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.

Trinity subregion

The Trinity subregion consists of Trinity County, a mostly isolated, mountainous area between the coastal counties and the Central Valley. The area is without a large urban center; the population of the entire subregion is lower than some of the larger cities in the region, and, particularly in winter, is beyond easy reach of major transportation corridors. Hoaglin/Kettenpom/Zenia/Lake Mountain and Hyampom, both with less than 300 people, are the two smallest aggregations in the Klamath region. Local experts agreed that the two were so distinct that combining them with others could not be justified, despite the fact that their small size may magnify some sampling errors inherent to the census data.

TABLE 11: Trinity subregion socioeconomic status and community capacity scores

Burnt Ranch/Big Bar          — population: 631

Burnt Ranch/Big Bar is comprised of two major and a few smaller communities. The individual communities of Del Loma, Big Flat,and Big Bar, along Route 299, the major east-west transportation corridor between northern California and the coast, have services such as rafting companies, restaurants, RV parks, a post office,general store and laundromat. Burnt Ranch has a subdivision, post office, school, and a store. Hawkins Bar is a large retirement community that is, for the most part, separate from the rest of the area. A core group of individuals is active in the aggregation,but polarization among some factions reduces capacity. The percentage of public land in the aggregation is one of the highest in the region and there are conflicts with the federal government. The decline of resource-based industries and growth of recreation businesses has begun changing the demographic profile of the area. Thirty-one percent of workers are employed in the agriculture,forestry and fisheries sectors. Twenty-one percent of workers are employed by the federal government, and 32 percent are self employed, the third highest percentage in the region. The unemployment rate is 16 percent, but women are unemployed at twice the rate of men. The poverty rate is 28 percent, and three quarters of those in poverty have incomes less than 75 percent of the poverty level. This area has received considerable CERT (Community Economic Revitalization Team money through the Northwest Economic Initiative) support which has helped draw residents together and improve local capacity.CERT money was used to develop a community center with a public access computer, fax, and copier. Additional CERT work has focused on bringing in technology, tourism and value-added jobs to encourage younger residents to stay. Residents are currently exploring the unused mill site for opportunities to increase local economic opportunities.

Douglas City/Deerlick Springs          — 1,021

Douglas City/Deerlick Springs is a bedroom community of Weaverville. Residents have limited connection to their community, relying instead on Weaverville for most services. Residents do, however,rally around the school and the local volunteer fire department,which is maintained by a core group of mostly retirees. Eighty-two percent of the homes are owner-occupied, the highest percentage in the subregion. Trailers and mobile homes comprise 51 percent of the housing, the second highest percentage in the region. There is limited business development in Douglas City, although there is developable industrial quality land that could be used to promote the area's economy. Douglas City residents exhibit less social pride than those in Deerlick Springs. Overall, the aggregation contains a mix of blue and white collar workers and retirees and is somewhat economically depressed, with a poverty rate of 22percent. Within individual groups communication and cooperation is good, but cooperation between groups is poor. Thirty-three percent of children under 15 live in households receiving public assistance, the third highest in the subregion.

Hayfork          — 2,888

Hayfork is one of the more impoverished communities in Trinity County, but its strong spirit and social capital, especially in light of the recent mill closure, are impressive. Seventy-nine percent of households have income less than $32,500, and the poverty rate in Hayfork is 29 percent. Another 13 percent of resident shave incomes just above the poverty line. Thirty-four percent of children under 15 live in households receiving public assistance,the second highest in the subregion. Thirty-one percent of the housing units are trailers or mobile homes. Infrastructure in Hayfork is limited, much of the housing is substandard, and the community lacks needed low-income or multi-family housing. There are also no buildings available for developing a manufacturing industry, but considerable vacant retail space is available. Notably,these data were collected before the largest local employer, Sierra Pacific Industries, closed its mill. As a result of the mill closure and the exodus of workers, 1997 may be the last year for Little League. In contrast to a larger group of residents operating in a "survival mode," there is a small cadre of "go-getters" who are working hard to enhance community well-being. These resident sand their groups, such as the Watershed Research and Training Center and the local chamber of commerce, collectively address community problems. With CERT and other support, the Watershed Research and Training Center has launched a worker retraining program and a series of projects designed to link local well-being with ecosystem management which has achieved national visibility. Efforts have also been devoted to re-use of the closed mill site as a log sort yard and for developing wood remanufacturing facilities. Despite efforts to work together, some residents have had difficulty collaborating on natural resource issues, and there remains some conflict with federal land managers.

Hoaglin/Kettenpom/Zenia/Lake Mountain          — 229

This is the most isolated and smallest aggregation in the region,with few available services. Many residents lack telephone service and some must rely on others for transportation. The Detentions, which is the only store and serves as a local meeting place,is closing. Sixty percent of the housing was built between 1970and 1990, and half of the houses are vacant, or used only seasonally. A total of 44 percent of the housing units lack complete plumbing facilities, the highest percentage in the region. This area has more private land than other parts of Trinity County, but there is limited financial capital and limited interest in developing the land. Residents, however, say they like things the way they are. This aggregation has 72 percent of the population in the labor force, and 85 percent of workers receive a wage income. Thirty-seven percent of workers are employed in agriculture, forestry,fisheries occupations, and half commute out of county for work,and just under a fifth of all workers spend over one hour commuting to work. Unemployment stands at 14 percent. Twenty-eight percent of the population are in poverty, and three quarters of those in poverty have incomes below 75 percent of the poverty level.

Hyampom          — 293

Like Hoaglin/Kettenpom/Zenia/Lake Mountain, Hyampom is isolated and small. The community is far from other population centers,and services are limited to a small airport, post office, store,gas pump, school, community center, and two bars. The store is open only part-time, and the school is on the verge of closing.The community center plays an important role for drawing residents together. Almost 70 percent of the housing was built in the 1970s,a time when back-to-the-landers were flocking to rural northern California. Just under one-fifth of all households lack complete plumbing facilities. The community has limited physical, human,and social capital. Residents do not, in general, work well together except during times of crises. This is at least partly due to mixed occupational groups, interests and poverty. Thirty-five percent of the residents are in poverty and nearly three quarters of those in poverty have incomes that are under 50 percent of the poverty line. Sixty-seven percent of the adult population are not in the labor force. Of those who are, 35 percent are employed in durable goods manufacturing and 32 percent work in agriculture,forestry and fisheries. Fifty percent of all workers hold a government job, and 25 percent work for the federal government. One-fifth of the workers spend an hour commuting to work. There remain residents in the aggregation who have timber harvesting skills, though jobs in the industry are few. There has been some increase in agricultural activity in Hyampom with the opening of several wineries. Nine percent of households have some farm income.

Junction City          — 670

Similar to Douglas City/Deerlick Springs, Junction City is a bedroom community of Weaverville, which reduces local cohesiveness. Local services are limited to an elementary school, a post office, a bar, and a small market. There is an active volunteer fire department as well as a garden club and grange. Despite its small size, residents have a variety of skills and experiences. At 53 percent, Junction City has the second highest level of government employees and,at 29 percent, the third highest percentage of workers with service related occupations in the region. The aggregation has a high proportion of retirees. Forty-five percent of all households receive social security income, one of the highest percentages in the region. The poverty rate is 20 percent, and 38 percent of children under 15 years of age live in houses receiving public assistance,the highest level in the subregion.

Lewiston          — 1,363

Lewiston is a "commuter community" of Weaverville and Redding,comprised of several different, unconnected areas. Lewiston has an "old town" center with new businesses radiating around it. Services in this center include a gas station, restaurant, lodging,and catering. This area has some capacity to expand with small businesses and light industry. Lewiston also has an under-utilized agriculture sector, and a rising tourist draw. Mobile homes and trailers comprise 47 percent of the housing, one of the highest scores in the region. Residents of Lewiston include professionals who commute to Redding and Weaverville, as well as retirees, old-time residents, and young adults with small children. Forty-one percent,one of the higher scores in the region, of the households receive social security income. There is limited social cohesion in Lewiston,though residents are oriented around schools, and beginning to work with the rest of the county on economic development.

Mad River/Ruth          — 637

Mad River/Ruth is a relatively undeveloped area. There is no phone service, few businesses and roads with more miles needing repair than anywhere else in the subregion. Almost 60 percent of the housing units are vacant or used only seasonally. There are only three small stores, and many of the tourist businesses are for sale. Fifty-three percent of all workers are employed in government jobs, and more than half of these workers are federal employees. People who don't work for the government, do what they can to survive, and many of these residents conduct some home-based businesses to make money. Thirty-two percent of workers are employed in the agriculture, forestry, fisheries related sectors. The aggregation has the highest education score in the Trinity subregion, with a high rate of four-year college graduates. In contrast, the area has the highest rate of high school drop-outs in the county. One-quarter of the population is unemployed. The unemployment rate is fifty percent higher than the next highest aggregation and over twice the level of unemployment in the other aggregations in the subregion. Thirty-seven percent of the children under 15 years of age live in households receiving public assistance. Most of the land in this area is managed by the U.S. Forest Service. Residents, characterized as "stubbornly independent," include retirees, back-to-the-landers,and people moving back to their childhood homes to escape the"rat race" in the cities. Division between environmental and timber interests remain. CERT work has focused on building social capital and has been successful in bringing community leaders together. Residents pull together in times of emergency, but some have come together to support a health clinic and the school system. There is also a cohesive Lion's Club.

Salyer          — 893

Salyer is somewhat unique in the subregion in that land is available for development, it lies on Route 299, the major East-West transportation artery for northern California, and is closer to the coastal cities of Humboldt County than to most of the Trinity communities. Sixty-seven percent, the highest in the region, of all workers are employed out of county, and 17 percent, spend over 60 minutes a day traveling to work. Sixteen percent work out of their home. Fourteen percent of the population is Native American. The Forest Service and the California Department of Forestry maintain offices in the community,and a community services district provides fire and emergency services, although no public water or sewer. Some old sawmill sites are available for development, and new growth is taking place as some larger homes are being constructed and some well-educated people are moving in. There are, however, few active community groups, and residents have not collectively defined community goals.

Trinity Lake          — 786

This isolated retirement and tourism-based aggregation is the wealthiest area in Trinity, with pockets of services, a school and a post office. Forty-seven percent of households have some social security income, one of the highest levels in the region. Thirty-four percent of households receive retirement income. Trinity Lake has 22 percent of workers in the construction industry, the second highest level of any aggregation, and, at 17 percent, it has the highest percentage of workers in the personal services sector. The prison population makes up 18 percent of the total population. This area has the highest housing vacancy rate, 60percent, of any aggregation, confirming the seasonal nature of the area. There are some newer, large homes, and poverty at eight percent and unemployment at three percent are the lowest in the subregion. Community cohesion is diminished by some residents segregating themselves according to their socioeconomic status,the seasonal nature of their residence, or job affiliation. Forest Service employees, for example, generally don't interact with others. Collective social commitment, however, is demonstrated by volunteers who provide community services including fire protection and emergency services, residents' contributions to community efforts such as the local school, and the presence of a small cadre of committed families that provide local leadership.

Weaverville          — 3,652

Weaverville is the county seat and the most populous aggregation in Trinity, with almost 30 percent of the subregion's residents. There are more jobs, better services, and a more diverse citizenry than in any other community in the subregion. The poverty rate is second lowest of other aggregations in Trinity, and the level of children under 15 years of age in families receiving public assistance is low at 8 percent. There are numerous government jobs, and recreation businesses are busy during the summer. Thirty-four percent of workers have government jobs, mostly with local government.The loss of logging dollars has hurt Weaverville, but one mill remains in operation and efforts continue to further diversify the economy. Social cohesiveness is strong though there is a tendency for residents to cooperate and communicate better within their own groups than between some of the many groups within the community. Social services have consolidated and generally do a good job in serving the needy, as when trailers were set up to help homeless people complete school.

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