Madera County, California

Madera County is a county located in the U.S. state of California. The administrative headquarters ( County Seat) is Madera.

Geography

Madera County is located in the Central Valley north of Fresno County, and thus in the geographic center of the state. The southern part of Yosemite National Park is located in the northeast of the county.

History

Madera County was formed in 1893 from parts of Fresno County.

Madera in Spanish means wood. The name of the county goes back to the city of Madera, which represented a center of local forestry end of the 19th century.

Demographic data

According to the census of 2000, there were 123 109 people in Madera County. There were 36 155 households, and 28,598 families. The population density was 22 people per square kilometer. The racial the population was composed of 62.23 % White, 4.12 % African American, 2.61 % Native American, 1.27 % Asian, 0.17 % Pacific Islander residents from the and 24.35% from other races groups; 5.25% were descended from two or more races. 44.28 % of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 36 155 households out of which 40.20% have children under the age of 18 living with them. 60.90 % were married couples living together, 12.20% had a female householder with no husband. 20.90% were non-families. 16.50% of all households and 7.70 % had someone living alone at the age of 65 years or older. The average household size was 3.18 and the average family size was 3.52 persons.

Based on the county the population was spread out with 29.60 % under the age of 18, 9.90 % from 18 to 24, 29.10% from 25 to 44 years, 20.40% between 45 and 64 years and 11.00% were 65 years old or older. The average age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 91.80 males, 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.00 males.

The median income for a household was $ 36,286, and the median income for a family was $ 39,226. Males had a median income of $ 33,658, women $ 24,415. The per capita income was $ 14,682. 21.40% percent of the population and 15.90% of families are below the poverty line. 28.60% of those under age 18 and 9.00% were 65 years or older.

Cities and towns

• Ranchos - Madera Ranchos Bonadelle
• Chowchilla
• Madera

• Madera Acres
• Oakhurst
• Parksdale

• Parkwood
• Yosemite Lakes