City of Susanville | |
|---|---|
 Historic Uptown Susanville | |
| Nickname: The Hub of Northeastern California | |
 Location inLassen County and the state ofCalifornia | |
  Susanville Location within California Show map of California Susanville Location within the United States Show map of the United States | |
| Coordinates:40°24′59″N120°39′11″W / 40.41639°N 120.65306°W /40.41639; -120.65306 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Lassen |
| Incorporated | August 24, 1900[1] |
| Named after | Susan Roop |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Mendy Schuster[2] |
| Area | |
• Total | 8.00 sq mi (20.73 km2) |
| • Land | 7.92 sq mi (20.51 km2) |
| • Water | 0.085 sq mi (0.22 km2) 1.06% |
| Elevation | 4,186 ft (1,276 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 16,728 |
| • Density | 2,105.2/sq mi (812.83/km2) |
| Demonym | Susanvillain |
| Time zone | UTC-08:00 (PST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-07:00 (PDT) |
| ZIP codes | 96127, 96130 |
| Area codes | 530, 837 |
| FIPS code | 06-77364 |
| GNIS feature IDs | 277619,2412017 |
| Website | cityofsusanville |
Susanville (formerly known asRooptown) (Northeast Maidu:Pam Sewim K'odom,bush creek country)[5] is the only incorporated city inLassen County, California, United States,[4] of which it is also thecounty seat. Susanville is located on theSusan River in the southern part of the county,[6] at an elevation of 4,186 feet (1,276 m).[4] Its population is 16,728 as of the2020 census, down from 17,947 from the 2010 census. The Susanville urban area contains 8,995 people and 4,233 households.
Susanville, a former logging and mining town, is the site of theHigh Desert State Prison, California (not to be confused withHigh Desert State Prison, Nevada), which opened in 1995. TheFederal Correctional Institution, Herlong is nearby, having opened in 2001.
The prisons and their effects on the community, including the addition of local jobs, were explored in the documentaryPrison Town, USA (2007), aired on PBS.[7][8] Nearly half the adult population of Susanville works at the three prisons in the area, where 6,000 people are incarcerated.[9]
It was originally known as Rooptown, named forIsaac Roop, a pioneer of the Honey Lake District.[4] Roop later renamed the town Susanville in honor of his daughter in 1857.[10]
The Susanville US post office was established in 1860.[6] Early in its history, Susanville was a hub for overland freight transit, as it marked the meeting point ofNobles Emigrant Trail fromNevada and theHumboldt Wagon Road leading west toChico.[11] Susanville was incorporated in 1900.[6]
Formerly the center of farming, mining and the lumber industry, Susanville suffered from the loss of jobs as these industries changed or declined in the 20th century. Since the late 20th century, the only area of growth in the economy has been associated with the construction and operation of two state prisons in the city and one federal prison in the area. In 2007, half of the adult population of Susanville worked in the prisons:[9] theCalifornia Correctional Center, a minimum-medium security facility, which opened in 1963; theHigh Desert State Prison, California (not to be confused withHigh Desert State Prison, Nevada), which opened in 1995; and theFederal Correctional Institution, Herlong, which opened in 2007.
Susanville is located at the head ofHoney Lake Valley, 40 miles (64 km) east ofLassen Peak,[10] The elevation is approximately 4,186 feet (1,276 m) above sea level.[4] It is considered a gateway city toReno onU.S. Route 395.
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.02 square miles (20.7 km2), of which 7.94 square miles (20.51 km2) or 98.94% is land and 0.08 square miles (0.22 km2) or 1.06% is water.[3]
Susanville is underlain byigneous rock, which provides the parent material for its well-drained brown stony to gravelly sandy loams or loams. On the western outskirts under forest cover, the soils are often reddish brown. The most common soil series in Susanville's urban area is Springmeyer gravelly fine sandy loam.[12]
Susanville has a coldsemi-arid climate (Bsk according toKöppen climate classification) with cool winters and hot, mostly dry summers, except for occasional afternoon thunderstorms. Records have been kept at several stations since 1895, including Susanville Airport and Susanville 2 SW, southwest of the town center. There are two other area stations with shorter records.
Temperatures reach 90 °F (32 °C) or higher on an average of 30.8 days annually, and drop to 32 °F (0 °C) or lower on an average of 148.7 days annually.[13] Freezing temperatures have been recorded in every month of the year, and summer nighttime temperatures are usually cool, but extreme cold is rare. The highest recorded temperature in Susanville was 106 °F (41 °C) on July 25, 1928, and July 19–20, 1931, and the lowest recorded temperature was −23 °F (−31 °C) on February 1, 1956.[14]
Annual precipitation averages 13.02 inches (331 mm), with an average of 38.7 days with measurable precipitation.[13] The wettest calendar year has been 1907 with 33.51 inches (851.2 mm) and the driest 1976 with 5.33 inches (135.4 mm), though the wettestrain year was from July 1937 to June 1938 with 33.01 inches (838.5 mm) as against 32.42 inches (823.5 mm) between July 1906 and June 1907 and 4.36 inches (110.7 mm) in the driest rain year from July 1975 to June 1976. The most precipitation in one month was 12.30 inches (312.4 mm) in March 1907, and the most in 24 hours 5.04 inches (128.0 mm) on January 31, 1897.[14] The most snowfall in one year was 114 inches (289.6 cm) in 1937, with the most in one month being 65.5 inches (166 cm) in January 1895.
| Climate data for Susanville, California, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1895–present | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 68 (20) | 69 (21) | 81 (27) | 90 (32) | 96 (36) | 102 (39) | 106 (41) | 105 (41) | 101 (38) | 90 (32) | 83 (28) | 65 (18) | 106 (41) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 54.4 (12.4) | 59.6 (15.3) | 69.4 (20.8) | 76.9 (24.9) | 85.1 (29.5) | 92.2 (33.4) | 96.8 (36.0) | 95.2 (35.1) | 90.4 (32.4) | 79.9 (26.6) | 67.7 (19.8) | 55.6 (13.1) | 97.8 (36.6) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 42.7 (5.9) | 47.6 (8.7) | 54.2 (12.3) | 60.5 (15.8) | 69.3 (20.7) | 78.9 (26.1) | 88.0 (31.1) | 86.6 (30.3) | 80.0 (26.7) | 67.0 (19.4) | 51.9 (11.1) | 42.6 (5.9) | 64.1 (17.8) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 32.5 (0.3) | 36.6 (2.6) | 41.9 (5.5) | 47.1 (8.4) | 54.8 (12.7) | 62.9 (17.2) | 70.6 (21.4) | 69.3 (20.7) | 62.7 (17.1) | 51.5 (10.8) | 40.0 (4.4) | 32.4 (0.2) | 50.2 (10.1) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 22.3 (−5.4) | 25.6 (−3.6) | 29.6 (−1.3) | 33.8 (1.0) | 40.2 (4.6) | 47.0 (8.3) | 53.1 (11.7) | 52.0 (11.1) | 45.3 (7.4) | 35.9 (2.2) | 28.1 (−2.2) | 22.3 (−5.4) | 36.3 (2.4) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | 9.0 (−12.8) | 11.5 (−11.4) | 16.8 (−8.4) | 22.4 (−5.3) | 28.7 (−1.8) | 34.3 (1.3) | 43.5 (6.4) | 42.4 (5.8) | 32.5 (0.3) | 23.6 (−4.7) | 14.5 (−9.7) | 8.1 (−13.3) | 4.4 (−15.3) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −22 (−30) | −23 (−31) | −4 (−20) | 10 (−12) | 20 (−7) | 25 (−4) | 30 (−1) | 31 (−1) | 18 (−8) | 12 (−11) | −1 (−18) | −22 (−30) | −23 (−31) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 2.44 (62) | 2.31 (59) | 1.67 (42) | 0.49 (12) | 0.82 (21) | 0.37 (9.4) | 0.21 (5.3) | 0.11 (2.8) | 0.24 (6.1) | 0.97 (25) | 1.49 (38) | 1.90 (48) | 13.02 (330.6) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 4.1 (10) | 3.6 (9.1) | 0.7 (1.8) | 0.4 (1.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.6 (1.5) | 2.1 (5.3) | 11.5 (28.7) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.01 in) | 5.8 | 4.9 | 4.6 | 3.9 | 3.4 | 2.0 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 2.1 | 3.9 | 5.7 | 38.7 |
| Average snowy days(≥ 0.1 in) | 1.5 | 1.5 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 1.2 | 5.3 |
| Source 1: NOAA[13] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: National Weather Service[14] | |||||||||||||
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1890 | 882 | — | |
| 1910 | 688 | — | |
| 1920 | 918 | 33.4% | |
| 1930 | 1,358 | 47.9% | |
| 1940 | 1,575 | 16.0% | |
| 1950 | 5,338 | 238.9% | |
| 1960 | 5,598 | 4.9% | |
| 1970 | 6,608 | 18.0% | |
| 1980 | 6,520 | −1.3% | |
| 1990 | 7,279 | 11.6% | |
| 2000 | 13,541 | 86.0% | |
| 2010 | 17,947 | 32.5% | |
| 2020 | 16,728 | −6.8% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 12,359 | [15] | −26.1% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[16] | |||
The2020 United States census reported that Susanville had a population of 16,728. The population density was 2,112.7 inhabitants per square mile (815.7/km2). The racial makeup of Susanville was 49.3%White, 11.6%African American, 3.2%Native American, 1.9%Asian, 1.5%Pacific Islander, 25.5% fromother races, and 6.9% from two or more races.Hispanic or Latino of any race were 31.7% of the population.[17]
The census reported that 54.4% of the population lived in households, 0.2% lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 45.4% were institutionalized.[17]
There were 3,841 households, out of which 32.9% included children under the age of 18, 38.0% were married-couple households, 9.6% werecohabiting couple households, 29.6% had a female householder with no partner present, and 22.8% had a male householder with no partner present. 33.0% of households were one person, and 13.0% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.37.[17] There were 2,281families (59.4% of all households).[18]
The age distribution was 14.0% under the age of 18, 10.9% aged 18 to 24, 47.0% aged 25 to 44, 19.7% aged 45 to 64, and 8.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33.7 years. For every 100 females, there were 250.5 males.[17]
There were 4,277 housing units at an average density of 540.2 units per square mile (208.6 units/km2), of which 3,841 (89.8%) were occupied. Of these, 50.1% were owner-occupied, and 49.9% were occupied by renters.[17]
The median household income in 2023 was $57,607, and theper capita income was $20,764. About 12.9% of families and 16.9% of the population were below the poverty line.[19]
At the2010 census Susanville had a population of 17,947. The population density was 2,238.7 inhabitants per square mile (864.4/km2). The racial makeup of Susanville was 11,269 (62.8%) White, 2,249 (12.5%) African American, 212 (1.2%) Native American, 198 (1.1%) Asian, 111 (0.6%) Pacific Islander, 2,928 (16.3%) from other races, and 580 (3.2%) from two or more races. There were 4,259 people (23.7%) of Hispanic or Latino ancestry.[20]
The census reported that 9,439 people (52.6% of the population) lived in households, 108 (0.6%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 8,400 (46.8%) were institutionalized.
There were 3,833 households, 1,357 (35.4%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 1,645 (42.9%) wereopposite-sex married couples living together, 499 (13.0%) had a female householder with no husband present, 233 (6.1%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 327 (8.5%)unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 16 (0.4%)same-sex married couples or partnerships. 1,161 households (30.3%) were one person and 405 (10.6%) had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.46. There were 2,377 families (62.0% of households); the average family size was 3.05.
The age distribution was 2,559 people (14.3%) under the age of 18, 2,547 people (14.2%) aged 18 to 24, 7,633 people (42.5%) aged 25 to 44, 4,024 people (22.4%) aged 45 to 64, and 1,184 people (6.6%) who were 65 or older. The median age was 33.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 273.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 327.3 males.
The current city council members are:[2]
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Mayor | Mendy Schuster |
| Mayor Pro Tem | Russ Brown |
| City Councilor | Patrick Parrish |
| City Councilor | Curtis Bortle |
| City Councilor | Dawn Miller |
This is a list of Susanville mayors by year.
In theCalifornia State Legislature, Susanville is inthe 1st senatorial district, represented byRepublican Megan Dahle,[23] andthe 1st Assembly district, represented byRepublican Heather Hadwick.[24]
In theUnited States House of Representatives, Susanville is inCalifornia's 1st congressional district, represented byRepublican Doug LaMalfa.[25]
Susanville lies at the junction ofCalifornia State Routes 36 and139. Highway 139 heads north to theOregon border as a direct route toKlamath Falls. Highway 36 runs west toRed Bluff, and east to where it terminates withU.S. Route 395 just outside Susanville's city limits. U.S. 395 connectsAlturas to the north andReno to the south.California State Route 44 has its eastern terminus a short distance west of town, at an intersection with Highway 36. It runs west toRedding.
Susanville Municipal Airport, 5 miles (8 km) southeast of Susanville, serves as a public,general aviation airport.Lassen Rural Bus, operated by the Lassen County Transportation Commission, provides bus service within the city.Sage Stage, operated by Modoc County, connectsAlturas, Susanville, andReno, Nevada, with connections to Redding, California and Klamath Falls, Oregon as well as connections to/fromReno International Airport.
TheQuincy Railroad stopped serving Susanville on the formerSouthern Pacific Railroad line in 2004. AUnion Pacific Railroadcaboose is on an intact section of track next to the rail depot.
OneCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation facility,High Desert State Prison,[27][28] is in Susanville.[29][30]
According to Susanville's 2014 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,[31] the top employers in the city are:
| # | Employer | # of Employees |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | High Desert State Prison | 1,250 |
| 2 | Lassen County | 441 |
| 3 | Susanville Indian Rancheria | 295 |
| 4 | Lassen College | 267 |
| 5 | Banner Lassen Medical Center | 197 |
| 6 | Diamond Mountain Casino | 179 |
| 7 | Walmart | 150 |
| 8 | Susanville School District | 101 |
| 9 | Lassen Nursing & Rehabilitation Center | 101 |
| 10 | Lassen Union High School District | 85 |
| 11 | Northeastern Rural Health | 81 |
| 12 | Safeway | 80 |
| 13 | City of Susanville | 62 |
| 14 | Susanville SupermarketIGA | 48 |
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