Well-Being Assessment of Communities in the Klamath Region

Results and Discussion

Variation in factors contributing to well-being by aggregation

The socioeconomic status and capacity of aggregations also vary considerably across the Klamath region and within each of the subregions. The color plates included with this report show socioeconomic status and community capacity by aggregation for each of the six subregions. The following discussion identifies some of the factors affecting socioeconomic status and well-being in each of the 130 aggregations across the region. Aggregation discussions are organized by subregion and are preceded by tables listing each aggregation along with the socioeconomic score, capacity rating, and population. Low socioeconomic scores highlight a range of societal needs within aggregations. Low capacity scores indicate a reduced ability of local communities to effectively address those needs and to self-develop.

Modoc Plateau Subregion

This upland area in the easternmost part of the Modoc Plateau subregion includes portions of four counties: the northeast corner of Shasta and Siskiyou, and all of Modoc and Klamath. Except for Klamath Falls, the population of this area is rural and dispersed. Agriculture and ranching are important in this subregion, although only in two aggregations does percentage of aggregate farm related self-employment income exceed 10 percent of total aggregate income. Klamath Falls is the third largest community in the Klamath region, and exceeds by 40,000 the next largest aggregation in the Modoc Plateau subregion of Alturas/ Calpine/Likely. Excluding Klamath Falls, the average aggregation size is 2,109. Local experts in both Modoc and Klamath Counties focused strongly on the idea of service centers, and hence were more inclined to lump block groups into aggregations rather than divide them. As a result, Alturas was combined with Calpine and Likely, and the Klamath Falls aggregation was delineated to include Keno and the entire southwest corner of Klamath County, to mention only a couple of the combined aggregations.

TABLE 7: Modoc Plateau subregion socioeconomic status and community capacity scores

Aggregation			Population		Socioeconomic Score (1 to 7)	Capacity Score (1 to 5)
Alturas/Calpine/Likely			5,156		4	3
Big Valley			787		4	2
Bonanza/Sprague River/Beatty/Bly			3,692		3	2
Burney			3,427		4	3
Butte Valley/Dorris			1,928		2	1
Canby			654		3	2
Cassel/Hat Creek/Old Station			897		4	4
Chiloquin/Fort Klamath			2,996		3	3
Davis Creek/New Pine Creek			447		5	2
Fall River Mills/McAuthur			2,108		4	3
Gilchrist/Crescent/Chemult			2,384		4	4
Johnson Park			887		4	1
Klamath Falls			45,158		4	5
Lake Britton/Glenburn			837		4	3
Merrill/Malin			3,472		4	3
Surprise Valley			1,410		4	4
Tulelake/Newell			2,674		2	1
Total/Average			78,914		3.6	2.7

Alturas/Calpine/Likely          — population: 5,156

These three different communities are lumped in one aggregation because Alturas is the service and business center of all three. Alturas is also Modoc County's seat, and has relatively good infrastructure that includes recently upgraded city sewer and water systems, a private electric utility, and a variety of businesses such as gas stations, grocery stores, schools, library and theater. Calpine is considered to be a retirement area, and Likely is a ranching community with few businesses and no local services. Thirty-nine percent of households in this aggregation receive social security income. Thirty percent of workers over 16 years of age are employed in government jobs, the third highest percentage in the subregion, and over half of government workers are employed by local government. Six percent of the work force, the highest for the subregion, is employed in the finance, insurance and real estate industry sector. Twenty-one percent of workers are employed in managerial and professional occupations. Only five percent of households have farm related self-employment income. Alturas is thought to have the highest percentage of single parents with children on AFDC, but only 24 percent of children who are less than 15 years old are in households with public assistance income, a percentage just slightly above the regional and subregional average, and the sixth highest level in the subregion. Thirteen percent of the population, somewhat below the subregional average, is in poverty. Seventy percent of female headed, single parent households with children under 17 years old have incomes below the poverty level, and 15 percent of male headed, single parent households have incomes below the poverty level. Residents work better within their communities than they do outside them with others. Alturas has organized groups to address community issues including The Modoc Collaborative, a diverse group of businesses, agencies, and community members that come together once a month to address children, family, and community issues, and the Modoc Family Resource Center that does what its name implies.

Big Valley          — 787

This area was historically based on ranching and timber, and a timber mill and some ranches remain active. The area is closely linked to Lassen County to the south, and 45 percent of workers travel out of Modoc county to work. Twenty-five percent of workers are employed in the manufacture of durable goods, and 17 percent are employed in the agriculture, forestry or fisheries sectors. The Ash Creek National Wildlife Refuge attracts some tourism to the area, but few services are offered. Thirty-six percent of the housing consists of trailers and mobile homes. Six percent of residents are Hispanic.

Bonanza/Sprague River/Beatty/Bly          — 3,692

This rural and isolated aggregation has infrastructure limitations associated with, among other things, water, sewer, and electrical supply. The area's medical services are also limited. Bonanza has some contaminated wells and lacks a public water system. Sprague River has problems with its existing water system, limited fire protection and limited access to health care and day care. Beatty has no water or sewer system, no fire department, and no schools. Trailer and mobile homes make up 44 percent of the housing in the aggregation, the highest percentage in the subregion. Eight percent of households lack complete plumbing facilities. The economy of the area is primarily agriculturally based. Thirty-four percent of workers are employed in the agriculture, forestry or fishery industry sectors, the third highest percentage of any aggregation. A total of 19 percent of households, the second highest level in the subregion, have farm related self-employment income, and 16 percent of total aggregate income for the area is from farming. Twenty-two percent of workers are employed in government jobs, half for local government. Unemployment is at 22 percent and poverty is at 21 percent, the second highest rates in the region. Nearly three-quarters of those in poverty have incomes that are less then 75 percent of the poverty line. These data from the 1990 census do not reflect the recent closure of the wood products mill in Bly. Community Action Teams have drawn residents together in several of the communities but polarization makes working together difficult. Still, there are some local project successes: Bonanza has new park equipment, Sprague River has a local park that is being run by a non-profit and the community, Bly is creating a wayside park/playground, and Beatty is developing a community park.

Burney          — 3,427

Burney is a relatively isolated community in Shasta County faced with a flat economy and limited job opportunities. Over half of the work force works in another county, and 38 percent of county workers work in another state. Employment within the work force is fairly diverse: one-fourth of workers are employed in technical, sales and administrative jobs, one-fifth in service occupations, and another fifth in operator, fabricator and labor occupations. At ten percent, Burney has one of the highest percentages of workers employed in the communications industry sector, and at three percent, one of the lowest percentages of workers employed in the agriculture, forestry and fisheries industry sectors in the subregion. The community has a low education score: 31 percent has a high school education, which is just under the average, but 27 percent has less than high school education. Another thirty percent has some college education but no college degree. With nine percent in poverty, the community has one of the lowest poverty levels in the subregion. The community has good schools and medical service, a continuity of leadership, and a core of optimistic workers devoted to community improvement. Most community efforts emphasize programs and services for children. There is a strong sense of identity in this community.

Butte Valley/Dorris          — 1,928

Butte Valley/Dorris is an agricultural area in Siskiyou County where residents have skills related to agriculture. Twenty-nine percent of workers, the sixth highest in the region, have farming, forestry or fisheries related occupations. Eleven percent of aggregate income, the second highest in the subregion, is from farming. Eighteen percent of the population, the third highest in the region, is Hispanic. Dorris is the only incorporated city in the area, and has two mills and a clinic (run by workers from Klamath Falls) but little other development. One-fifth of workers are employed in government jobs, and one-fourth all workers are self-employed, the highest self-employment rate in the subregion and sixth highest level in the Klamath region. This aggregation has both low socioeconomic status and capacity. At 27 percent, it has the highest poverty in the subregion, and over half of those in poverty have incomes below 75 percent of the poverty line. Twenty-nine percent of children under 15 years of age live in families that receive public assistance income. Thirty-nine percent of residents 25 years and older lack a high school degree, one of the highest levels in the region. Sixty-four percent of houses are owner-occupied, the second lowest level in the region, and nine percent of housing units lack complete plumbing facilities. Land is available, but there is little financial capital and few services that could support economic development. Proximity to Klamath Falls constrains opportunities for development. Although Dorris residents are working to improve conditions, there is little coordination between communities.

Canby          — 654

Primarily agricultural land, Canby is also characterized by a small sawmill, and In Search of Truth (ISOT), a religious group, that settled in the area a number of years ago. The ISOT group represents a major component of the population. The group has purchased local businesses, and operates its own farm, school, contracting business, and group homes for wards of the state. The group lives communally and purportedly has high human capital. Twenty-six percent of the Canby population lives in non-institutional group quarters, which is by far the highest level in the region. Thirty-two percent of Canby workers are employed in the agriculture, forestry or fisheries industry sectors, the third highest rate in the subregion and sixth highest in the Klamath region. Thirty-one percent of workers are in government jobs, the second highest in the region, and 17 percent are self-employed. Thirteen percent of households have farm related self-employment income. At 23 percent, Canby has the highest unemployment level in the subregion. Female unemployment, however, is twice that for males. Trailers and mobile homes comprise 35 percent of all housing. The education score for the aggregation is slightly lower than average, although over three-quarters of the population 25 years and older have at least a high school education.

Cassel/Hat Creek/Old Station          — 897

This Shasta County aggregation is based primarily on seasonal tourism and retiree services. The area has great natural beauty and excellent fly-fishing. Tourist access is by way of Highways 44 and 89, which provide access to Lassen National Park, but are closed in winter. Just under 40 percent of workers are employed in service related occupations, far above the average and the highest in the region. Human capital is average to above average. Nine percent of the population is Native American. Unemployment is average at 15 percent but disproportionate by gender: 25 percent of women are unemployed while unemployment among men is only 6 percent. The aggregation has a significant retiree presence. Over two-thirds of the population 16 years of age and over are not in the labor force, the highest percentage in the Klamath region. Twenty-six percent of households receive retirement income and 43 percent have some social security income, some of the highest levels in the Klamath region. Trailers and mobile homes make up 35 percent of the housing, one of the highest levels in the subregion. Although financial capital is limited, residents of Cassel/Hat Creek/Old Station are self-sufficient, have a good sense of community, and work together to help the community survive. The volunteer fire department and churches are focal points of community involvement.

Chiloquin/Fort Klamath          — 2,996

Historically, the economies of Chiloquin/Fort Klamath were based on timber and ranching, but jobs in tourism are increasing. Twenty-four percent are employed in operator, fabricator, or laborer occupations. Local communities benefit from their proximity to Crater Lake National Park and the influx of associated government employees, tourist businesses, and retirees. Service economy development has been minor as only eleven percent of workers, one of the lowest subregion totals, are employed in service occupations. Twenty-one percent of workers are employed in government jobs. Thirty-seven percent of households receive retirement income. Residents of Chiloquin/Fort Klamath work together with moderate success, cooperation is reduced by extreme independence, cultural and economic diversity. Chiloquin reportedly has one of the lowest per capita incomes of incorporated areas in Oregon. This aggregation includes the landless, federally recognized Klamath Tribes; 18 percent of the population is Native American. Forty-one percent of the households have incomes less than $17,500. The poverty rate is 21 percent, and nearly half of those in poverty have incomes less than 50 percent of the poverty line. Twenty-six percent of the children under the age of 15 year of age live in households receiving public assistance income.

Davis Creek/New Pine Creek          — 447

This is the smallest aggregation in the subregion. The center of the New Pine Creek community is across the state border in Lake County, Oregon, an area not included in the Klamath region social assessment. Twenty-four percent of the work force is employed out of state. Davis Creek has an agricultural-based economy, and shows considerable community support for fire department and 4H activities. The Davis Creek/New Pine Creek aggregation has a low unemployment rate, one of the lowest poverty scores in the subregion and, at 3 percent, one of the lowest percentages in the region of children under 15 years of age living in households receiving public assistance income. Government workers make up 34 percent of the working population, the highest in the region. Twenty percent of workers are employed in the farming, forestry and fisheries related occupations, and another 27 percent, the highest percentage in the subregion, work in managerial and professional occupations. Eleven percent of households have self-employment income from farming. Forty-two percent of households receive social security income. Housing quality, particularly in New Pine Creek, is low. Just under half of the housing was built before 1960, and the aggregation has one of the lowest average owner-occupied housing values in the region.

Fall River Mills/McAuthur          — 2,108

This area is located halfway between Redding and Alturas and is the service center for eastern Shasta County. This aggregation includes a hospital and an airport, but retail services can not compete with Redding, and they struggle to compete with Burney. In general, public services over-shadow retail services. Twenty three percent of workers are employed in managerial and professional occupations. Twenty-three percent of workers are self-employed, and 20 percent of households receive some non-farm, self-employment income, the second highest level in the subregion. At seven percent, this aggregation has the lowest percentage of poverty in the subregion, but 31 percent of children under 15 years old live in households receiving public assistance income, the second highest in the subregion. Unemployment is low at nine percent, but male unemployment is 14 percent compared to three percent for women. This aggregation has the highest education score in the subregion, and 17 percent, the highest percentage in the subregion, of residents 25 years of age and more have a four-year college degree or graduate education. Fall River Mills/McAuthur residents are proud of their valley and devoted to the area. They are independent, but have a continuity of leadership, and support successful local events such as an intermountain fair. Residents are mobilizing to address social problems.

Gilchrist/Crescent/Chemult          — 2,384

Historically, this area has been reliant on timber, and residents have skills related to the forest products industry. Gilchrist is a former timber town now for sale. At 36 percent, this aggregation has the third highest rate of workers employed in the durable goods manufacturing sector in the Klamath region. Only eight percent of workers, the fifth lowest in the region, are employed in the professional or related services sectors. Reflecting the area's increasing reliance on tourist trade, 22 percent of the work force is employed in the retail services sector. In general, the communities have good leadership and work well together. This area has infrastructure concerns related to sewer and water, among other things. Trailers and mobile homes make up 41 percent of the housing, and the aggregation has the fourth lowest average of owner-occupied housing value ($11,624). Just under half of all housing is vacant, and, given the nature of the area, much of it is likely to be vacation and second homes. Thirty-five percent of all residents are new to the area, having arrived from another county or state within five years prior to the 1990 census. Unemployment is slightly below the regional average and the poverty rate is 20 percent, but the percentage of children in households receiving public assistance is the lowest in the subregion and one of the lowest in the region, at six percent.

Johnson Park          — 887

Johnson Park in Shasta County is considered by some to be a suburb of Burney. It has limited services, with a small privately owned water system, no sewers and a small commercial strip along the highway. Thirty-one percent of workers are operators, fabricators and laborers, the second highest percentage in the region. Another 24 percent work in service related occupations. A total of 33 percent of households receive some retirement income, and 47 percent receive social security income, the highest levels in the subregion and near the top in the Klamath region. The poverty rate of 10 percent is one of the lowest in the subregion. Capacity is low for a variety reasons. With limited services, unpaved roads and 35 percent of all housing in mobile homes or trailers, infrastructure is poor. The education score is the second lowest in the region: 77 percent of residents have only a high school education or less. Residents, who include timber workers and an increasing senior population, have little sense of community. There was little turnout for federally funded, strategic planning efforts for the area. Financial capital is limited due to changes in the timber industry.

Klamath Falls          — 45,158

Klamath Falls is the third largest aggregation in the Klamath region and the commercial and services center for the subregion. It has a community college and recently added a sports complex, birthing center, cancer center, and diabetes center. Twenty percent of workers are employed in managerial and professional occupations, and 26 percent are in technical, sales and administrative occupations, some of the highest levels for both categories in the subregion. Unemployment is at nine percent and the poverty rate is 16 percent. Eleven percent of the total population has incomes below 75 percent of the poverty line and six percent has incomes below 50 percent of the poverty line. There is a diverse, capable and productive citizenry that works together to address "urban" problems such as air pollution, limited transportation infrastructure, landfills nearing capacity, limited and older sewer systems and limited developable land. Availability of financial capital is good and contributes to overall capacity to address these and other local issues. The education score is slightly above average for the subregion. Good leadership exists, although there is some conflict between the city and the suburbs, at least partly because of the perception that the city of Klamath Falls is trying to control adjacent communities. This aggregation includes Altamont and the Keno area to the west. Altamont is a suburb of the city and on the verge of merging with it. Keno contains areas that are considered a bedroom community of Klamath Falls, as well as a sparsely populated area with a number of retirement and vacation homes. Emergency services there are volunteer-based.

Lake Britton/Glenburn          — 837

This Shasta County aggregation is sparsely populated. Glenburn is an agricultural area that includes families who have lived there for over three generations. Lake Britton provides tourist services for Burney Falls State Park and includes some second homes. Neither area engenders strong community identity, though landowners interact and support one another. Eighty-two percent of households, the highest level in the subregion and one of the highest in the Klamath region, are owner-occupied. Only 5 percent of households have farm related self-employment income. Twenty-two percent of households have some non-farm self-employment income. The poverty rate is 20 percent, and half of those in poverty have incomes that are less than 50 percent of the poverty threshold. Residents do not work collectively because of occupational and economic differences and due to the lack of a spatially and conceptually centralized community. Income distribution in this aggregation is uneven. Sixty-three percent of households have annual incomes of $22,500 or less, while 12 percent have incomes between $100,000 and $125,000.

Merrill/Malin          — 3,472

Merrill and Malin are rural agricultural communities, and many residents are involved in farming and ranching. The communities of Merrill and Malin share schools, a chamber of commerce, fire and emergency service, and health services. They have good road access and commercial areas, including banking, shopping, and professional services, although some residents travel to Klamath Falls for these services. Thirty-one percent of workers are employed in the agriculture, forestry or fishery industry sectors, the fourth highest in the subregion, and 13 percent are employed in the wholesale trade industries sector, the highest percentage in the Klamath region. Eighteen percent of households, the third highest in the region, have farm related self-employment income. Hispanics and Czechs are the two distinct cultural groups in the area. The Czechs reportedly settled the area, and many of their older families are area leaders. Hispanics have come to the area as migrant agricultural workers. Census data show that Hispanics constitute 16 percent of the population, the fourth largest percentage in the region. The communities are well organized and, in general, are able to collaborate, but infighting within the individual communities, in addition to division along ethnic lines reduce overall capacity. The aggregation's education score is below average. Sixteen percent of residents 25 years of age and more have less than a ninth grade education-the second highest level in the region-and 12 percent have ninth or tenth grade education but lack a high school diploma. At six percent, the unemployment rate is one of the lowest in the subregion. Sixty-three percent of families, one of the highest levels in the region, have two or more wage earners.

Surprise Valley          — 1,410

The Surprise Valley aggregation is a narrow, north-south trending valley abutting Nevada to the east. It is separated from the rest of Modoc County by the Warner Mountains, necessitating residents self-sufficiency, social cohesion and support of local businesses, all of which contribute to the area's medium high capacity. The community stages barbecues, a squirrel shoot and other events to raise money for fire protection and the hospital district. The area also has good physical infrastructure, including a hospital, schools, a public electric company, and a recently upgraded water system. New residents of Cedarville have brought business skills and increased environmental awareness to the area. Private land in the area offers opportunities for development. The Valley is oriented towards its natural resource base and tourism. Thirty-two percent of workers are employed in the agriculture, forestry or fisheries sector, and six percent are employed in the mining sector, the second highest percentage in the Klamath region. Twenty-two percent of workers are employed in government jobs, and 24 percent are self-employed, the second highest in the subregion. Thirty-eight percent of households receive social security income. Nine percent of the population is Native American, many of whom live in the Fort Bidwell area to the north. In general, this area has a less developed infrastructure and is more economically disadvantaged than other areas in the region, yet the aggregation has the lowest unemployment level in the subregion, and one of the lower poverty rates.

Tulelake/Newell          — 2,674

The Tulelake/Newell aggregation straddles Modoc and Siskiyou Counties and encompasses a large agricultural area surrounding two distinct but economically linked communities. Residents include moderate to large-sized agricultural operators, and, among others, Hispanic workers employed by the operators. Ten percent of households have farm related self-employment income. Fourteen percent of the population is Hispanic, and 31 percent of workers are employed in agriculture, forestry and fisheries industry sectors. Newell has more people in poverty and poorer quality housing, and is home to a migrant camp for Hispanic farm laborers. Distrust exists between agricultural owners and Hispanic workers. Overall, the aggregation has a low socioeconomic score and low capacity. One-fourth of the residents in the Tulelake/Newell aggregation are in poverty, the second highest in the subregion. Thirty-two percent of children under 15 years old live in homes receiving public assistance income. Fourteen percent of the labor force are unemployed, a number that shifts seasonally with the crops. The area is poorly served by social and other county services because it is 90 miles and 70 miles, respectively, from the county seats of Yreka and Alturas. Moreover, the closest major city, Klamath Falls, is in another state. The Tulelake/Newell area has little investment in housing or infrastructure, and residents travel north to Klamath Falls for shopping and other services. Eighteen percent of workers are employed out of state. The independent nature of the agricultural operators in this area is counter to collective action. Long-time residents and laborers do not work effectively together for community goals. There is, however, an active Rotary Club, and residents come together at the local horseradish festival, one of the best fairs in the area. Locals are currently organizing around water issues.

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