Education, Employment and Housing
Mariposa County, CA, has 8 public schools, including 1 high school (Mariposa County High School), serving about 1,600 students. The high school graduation rate is approximately 89%, while 21% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Schools report average test scores below the California state average. The county offers adult education programs through the Mariposa County Adult School. School safety measures are implemented, with incident rates lower than the state median. Educational programs include agriculture, career technical education, and arts, supporting diverse student interests.
Mariposa County, CA, had an unemployment rate of approximately 6.1% in early 2023. Key industries for employment include accommodation and food services (23%), government (20%), and retail trade (10%). The workforce primarily occupies roles in service occupations (33%), sales/office (21%), and management/business (19%). Roughly 67% of workers commute by car, with an average travel time of 27 minutes. Most residents work within the county, though about 25% commute to neighboring counties like Merced or Madera for employment.
Mariposa County, CA, has a homeownership rate of approximately 76%, with median home values around $370,000 in 2023. Median monthly rent is about $1,150. The housing market showed a modest annual appreciation of roughly 5%, with most homes being single-family houses; only about 10% are apartments or multifamily units. Popular neighborhoods include Mariposa town and Coulterville. Property taxes average 0.81% of assessed value, lower than the state average. The county’s rural character means spacious lots and limited new construction. Rental vacancy rates are higher than urban areas, reflecting a predominantly owner-occupied market.
Elections
Mariposa County, CA, had approximately 11,000 registered voters as of 2022, with 43% Republican, 28% Democratic, and 22% No Party Preference. The county participates in primary, general, and local elections, with polling locations available in Mariposa, Coulterville, and Catheys Valley, alongside vote-by-mail. In the 2020 Presidential Election, 63% voted Republican. Key issues include wildfire prevention and rural development. Elections are administered by the Mariposa County Elections Office, ensuring accessible and fair processes. Both Democratic and Republican parties campaign actively, though Republicans typically dominate election outcomes.
Demographics
As of 2023, Mariposa County, California, has a population of about 17,900. The median age is 52.2 years, with 21% under 18 and 28% aged 65 or older. Females make up approximately 49%, and males 51%. The racial composition is 80% White, 12% Hispanic or Latino, 3% Native American, 1% Asian, and 4% identifying as two or more races or other.
County Crime & Safety
Mariposa County, CA, maintains a relatively low crime rate compared to state and national averages. In 2022, the county reported about 350 total crimes, including around 40 violent crimes and 310 property crimes, resulting in a crime rate of approximately 17 per 1,000 residents. The sheriff’s office routinely publishes detailed crime statistics and encourages community involvement in crime prevention. Although Mariposa is generally safe, residents are advised to stay vigilant due to occasional property crimes such as burglary and theft. Reporting and response services are well-coordinated to ensure public safety throughout the county.
Popular names
- Carol Miller
- Fred Silva
- Hollene Potter
- James Moore
- Mark Thompson
- Matthew Williams
- Richard Clark
- Seung Lee
- Seung Park
- Susan Clark
- Adrienne Nau
- Alan Brown
- Alexandria Johnson
- Allen Schmidt
- Angel Ortiz
- Angel Palacio
- Angela Bennett
- Audrey Davis
- Barbara Johnson
- Brian Hodge
- Brian Jacobsen
- Brittany Tanner
- Charles Goff
- Cody Whiteside
- Dagny Beck
- Daniel Carter
- Daniel Ellis
- David Gloor
- Dean Adams
- Dean Sberna
- Deborah Lester
- Dennis Johnson
- Derek Soden
- Diana Sweeting
- Don Nelson
- Donna Diaz
- Edward Leanos
- Elias Arre
- Elizabeth Darcy
- Elizabeth Rose
- Emory Scriven
- Faris Simon
- Gail Dreifus
- Gerry Desues
- Ian Bevington
- Jake Bibby
- James Brown
- James Johnson
- James Musick
- James Pearce
- Jason Smith
- Jennifer Lobaugh
- Jeremy Jacobs
- Jesse Teese
- Jill Ballinger
- John Bryant
- John Vittands
- Jon Holt
- Josefina Gonzalez
- Joshua Smith
Other Counties in California
- Alameda
- Alpine
- Amador
- Butte
- Calaveras
- Colusa
- Contra Costa
- Del Norte
- El Dorado
- Fresno
- Glenn
- Humboldt
- Imperial
- Inyo
- Kern
- Kings
- Lake
- Lassen
- Los Angeles
- Madera
- Marin
- Mendocino
- Merced
- Modoc
- Mono
- Monterey
- Napa
- Nevada
- Orange
- Placer
- Plumas
- Riverside
- Sacramento
- San Benito
- San Bernardino
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Joaquin
- San Luis Obispo
- San Mateo
- Santa Barbara
- Santa Clara
- Santa Cruz
- Shasta
- Sierra
- Siskiyou
- Solano
- Sonoma
- Stanislaus
- Sutter