Yuba County, California

Yuba County, California
Name	Yuba County
Settlement type	County
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	United States
Subdivision type1	State
Subdivision name1	California
Established title	Founded
Established date	1850
Seat type	County seat
Seat	Marysville
Area total sq mi	644
Area land sq mi	630
Area water sq mi	14
Population as of	2020
Population total	81,575
Population density sq mi	auto
Timezone	Pacific
Utc offset	-8
Timezone DST	PDT
Utc offset DST	-7
Blank name sec1	Congressional district
Blank info sec1	3rd
Website	www.co.yuba.ca.us

Yuba County, California. Located in the Sacramento Valley region of Northern California, Yuba County is part of the Yuba City Metropolitan Statistical Area. The county seat is Marysville, a historic Gold Rush-era city situated at the confluence of the Feather River and the Yuba River. The county's economy has historically been rooted in agriculture, mining, and timber, with modern sectors including healthcare and government services.

History

The area was originally inhabited by the Maidu and Nisenan peoples before European exploration. The Spanish Francisco Garcés expedition passed through in the late 18th century, with the region later falling under Mexican rule following the Mexican War of Independence. The California Gold Rush transformed the region after 1848, with the Yuba River being a major site for hydraulic mining. Marysville was established as a pivotal supply center, briefly serving as the California State Capitol in 1851. The county was officially formed in 1850 from portions of Butte County. Significant 20th-century events included the construction of Englebright Dam and the establishment of Beale Air Force Base.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 644 square miles, with 630 square miles of land and 14 square miles of water. It is bordered by Butte County to the north, Nevada County to the east, Placer County to the south, and Sutter County to the west. Major waterways include the Feather River, the Yuba River, and the Bear River. The western portion lies in the flat Sacramento Valley, while the eastern section rises into the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. Notable geographic features include the Sutter Buttes on its western border and the Englebright Lake reservoir.

Demographics

The 2020 United States Census recorded a population of 81,575. The Census Bureau reported a racial makeup that is diverse, with significant White, Hispanic or Latino, and Asian populations. The largest city is Marysville, with other communities including Wheatland, Linda, and Olivehurst. The Yuba City Metropolitan Area, which includes neighboring Sutter County, is known for a prominent Sikh and Punjabi American community, one of the largest in the United States.

Economy

Historically dominated by gold mining, agriculture, and logging, the modern economy includes significant government employment from Beale Air Force Base and state facilities like the Marysville Psychiatric Program. Major agricultural products are peaches, prunes, walnuts, rice, and tomatoes. Key employers include Fremont-Rideout Health Group, Yuba Community College District, and Simpson Timber Company. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation operates the Marysville Juvenile Treatment Center. Retail and service sectors are centered in Marysville and along the Highway 70 corridor.

Government

Yuba County is a general law county governed by a five-member Board of Supervisors. Elected countywide officials include the Sheriff, District Attorney, Assessor, and Clerk-Recorder. The county administers services through departments such as Public Works, Health and Human Services, and Planning and Development. At the state level, Yuba County is within California's 3rd Senate district and California's 3rd Assembly district. Federally, it is represented in the U.S. House as part of California's 3rd congressional district.

Education

Primary and secondary education is provided by several unified school districts, including Marysville Joint Unified School District, Wheatland School District, and Camptonville Elementary School District. Yuba Community College District operates Yuba College with its main campus in Marysville. The county is served by the Yuba County Library system, with branches in Marysville and Wheatland. No four-year universities are located within the county; students typically attend institutions like California State University, Chico or the University of California, Davis.

Category:Yuba County, California Category:1850 establishments in California Category:Counties of the Sacramento Valley