Madera, California

Geography

Madera is located at 36°57′41″N 120°03′39″W. The geographic center of California is 38 mi (61 km) east of Madera. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 15.8 square miles (41 km²), all land.

Madera is the location of the Madera AVA wine region.

Climate

Madera has a hot semi-arid climate. Average January temperatures are a maximum of 53.9 °F (12.2 °C) and a minimum of 35.9 °F (2.2 °C). Average July temperatures are a maximum of 98.3 °F (36.8 °C) and a minimum of 61.4 °F (16.3 °C). Annually, there are an average of 105.2 days with highs of 90 °F (32 °C) or higher and an average of 30.8 days with lows of 32 °F (0 °C) or lower. The record high temperature was 116 °F (47 °C) on July 13, 1961. The record low temperature was 15 °F (−9 °C) on January 10, 1949.

Average annual rainfall is 10.97 inches (279 mm) and there are an average of 43 days with measurable precipitation. The wettest year was 1983 with 22.13 inches (562 mm) and the driest year was 1932 with 4.73 inches (120 mm). The most rainfall in one month was 7.11 inches (181 mm) in March 1991. The most rainfall in 24 hours was 2.60 inches (66 mm) on May 6, 2005. Although snow is rare, 4.0 inches (100 mm) fell in January 1962.

History

The town was named after the Spanish term for lumber. The town was laid out by the California Lumber Company in 1876. From 1876 to 1931 a 63-mile water flume carried lumber from the mountains to Madera where the lumber was shipped by train.

The first post office at Madera opened in 1877 and the town incorporated on March 27, 1907. One of the city's first African Americans to hold an elected office was Rev. Naaman N. Haynes, who was voted in as school board trustee in the 1960s.

Landmarks include the notable and historic Madera water tower and a fully operational drive-in movie theater.

Notable people

Noteworthy persons born or raised in Madera include:

Higher educational sites

School districts

Transportation

Within the city of Madera, State Route 99 carries traffic in a generally northwest / southeast orientation. East of the city, State Route 41 can be accessed via either eastbound county roads, or via State Route 145, the latter of which turns from a northeast / southwest bearing to a directly south orientation within the city. The eastern terminus of State Route 152 is located 10 miles (16 km) to the north of the city, on State Route 99.

Near Madera is Madera station (Amtrak). A California High-Speed Rail stop is also planned.

2010

The 2010 United States Census reported that Madera had a population of 61,416. The population density was 3,889.7 people per square mile (1,501.8/km²). The racial makeup of Madera was 30,640 (49.9%) White, 2,069 (3.4%) African American, 1,933 (3.1%) Native American, 1,369 (2.2%) Asian, 72 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 22,603 (36.8%) from other races, and 2,730 (4.4%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race accounted for 47,103 people (76.7% of the population).

The Census reported that 60,825 people (99.0% of the population) lived in households, 418 (0.7%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 173 (0.3%) were institutionalized.

There were 15,938 households, out of which 9,003 (56.5%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 8,521 (53.5%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 2,917 (18.3%) had a female householder with no husband present, 1,450 (9.1%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 1,323 (8.3%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 97 (0.6%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 2,374 households (14.9%) were made up of individuals and 1,077 (6.8%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.82. There were 12,888 families (80.9% of all households); the average family size was 4.09.

The population was spread out with 21,338 people (34.7%) under the age of 18, 7,732 people (12.6%) aged 18 to 24, 17,287 people (28.1%) aged 25 to 44, 10,407 people (16.9%) aged 45 to 64, and 4,652 people (7.6%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 26.6 years. For every 100 females there were 104.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.3 males.

There were 17,049 housing units at an average density of 1,079.8 per square mile (416.9/km²), of which 8,096 (50.8%) were owner-occupied, and 7,842 (49.2%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.5%; the rental vacancy rate was 5.1%. 28,785 people (46.9% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 32,040 people (52.2%) lived in rental housing units.

2000

As of the census of 2000, there were 43,207 people, 11,978 households, and 9,438 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,515.3 people per square mile (1,357.4/km²). There were 12,521 housing units at an average density of 1,018.7 per square mile (393.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 48.2% White, 3.9% African American, 2.8% Native American, 1.4% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 38.0% from other races, and 5.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 67.8% of the population.

There were 11,978 households out of which 48.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.7% were married couples living together, 17.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.2% were non-families. 16.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.57 and the average family size was 3.90.

In the city, the population was spread out with 35.4% under the age of 18, 12.5% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 14.9% from 45 to 64, and 8.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 26 years. For every 100 females there were 102.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,033, and the median income for a family was $31,927. Males had a median income of $29,776 versus $23,210 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,674. About 25.6% of families and 32.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 40.0% of those under age 18 and 12.7% of those age 65 or over.

Government

In the California State Legislature, Madera is in the 12th Senate District, represented by Republican Anthony Cannella, and in the 5th Assembly District, represented by Republican Frank Bigelow.

In the United States House of Representatives, Madera is in California's 16th congressional district, represented by Democrat Jim Costa.