Editing Occidental, California

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- Basic info  ---------------->
|official_name            = Occidental
|other_name               = Howards<ref name="gnis"/>
|native_name              = <!-- for cities whose native name is not in English -->
|nickname                 = 
|settlement_type          = [[census-designated place]]
|motto                    = 
<!-- images and maps  ----------->
|image_skyline            = OccidentalCAPOEdit2767.jpg
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = Occidental, California, post office
|image_flag               = 
|flag_size                = 
|image_seal               = 
|seal_size                = 
|image_shield             = 
|shield_size              = 
|image_blank_emblem       = 
|blank_emblem_type        = 
|blank_emblem_size        = 
|image_map                = Sonoma_County_California_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Occidental_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250x200px
|map_caption              = Location in [[Sonoma County, California|Sonoma County]] and the state of [[California]]
|image_map1               = 
|mapsize1                 = 
|map_caption1             = 
|image_dot_map            = 
|dot_mapsize              = 
|dot_map_caption          = 
|dot_x                    = 
|dot_y                    = 
| pushpin_map = USA#California
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in the United States##Location in California
<!-- Location ------------------>
|subdivision_type         = Country
|subdivision_name         = {{flagu|United States}}
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = {{flag|California}}
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in California|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Sonoma County, California|Sonoma]]
|subdivision_type3        = 
|subdivision_name3        = 
|subdivision_type4        = 
|subdivision_name4        = 
<!-- Politics ----------------->
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = 
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|leader_title1            = <!-- for places with, say, both a mayor and a city manager -->
|leader_name1             = 
|leader_title2            = 
|leader_name2             = 
|leader_title3            = 
|leader_name3             = 
|leader_title4            = 
|leader_name4             = 
|established_title        = <!-- Settled -->
|established_date         = 
|established_title2       = <!-- Incorporated (town) -->
|established_date2        = 
|established_title3       = <!-- Incorporated (city) -->
|established_date3        = 
<!-- Area------------------>
|area_magnitude           =
| unit_pref               =US
| area_footnotes          = <ref>{{Cite US Gazetteer|2010|places|CA}}</ref>
| area_total_sq_mi        = 4.966
| area_land_sq_mi         = 4.966
| area_water_sq_mi        = 0
| area_total_km2          = 12.862
| area_land_km2           = 12.862
| area_water_km2          = 0
| area_water_percent      = 0
| area_note               = 
|area_urban_sq_mi         = 
|area_metro_sq_mi         = 
|area_blank1_title        = 
|area_blank1_sq_mi        = 
<!-- Population   ----------------------->
|population_as_of         = 2020
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_note          = 
|population_total         = 1132
|population_density_sq_mi = auto
|population_metro         = 
|population_density_metro_sq_mi   = 
|population_urban                 = 
|population_density_urban_sq_mi   = 
|population_blank1_title          = 
|population_blank1                = 
|population_density_blank1_sq_mi  = 
<!-- General information  --------------->
|timezone                 = [[Pacific Time Zone|PST]]
|utc_offset               = &minus;8
|timezone_DST             = PDT
|utc_offset_DST           = &minus;7
|coordinates              = {{coord|38|24|27|N|122|56|54|W|region:US-CA|display=inline,title}}
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name="gnis">{{gnis|277568|Occidental}}</ref>
|elevation_ft             = 594
<!-- Area/postal codes & others -------->
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP Code]]
|postal_code              = 95465
|area_code                = [[Area code 707|707]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 06-53266
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 277568
|website                  = 
|footnotes                = 
}}
'''Occidental''' is a [[census-designated place]] (CDP) in [[Sonoma County, California|Sonoma County]], [[California]], United States. The population was 1,132 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], up from 1,115 at the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]].

==History==
[[File:Occidental, California (1902).jpg|thumb|left|Occidental, 1902]]
Founded in 1876, Occidental was a stop on the [[North Pacific Coast Railroad]] connecting [[Cazadero, California|Cazadero]] to the [[Sausalito, California|Sausalito]] ferry. In return for donating right-of-way to the railroad, a local landowner named "Dutch Bill" Howards received a lifetime railway pass, and the station was named after him.<ref name="Occidental">{{cite web|url=http://www.occidental.org/|title=Occidental|access-date=2012-12-27}}</ref>

The railway caused a rapid expansion of the timber industry, and by 1877 there were six sawmills in the Occidental area. Trains also brought vacationers from San Francisco.<ref name="Occidental"/>

Howard’s Station Cafe is a restaurant that is located at the old narrow gauge railroad stop in downtown Occidental.<ref name="Howard’s Station">{{cite web |url=https://www.howardstationcafe.com/ourstory |title=All Aboard Our Local Motive |publisher=HOWARD STATION CAFE |access-date=2022-03-09}}</ref>

==Geography==
Occidental has a total area of {{convert|4.97|sqmi|km2|1|abbr=on}}, all of it land.<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>

==Climate==
The cooperative [[National Weather Service]] station reports that Occidental has cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers.

Average January temperatures range from {{convert|41.8|to|54.5|F|C}} and average July temperatures range from {{convert|51.4|to|77.9|F|C}}. The record highest temperature was {{convert|103|°F|°C|1}} on July 22, 2006, and the record lowest temperature was {{convert|28|°F|°C|1}} on March 11, 2006. There are an average of 12.8 afternoons with highs of {{convert|90|°F|°C|1}} or higher and an average of 2.1 mornings with lows of {{convert|32|°F|°C}} or lower.

Average annual rainfall is {{convert|55.19|in|mm|1}}. The wettest "rain year" was from July 1997 to June 1998 with {{convert|102.89|in|mm|1}} and the driest was from July 2000 to June 2001 with {{convert|29.84|in|mm|1}}.<ref>[[National Weather Service]] San Francisco Bay Area/Monterey; [http://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=mtr NOW Data – NOAA Online Weather Data]</ref> The most rainfall in one month was {{convert|36.62|in|mm|1}} in January 1995. The most rainfall in 24 hours was {{convert|8.51|in|mm|1}} on January 5, 1966. Average annual snowfall is only {{convert|0.2|in|cm|sp=us}}. The most snowfall was {{convert|11.0|in|cm}} in January 1974.<ref name="WRCC">[[Western Regional Climatic Center]]; [https://wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?ca6370 OCCIDENTAL, CA]</ref>
<div style="width:75%">
{{Weather box
|location = Occidental, California
|single line = Yes
|Jan high F = 54.7
|Feb high F = 56.8
|Mar high F = 60.9
|Apr high F = 63.6
|May high F = 70.1
|Jun high F = 75.9
|Jul high F = 77.8
|Aug high F = 77.7
|Sep high F = 76.4
|Oct high F = 71.4
|Nov high F = 60.8
|Dec high F = 54.7
|year high F = 66.7
|Jan low F = 42.1
|Feb low F = 42.5
|Mar low F = 43.8
|Apr low F = 43.8
|May low F = 47.4
|Jun low F = 50.6
|Jul low F = 51.0
|Aug low F = 52.1
|Sep low F = 52.8
|Oct low F = 50.8
|Nov low F = 45.4
|Dec low F = 42.7
|year low F = 47.1
|Jan precipitation inch = 11.16
|Feb precipitation inch = 9.18
|Mar precipitation inch = 7.16
|Apr precipitation inch = 3.38
|May precipitation inch = 1.56
|Jun precipitation inch = 0.47
|Jul precipitation inch = 0.07
|Aug precipitation inch = 0.24
|Sep precipitation inch = 0.54
|Oct precipitation inch = 3.26
|Nov precipitation inch = 7.08
|Dec precipitation inch = 10.19
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation days = 11
|Feb precipitation days = 10
|Mar precipitation days = 11
|Apr precipitation days = 6
|May precipitation days = 4
|Jun precipitation days = 1
|Jul precipitation days= 0
|Aug precipitation days = 1
|Sep precipitation days = 2
|Oct precipitation days = 5
|Nov precipitation days = 9
|Dec precipitation days = 11
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 inch
|source 1 = Western Regional Climate Center<ref name="WRCC"/>
|date=June 2013
}}
</div>

==Demographics==
[[Image:California 2008 075.JPG|thumb|right|Downtown Occidental, 2008]]
{{US Census population
|1880= 97
|1990= 1300
|2000= 1272
|2010= 1115
|2020= 1132
|estyear=2021
|estimate=1126
|estref=<ref name="acs2021est">{{cite web|url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=1600000US0653266&y=2021|title=ACS Survey Population Estimate 2021}}</ref>
|footnote=US Census<ref name="DecennialCensus2020">{{cite web|url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=1600000US0653266&y=2020.P1|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov}}</ref> U.S Census 1880-1980,<ref name="1860Census">{{cite web|url=https://dof.ca.gov/reports/demographic-reports/|title=Population Totals by Township and Place for California Counties: 1860 to 1950|publisher=dof.ca.gov}}</ref>
}}

{| class="wikitable sortable collapsible" style="font-size: 90%;"
|+ Race and Ethnicity
! Racial and ethnic composition
! 2000<ref name=datacensus2000p2>{{cite web|url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=1600000US0653266&y=2000&d=DEC+Redistricting+Data+(PL+94-171)&tid=DECENNIALPL2000.PL002|publisher=US Census Bureau|title=2000: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)}}</ref>
! 2010<ref name=datacensus2010p2>{{cite web|url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=1600000US0653266&y=2010&d=DEC+Redistricting+Data+(PL+94-171)&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|publisher=US Census Bureau|title=2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)}}</ref>
! 2020<ref name=datacensus2020p2>{{cite web|url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=1600000US0653266&y=2020&d=DEC+Redistricting+Data+(PL+94-171)&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|publisher=US Census Bureau|title=2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)}}</ref>
|-
! [[Non-Hispanic whites|White (non-Hispanic)]]
| 89.15%
| 85.02%
| 81.98%
|-
! [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino (of any race)]]
| 4.64%
| 7.26%
| 7.24%
|-
! [[Multiracial American|Two or more races (non-Hispanic)]]
| 2.67%
| 3.77%
| 7.07%
|-
! [[Asian American|Asian (non-Hispanic)]]
| 1.18%
| 2.78%
| 1.68%
|-
! Other (non-Hispanic)
| 0.79%
| 0.0%
| 1.41%
|-
! [[African American|Black or African American (non-Hispanic)]]
| 0.55%
| 0.63%
| 0.44%
|-
! [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American (non-Hispanic)]]
| 0.79%
| 0.54%
| 0.18%
|-
! [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander (non-Hispanic)]]
| 0.24%
| 0.0%
| 0.0%
|}

===2010===
At the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]] Occidental had a population of 1,115. The population density was {{convert|224.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of Occidental was 992 (89.0%) White, 7 (0.6%) African American, 7 (0.6%) Native American, 31 (2.8%) Asian, 0 (0.0%) Pacific Islander, 23 (2.1%) from other races, and 55 (4.9%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 81 people (7.3%).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0653266|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140715032146/http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0653266|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 15, 2014|title=2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Occidental CDP|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=July 12, 2014}}</ref>

The census reported that 100% of the population lived in households.

There were 532 households, 134 (25.2%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 228 (42.9%) were [[marriage|opposite-sex married couples]] living together, 44 (8.3%) had a female householder with no husband present, 25 (4.7%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 39 (7.3%) [[POSSLQ|unmarried opposite-sex partnerships]], and 14 (2.6%) [[same-sex partnerships|same-sex married couples or partnerships]]. 172 households (32.3%) were one person and 40 (7.5%) had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.10. There were 297 families (55.8% of households); the average family size was 2.65.

The age distribution was 192 people (17.2%) under the age of 18, 52 people (4.7%) aged 18 to 24, 264 people (23.7%) aged 25 to 44, 462 people (41.4%) aged 45 to 64, and 145 people (13.0%) who were 65 or older. The median age was 48.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.8 males.

There were 673 housing units at an average density of {{convert|135.5|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}, of which 68.6% were owner-occupied and 31.4% were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 4.2%; the rental vacancy rate was 6.6%. 70.3% of the population lived in owner-occupied housing units and 29.7% lived in rental housing units.

The median household income was $64,714 (+19.8% from 2000), and the median family income was $87,759 (+30.0% from 2000). The median per capita income for the CDP was $40,903 (+57.5% from 2000). For comparison, statewide California median per capita income in the 2010 Census was $27,885 (+22.8% from 2000).

===2000===
At the [[2000 United States Census|2000 census]] there were 1,272 people, 524 households, and 319 families in the CDP. The population density was 255/sq&nbsp;mi (99/km{{sup|2}}). There were 632 housing units at an average density of 127/sq&nbsp;mi (49/km{{sup|2}}). The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2000 census|racial makeup]] of the CDP was 92.77% White, 0.55% African American, 0.79% Native American, 1.18% Asian, 0.24% Pacific Islander, 1.57% from other races, and 2.91% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.64%.<ref name="GR2" />

Of the 524 households, 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.2% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.1% were non-families. 27.1% of households were one person and 5.2% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.91.

The age distribution was 22.8% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 33.3% from 45 to 64, and 8.6% 65 or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.0 males.

The median household income was $54,000 and the median family income was $71,375. Males had a median income of $46,806 versus $29,306 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $25,970. About 7.9% of families and 9.8% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 13.7% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

==Economy==
The large number of craft breweries and wineries in the area have made Barley and Hops Tavern and Sonoma Fine Wine store in downtown Occidental local and tourist destinations.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/01/18/TR3415690N.DTL&feed=rss.travel | work=The San Francisco Chronicle | title=A coastal escape in tiny Occidental | first=Christine | last=Delsol | date=January 18, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.pressdemocrat.com/biteclub/ |title=Wine Country Dining and Restaurants: BiteClub |access-date=2009-02-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215173706/http://blog.pressdemocrat.com/biteclub/ |archive-date=2009-02-15 }}</ref>

The tool-belt manufacturing company Occidental Leather started in an Occidental barn and later moved to downtown Occidental.<ref>Allday, Erin. ''Tool-belt artisan master of hide''. The Press Democrat, Santa Rosa, CA, Tuesday, July 10, 2001, Business section p. E1.</ref>

The [[Occidental Arts and Ecology Center]] (OAEC) is a non-profit organization located near Occidental. Situated on an 80-acre ecological reserve near the Russian River, OAEC works with communities in the region to restore and build cultural and biological diversity.

==Government==
In the [[California State Legislature|state legislature]], Occidental is in the [[California's 2nd State Senate district|2nd Senate District]] and in the [[California's 2nd State Assembly district|2nd Assembly District]].

Federally, Occidental is in {{Representative|cacd|2|fmt=district}}.<ref>{{Cite GovTrack|CA|2|accessdate=March 8, 2013}}</ref>

==Education==
The school districts are [[Harmony Union School District]]<!--ELM 16620--> and [[West Sonoma County Union High School District]]<!--SEC 02670-->.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st06_ca/schooldistrict_maps/c06097_sonoma/DC20SD_C06097.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Sonoma County, CA|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|access-date=2024-12-07}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st06_ca/schooldistrict_maps/c06097_sonoma/DC20SD_C06097_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>

==Notable people==
<!--- Keep list in alphabetical order --->
* [[Les Claypool]], musician
* [[Nick Gravenites]], musician<ref>{{cite news |title=Nick Gravenites reminisces about Janis Joplin, Michael Bloomfield and the Chicago blues migration to San Francisco |url=https://www.marinij.com/2023/06/15/nick-gravenites-reminisces-about-janis-joplin-michael-bloomfield-and-the-chicago-blues-migration-to-san-francisco/ |access-date=September 20, 2024 |work=Marin Independent Journal |date=June 15, 2023}}</ref>
* [[Mickey Hart]], musician
* [[Alicia Bay Laurel]], artist, author and musician
* [[Terence McKenna]], ethnobotanist
* [[Robert Nichols (actor)|Robert Nichols]], actor<ref name=pd>{{cite news|first=Guy|last=Kovner|title=Robert Nichols |url=http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20130326/ARTICLES/130329610 |work=[[The Press Democrat]] |date=2013-03-26 |access-date=2013-04-09}}</ref>
* [[Max Thieriot]], actor, grew up in Occidental<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 1, 2016|title=Occidental Terroirist|url=http://www.oregonwinepress.com/occidental-terroirist-max-thieriot|access-date=2021-06-14|website=Oregon Wine Press|language=en}}</ref>
* [[Kitaro]], musician
* [[Tom Waits]], musician

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.occidental.org/ Occidental Chamber of Commerce]

{{Sonoma County, California}}
{{SF Bay Area}}
{{Russian River}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Census-designated places in Sonoma County, California]]
[[Category:Census-designated places in California]]