Country United States County Kern FIPS code 06-59668 Elevation 1,068 m Population 69 (1 Apr 2010) Area code Area codes 442 and 760 | State California Time zone Pacific (UTC-8) GNIS feature ID 1661284 Area 5.037 km² Zip code 93554 | |
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Randsburg (formerly, Rand Camp) is a census-designated place (CDP) in Kern County, California, United States. Randsburg is located 17 miles (27 km) south of Ridgecrest, at an elevation of 3,504 feet (1,068 m). The population was 69 at the 2010 census, down from 77 at the 2000 census.
Contents
Map of Randsburg, CA, USA
Geography
Randsburg is located at 35°22′07″N 117°39′29″W. It is on the west side of U.S. Route 395 between Kramer Junction to the south and Ridgecrest to the north. Randsburg is in the Rand Mountains, and is separated by a ridge from the neighboring community of Johannesburg.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 1.945 square miles (5.038 km2), over 99% of it land.
History
Gold was discovered at Rand Mine near the site in 1895 and a mining camp quickly formed, and was named Rand Camp, both mine and camp were named after the gold mining region in South Africa. The first post office at Randsburg opened in 1896.
Tourism
This living ghost town has an influx of tourism throughout the year. The most visitors arrive between Fall and Spring due to the extreme heat of the summer. The season kicks off with the annual Western Days Celebration the third weekend of September. Events such as gun fights, panning for gold..live bands...dancing girls..food and vendors bring the town to life. During Thanksgiving, as well as New Year's Day weekend, the town is flooded by off road enthusiast, most ride into town on motorcycles and other off-road vehicles. The main drag is a legal trail. Many, including tourists frequent the General Store/ice cream parlor. Famous for their 1904 soda fountain and "Black Bart" banana split.Other attractions include the White House Saloon, The White Butterfly Giftshop, A Hotel gift shop,The Rand Desert Museum, The turn of the century Haunted Barbershop, Yohos unusual gifts and candies, Fasigs Antiques..The always open Jailhouse, and many unusual historical buildings. There are Artists and galleries. Truly a unique spot, boasting 38 year round residents. Echoes of the past California Gold Rush.Photographers dream. Best time to visit: Saturday and Sunday. Weekdays many are closed.
2010
The 2010 United States Census reported that Randsburg had a population of 69. The population density was 35.5 people per square mile (13.7/km²). The racial makeup of Randsburg was 62 (89%) White, 0 African American, 4 (6%) Native American, 2 (3%) Asian, 0 Pacific Islander, 0 from other races, and 1 (1%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2 persons (3%).
The Census reported that 69 people (100% of the population) lived in households, 0 lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 were institutionalized.
There were 42 households, out of which 1 (2%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 13 (31%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 4 (10%) had a female householder with no husband present, 0 had a male householder with no wife present. There were 5 (12%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 3 (7%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 17 households (41%) were made up of individuals and 6 (14%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.6. There were 17 families (41% of all households); the average family size was 2.1.
The population was spread out with 2 people (3%) under the age of 18, 2 people (3%) aged 18 to 24, 5 people (7%) aged 25 to 44, 37 people (54%) aged 45 to 64, and 23 people (33%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 59.1 years. For every 100 females there were 68.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 67.5 males.
There were 97 housing units at an average density of 49.9 per square mile (19.3/km²), of which 39 (93%) were owner-occupied, and 3 (7%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2%; the rental vacancy rate was 50%. 64 people (93% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 5 people (7%) lived in rental housing units.
2000
As of the census of 2000, there were 77 people, 49 households, and 22 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 39.1 people per square mile (15.1/km²). There were 109 housing units at an average density of 55.4 per square mile (21.4/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 86% White, 5% Native American, 4% from other races, and 5% from two or more races. 5% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 49 households out of which 4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43% were married couples living together, and 53% were non-families. 49% of all households were made up of individuals and 25% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.6 and the average family size was 2.1.
In the CDP, the population was spread out with 4% under the age of 18, 3% from 18 to 24, 16% from 25 to 44, 48% from 45 to 64, and 30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 57 years. For every 100 females there were 92.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.7 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $48,000, and the median income for a family was $49,875. Males had a median income of $53,750 versus $21,250 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $23,602. None of the population and none of the families were below the poverty line.
Film and video
South of Suez, starring George Brent and released in November 1940, was filmed in Randsburg.
The video for Calvin Harris's platinum single, Feel So Close, was filmed in part in Randsburg. Dwight Yoakam's 1989 video for "Long White Cadillac" was also filmed in the town.
Episode 12 of the Creature Hub's 2014 series Road Trip to E3 featured the cast driving through the town of Randsburg while filming half of the event.