Well-Being Assessment of Communities in the Klamath Region

Page 15: Northern Sacramento Valley Subregion

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.

Northern Sacramento Valley Subregion

The Northern Sacramento Valley subregion encompasses the headwaters of the Sacramento River including the foothills of the Trinity Mountains, Shasta Reservoir, the foothills of the Modoc Plateau, the west slope of the extreme northern Sierra Mountains, and the northern Sacramento Valley towns of Redding, Anderson, and Cottonwood along Interstate 5. All of the aggregations in this subregion are influenced by the city of Redding. Redding has by far the largest population in the Klamath region with 13 percent of the total population, and is almost twice the size of the next largest aggregation. The subregion includes all of Shasta County except the most northwest portion of the county closer to Mt. Shasta than to Redding, and the portion of the county from Burney to the east that is part of the Modoc Plateau.

TABLE 8: Northern Sacramento Valley subregion socioeconomic status and community capacity scores

Aggregation	Population	Socioeconomic Score (1 to 7)	Capacity Score (1 to 5)
Anderson	10,943	3	4
Bear Mountain/Jones Valley/ Shasta Lake East	1,349	6	1
Bella Vista	4,983	6	3
Cottonwood	6,564	4	4
French Gulch	523	3	1
Happy Valley/Olinda/Clear Creek	4,633	5	3
Igo/Ono/Platina	2,300	6	2
Keswick/Old Shasta	1,300	5	3
Lakehead/Lakeshore	1,103	4	1
Montgomery Creek/ Round Mountain/Big Bend	1,536	4	2
Oak Run/Millville/Whitmore	3,419	6	2
Palo Cedro	4,198	7	5
Redding	82,690	4	5
Shasta Lake/Mountain Gate	9,330	3	2
Shingletown	3,403	4	3

Total/Average	138,274	4.7	2.7

Anderson — population: 10,943

This aggregation includes the city of Anderson as well as a large portion of the unincorporated area around it. While the loss of several large businesses has set Anderson back in recent years, the community is characterized as being on the rebound. The unemployment rate is 12 percent. There are good opportunities for industrial and residential development and residents work together to get things accomplished. The Anderson Partnership for Healthy Children, a program that combines social and health services for Anderson residents, is a good example of community efforts. This effort was supported by county and state agencies, as well as fraternal and religious organizations in the area. Anderson's education score is below average and the lowest in the subregion; 60 percent of residents over 25 years old have a high school degree or less. Fifteen percent of occupied housing includes single parent family households with children less than 18 years of age, the sixth highest level in the Klamath region. Only 59 percent of homes are owner-occupied, the lowest rate in the Northern Sacramento subregion. Anderson suffers from child abuse and teen pregnancy, but poverty is on the decline, and employment is reported to be increasing.

Bear Mountain/Jones Valley/Shasta Lake East — 1,349

This aggregation serves as a bedroom community of Redding, where residents get most services. It has a high socioeconomic score but low capacity. Residents include some retirees and moderate to low income residents. Trailers and mobile homes make up half of all housing units, the highest percentage in the subregion and one of the highest in the region. While education and skills are perceived to be low, this aggregation has a higher than average education scale score. Thirty-eight percent of residents 25 years and older have some college education (but no degree), the fifth highest level in the Klamath region. Another 44 percent have only a high school education or less, more than ten percentage points lower than the regional average. Twenty-three percent of all workers have precision production, or repair related occupations, the third highest level of any aggregation in this category. Twenty-one percent of all workers are employed in construction, which is twice the regional average. This area does not generally function as a community, hence, community activities are limited. Some residents have come together for a community water system.

Bella Vista — 4,983

Bella Vista consists primarily of homes for wealthy professionals and retirees. Schools are considered good, and the aggregation has some niche businesses. The county is responsible for local infrastructure including roads and fire protection. This area has large segments of undeveloped, private land, but residents say they do not want growth and that they live in the area because of its rural character. Affluent residents make up the area leadership, but there is limited participation in community activities. While socioeconomic status is high, the area has only medium community capacity. This area has the second lowest poverty rate in the subregion and only seven percent of the children are in families receiving public assistance. Residents have the ability to meet their own needs and generally do so without community involvement.

Cottonwood — 6,564

The Cottonwood aggregation includes an extensive unincorporated area as well as the city of Cottonwood proper. This cohesive community is working to carry out a community plan that includes revitalizing the downtown area, rebuilding the failed sewer system, and supporting a library and swimming pool. Community leaders from the area also interact with neighboring cities and towns to achieve regional goals. Cottonwood is known for its community-based schools and investments in children. It was noted, however, that Cottonwood has a less distinct sense of community and fewer social and fraternal organizations than nearby Anderson. Cottonwood also has a more limited economy than Anderson and lacks industrial infrastructure. The area is considered to be largely agricultural, but only five percent of workers are employed in farming, forestry or fisheries occupations. Sixteen percent of workers are employed in precision production and repair occupations, and 20 percent are employed as operators, fabricators or laborers. Another 32 percent have technical, sales and administrative occupations. Residents are largely middle to low income blue collar workers, and some residents are fairly affluent. Cottonwood has the second highest percentage, 10 percent, of workers employed in the wholesale trade sector.

French Gulch — 523

French Gulch has the smallest population in the subregion. It lacks sewer capacity, sufficient water, and has a contaminated creek. Because the area is surrounded by public land, growth opportunities are limited. One of the major attractions in the community is an historic hotel, although it has not been open consistently. Residents include some upper-middle class Redding workers, low and semi-skilled resource-oriented workers, and "individualists" who live in the hills. The educational attainment score for French Gulch is second lowest in the subregion, and 65 percent of those over the age of 25 have only a high school education or less. The unemployment rate is 20 percent, over twice the average, and the highest level in the subregion. Unemployment is non-existent among the female population, but among men it is 31 percent. Ninety-two percent of all workers are private for-profit wage and salary earners, a higher percentage than any other aggregation. Thirty percent of workers are employed in the mining sector, by far the highest level in the Klamath. Forty-one percent of houses are trailers or mobile homes. The poverty rate in French Gulch is 19 percent, and over three-quarters of those in poverty have incomes less than 75 percent of the poverty line. While forty-three percent of households have some social security income, only 17 percent have other retirement income, and only 11 percent of households have any dividend income, the second lowest level in the region. One-fourth of French Gulch residents live in non-family households, the highest percentage in the region. The Northwest Wilderness Academy, which is located here, provides instruction in outdoor skills to troubled teens. There is limited community activity in the area, although residents have organized to oppose a recent BLM plan to establish a motorbike recreation area.

Happy Valley/Olinda/Clear Creek — 4,633

Like Cottonwood, this aggregation is considered an agricultural area, but only three percent of the workers are employed in farm, forestry or fisheries occupations, and less than one percent of the households receive farm income. Some professionals live in Happy Valley and commute to Redding and Anderson for work. Fourteen percent of the workers are employed in local government jobs, the second highest in the subregion. The area has limited physical infrastructure and no services. The poverty rate is slightly below average for the subregion, and includes some elderly residents on aid. Forty-four percent of housing is trailers or mobile homes, one of the highest levels in the Klamath region. Happy Valley capacity is higher than in the other two communities. In Happy Valley, community support for the local Strawberry Festival, baseball and soccer leagues, as well as the local Healthy Start program is good. Olinda and Clear Creek have few social or fraternal organizations and there have been no major projects which have drawn residents together.

Igo/Ono/Platina — 2,300

Igo has a combination of affluent, professional people who seek a rural lifestyle, and less affluent older residents. Igo and Ono are heavily influenced by the surrounding federal lands and have good schools and churches. Residents of these two communities include older, established families of "sturdy folk" who work together. There is less of a sense of community in Platina, and the town is for sale. The presence of Platina in this aggregation reduces the overall capacity rating. Residents of this aggregation include higher income professionals from the Redding area. Thirty-nine percent of workers have management and professional occupations, and 31 percent are employed in technical, sales and administrative occupations. Twenty-eight percent of workers are government employees, higher than any other subregional aggregation by one-third, and 20 percent are employed in local government jobs, the highest percentage in the subregion. Eighteen percent of aggregate income is from self employment, which is almost twice the subregion average. Thirty-percent of households in this aggregation have annual incomes of $60,000 or greater. Another 16 percent are self-employed. Socioeconomic status for the aggregation is rated high, due largely to a high rate of home ownership, low unemployment, relatively low poverty, and a high educational attainment score, the highest in the Northern Sacramento Valley subregion.

Keswick/Old Shasta — 1,300

Keswick and Old Shasta are bedroom communities of Redding. Services in the area are located in Old Shasta, which has a community center and commercially zoned area. Old Shasta is noted for its school. Poverty is at 16 percent, slightly above the subregional average and, at three percent, the unemployment is lowest in the subregion. It is also the gateway to the national recreation area. Residents of this aggregation include blue collar labor and highly skilled technical workers, some whom work in Redding, and some whom work for the government. Eighteen percent of all workers are government employees, and over half of these work for local government. Twenty-six percent of the workers are employed in service occupations, which is twice the subregional average. Residents support community activities, including the fire district, school and the annual art festival. The area is influenced by significant public land holdings, and by the tourist crowds that visit the national recreation area and other nearby federal lands.

Lakehead/Lakeshore — 1,103

This economy of this area is based on tourism and services; and many residents live here on a temporary or seasonal basis. One-third of the housing in this aggregation was vacant at the time of the 1990 census, indicating a high percentage of second homes. Lakehead, the primary community in this area, has limited infrastructure and no defined business district. The area has a couple of seasonal resorts and marinas, a small store, and a few coffee shops and a clinic. Permanent residents include a large number of senior citizens and commuters. Twenty-seven percent of the resident population is 65 years of age or older, more than twice the subregional percentage and the highest in the Klamath region. At 52 percent, this aggregation also has the highest percentage of households with social security income, and 37 percent of families in this aggregation have no workers, the fifth highest in the Klamath region. The poverty rate in the Lakehead/Lakeshore area is 20 percent, and 36 percent of children under the age of 15 years old live in households receiving public assistance income, the highest rate in the subregion. The unemployment rate, however, is relatively low at 5 percent. Twenty-one percent of workers are employed in the construction industry sector, the fourth highest level in the Klamath region, and 28 percent in retail occupations, which is the highest percentage in the region. Leadership in this community is limited. Seasonal of residence makes it difficult to get people working collectively. Continuity in the school system is lacking because the school has a part-time principal, and the position changes hands every few years. Despite these limitations, there is some local work on community on issues like health care and senior support.

Montgomery Creek/Round Mountain/Big Bend — 1,536

Historically, the residents of this area were dependent on the timber industry. The Fountain Fire burned much of the area, but most of the residents who lost houses have rebuilt. These communities are removed from Redding and other population centers. Twenty-two percent of workers spend over one hour getting to work each day, one of the highest percentages in the region, but another 13 percent work in their homes. Crime is reported to be a problem in this area and some residents are impoverished, particularly in the Big Bend area. The poverty rate for the aggregation is 20 percent, and seventy percent of those in poverty have incomes that are less than 75 percent of the poverty line. Thirty-two percent of children under the age of 15 years old live in households receiving public assistance income. Residents of this community have historically shown a strong willingness to work together, and there is extensive cooperation between private forest and ranchland owners in the community. Recently, the community has come together to address the need for medical care and to deal with the impacts of the Fountain Fire. There are ethnic divisions within the aggregation, though, there is collective effort devoted to securing community-based medical and dental service, a good school, and a community center. Five percent of residents are Native American.

Oak Run/Millville/Whitmore — 3,419

Oak Run/Millville/Whitmore is a farming and ranching area with an active grange. Seven percent of households in this aggregation have some farm related self-employment income. People tend to live in this area either because they want to be isolated, or because they are poor. The socioeconomic status score for the area is high due to relatively high educational attainment, a high rate of home ownership, and relatively low poverty and unemployment. Newer, more affluent residents reside in ranchettes and commute to Redding for work. Older residents are less educated and have fewer marketable skills. Social cohesiveness is limited and confined to the grange and a few community barbecues. For the most part, people in this area do not work together. Community identity in this area revolves around the Cascade School, although disputes sometimes erupt over school issues. The older residents in the agricultural community are more cohesive than other are the residents, and help each other out.

Palo Cedro — 4,198

Palo Cedro is an affluent residential bedroom community of Redding that is home to a well-educated population with a variety of skills. Residents include attorneys, doctors, and executives who work in Redding. Thirty-three percent of workers are employed in managerial and professional occupations, and another 31 percent have technical, sales and administrative occupations. Sixty-four percent of all families in Palo Cedro have two or more workers. This area has the highest socioeconomic score (on a continuos scale) of any aggregation in the Klamath region. It has the eleventh highest educational attainment score, a poverty rate of only 3 percent — second lowest in the region, and an unemployment rate of only 5 percent. Less than 1 percent of children under the age of 15 year old live in households receiving public assistance income. The rate of home ownership is 88 percent, the highest level in the subregion. Palo Cedro has been developed pursuant to a community plan; there is a good school, a town center with retail and commerce, a golf course, as well as the affluent housing in this area. The area has little or no industry and open space. Social cohesiveness is somewhat limited because individuals have the economic resources to take care of their own needs. As a bedroom community, Palo Cedro has limited community identity. Residents do come together, however, in support of the middle school, the local Honeybee Festival, and soccer leagues.

Redding — 82,690

Redding has the level of services and organizations typically found in large cities. Historically, residents were high school educated, blue collar employees. In the last 20 years, however, Redding has attracted retirees from southern California and the Bay Area. These new arrivals have brought a variety of resources to the community. Close to the average for the Klamath region, 93 percent of Redding's population is white. Nonetheless, Redding has the largest population of Native Americans (2,071) of any aggregation in the region. It also has the largest population of Hispanics (2,906). While lacking in racial or ethnic diversity, the population does have an array of skills, abilities and education. Community identity in Redding is growing, and people are coming together to support community efforts, such as community policing and Marketfest. There are also community-wide organizations such as the Lion's Club and Soroptimists that benefit the community. While residents have recently been pulling together to improve the downtown and build a river attraction/museum, there has been little interest in revitalizing the outdated library system. Green belts have been created to protect Redding from urban sprawl.

Shasta Lake/Mountain Gate — 9,330

The Shasta Lake/Mountain Gate area has scattered housing and open space. Shasta Lake used to have a viable downtown community center and school, but it has severely declined and the community has significant infrastructure and fiscal problems. Community water, sewer, and power exist within city limits, but these systems are overtaxed. While there is interest in revitalizing the area, Shasta Lake residents are unwilling to organize for assistance, and lack the resources to accomplish their goals alone. Residents of the Shasta Lake/Mountain Gate area include senior citizens, unemployed people, and numerous independent residents. Twenty-one percent of residents are in poverty, the highest rate in the subregion. Over half of those in poverty have incomes less then 75 percent of the poverty line. Thirty percent of children under the age of 15 years of age live in households receiving public assistance income. Social cohesiveness is limited because of the area's disenfranchised populations, but residents have united to unify the school district, for a senior center, a city-sponsored business park and incubator, a Native American community center, and to develop the area's tourist potential.

Shingletown — 3,403

Shingletown simultaneously benefits and is challenged by the diversity of its citizenry. Residents include agricultural workers and retirees. Seven percent of workers are employed in farming, forestry or fisheries occupations. Over a third of families have no workers, and 35 percent of households have some social security income. Unemployment and poverty rates are slightly higher than the average for the subregion at nine percent and 18 percent, respectively. Shingletown has some of the newest housing stock in the Klamath region. Based on the 1990 census, fifty percent of all housing was built between 1980 and March 1990. Shingletown residents work well together at times, yet struggle at other times. Recently, they exhibited social cohesiveness by joining together to support a local library and medical center. They also have a volunteer fire department, summer theater at Hat Creek, and local newspaper. Residents have recently worked together to secure a Healthy Start grant and put together a disaster relief fund. Nonetheless, the community recently ousted what some perceived to be an excellent school superintendent, and local newspaper editors were attacked over issues associated with local politics.