock Pines.
Over the course of a year, 36.4 days of 90 °F (32 °C) or hotter and 0.9 days of 100 °F (38 °C) or hotter occur, with 61.4 days with minimum of 32 °F (0 °C) or colder.[23]
| Climate data for Grass Valley, California, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1966–present | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 77 (25) | 81 (27) | 82 (28) | 88 (31) | 99 (37) | 102 (39) | 108 (42) | 108 (42) | 108 (42) | 97 (36) | 87 (31) | 80 (27) | 108 (42) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 67.0 (19.4) | 69.1 (20.6) | 72.6 (22.6) | 79.0 (26.1) | 85.8 (29.9) | 93.9 (34.4) | 97.8 (36.6) | 96.9 (36.1) | 93.9 (34.4) | 85.9 (29.9) | 75.3 (24.1) | 66.3 (19.1) | 99.8 (37.7) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 53.6 (12.0) | 54.9 (12.7) | 57.9 (14.4) | 62.7 (17.1) | 70.8 (21.6) | 80.2 (26.8) | 88.0 (31.1) | 87.4 (30.8) | 82.3 (27.9) | 72.1 (22.3) | 59.8 (15.4) | 52.6 (11.4) | 68.5 (20.3) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 43.4 (6.3) | 44.5 (6.9) | 47.5 (8.6) | 51.3 (10.7) | 58.8 (14.9) | 66.4 (19.1) | 73.1 (22.8) | 72.1 (22.3) | 67.2 (19.6) | 58.2 (14.6) | 48.4 (9.1) | 42.6 (5.9) | 56.1 (13.4) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 33.1 (0.6) | 34.2 (1.2) | 37.0 (2.8) | 40.0 (4.4) | 46.8 (8.2) | 52.6 (11.4) | 58.2 (14.6) | 56.8 (13.8) | 52.1 (11.2) | 44.2 (6.8) | 37.1 (2.8) | 32.6 (0.3) | 43.7 (6.5) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | 24.4 (−4.2) | 26.0 (−3.3) | 28.1 (−2.2) | 30.4 (−0.9) | 36.9 (2.7) | 43.3 (6.3) | 50.8 (10.4) | 50.3 (10.2) | 43.7 (6.5) | 34.9 (1.6) | 28.0 (−2.2) | 23.7 (−4.6) | 21.7 (−5.7) |
| Record low °F (°C) | 15 (−9) | 9 (−13) | 19 (−7) | 26 (−3) | 27 (−3) | 36 (2) | 40 (4) | 41 (5) | 35 (2) | 27 (−3) | 19 (−7) | 3 (−16) | 3 (−16) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 9.30 (236) | 8.98 (228) | 8.16 (207) | 4.43 (113) | 2.48 (63) | 0.74 (19) | 0.00 (0.00) | 0.11 (2.8) | 0.44 (11) | 2.56 (65) | 5.52 (140) | 10.48 (266) | 53.20 (1,351) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 0.7 (1.8) | 3.0 (7.6) | 3.0 (7.6) | 0.5 (1.3) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.2 (0.51) | 1.2 (3.0) | 8.6 (21.81) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.01 in) | 12.8 | 11.7 | 12.2 | 8.5 | 5.9 | 2.7 | 0.2 | 0.8 | 1.6 | 4.4 | 8.4 | 12.3 | 81.5 |
| Average snowy days(≥ 0.1 in) | 0.3 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 3.0 |
| Source 1: NOAA[23] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: National Weather Service[24] | |||||||||||||
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1900 | 4,719 | — | |
| 1910 | 4,520 | −4.2% | |
| 1920 | 4,006 | −11.4% | |
| 1930 | 3,817 | −4.7% | |
| 1940 | 5,701 | 49.4% | |
| 1950 | 5,283 | −7.3% | |
| 1960 | 4,876 | −7.7% | |
| 1970 | 5,149 | 5.6% | |
| 1980 | 6,697 | 30.1% | |
| 1990 | 9,048 | 35.1% | |
| 2000 | 10,922 | 20.7% | |
| 2010 | 12,860 | 17.7% | |
| 2020 | 14,016 | 9.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[25] | |||
The2020 United States census reported that Grass Valley had a population of 14,016. The population density was 2,670.2 inhabitants per square mile (1,031.0/km2). The racial makeup of Grass Valley was 80.7%White, 0.6%African American, 1.4%Native American, 1.7%Asian, 0.1%Pacific Islander, 4.6% fromother races, and 10.9% from two or more races.Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.3% of the population.[26]
The census reported that 91.7% of the population lived in households, 2.4% lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 5.9% were institutionalized.[26]
There were 6,301 households, out of which 23.2% included children under the age of 18, 26.7% were married-couple households, 8.1% werecohabiting couple households, 43.7% had a female householder with no partner present, and 21.4% had a male householder with no partner present. 42.6% of households were one person, and 25.5% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.04.[26] There were 3,056families (48.5% of all households).[27]
The age distribution was 17.6% under the age of 18, 6.7% aged 18 to 24, 23.6% aged 25 to 44, 21.6% aged 45 to 64, and 30.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 81.2 males.[26]
There were 6,716 housing units at an average density of 1,279.5 units per square mile (494.0 units/km2), of which 6,301 (93.8%) were occupied. Of these, 41.3% were owner-occupied, and 58.7% were occupied by renters.[26]
In 2023, the US Census Bureau estimated that 8.3% of the population were foreign-born. Of all people aged 5 or older, 88.0% spoke only English at home, 5.0% spokeSpanish, 1.7% spoke otherIndo-European languages, 2.2% spoke Asian or Pacific Islander languages, and 3.0% spoke other languages. Of those aged 25 or older, 92.2% were high school graduates and 32.0% had a bachelor's degree.[28]
The median household income in 2023 was $48,850, and theper capita income was $34,832. About 19.4% of families and 20.7% of the population were below the poverty line.[29]
The2010 United States census[30] reported that Grass Valley had a population of 12,860. The population density was 2,711.3 inhabitants per square mile (1,046.8/km2). Theracial makeup of Grass Valley was 11,493 (89.4%) White, 208 (1.6%) Native American, 188 (1.5%) Asian, 46 (0.4%) African American, 9 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 419 (3.3%) from other races, and 497 (3.9%) from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 1,341 persons (10.4%).
The census reported that 12,401 people (96.4% of the population) lived in households, 118 (0.9%) lived in noninstitutionalized group quarters, and 341 (2.7%) were institutionalized.
Of the 6,077 households, 1,544 (25.4%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 1,665 (27.4%) wereopposite-sex married couples living together, 980 (16.1%) had a female householder with no husband present, and 316 (5.2%) had a male householder with no wife present, 466 (7.7%) wereunmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 33 (0.5%) weresame-sex married couples or partnerships. About 2,605 households (42.9%) were made up of individuals, and 1,415 (23.3%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.04. The 2,961families (48.7% of all households) had an average family size of 2.78.
The population was distributed as 2,625 people (20.4%) under the age of 18, 1,146 people (8.9%) aged 18 to 24, 2,882 people (22.4%) aged 25 to 44, 3,183 people (24.8%) aged 45 to 64, and 3,024 people (23.5%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 78.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 73.5 males.
The 6,637 housing units averaged 1,399.3 per square mile (540.3/km2), of which 2,391 (39.3%) were owner-occupied, and 3,686 (60.7%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 4.0%; the rental vacancy rate was 6.7%; 4,663 people (36.3% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 7,738 people (60.2%) lived in rental housing units.
The combined communities of Grass Valley and Nevada City have a fairly diversified economy. The Gold Rush days left a historical legacy and tourism and the relatedservices sector constitute the bulk of the local economy.[31] Nevada County is sometimes thought of as abedroom community for families, with significant numbers of retirees. Those of working age often commute toSacramento Valley cities to work, especially to job centers in Roseville, Yuba City, and Sacramento; and sometimes as far as theBay Area. These commutes are quite long, resulting in many residents becomingsuper commuters. Many of those who do not commute to the Sacramento Valley work locally in retail, wholesale, trade, engineering, manufacturing, construction, and other businesses, as well in local and state government. A significant number of high-tech electronics companies are in the area.[citation needed]
Another significant sector of the local economy is agriculture, as the soil in Nevada County is quite fertile. Around the time of theGold Rush, farmers planted orchards, vegetables, and other produce as ranchers brought in cattle, sheep, and other livestock. While the proportion of land dedicated to agriculture has significantly decreased over the last few decades, agriculture continues to be an important aspect of the local economy, including organic agricultural products. Nevada County has also become known for its growing wine industry.[31]
Major employers in Grass Valley includeNevada Union High School,Nevada Irrigation District,Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital, Golden Empire Nursing and Rehab Center, AJA Video Systems, Inc. and Briar Patch Food Co-op.[32]
TheGrass Valley Group is a media technologyresearch and development company founded in the city in 1959.[33]
Grass Valley has been a charter city since it wasincorporated in 1893. It uses a council-manager form of government.[34]
In theCalifornia State Legislature, Grass Valley is inthe 1st senatorial district, represented byRepublican Megan Dahle,[35] andthe 1st Assembly district, represented byRepublican Heather Hadwick.[36]
In theUnited States House of Representatives, Grass Valley is inCalifornia's 3rd congressional district, represented byRepublican Kevin Kiley.[37]
The majority of Grass Valley is within theGrass Valley Elementary School District while small portions are within theNevada City Elementary School District. All of it is in theNevada Joint Union High School District.[38]
Schools of the Grass Valley elementary district:
The Nevada elementary district has two schools: Deer Creek Elementary School and Seven Hills Intermediate School.[39]
The high school district operates:
Other area schools[citation needed]
Grass Valley is at the intersection ofState Route 49 andState Route 20. Public transportation is served by the Gold Country Stage[1] and limited to the urban areas.
Wallace Stegner'sAngle of Repose features Grass Valley.
John Steinbeck’s ‘East of Eden’’ also mentions Grass Valley
Grass Valley has two sister cities:[40]
Bodmin, Cornwall, United Kingdom
Limana, Italy
Places adjacent to Grass Valley, California | |
|---|---|
Municipalities and communities ofNevada County, California,United States | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cities and towns |  | |
| CDPs | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Ghost towns |
| |
| Footnotes | ‡This CDP also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
| Mountains |
| |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passes | ||||||||||||
| Rivers | ||||||||||||
| Lakes | ||||||||||||
| Protected areas |
| |||||||||||
| Communities | ||||||||||||
| Ski areas | ||||||||||||
| Trails | ||||||||||||
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Geographic | |
| Other | |
