Editing Grass Valley, California

{{Short description|City in California, United States}}
{{About|the city in Nevada County|the neighborhood in Oakland|Grass Valley, Oakland, California|other places|Grass Valley (disambiguation)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Grass Valley, California
| settlement_type    = [[List of municipalities in California|City]]
| image_skyline      = View of Grass Valley, CA 2025.jpg
| image_caption      = Grass Valley (2025)
| image_seal         = 
| image_map          = File:Nevada County California Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Grass Valley Highlighted 0630798.svg
| mapsize            = 250px
| map_caption        = Location of Grass Valley in Nevada County, California
| image_map1         = 
| mapsize1           = 
| map_caption1       = 
| pushpin_map        = USA
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in the United States
| pushpin_relief     = 1
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = [[United States]]
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[California]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in California|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Nevada County, California|Nevada]]
| government_type    = 
| leader_title       = 
| leader_name        = 
| established_title  = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
| established_date   = March 13, 1893<ref>{{Cite web
 |url=http://www.calafco.org/docs/Cities_by_incorp_date.doc 
 |title=California Cities by Incorporation Date 
 |format=Word 
 |publisher=California Association of [[Local Agency Formation Commission]]s 
 |access-date=August 25, 2014 |url-status=dead 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103002921/http://www.calafco.org/docs/Cities_by_incorp_date.doc 
 |archive-date=November 3, 2014  
}}</ref>
<!-- Area------------------>| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_06.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 1, 2020}}</ref>
| area_total_sq_mi   = 5.25
| area_land_sq_mi    = 5.25
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.00
| area_total_km2     = 13.59
| area_land_km2      = 13.59
| area_water_km2     = 0.00
| area_water_percent = 0
| area_note          = 
| elevation_ft       = 2411
| elevation_m        = 735
| elevation_footnotes = <ref>{{Cite GNIS|277525|Grass Valley|access-date=October 7, 2014}}</ref>
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes = <ref name="US Census Bureau 2020 Grass Valley, CA Population">{{cite web |title=US Census Bureau |url=https://data.census.gov/all?q=Grass%20Valley%20city,%20California |website=www.census.gov |access-date=6 August 2024}}</ref>
| population_total   = 14016
| pop_est_as_of      = 
| pop_est_footnotes  = 
| population_est     = 
| population_metro   = 
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_density_sq_mi = auto
| coordinates        = {{Coord|39|13|9|N|121|3|30|W|region:US-CA_type:city(13,000)|display=it}}
| timezone           = [[Pacific Time Zone|Pacific (PST)]]
| utc_offset         = &minus;8
| timezone_DST       = PDT
| utc_offset_DST     = &minus;7
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP Code]]s
| postal_code        = 95945, 95949
| area_code_type     = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
| area_code          = [[Area codes 530 and 837|530, 837]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = {{FIPS|06|30798}}
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature IDs
| blank1_info        = {{GNIS 4|277525}}, {{GNIS 4|2410651}}
| website            = {{URL|http://www.cityofgrassvalley.com/home}}
}}

'''Grass Valley''' is a city in [[Nevada County, California]], United States.  As of the [[2010 United States Census]], its population was 12,860.  Situated at roughly {{Convert|2,500|ft|m}} in elevation in the western foothills of the [[Sierra Nevada]] mountain range, this northern [[Gold Country]] city is {{Convert|57|mi|km}} by car from [[Sacramento, California|Sacramento]] and  {{Convert|88|mi|km}} west of [[Reno, Nevada|Reno]].

==History==
[[File:Grass Valley Geologic Map.jpg|thumb|left|Grass Valley [[geological map]], and the location of the North Star, Empire, and Maryland mines]]

Grass Valley, which was originally known as Boston Ravine and later named Centerville, dates from the [[California Gold Rush]], as does nearby [[Nevada City, California|Nevada City]]. Gold was discovered at [[Gold Hill (Nevada County, California)|Gold Hill]] in October 1850 and population grew around the mine. When a post office was established in 1851, it was renamed Grass Valley the next year for unknown reasons. The town was [[municipal corporation|incorporated]] in 1860.<ref name="durham">{{cite book|title=California's Gold Country: Includes Mariposa, Tuolumne, Calaveras, Amador, El Dorado, Placer, Sierra & Nevada Counties|last=Durham|first=David L.|year=2000|publisher=Quill Driver Books|location=[[Clovis, California]]|isbn=978-1-884995-25-5|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3UzX2WzeX0IC&pg=PA133|page=133}}</ref>

The essential history of Grass Valley mining belongs to the North Star, Empire and Idaho-Maryland mines, for continuous production over a span of years. From 1868 until 1900, the Idaho-Maryland mine was the most productive in the district. From 1900 until 1925, the North Star and the Empire produced the most gold in the county. In 1932, the Empire and North Star were physically connected at the 4600-foot level and 5300-foot level.<ref>{{cite web |title=The gold quartz veins of Grass Valley, California, USGS Professional Paper 194 |url=https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/pp194 |access-date=March 24, 2022 |last1=Johnston |first1=J.D. |date=1940|doi=10.3133/pp194 }}</ref>

Grass Valley has the [[Empire Mine]] and [[North Star Mine]], two of California's richest mines. George Starr, manager of the Empire Mine, and [[William Bowers Bourn II]], the owner, donated mine property which became Memorial Park.<ref name=McQuiston>McQuiston, F.W., 1986, Gold: The Saga of the Empire Mine, 1850–1956, Grass Valley:Empire Mine Park Association, {{ISBN|9780931892073}}</ref>{{rp|42}} Wiliam Bourn Jr. had taken over management of the Empire Mine in 1878 after his father's death, replacing water power with steam. In 1884, Bourn purchased and rejuvenated the North Star mine.  The Idaho and Maryland mines were consolidated by Samuel P. Dorsey in 1893. In 1925, Errol MacBoyle acquired the Idaho-Maryland. By 1938, the Idaho-Maryland was the second largest gold producer in the country. However, gold mining operations in the area ended during [[WWII]], due to [[War Production Board]] Limitation Order 208. After the war, renewed operations were attempted, but according to Gage McKinney, "by the mid-1950s mining was no longer profitable in what had been the richest gold mining district in California."<ref>{{cite book |last1=McKinney |first1=Gage |title=MacBoyle's Gold |date=2016 |publisher=Comstock Bonanza Press |location=Santa Rosa |isbn=9780933994614 |pages=52–53,73–75,119–123,273–281,339}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=I-M Project History |url=https://www.risegoldcorp.com/i-m-project-history |publisher=Rise Gold Corp |access-date=March 25, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Shanahan |first1=Dennis |last2=Taraya |first2=Jonathan |title=The new gold rush: Historic Grass Valley mine could yield modern-day discovery |date=March 10, 2022 |url=https://fox40.com/news/local-news/company-considering-reopening-gold-rush-era-mine-in-grass-valley/ |publisher=Nexstar media Inc. |access-date=March 25, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Clark |first1=Jack |title=Gold in Quartz: The Legendary Idaho Maryland Mine |date=2005 |publisher=Comstock Bonanza Press |location=Grass Valley |isbn=0933994311 |pages=98–100}}</ref>

Many of those who came to settle in Grass Valley were tin miners from [[Cornwall]], United Kingdom. Most arrived between 1860 and 1895, composing three quarters of Grass Valley's population.<ref>{{cite web |title=Gold Mining Lore |url=https://www.nevadacitychamber.com/history/gold-mining/#:~:text=At%20one%20time%2C%2075%20percent,influx%20was%20from%201860%2D%201895. |publisher=Nevada City Chamber of Commerce |access-date=March 24, 2022}}</ref>

After the Civil War ended and news of death of President Lincoln many in the town rejoiced. When these acts of celebration were heard by [[1st California Cavalry Battalion|1st Battalion of Native Cavalry]] they sent out a detachment of 25 men. Commanded by [[Second Lieutenant M. E. Jimenez]], the detachment rode into town and got into a skirmish with 10 locals. Two troopers were wounded in the action. The soldiers arrested all 10 of the rebels and took them to [[Camp Low]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=California and the Civil War: Regiments of the California Volunteers in Federal Service: 1st Battalion of Native Cavalry |url=https://militarymuseum.org/1stNatCavCV.html#26 |access-date=2024-09-17 |website=militarymuseum.org}}</ref>

Grass Valley still holds on to its [[Culture of Cornwall|Cornish heritage]], with events such as its annual Cornish Christmas and [[St. Piran's Day]] celebrations.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://theunion.com/article/20080310/NEWS/940777161|title=Flight of the pasty|last=Moberly|first=Greg|date=March 10, 2008|publisher=The Union|access-date=March 12, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080314093417/http://www.theunion.com/article/20080310/NEWS/940777161|archive-date=March 14, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Pasty|Cornish pasties]] are a local favorite dish with a few restaurants in town specializing in recipes handed down from the original immigrant generation. Grass Valley is also twinned with [[Bodmin]] in [[Cornwall]] (UK).

There was formerly a (short-lived) [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Grass Valley]]<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=D2oQAAAAIAAJ&q=orphanage+%22grass+valley%22&pg=PA294|title=The Catholic Encyclopedia|access-date=August 1, 2008|last=Herbermann|first=Charles George|pages=294|year=1913|publisher=Universal Knowledge Foundation}}</ref> in 1868–1884, later relocated in [[Sacramento]] (and now a [[titular see]]).

The Grass Valley [[Kmart]] store, opened in 1981, was the last remaining location in California at the time that it closed in 2021. It is now a [[Target Corporation|Target]] department store.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kmart.com/stores/california/grass-valley/9746.html|title=Kmart }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=June 23, 2021|title=Attention, Kmart shoppers: This Northern California city will have the state's last store|url=https://www.kcra.com/article/last-california-kmart-grass-valley/36813692|access-date=October 7, 2021|website=KCRA|language=en}}</ref>

==Geography==
Grass Valley is located at {{Coord|39|13|9|N|121|3|30|W|type:city}} (39.219215, -121.058414).<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has an area of {{convert|4.7|sqmi|km2}}, all of it land.

A variety of [[igneous]] and [[metamorphic]] rock supports Grass Valley. [[Granitic]] rock such as [[quartz diorite]] underlies the downtown core and extends south along Highway 49. Metavolcanic rock and [[diabase]] underlie areas around the granitic zone. Neighborhoods around Nevada County Golf Course and Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital are underlain by [[ultramafic rock]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ngmdb.usgs.gov/Prodesc/proddesc_63087.htm|title=NGMDB Product Description Page|website=ngmdb.usgs.gov|access-date=August 12, 2017}}</ref> which supports infertile soils of the [[Dubakella (Soil)|Dubakella]] series. Here the vegetation is sparse considering the high average annual precipitation, with much grassland, and forested areas are often dominated by several species of oaks and the crooked, thin-crowned [[Pinus sabiniana|gray pine]].<ref>https://www.google.ca/maps/@39.2258162,-121.0474607,3a,75y,291.18h,76.97t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sH_ppfDYbTkOzB_i11BCCzA!2e0!6m1!1e1 {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812134040/https://www.google.ca/maps/%4039.2258162%2C-121.0474607%2C3a%2C75y%2C291.18h%2C76.97t/data%3D%213m4%211e1%213m2%211sH_ppfDYbTkOzB_i11BCCzA%212e0%216m1%211e1|date=August 12, 2017}} Google Street View showing [[gray pine]]-studded grassland on [[Dubakella (Soil)|Dubakella soil]].</ref> Luxuriant forest dominated by straight, dense [[Pinus ponderosa|ponderosa pine]] inhabits the more fertile soils, which include Musick series on granitic rock and Sites series on mafic or metamorphic rock.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://casoilresource.lawr.ucdavis.edu/gmap/|title=SoilWeb: An Online Soil Survey Browser|website=casoilresource.lawr.ucdavis.edu|access-date=August 12, 2017}}</ref><ref>https://www.google.ca/maps/place/Grass+Valley,+CA,+USA/@39.214774,-121.072447,3a,75y,57.91h,89.67t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sv44gtXC4_1h3ZL5ciV-FQQ!2e0!4m2!3m1!1s0x809b703f5e27f1a9:0x63ba323ef37bb379 Ponderosa pine in an area dominated by Sites soil as seen in Google Street View</ref>

===Climate===
Grass Valley has a [[hot-summer Mediterranean climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] Csa) with warm to hot, dry summers and wet, cool, rainy winters. Summer is very dry, but thunderstorms may occur. Rainfall averages over {{convert|50|in|mm}} per year, in extreme contrast with the semi-arid valley below, which average as low as {{convert|12|in|mm}} in some parts. The high rainfall also gives the area green vegetation typical of an oceanic climate. This contributes to a heavy fuel-loading of brush and grass, which dry out during the near-rainless summer, posing a wildfire hazard.

Winters are cool but rarely cold. There are at least one or more snow events per year, often in the late winter. Frequent and large disruptive winter storms occur some years, while other years may have little to no snow. Less marine influence means that snow tends to occur more irregularly than some communities at similar elevation nearby to the south, such as [[Pollock Pines, California|Pollock Pines]].

Over the course of a year, 36.4 days of {{convert|90|°F}} or hotter and 0.9 days of {{convert|100|°F}} or hotter occur, with 61.4 days with minimum of {{convert|32|°F}} or colder.<ref name = NOAA/>

{{Weather box
|location = Grass Valley, California, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1966–present
|single line = Yes

|Jan record high F = 77
|Feb record high F = 81
|Mar record high F = 82
|Apr record high F = 88
|May record high F = 99
|Jun record high F = 102
|Jul record high F = 108
|Aug record high F = 108
|Sep record high F = 108
|Oct record high F = 97
|Nov record high F = 87
|Dec record high F = 80

|Jan avg record high F = 67.0
|Feb avg record high F = 69.1
|Mar avg record high F = 72.6
|Apr avg record high F = 79.0
|May avg record high F = 85.8
|Jun avg record high F = 93.9
|Jul avg record high F = 97.8
|Aug avg record high F = 96.9
|Sep avg record high F = 93.9
|Oct avg record high F = 85.9
|Nov avg record high F = 75.3
|Dec avg record high F = 66.3
|year avg record high F = 99.8

|Jan high F = 53.6
|Feb high F = 54.9
|Mar high F = 57.9
|Apr high F = 62.7
|May high F = 70.8
|Jun high F = 80.2
|Jul high F = 88.0
|Aug high F = 87.4
|Sep high F = 82.3
|Oct high F = 72.1
|Nov high F = 59.8
|Dec high F = 52.6
|year high F =

|Jan mean F = 43.4
|Feb mean F = 44.5
|Mar mean F = 47.5
|Apr mean F = 51.3
|May mean F = 58.8
|Jun mean F = 66.4
|Jul mean F = 73.1
|Aug mean F = 72.1
|Sep mean F = 67.2
|Oct mean F = 58.2
|Nov mean F = 48.4
|Dec mean F = 42.6
|year mean F =

|Jan low F = 33.1
|Feb low F = 34.2
|Mar low F = 37.0
|Apr low F = 40.0
|May low F = 46.8
|Jun low F = 52.6
|Jul low F = 58.2
|Aug low F = 56.8
|Sep low F = 52.1
|Oct low F = 44.2
|Nov low F = 37.1
|Dec low F = 32.6
|year low F =

|Jan avg record low F = 24.4
|Feb avg record low F = 26.0
|Mar avg record low F = 28.1
|Apr avg record low F = 30.4
|May avg record low F = 36.9
|Jun avg record low F = 43.3
|Jul avg record low F = 50.8
|Aug avg record low F = 50.3
|Sep avg record low F = 43.7
|Oct avg record low F = 34.9
|Nov avg record low F = 28.0
|Dec avg record low F = 23.7
|year avg record low F = 21.7

|Jan record low F = 15
|Feb record low F = 9
|Mar record low F = 19
|Apr record low F = 26
|May record low F = 27
|Jun record low F = 36
|Jul record low F = 40
|Aug record low F = 41
|Sep record low F = 35
|Oct record low F = 27
|Nov record low F = 19
|Dec record low F = 3

|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 9.30
|Feb precipitation inch = 8.98
|Mar precipitation inch = 8.16
|Apr precipitation inch = 4.43
|May precipitation inch = 2.48
|Jun precipitation inch = 0.74
|Jul precipitation inch = 0.00
|Aug precipitation inch = 0.11
|Sep precipitation inch = 0.44
|Oct precipitation inch = 2.56
|Nov precipitation inch = 5.52
|Dec precipitation inch = 10.48
|year precipitation inch = 53.20

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 12.8
|Feb precipitation days = 11.7
|Mar precipitation days = 12.2
|Apr precipitation days = 8.5
|May precipitation days = 5.9
|Jun precipitation days = 2.7
|Jul precipitation days = 0.2
|Aug precipitation days = 0.8
|Sep precipitation days = 1.6
|Oct precipitation days = 4.4
|Nov precipitation days = 8.4
|Dec precipitation days = 12.3

|Jan snow inch = 0.7
|Feb snow inch = 3.0
|Mar snow inch = 3.0
|Apr snow inch = 0.5
|May snow inch = 0.0
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 0.0
|Nov snow inch = 0.2
|Dec snow inch = 1.2
|year snow inch =

|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 0.3
|Feb snow days = 1.0
|Mar snow days = 1.0
|Apr snow days = 0.3
|May snow days = 0.0
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.0
|Nov snow days = 0.1
|Dec snow days = 0.3
|year snow days = 3.0

|source 1 = NOAA<ref name = NOAA>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00043573&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Grass Valley #2, CA
|access-date = May 8, 2023
}}
</ref>
|source 2 = National Weather Service<ref name = NOWData>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=sto
|publisher = National Weather Service
|title = NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Sacramento
|access-date = May 8, 2023
}}
</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1900= 4719
|1910= 4520
|1920= 4006
|1930= 3817
|1940= 5701
|1950= 5283
|1960= 4876
|1970= 5149
|1980= 6697
|1990= 9048
|2000= 10922
|2010= 12860
|estyear=2019
|estimate=12817
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2019CenPopScriptOnlyDirtyFixDoNotUse">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.2019.html|date=May 24, 2020|title=Population and Housing Unit Estimates|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 27, 2020}}</ref>
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}
[[File:DelOro.jpg|thumb|left|180px|The iconic spire of the Del Oro Theatre]]

===2010===
The [[2010 United States Census]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0630798|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140715035412/http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0630798|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 15, 2014|title=2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Grass Valley city|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=July 12, 2014}}</ref> reported that Grass Valley had a population of 12,860. The population density was {{convert|2,711.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|racial makeup]] of Grass Valley was 11,493 (89.4%) White, 208 (1.6%) Native American, 188 (1.5%) Asian, 46 (0.4%) African American, 9 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 419 (3.3%) from other races, and 497 (3.9%) from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 1,341 persons (10.4%).

The census reported that 12,401 people (96.4% of the population) lived in households, 118 (0.9%) lived in noninstitutionalized group quarters, and 341 (2.7%) were institutionalized.

Of the 6,077 households, 1,544 (25.4%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 1,665 (27.4%) were [[marriage|opposite-sex married couples]] living together, 980 (16.1%) had a female householder with no husband present, and 316 (5.2%) had a male householder with no wife present, 466 (7.7%) were [[POSSLQ|unmarried opposite-sex partnerships]], and 33 (0.5%) were [[Domestic partnership|same-sex married couples or partnerships]]. About 2,605 households (42.9%) were made up of individuals, and 1,415 (23.3%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.04. The 2,961 [[Family (US Census)|families]] (48.7% of all households) had an average family size of 2.78.

The population was distributed as 2,625 people (20.4%) under the age of 18, 1,146 people (8.9%) aged 18 to 24, 2,882 people (22.4%) aged 25 to 44, 3,183 people (24.8%) aged 45 to 64, and 3,024 people (23.5%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 78.9 males.  For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 73.5 males.

The 6,637 housing units averaged 1,399.3 per square mile (540.3/km{{sup|2}}), of which 2,391 (39.3%) were owner-occupied, and 3,686 (60.7%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 4.0%; the rental vacancy rate was 6.7%; 4,663 people (36.3% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 7,738 people (60.2%) lived in rental housing units.

===2000===
As of the census<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website  }}</ref> of 2000, 10,922 people, 5,016 households, and 2,678 families resided in the city. The population density was {{convert|2,660.2|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.

Of the 5,016 households, 26.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.4% were married couples living together, 16.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.6% were not families.  About 39.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.  The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.80 people.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,182, and for a family was $33,220. Males had a median income of $32,568 versus $21,915 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $16,877. About 12.9% of families and 14.9% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 20.0% of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those age 65 or over.

==Economy==
[[File:Grass Valley, Main Street.jpg|thumb|Shops on Main Street]]
The combined communities of Grass Valley and Nevada City have a fairly diversified economy. The Gold Rush days left a historical legacy and tourism and the related [[services sector]] constitute the bulk of the local economy.<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite web|url=http://www.grassvalleychamber.com/development.aspx|title=Business & Economic Development in Grass Valley and Nevada County CA<!-- Bot generated title -->|access-date=August 12, 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111011224538/http://www.grassvalleychamber.com/development.aspx|archive-date=October 11, 2011}}</ref> Nevada County is sometimes thought of as a [[bedroom community]] for families, with significant numbers of retirees. Those of working age often commute to [[Sacramento Valley]] cities to work, especially to job centers in Roseville, Yuba City, and Sacramento; and sometimes as far as the [[Bay Area]]. These commutes are quite long, resulting in many residents becoming [[super commuter]]s. Many of those who do not commute to the Sacramento Valley work locally in retail, wholesale, trade, engineering, manufacturing, construction, and other businesses, as well in local and state government. A significant number of high-tech electronics companies are in the area.{{Citation needed|date=July 2024}}

Another significant sector of the local economy is agriculture, as the soil in Nevada County is quite fertile. Around the time of the [[Gold Rush]], farmers planted orchards, vegetables, and other produce as ranchers brought in cattle, sheep, and other livestock. While the proportion of land dedicated to agriculture has significantly decreased over the last few decades, agriculture continues to be an important aspect of the local economy, including organic agricultural products. Nevada County has also become known for its growing wine industry.<ref name=autogenerated1 />

Major employers in Grass Valley include [[Nevada Union High School]], [[Nevada Irrigation District]], [[Dignity Health|Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital]], Golden Empire Nursing and Rehab Center, AJA Video Systems, Inc. and Briar Patch Food Co-op.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/majorer/countymajorer.asp?CountyCode=000057|title=Major Employers in California|website=www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov}}</ref>

The [[Grass Valley (company)|Grass Valley Group]] is a media technology [[research and development]] company founded in the city in 1959.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.grassvalley.com/about/|title=About Us|website=www.grassvalley.com|access-date=August 12, 2017}}</ref>

==Government==
Grass Valley has been a charter city since it was [[municipal corporation|incorporated]] in 1893.  It uses a council-manager form of government.<ref>{{Cite web
 | url = http://www.cityofgrassvalley.com/about/town-history
 | title = Town History
 | publisher = City of Grass Valley
 | access-date = January 14, 2015
 | archive-date = February 6, 2015
 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150206161419/http://www.cityofgrassvalley.com/about/town-history
 | url-status = dead
 }}</ref>

===Representatives===
In the [[California State Legislature]], Grass Valley is in {{Representative|casd|1|fmt=sdistrict}},<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://senate.ca.gov/senators |title=Senators |access-date=March 10, 2013 |publisher=State of California}}</ref> and {{Representative|caad|1|fmt=adistrict}}.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://assembly.ca.gov/assemblymembers |title=Members Assembly |access-date=March 2, 2013 |publisher=State of California}}</ref>

In the [[United States House of Representatives]], Grass Valley is in {{Representative|cacd|3|fmt=district}}.<ref>{{Cite GovTrack|CA|3|access-date=February 15, 2023}}</ref>

==Education==
[[File:Grass Valley High School girls basketball team, 1918.jpg|thumb|Grass Valley High School girls' basketball team, 1918]]
[[File:Grass Valley Public Library.jpg|thumb|The public library, named for [[Josiah Royce]]]]

===Higher education===
* Nevada County Campus of [[Sierra College]]

===Public primary and secondary schools===
*[[Bear River High School]]
*Bell Hill Academy
*Bitney College Prep Charter High School
*Cottage Hill Elementary School
*Forest Charter School
*[[Grass Valley Charter School]]
*Lyman Gilmore Middle School
*Magnolia Intermediate School
*[[Nevada Union High School]]
*Nevada City School District
*Pleasant Ridge Elementary School
*Scotten Elementary School
*Sierra Academy of Expeditionary Learning
*Union Hill Middle School
*William and Marian Ghidotti Early College High School
*Yuba River Charter School
*Clear Creek Elementary School
*Alta Sierra Elementary School

===Public libraries===
*[[Grass Valley Public Library|Josiah Royce Public Library]]

==Transportation==
Grass Valley is at the intersection of [[California State Route 49|State Route 49]] and [[State Route 20 (California)|State Route 20]].  Public transportation is served by the Gold Country Stage [https://web.archive.org/web/20071002110416/http://new.mynevadacounty.com/transit/] and limited to the urban areas.

==Designated historical landmarks==
* [[Empire Mine State Historic Park]] (CHL#298)
* [[Grass Valley Public Library]] (NRHP#92000267)
* [[Holbrooke Hotel]] (CHL#914)
* [[Home of Lola Montez]] (CHL#292)
* [[Home of Lotta Crabtree]] (CHL#293)
* [[Lyman Gilmore Middle School]]
* [[Mount Saint Mary's Convent and Academy]] (CHL#855)
* [[North Star Mine Powerhouse]] (CHL#843)
* [[California Trail|Overland Emigrant Trail]] (CHL#799)
* [[Gold Hill (Nevada County, California)|Site of the First Discoveries of Quartz Gold in California]] (CHL#297)

==Popular culture==
[[Wallace Stegner]]'s ''[[Angle of Repose]]'' features Grass Valley.

==Sister cities==
Grass Valley has two sister cities:<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cityofgrassvalley.com/about/sister-cities|title=Sister Cities|publisher=City of Grass Valley|access-date=February 5, 2015|archive-date=February 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150206023616/http://www.cityofgrassvalley.com/about/sister-cities|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|UK}} [[Bodmin|Bodmin, Cornwall]], United Kingdom
*{{flagicon|Italy}} [[Limana]], Italy

==Notable people==
{{Div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[Sam Aanestad]], dentist and politician
* [[Cecelia Ager]], American film critic and reporter
* [[Patrick Brice]], film director, actor
* [[Hunter Burgan]], musician
* [[John Cardiel]], professional skateboarder
* [[Lou Conter]], last known survivor of the sinking of the USS Arizona
* [[Lotta Crabtree]], 19th-century actress
* [[Pete Daley]], baseball player
* [[Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris|Jonathan Dayton]], film director
* [[Alonzo Delano]], first city treasurer
*[[Mary Florence Denton]], educator in Japan
* [[Matt DiBenedetto]], NASCAR driver
* [[Brodie Farber]], professional fighter
* [[Arthur De Wint Foote]], mining engineer
* [[Mary Hallock Foote]], author and illustrator
* [[Lisa Fortier|Lisa Mispley Fortier]], NCAA WBB coach
* [[Marcellite Garner]], Disney animation cel painter, voice actress who was the voice of Minnie Mouse, comic strip artist
* [[John Arthur Gellatly]], [[Lieutenant Governor of Washington]]
* [[Lyman Gilmore]], historically significant pilot
* Justin Gross, voiceover actor
* [[Charles Scott Haley]], mining engineer, expert in the field of placer gold deposits.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Lawler|first=David|date=Winter 2008|title=Geologists of California Series: Charles Scott Haley|journal=Journal of Sierra Nevada History & Biography|volume=1|issue=1|url=http://www.sierracollege.edu/ejournals/jsnhb/v1n1/geologist.html|access-date=July 3, 2019|archive-date=July 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190704013025/https://www.sierracollege.edu/ejournals/jsnhb/v1n1/geologist.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Fred Hargesheimer]], World War II pilot, philanthropist
* [[John Flint Kidder]], builder, historically significant railroad owner
* [[Sarah Kidder]], historically significant railroad owner
* [[Mark Meckler]], political activist
* [[Lola Montez]], 19th-century dancer
* [[Joanna Newsom]], American singer-songwriter
* [[Hans Ostrom]], writer and professor
* [[Jim Pagliaroni]], professional baseball player<ref name="Lives Lived: Jim Pagliaroni">{{cite news |url=http://www.theunion.com/article/20100407/OBITUARIES/100409820 |title=Lives Lived: Jim Pagliaroni |publisher=theunion.com |access-date=December 29, 2011 |archive-date=December 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213021105/http://www.theunion.com/article/20100407/OBITUARIES/100409820 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Former major league catcher Jim Pagliaroni dies at 72">{{cite web|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/afterword/2010/04/former-major-league-catcher-jim-pagliaroni-dies-at-72.html |title=Former major league catcher Jim Pagliaroni dies at 72 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=April 7, 2010 |access-date=December 29, 2011}}</ref>
* [[Mike Pinder]], musician
* [[Charles H. Prisk]], newspaper editor-publisher
* [[William F. Prisk]], State Senator, newspaper editor-publisher
* [[Chuck Ragan]], singer, songwriter, guitarist
* [[Dennis Richmond]], news anchor
* [[John Rollin Ridge]], writer
* [[Clint Ritchie]], actor
* [[Tim Rossovich]], professional football player, actor
* [[Richard Roundtree]], actor
* [[Josiah Royce]], philosopher
* [[Gabe Ruediger]], professional fighter
* [[Chris Senn (skateboarder)|Chris Senn]], professional skateboarder
* [[Jeremy Sisto]], actor
* [[Meadow Sisto]], actress
* [[John Aloysius Stanton]], painter, born in Grass Valley.<ref>{{Cite web|date=September 21, 2018|title=John Aloysius Stanton|url=https://art.famsf.org/john-aloysius-stanton|access-date=August 30, 2021|website=FAMSF Search the Collections|language=en}}</ref>
* [[Wallace Stegner]], author and winner of the [[Pulitzer Prize]]
* [[J. Christopher Stevens]], assassinated U.S. ambassador to Libya, born in Grass Valley<ref name=SLCTrib>{{cite web |url=http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/world/54885469-68/stevens-california-family-ago.html.csp |title=Stevens Remembered as a Man Who Cared Deeply for Libya |publisher=Salt Lake City Tribune |date=September 11, 2012}}</ref>
* [[Brad Sweet]], World of Outlaws Sprint Car Driver and 5X Champion
* [[Clint Walker]], actor
* [[William Watt (miner)|William Watt]], miner, State Senator, University of California Regent
{{div col end}}

==See also==
* [[Little Grass Valley, California]]
* [[Cyan Engineering]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{official website|http://www.cityofgrassvalley.com/}}
* [http://www.theunion.com/ ''The Union'' - local newspaper]
* [https://archive.today/20070816134906/http://www.ncgold.com/grass-valley/index.html Grass Valley visitor information]
* [https://oac.cdlib.org/search?style=oac4;Institution=California%20State%20Library::California%20History%20Room;idT=AGL-7324 Grass Valley grocer's ledger, 1894-1895] collection. California State Library, California History Room.
* [https://oac.cdlib.org/search?style=oac4;Institution=California%20State%20Library::California%20History%20Room;idT=001623155 Grass Valley mining helmets and equipment collection.] California State Library, California History Room.

{{Geographic location
|Center    = Grass Valley
|North = [[Nevada City, California|Nevada City]]
|Northeast = [[Scotts Flat Reservoir]]
|East = [[Cedar Ridge, Nevada County, California|Cedar Ridge]]
|Southeast = [[Foresthill, California|Foresthill]]
|South = [[Alta Sierra, California|Alta Sierra]]
|Southwest = [[Beale Air Force Base]]
|West = [[Penn Valley, California|Penn Valley]]
|Northwest = [[French Corral, California|French Corral]]
|image     =
}}
{{Nevada County, California}}
{{Greater Sacramento}}
{{Sierra Nevada}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Grass Valley, California| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Nevada County, California]]
[[Category:Cities in Sacramento metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Mining communities of the California Gold Rush]]
[[Category:Populated places in the Sierra Nevada (United States)]]
[[Category:Cornish-American history]]
[[Category:1893 establishments in California]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1893]]
[[Category:Incorporated cities and towns in California]]