Placerville, California

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 9,610 people, 4,001 households, and 2,484 families residing in the city. The population density was 639.7/km² (1,656.2/mi²). There were 4,242 housing units at an average density of 282.4/km² (731.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 88.56% White, 0.23% Black or African American, 1.27% Native American, 0.88% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 5.79% from other races, and 3.14% from two or more races. 12.61% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,001 households out of which 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.7% were married couples living together, 15.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.9% were non-families. 31.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.6% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 17.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 85.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $36,454, and the median income for a family was $46,875. Males had a median income of $36,711 versus $28,095 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,151. About 9.3% of families and 12.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.9% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] History

Prior to the discovery of gold in nearby Coloma, California by James W. Marshall in 1849 sparking the California Gold Rush, the small town now known as Placerville was known as Dry Diggins after the manner in which the miners moved cartloads of dry soil to running water to separate the gold from the soil. Later in 1849, the town earned its most common historical name, Hangtown, due to the numerous hangings that had taken place there. By 1850, the temperance league and a few local churches had begun to request that a more friendly name be bestowed upon the town. The name was not changed until 1854 when the City of Placerville was incorporated. At its incorporation Placerville was the third largest town in California. In 1857 the county seat was then moved from Coloma to Placerville, where it remains today.

The Southern Pacific Railroad once had a branch line that extended from Sacramento to Placerville. The track was abandoned in the 1980's. The Camino, Placerville and Lake Tahoe Railroad (now abandoned) also operated an 8-mile shortline that operated between Camino, California and Placerville until June 17, 1986.

[edit] Culture

Most Placerville teenagers attend El Dorado High School as well as Union Mine High School and Ponderosa High School. Placerville is home to the Mountain Democrat newspaper and Marshall Medical Center.