Well-Being Assessment of Communities in the Klamath Region

Page 17: Siskiyou Corridor 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.

Siskiyou Corridor Subregion

This subregion includes all but the northeastern corner of Siskiyou County and the small northwestern-most communities of Shasta County. The subregion can be divided into two broad valleys and associated foothills and the rugged Salmon and Klamath River drainages. The most populous valley is Shasta Valley cut by Interstate 5, and Scott Valley to the west. Physiographically, the McCloud aggregation is part of the Modoc Plateau, but the bulk of the population is oriented to the Siskiyou Corridor and Shasta Valley. Siskiyou Corridor is one of two subregions lacking a large urban area. Mount Shasta and Yreka are the largest aggregations, but both have fewer than 8,000 people. The average aggregation population is 3,135.

TABLE 10: Siskiyou Corridor subregion socioeconomic status and community capacity scores

Aggregation	Population	Socioeconomic Score (1 to 7)	Capacity Score (1 to 5)
Castella/La Moine/South Dunsmuir	606	4	1
Dunsmuir	2,703	2	2
Etna	2,429	5	4
Fort Jones	1,599	4	3
Grenada/Gazelle	2,795	5	1
Happy Camp/Klamath River	2,876	4	3
Hornbrook/Hilt	717	5	1
McCloud	1,771	3	2
Montague/Little Shasta Valley	3,744	4	2
Mount Shasta	6,689	5	4
Salmon River/Callahan	1,067	3	2
Weed	5,792	4	3
Yreka	7,971	4	5

Total/Average	40,759	4.0	2.5

Castella/La Moine/South Dunsmuir — population: 606

The only aggregation in this subregion located in Shasta County is Castella/La Moine/South Dunsmuir, which is a mix of several small communities. As evidence of linkage to the Siskiyou Corridor, 41 percent of resident workers are employed out of the county, which is the fourth highest level in the region. Residents recently battled over emergency response issues, and the abilities of communities to work collectively is limited. Interstate 5, the Sacramento River, and federal land ownership reduce the amount of land available for development, but, at the same time, from an economic development perspective, they also present tourism opportunities that residents have not fully exploited. There is a sizable blue collar work force in the aggregation: 27 percent of workers are employed in the construction industry, more than any aggregation in the region, and 11 percent are employed in the transportation sector, which is the third highest level in the region. Twenty percent of residents are in poverty, the second highest level in the subregion, and over half of these households have incomes under 50 percent of the poverty line. There is a considerable amount of substandard housing in the area.

Dunsmuir — 2,703

Dunsmuir has the lowest socioeconomic status score and one of the lower capacity scores in the subregion. The area is scenic, has an airport, and good access to I-5, but local commercial buildings and the residential housing stock are dilapidated. Eighty-one percent of the houses were built prior to 1960, and another seven percent between 1960 and 1970. Only 59 percent of houses are owner-occupied, the lowest total in the subregion. The availability of local financial capital necessary to address this infrastructure issue is limited. Twenty-three percent of workers are employed in the retail sector and 16 percent work in transportation. Forty-five percent of households receive social security income, the second highest level in the subregion and the fifth highest in the region. Twenty percent of the residents are in poverty, and 53 percent of households have annual incomes less than $20,000. Almost 12 percent of the work force are unemployed. Forty-two percent of children under 15 years old live in households that receive public assistance, the highest level in the subregion. While there seems to be a willingness to help low-income people in the area, the community can't meet the needs of its residents without outside help. There appears to be dissension between some long-time residents and newcomers. Residents generally do not work collectively on community improvements, though there is increasing realization that this will be necessary if the community is to improve local well-being.

Etna — 2,429

This aggregation has one of the highest socioeconomic scores in the subregion and a medium high capacity. There is community pride, and, despite their differences, residents come together effectively and creatively to address challenges or to create opportunities, particularly with regard to schools, law enforcement and even economic development. There are some new businesses in the area and the community has good infrastructure, including water and sewer systems, a clinic, a community park, a little league ball field, and a good high school. The unemployment rate is the lowest of any community with a population over 1,000 in the subregion. Etna has a mix of blue collar workers and professionals. One-fifth of the population over 25 years of age has a four-year college degree or more education, which is the second highest percentage in the subregion. Only 46 percent of all workers are private-for-profit wage and salary earners. Thirty percent of the workers are government employees, the second highest level in the subregion. Twenty-six percent of workers are in the agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sectors, and 10 percent of households have some farm related income, the highest level in the subregion. Sixteen percent of workers spend an hour or more commuting to work, one of the higher percentages in the region. Moderate value housing stock is the norm, but there are some high-value homes in the surrounding area. There are also some historic residential and commercial buildings in the area.

Fort Jones — 1,599

This aggregation was traditionally reliant on agriculture and timber. Now, only four percent of households have farm related income. Fifteen percent of all workers are employed in the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sector, and 20 percent work in the retail sector. Sixteen percent of households have non-farm self-employment income, a level higher than all but two aggregations in the subregion. Twenty-six percent of children under 15 years old live in families receiving public assistance income, one of the higher levels in the subregion. The primary social division in this community is between farmers and environmentalists, but there is a Scott Valley Coordinated Resource Management Planning Group and residents generally work together well. Residents came together effectively in response to recent flooding and to renovate the local ball park. Infrastructure is adequate, with a recently refurbished water system. Housing stock ranges between low to medium value, with high value homes in outlying areas. Education levels are varied, and higher educated residents are particularly evident in volunteer and city government activities. Many residents do not feel that growth or additional services are needed.

Grenada/Gazelle — 2,795

This aggregation, comprised of several small communities in Shasta Valley, straddles the Interstate. It has limited infrastructure, but this aggregation has one of the highest socioeconomic scores in the subregion. There are small gas stations, small corner markets, churches, and elementary schools in both Grenada and Gazelle. Capacity is low because of limited infrastructure and limited collective action beyond that devoted to fire departments and schools. Residents include ranchers, farmers, retirees, and blue-collar workers, among others. Though poverty is thought to be high, census data indicates that only eight percent of the population is in poverty, which is the lowest percentage in the subregion.

Happy Camp/Klamath River — 2,876

Happy Camp/Klamath River is a remote, natural resource dependent community. Native Americans, most of whom are members of the Karuk Tribe, account for 17 percent of the population. Ten percent of the population is Hispanic. Long dependent on the timber industry, this area is evolving towards a greater dependence on recreation and tourism, especially since the 1994 closure of the local mill, which was the major area employer. The community has struggled since its closure. Because it is based on census data collected prior to the closure of the mill, the socioeconomic score is likely to overstate current conditions. Based on the 1990 census data, 26 percent of workers are employed in the durable goods manufacturing sector, a level that has likely declined since the mill shut down. Thirteen percent are employed in the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sector, and 17 percent in retail services. Although it too has likely worsened with the mill closure, the 1990 unemployment rate of 18 percent is the highest in the subregion. Twenty-two percent of males are unemployed compared to 11 percent of women. Federal employees comprise 13 percent of the work force. Services are limited and there is no medical clinic in the area; residents must drive two hours to see a doctor or dentist. Most of the land is federally managed. Mobile homes and trailers make up 37 percent of the housing stock. There is a small population of higher educated residents, which includes teachers, business owners, and USFS employees. Collectively, residents are identified as "rugged individualists" with a variety of outdoors-oriented skills. Since the mill closure, and with the development of an effective community action group, there is a dramatic improvement in the willingness of different factions to work together. One area groups are working on is keeping schools open. The tribe has grown as an economic development force and has itself drawn more educated and skilled residents. The ability of the tribe to overcome local resentment may in part determine its long-term effectiveness in improving local well-being.

Hornbrook/Hilt — 717

Interstate 5 runs through the middle of this aggregation, with the small communities of Hornbrook and Hilt on opposite sides. Both are former mining and mill towns. Hornbrook is the service center in the area and has a community water system, an elementary school, and several service districts. The aggregation has a low capacity because of limited services and because the residents do not work together well. While the volunteer fire departments and neighborhood watch programs have been successful, ambulance service went bankrupt due to lack of support. Socioeconomic status is medium-high, one of the highest in the subregion. Some workers commute to Medford and Yreka. Thirty-two percent of the workers are employed in technical, sales and administrative occupations, and only six percent are employed in professional and related services, the third lowest level in the region. Income levels approximate a bimodal distribution: 57 percent of households have annual incomes less than $20,000, and 21 percent have incomes greater than $55,000. Education level follows a somewhat similar pattern. Thirty-four percent of residents have less than a high school education, ten percent higher than the region average, while 24 percent have some college and 23 percent have an associate, bachelors or higher level of education.

McCloud — 1,771

McCloud is a former mill town that has lost its industrial base and, along with it, a number of residents. The town housing stock is the third oldest in the region, with 75 percent having been built before 1960. Overall capacity is medium-low because of declining physical infrastructure and because residents have, in general, not been effective working together. Twenty-three percent of workers are employed in the durable goods manufacturing sector; the unemployment rate is 18 percent; and 30 percent of children under 15 years of age live in homes receiving public assistance income, the third highest level in the subregion. Unemployment and children in households receiving public assistance will likely have worsened following additional timber industry decline in the 1990s. The aggregation is growing increasingly dependent on tourism and recreation, and is known for good fishing, boating, hiking, and hunting. Retirees make up a substantial component of the community; 46 percent of households receive social security income, the highest total in the subregion and the fourth highest in the region. Residents desire a hospital and have recently completed a community action plan.

Montague/Little Shasta Valley — 3,744

This aggregation is in the shadow of Yreka. There is a limited commercial district and many residents do not identify strongly with their local community. There is a group of residents who are active volunteers, but political strife and division within the community hinders their work and reduces the overall capacity of the aggregation. The water system in Montague is stressed during the summer months and water is marginally potable. Education levels in the aggregation vary, housing stock is mostly moderate to lower value homes, with some more expensive housing in the outlying areas. Little Shasta is a ranching community where agricultural skills are important.

Mount Shasta — 6,689

The residents of Mount Shasta have diverse skills and considerable education and experience. The area is a destination for tourists, and the town has a highly developed infrastructure. Mount Shasta was described as attracting a cosmopolitan and educated people: it has the highest education score in the subregion, and 22 percent of those over 25 years of age have a four-year college degree or more education, which is also highest in the subregion. Ten percent of residents are in poverty, the third lowest level in the subregion, and 11 percent of children under 15 years of age live in households receiving public assistance. There is considerable financial capital available locally. Mt. Shasta is a working town: 67 percent of the population of 16 year olds and over is in the labor force, which is the fourth highest level in the region. One-fifth of all households have self-employment income, the highest in the subregion. Opportunities for development are somewhat limited and primarily restricted to old mill sites. Mount Shasta has a new city council and a new general plan that focuses on growth opportunities for the area. There is a strong chamber of commerce and strong support for community improvement, though factionalization over growth and development exists. Mount Shasta is, in general, meeting the needs of most of its residents, but the high cost of housing and utilities is a problem for people with low-incomes. The average value of owner-occupied housing is $90,764, the eighth highest in the region.

Salmon River/Callahan — 1,067

This aggregation is remote and has a limited infrastructure. There are a few small stores and gas stations, access to electrical power is limited, and there are limited employment opportunities. Salmon River and Callahan are two separate communities. Community cohesiveness is higher in Salmon River. Callahan, with fewer people than Salmon River, has lower quality housing and is generally more impoverished. The average value of owner-occupied housing in the entire aggregation is $30,466, ranking as the lowest fourth of housing values in the region. Fourteen percent of all households lack complete plumbing facilities. Unemployment is 12 percent, and the poverty rate, at 27 percent, is a third higher than the next closest aggregation in the subregion. Thirty percent of children under 15 years of age live in homes receiving public assistance income. Residents have diverse skills, many with strong outdoor skills. Sixteen percent of the population over 25 years of age has a four-year college degree or more education, the third highest in the subregion. Thirty-three percent of the workers are government employees, the highest level in the subregion. There is a cadre of residents who work well together, particularly on issues related to water rights, fish, and ecosystem health. Native Americans make up 13 percent of the aggregation population.

Weed — 5,792

Weed historically had a timber-based economy, but has recently evolved into a service economy catering to Interstate 5 travelers. The community has good infrastructure, including an airport and college, and residents have been aggressive in efforts to plan, finance and implement infrastructure development. There are strong service organizations that work well together and provide a sense of community for some residents. Capacity is medium because of divisive politics, racism, a lack of consistent leadership, and conflicts around planning — particularly between new and long-standing residents.

Yreka — 7,971

Good planning 20 years ago has led to sound physical infrastructure in Yreka today. Fire services and law enforcement are also good. Based on the 1990 census data, 62 percent of residents over 25 years of age have only a high school education and/or some college (but no degree), which is average for the region. Current education levels are likely to have increased with the recent opening of the new hospital. The hospital and new YMCA exemplify the ability of the community to work together and accomplish projects. The poverty rate is second lowest in the subregion at nine percent. Yreka, the county seat, has little divisiveness, and groups in the community, such as the chamber of commerce and city council, among others, work well. The Process Technology Training Center at the College of the Siskiyou's is focused on developing a more skilled work force. Yreka's adjacency to Interstate 5 attracts commercial traffic, but retail sales are limited due to the relatively close proximity to Medford.