View source for Modoc County, California

{{short description|County in California, United States}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
 | name                     = Modoc County
| settlement_type    = [[List of counties in California|County]]
<!-- Images and maps  ----------->
| image_skyline      =  {{multiple image
  | total_width        = 280
  | border             = infobox
  | perrow             = 1/2/2
  | caption_align      = center
  | image1             = Modoc National Forest (cropped).jpg
  | caption1           = [[Modoc National Forest]]
  | image2             = Nevada-California-Oregon_Railway_Co._General_Office_Building_(cropped).jpg
  | caption2           = [[Alturas, California|Alturas]]
  | image3             = Goose Lake (6024169313) (cropped).jpg
  | caption3           = [[Goose Lake (Oregon–California)|Goose Lake]]
  | image4             = Warren Peak summit vista.jpg
  | caption4           = [[Warren Peak (California)|Warren Peak]]
  | image5             = -mypubliclandsroadtrip 2016- Take the Backroads, Surprise Valley Barrel Springs (28165766286).jpg
  | caption5           = [[Surprise Valley, Modoc County|Surprise Valley]]
  }}
 | image_size               = 
 | image_caption            = 
 | image_flag               = 
 | image_seal               = Seal of Modoc County, California.png
 | seal_size                = 
 | seal_alt                 = 
 | seal_link                = List of U.S. county and city insignia
 | seal_type                = Seal
 | image_shield             = 
 | shield_size              = 
 | shield_alt               = 
 | shield_link              = 
 | named_for                = the [[Modoc people]]
 | subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
 | subdivision_name         = [[United States]]
 | subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
 | subdivision_name1        = [[California]]
 | subdivision_type2        = [[List of regions of California|Region]]
 | subdivision_name2        = [[Shasta Cascade]]
 | seat_type                = [[County seat]]
 | seat                     = [[Alturas, California|Alturas]]
 | seat1_type               = Largest city
 | seat1                    = Alturas
 | unit_pref                = US
 | area_total_sq_mi         = 4203
 | area_land_sq_mi          = 3918
 | area_water_sq_mi         = 286
 | elevation_max_footnotes  = 
 | elevation_max_ft         = 9892
 | elevation_min_footnotes  = 
 | elevation_min_ft         = 
<!-- Population ------------>
 | population_footnotes     = <ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06/06049.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=April 4, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728140143/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06/06049.html|archive-date=July 28, 2011}}</ref>
 | population_as_of       = 2020
 | population_total       = 8700
| pop_est_as_of           = 2024
| population_est          = 8491 {{loss}}
 | population_density_sq_mi = auto
|demographics_type2        = GDP
| demographics2_footnotes  = <ref>{{Cite web|title= Gross Domestic Product: All Industries in Modoc County, CA|url= https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/GDPALL06049|work=[[Federal Reserve Economic Data]] |publisher=[[Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis]]}}</ref>
|demographics2_title1     = Total
|demographics2_info1      = $0.580 billion (2022)
 | established_title        = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
 | established_date         = February 17, 1874
 | government_type          = [[Council–manager government|Council–CEO]]
 | leader_title             = Chair
 | leader_name              = Ned Coe
 | leader_title1            = Vice Chair
 | leader_name1             = Geri Byrne
 | leader_title2            = Board of Supervisors<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.co.modoc.ca.us/departments/board_of_supervisors/index.php|title=Welcome To New Webgen|website=www.co.modoc.ca.us}}</ref>
 | leader_name2             = {{Collapsible list
| title                           = Supervisors
| 1 = Ned Coe
| 2 = Shane Starr
| 3 = Kathie Rhoads
| 4 = Casey Cockrell
| 5 = Geri Byrne
}}
 | leader_title4            = County Administrative Officer
 | leader_name4             = Chester Robertson
 | timezone                 = [[Pacific Standard Time|PST]]
 | utc_offset               = -08:00
 | timezone_DST             = [[Pacific Daylight Time|PDT]]
 | utc_offset_DST           = -07:00
 | postal_code_type         = <!--[[ZIP code]]s-->
 | postal_code              = 
 | area_code                = 
 | image_map                = {{Maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-width=250|frame-align=center|type=shape|fill=#ffffff|fill-opacity=0|stroke-width=3}}
 | map_caption              = Interactive map of Modoc County
 | image_map1               = Map of California highlighting Modoc County.svg
 | mapsize1                 = 200px
 | map_caption1             = Location in the U.S. state of [[California]]
 | website                  = {{URL|www.co.modoc.ca.us}}
 | footnotes                = 
 | elevation_max_m          = 3015
 | blank_name_sec1          = Congressional district
 | blank_info_sec1          = [[California's 1st congressional district|1st]]
}}

'''Modoc County''' ({{IPAc-en|audio=En-us-modoc.ogg|'|m|oʊ|d|ɒ|k}}) is a [[county (United States)|county]] located in the far northeast corner of the [[U.S. state]] of [[California]]. Its population is 8,700 as of the 2020 census, down from 9,686 from the 2010 census. This makes it California's third-least-populous county. The [[county seat]] and only incorporated city is [[Alturas, California|Alturas]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> Previous County seats include [[Lake City, Modoc County, California|Lake City]] and [[California Pines, California|Centerville]]. The county borders [[Nevada]] and [[Oregon]]. Much of Modoc County is [[federal land]]. Several federal agencies, including the [[United States Forest Service]], [[Bureau of Land Management]], [[National Park Service]], [[Bureau of Indian Affairs]], and the [[United States Fish and Wildlife Service]], have employees assigned to the area, and their operations are a significant part of its economy and services. The county's official slogans include "The last best place" and "Where the West still lives".<ref name="Bargains" />

==History==
Prior to the arrival of Europeans in the region, varying cultures of [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]] inhabited the county for thousands of years. At the time of European encounter, the [[Modoc people]] lived in what is now northern California, near [[Lost River (California)|Lost River]] and [[Tule Lake]]. The county was named after them.<ref name="Hoover/Kyle" />{{rp|216}} The [[Achomawi]] (or Pit River Indians, for which the [[Pit River]] is named), and the [[Northern Paiute|Paiute]] also lived in the area.<ref name="Hoover/Kyle" />{{rp|216}} To the north were the [[Klamath people|Klamath]] in present-day Oregon.

The first European explorers to visit Modoc County were the American [[John C. Frémont]] and his traveling party (including [[Kit Carson]]) in 1846, who had departed from [[Sutter's Fort]] near the confluence of the [[American River|American]] and [[Sacramento River]]s (where [[Sacramento, California|Sacramento]] stands today).<ref name="Hoover/Kyle" />{{rp|216}}

The northern boundary of California, and eventually Modoc County, had been established as the 42nd parallel since the time of Mexican possession. In the absence of a reliable survey of the 120th meridian, the eastern boundary of northern California was a subject of contention before Modoc County formed. The [[Territory of Utah]] requested jurisdiction to the summit of the [[Sierra Nevada (U.S.)|Sierra Nevada]]. At the time, the [[Warner Mountains]] were believed to be a part of the Sierra Nevada, so this would have included [[Surprise Valley (Modoc County, California)|Surprise Valley]], but California denied the request.<ref name="Pease">{{cite book | last = Pease | first = Robert W. | title = Modoc County; University of California Publications in Geography, Volume 17 | publisher = University of California Press | year = 1965 | location = Berkeley and Los Angeles| isbn = 9780608141589 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=B54iAQAAIAAJ }}</ref>{{rp|76–77}}

In 1856, the residents of [[Honey Lake Valley]] reckoned the 120th meridian to be west of their valley, placing them in Utah territory, and attempted to secede and form a territory they called [[Nataqua]]. Nataqua would have included Modoc County.<ref name='Nataqua News'>{{cite news | title=Reprinted from a previous issue... | year=1997 | publisher=Thumbs Up Publishing | url =http://www.ectownusa.com/Nataqua/whatisnataqua.html | work =Nataqua News | access-date = April 5, 2010 }}</ref> In 1858, the [[Territory of Nevada]], with its capital now in Carson City, seceded from Utah, and assumed jurisdiction to the summit of the Sierra Nevada until the 120th meridian was surveyed in 1863.<ref name="Pease" />{{rp|76–77}} After Nevada was granted statehood in 1864, the region of current Modoc County was placed within jurisdiction of [[Shasta County, California]], and [[Siskiyou County, California|Siskiyou County]] was, in turn, generated from Shasta County in 1852.<ref name="ALCHA" />

Increasing traffic on the emigrant trail, unprovoked militia raids on innocent Modoc, and a cycle of retaliatory raids increased a cycle of violence between settlers and the tribes in the area.<ref name="Hoover/Kyle">{{cite book|author1=Mildred Brooke Hoover|author2=Douglas E. Kyle|title=Historic Spots in California|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AYMPR6xAj50C|access-date=September 27, 2013|year=2002|publisher=Stanford University Press|isbn=978-0-8047-7817-6}}</ref>{{rp|217}} In 1864, the Klamath, Modoc and Yahooskin band of the [[Shoshone]] signed a treaty ceding lands in both Oregon and California, and the tribes were colocated on the Klamath Reservation. Harassed by the Klamath, traditional competitors, a band of Modoc led by [[Kintpuash|Captain Jack]] returned to California and the Tule Lake area.

The [[Modoc War]] or [[Lava Beds War]] of 1872–73 brought nationwide attention to the Modoc. From strong defensive positions in the [[lava tube]]s, 52 Modoc warriors held off hundreds of US Army forces, who called in artillery to help.<ref name="Hoover/Kyle" />{{rp|218–219}} Peace talks in 1873 stalled when the Modoc wanted their own reservation in California. Warriors urged killing the peace commissioners, thinking the Americans would then leave, and Captain Jack and others shot and killed General [[Edward Canby]] and Rev. Eleazer Thomas, as well as wounding others. More Army troops were called in to lay siege to Captain Jack's Stronghold.<ref name=CSMM>{{cite web |title=Modoc Wars, 1873-74|url=http://www.militarymuseum.org/Modoc1.html |year=2009 |publisher=[[California State Military Museum]] |access-date=July 21, 2009}}</ref> Dissension arose, and some Modoc surrendered. Finally, most were captured, and those responsible for the assassinations were tried and executed. More than 150 Modoc were transported to Indian Territory as prisoners of war.<ref name="Hoover/Kyle" />{{rp|219}} The area has since been designated the [[Lava Beds National Monument]].

Settlement of the county began in earnest in the 1870s, with the timber, gold, agriculture, and railroad industries bringing most of the settlers into the area. The county was a crossroads for the [[Applegate Trail|Lassen Applegate Trail]], which brought settlers north from Nevada to the [[Oregon Trail]] and south to trails leading into California's central valley. Early settlers included the Dorris, Belli, Essex, Scherer, Trumbo, Flournoy, Polander, Rice and Campbell families.

Modoc County was formed when Governor [[Newton Booth]] signed an Act of the California Legislature on February 17, 1874, after residents of the [[Surprise Valley (Modoc County, California)|Surprise Valley]] region lobbied for the creation of a new county from eastern Siskiyou County land.<ref name="Hoover/Kyle" />{{rp|216}} The county residents considered naming the newly formed county after Canby, whom the Modoc had killed the previous year in an ambush at peace talks. The name Summit was also considered, but the populace eventually settled on Modoc. The war was over and 153 of Captain Jack's band had been transported to [[Indian Territory]] as prisoners.<ref name=ALCHA>{{cite web |title=Modoc County History |url=http://www.alturaschamber.org/history.htm |year=2009 |work=Alturas Chamber of Commerce |publisher=Modoc County Government |access-date=July 21, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090617195609/http://www.alturaschamber.org/history.htm |archive-date=June 17, 2009 }}</ref>

The Dorris Bridge post office opened in 1871<ref name=CGN>{{California's Geographic Names|351}}</ref> and was renamed Dorrisville in 1874. Due to its central location, it became the county seat when Modoc County formed that year, although both [[Adin, California|Adin]] and [[Cedarville, California|Cedarville]] were larger towns.<ref name="Pease" />{{rp|84}} In 1876, it was renamed Alturas, Spanish for "The Heights".<ref name=gudde>{{cite book|first=Erwin|last=Gudde|author2=William Bright |title=California Place Names|year=2004|edition=Fourth|publisher=University of California Press|pages=10|isbn=0-520-24217-3}}</ref> The 1880 census showed a population of 148. Settlement continued for the next 20 years, until the city was officially incorporated on September 16, 1901 (the county's only incorporated city).

[[File:NPSTuleLakeSC2006(12.43.47).png|thumb|Tule Lake Segregation Center historical marker]]
During [[World War II]], the US government developed several thousand acres just south of [[Newell, California|Newell]] as a [[Japanese American internment]] camp. [[Tule Lake War Relocation Center]] was the site of temporary exile for thousands of Japanese-American citizens, who lost most of their businesses and properties where they had formerly lived in coastal areas. A historical marker marks the site along [[California State Route 139]] in Newell. Tule Lake was the largest of the "segregation camps." On November 8, 2005, Senator [[Dianne Feinstein]] called for the camp to be designated a [[National Historic Landmark]]. In December 2008 President [[George W. Bush]] designated it one of nine sites to be part of the new [[World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument]], now the [[Tule Lake National Monument]].

==Geography==
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], Modoc County spans a total area of {{convert|4203|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|3918|sqmi}} is land, with {{convert|286|sqmi}} (6.8%) water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_06.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 28, 2015|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files}}</ref> There are 2.25 persons per square mile, making Modoc one of the [[List of counties in California|least-populated counties]] in the state of California. In terms of its county lines, Modoc is one of the only nearly-[[Rectangle|rectangular]] counties in California; a slight deviation occurs around the [[Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge]].

[[Geology|Geologically]], Modoc County is quite unique. The area's tumultuous [[Seismology|seismic]] past has set the stage for a productive, diverse regional [[ecology]] today; a rich [[soil]] composition, largely created by ancient [[volcano]]es dispersing vast amounts of [[mineral]]s, stands out from the typically bland, clay-heavy terrain common in the American west. To the northwest of the county lies [[Medicine Lake Volcano|Medicine Lake]]—the largest [[shield volcano]] on the [[West Coast of the United States|U.S. West Coast]]—and [[Lava Beds National Monument]]. In west Modoc County is the massive [[Glass Mountain (California)|Glass Mountain]], another ancient [[Lava|lava flow]]. The southwestern quadrant of the county is a unique [[ecosystem]] of isolated hardwoods (oaks) and volcanic mountains with intermountain river valleys.

[[File:MuleDeer ModocCounty.jpg|thumb|250px|left|[[Mule deer]] in Modoc County]]

The northern half of the county is primarily the [[Modoc Plateau]], a {{convert|1|mi|km|-high|adj=mid}} expanse of lava flows, [[cinder cone]]s, [[juniper]] flats, [[Pinaceae|pine]] forests and [[Lake|seasonal lakes]], including the [[PH|alkaline]] waters of [[Goose Lake (Oregon-California)|Goose Lake]]. Nearly {{convert|1|e6acre|km2}} of the [[Modoc National Forest]] lie on the [[plateau]] between Medicine Lake, to the west, and the [[Warner Mountains]], to the east.

A great diversity of plants are found in Modoc County. As it is situated within the biodiverse [[California Floristic Province]], many native trees are found in the county, including [[Quercus garryana|Garry oak]] (''Quercus garryana'') and [[Pinus washoensis|Washoe pine]] (''Pinus washoensis'').<ref name="Hogan">C. Michael Hogan, [http://www.globaltwitcher.com/artspec_information.asp?thingid=82385 ''Quercus kelloggii''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213134008/http://www.globaltwitcher.com/artspec_information.asp?thingid=82385|date=February 13, 2012}}, Globaltwitcher, 2008</ref> ''[[Pinus jeffreyi]]'' and [[Pinus ponderosa|''P. ponderosa'']] (the Jeffrey and ponderosa pines, respectively) are also found in substantial groves.<ref name="BarbourBillings2000">{{cite book |author1=Michael G. Barbour |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ra2QzAh9xdIC |title=North American Terrestrial Vegetation |author2=William Dwight Billings |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=2000 |isbn=978-0-521-55986-7 |access-date=September 27, 2013}}</ref> The rich plant life supports substantial populations of [[mule deer]] (''[[Odocoileus]] hemionus''), [[Rocky Mountain elk]] (''[[Cervus]] canadensis'') and [[pronghorn]] (''[[Antilocapra]] americana''), as well as several herds of [[wild horse]]s (''Equus ferus''). [[Clear Lake National Wildlife Refuge]] and Long Bell State Game Refuge are located on the plateau, as well. The [[Lost River (California)|Lost River]], which later drains into the [[Klamath River]] basin, drains the northern part of the plateau; southern watersheds either collect in basin reservoirs or flow into the [[Big Sage Reservoir]], in the center of the county (which later flows into the [[Pit River]]).

Below the rim of the plateau, in the extreme southwest corner of the county, are Big Valley and Warm Springs Valley, which form the bottom of the Pit River watershed that flows through the county. The Pit River's northern and southern [[Tributary|forks]] come together just south of Alturas; the river collects hundreds of other small [[Stream|creeks]] on its trajectory south towards [[Shasta Lake]], where it joins the [[Sacramento River]] and ultimately drains into [[San Francisco Bay]]. The eastern edge of the county is dominated by the Warner Mountains. The Pit River originates in this mountain range. Hundreds of alpine lakes dot the range, all of which are fed by snowmelt and natural springs. East of the Warner Range is [[Surprise Valley (Modoc County, California)|Surprise Valley]] and the western edge of the [[Great Basin]].

[[Hot spring]]s and lava caves are unique to Modoc County. There is potential for some [[geothermal energy]] resources in the county, though the viability is highly variable.

===Adjacent counties===
*[[Klamath County, Oregon]] - north
*[[Lake County, Oregon]] - north
*[[Washoe County, Nevada]] - east
*[[Lassen County, California|Lassen County]] - south
*[[Shasta County, California|Shasta County]] - southwest
*[[Siskiyou County, California|Siskiyou County]] - west

===National protected areas===
* [[Clear Lake National Wildlife Refuge]]
* [[Lava Beds National Monument]] (part)
* [[Modoc National Forest]] (part)
* [[Shasta National Forest]] (part)
* [[Modoc National Wildlife Refuge]] (part)
* [[Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge]] (part)
* [[Tule Lake Unit, World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument]] (part)

==Demographics==
===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
|+'''Modoc County, California – Racial and ethnic composition'''<br><small>{{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}</small>
!Race / Ethnicity <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small>
!Pop 1980<ref>{{Cite web |title=California: 1980, General Social and Economic Characteristics, Part 1 - Table 59: Persons by Race, Hispanic Origin, and Sex|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1980a_caCs1-01.pdf|access-date=}}</ref>
!Pop 1990<ref>{{Cite web |title=California: 1990, Part 1 - Table 5: Race and Hispanic Origin|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1990/cp-1/cp-1-6-1.pdf |access-date=July 14, 2024}}</ref>
!Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Modoc County, California|url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=050XX00US06049&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Modoc County, California|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US06049&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!style="background-color: #ffffb3;" | Pop 2020<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Modoc County, California|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US06049&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!% 1980
!% 1990
!% 2000
!% 2010
!style="background-color: #ffffb3;" |% 2020
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|7,854
|8,479
|7,663
|7,649
|style='background: #ffffe6; |6,446
|91.22%
|87.61%
|81.10%
|78.97%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |74.09%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|14
|78
|59
|77
|style='background: #ffffe6; |66
|0.16%
|0.81%
|0.62%
|0.79%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.76%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|346
|378
|340
|293
|style='background: #ffffe6; |387
|4.02%
|3.91%
|3.60%
|3.02%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |4.45%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|24
|35
|58
|70
|style='background: #ffffe6; |61
|0.28%
|0.36%
|0.61%
|0.72%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.70%
|-
|[[Native Hawaiian]] or [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|x <ref>included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census</ref>
|x <ref>included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census</ref>
|7
|21
|style='background: #ffffe6; |13
|0.07%
|0.22%
|0.07%
|0.22%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.15%
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH)
|16
|7
|26
|14
|style='background: #ffffe6; |56
|0.19%
|0.07%
|0.28%
|0.14%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.64%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or Multiracial]] (NH)
|x <ref>not an option in the 1980 Census</ref>
|x <ref>not an option in the 1990 Census</ref>
|208
|220
|style='background: #ffffe6; |412
|x
|x
|2.20%
|2.27%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |4.74%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|356
|701
|1,088
|1,342
|style='background: #ffffe6; |1,259
|4.13%
|7.24%
|11.51%
|13.86%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |14.47%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''8,610'''
|'''9,678'''
|'''9,449'''
|'''9,686'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''8,700 '''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%'''
|}

=== 2011 ===

{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
|-
! colspan=6 | Population, race, and income
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" | Total population<ref name="US-CB-B02001">U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B02001. [https://www.census.gov U.S. Census website]. Retrieved October 26, 2013.</ref>
| colspan=2 | 9,587
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" | &nbsp;&nbsp;White<ref name="US-CB-B02001"/>
| 8,392
| 87.5%
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" | &nbsp;&nbsp;Black or African American<ref name="US-CB-B02001"/>
| 108
| 1.1%
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" | &nbsp;&nbsp;American Indian or Alaska Native<ref name="US-CB-B02001"/>
| 327
| 3.4%
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" | &nbsp;&nbsp;Asian<ref name="US-CB-B02001"/>
| 73
| 0.8%
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" | &nbsp;&nbsp;Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander<ref name="US-CB-B02001"/>
| 8
| 0.1%
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" | &nbsp;&nbsp;Some other race<ref name="US-CB-B02001"/>
| 389
| 4.1%
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" | &nbsp;&nbsp;Two or more races<ref name="US-CB-B02001"/>
| 290
| 3.0%
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" | &nbsp;Hispanic or Latino (of any race)<ref name="US-CB-B03003">U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B03003. [https://www.census.gov U.S. Census website]. Retrieved October 26, 2013.</ref>
| 1,290
| 13.5%
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" | Per capita income<ref name="US-CB-B19301">U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B19301. [https://www.census.gov U.S. Census website]. Retrieved October 21, 2013.</ref>
| colspan=2 | $20,769
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" | Median household income<ref name="US-CB-B19013">U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B19013. [https://www.census.gov U.S. Census website]. Retrieved October 21, 2013.</ref>
| colspan=2 | $35,402
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" | Median family income<ref name="US-CB-B19113">U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B19113. [https://www.census.gov U.S. Census website]. Retrieved October 21, 2013.</ref>
| colspan=2 | $46,047
|}

==== Places by population, race, and income ====

{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed sortable" style="width: 100%;"
|-
! colspan=9 | Places by population and race
|-
! Place
! Type<ref name="US-CB">U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. [https://www.census.gov U.S. Census website]. Retrieved October 21, 2013.</ref>
! data-sort-type="number" | Population<ref name="US-CB-B02001"/>
! data-sort-type="number" | White<ref name="US-CB-B02001"/>
! data-sort-type="number" | Other<ref name="US-CB-B02001"/><br /><ref name="other" group=note>Other = Some other race + Two or more races</ref>
! data-sort-type="number" | Asian<ref name="US-CB-B02001"/>
! data-sort-type="number" | Black or African<br />American<ref name="US-CB-B02001"/>
! data-sort-type="number" | Native American<ref name="US-CB-B02001"/><br /><ref name="na" group=note>Native American = Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander + American Indian or Alaska Native</ref>
! data-sort-type="number" | Hispanic or Latino<br />(of any race)<ref name="US-CB-B03003"/>
|-
| [[Adin, California|Adin]] || [[Census-designated place|CDP]] || 418 || 96.7% || 0.0% || 0.0% || 0.0% || 3.3% || 2.2%
|-
| [[Alturas, California|Alturas]] || [[List of cities and towns in California|City]] || 2,813 || 86.8% || 5.4% || 1.6% || 1.3% || 4.8% || 6.9%
|-
| [[California Pines, California|California Pines]] || [[Census-designated place|CDP]] || 105 || 81.0% || 19.0% || 0.0% || 0.0% || 0.0% || 3.8%
|-
| [[Canby, California|Canby]] || [[Census-designated place|CDP]] || 480 || 62.3% || 19.4% || 0.0% || 10.4% || 7.9% || 20.8%
|-
| [[Cedarville, California|Cedarville]] || [[Census-designated place|CDP]] || 545 || 85.3% || 12.8% || 0.4% || 0.0% || 1.5% || 20.2%
|-
| [[Daphnedale Park, California|Daphnedale Park]] || [[Census-designated place|CDP]] || 35 || 100.0% || 0.0% || 0.0% || 0.0% || 0.0% || 0.0%
|-
| [[Eagleville, Modoc County, California|Eagleville]] || [[Census-designated place|CDP]] || 53 || 86.8% || 0.0% || 0.0% || 0.0% || 13.2% || 0.0%
|-
| [[Fort Bidwell, California|Fort Bidwell]] || [[Census-designated place|CDP]] || 151 || 39.1% || 1.3% || 2.0% || 0.0% || 57.6% || 1.3%
|-
| [[Lake City, Modoc County, California|Lake City]] || [[Census-designated place|CDP]] || 66 || 100.0% || 0.0% || 0.0% || 0.0% || 0.0% || 0.0%
|-
| [[Likely, California|Likely]] || [[Census-designated place|CDP]] || 100 || 100.0% || 0.0% || 0.0% || 0.0% || 0.0% || 0.0%
|-
| [[Lookout, California|Lookout]] || [[Census-designated place|CDP]] || 5 || 0.0% || 100.0% || 0.0% || 0.0% || 0.0% || 0.0%
|-
| [[Newell, California|Newell]] || [[Census-designated place|CDP]] || 473 || 88.6% || 5.5% || 4.2% || 0.0% || 1.7% || 50.3%
|-
| [[New Pine Creek, California|New Pine Creek]] || [[Census-designated place|CDP]] || 104 || 93.3% || 6.7% || 0.0% || 0.0% || 0.0% || 0.0%
|}

{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed sortable" style="width: 100%;"
|-
! colspan=6 | Places by population and income
|-
! Place
! Type<ref name="US-CB"/>
! Population<ref name="US-CB-B01003">U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B01003. [https://www.census.gov U.S. Census website]. Retrieved October 21, 2013.</ref>
! data-sort-type="currency" | Per capita income<ref name="US-CB-B19301"/>
! data-sort-type="currency" | Median household income<ref name="US-CB-B19013"/>
! data-sort-type="currency" | Median family income<ref name="US-CB-B19113"/>
|-
| [[Adin, California|Adin]] || [[Census-designated place|CDP]] || 418 || $21,457 || $45,625 || $57,550
|-
| [[Alturas, California|Alturas]] || [[List of cities and towns in California|City]] || 2,813 || $20,842 || $32,237 || $47,260
|-
| [[California Pines, California|California Pines]] || [[Census-designated place|CDP]] || 105 || $26,595 || $55,938 || $118,194
|-
| [[Canby, California|Canby]] || [[Census-designated place|CDP]] || 480 || $11,298 || $21,744 || $21,744
|-
| [[Cedarville, California|Cedarville]] || [[Census-designated place|CDP]] || 545 || $22,710 || $43,500 || $46,058
|-
| [[Daphnedale Park, California|Daphnedale Park]] || [[Census-designated place|CDP]] || 35 ||<ref name="ND">Data unavailable</ref>  || $12,083 ||<ref name="ND"/> 
|-
| [[Eagleville, Modoc County, California|Eagleville]] || [[Census-designated place|CDP]] || 53 || $46,826 || $27,083 || $113,750
|-
| [[Fort Bidwell, California|Fort Bidwell]] || [[Census-designated place|CDP]] || 151 || $16,332 || $21,875 || $28,250
|-
| [[Lake City, Modoc County, California|Lake City]] || [[Census-designated place|CDP]] || 66 || $24,061 || $35,284 || $9,688
|-
| [[Likely, California|Likely]] || [[Census-designated place|CDP]] || 100 || $17,659 || $35,143 ||<ref name="ND"/> 
|-
| [[Lookout, California|Lookout]] || [[Census-designated place|CDP]] || 5 ||<ref name="ND"/>  ||<ref name="ND"/>  ||<ref name="ND"/> 
|-
| [[Newell, California|Newell]] || [[Census-designated place|CDP]] || 473 || $8,765 || $28,875 || $23,864
|-
| [[New Pine Creek, California|New Pine Creek]] || [[Census-designated place|CDP]] || 104 || $31,602 || $28,472 ||<ref name="ND"/> 
|}

===2000===

{{US Census population
|1880= 4399
|1890= 4986
|1900= 5076
|1910= 6191
|1920= 5425
|1930= 8038
|1940= 8713
|1950= 9678
|1960= 8308
|1970= 7469
|1980= 8610
|1990= 9678
|2000= 9449
|2010= 9686
|2020= 8700
|estyear=2024
|estimate=8491
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2024">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.html|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2024|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 9, 2025}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 28, 2015}}</ref><br />1790–1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=September 28, 2015}}</ref> 1900–1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/ca190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|editor-last=Forstall|editor-first=Richard L.|date=March 27, 1995|access-date=September 28, 2015}}</ref><br />1990–2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|date=April 2, 2001|access-date=September 28, 2015}}</ref> 2010–2015<ref name="QF"/>
}}

As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR8">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=May 14, 2011|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2000, there were 9,449 people, 3,784 households, and 2,550 families residing in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|2|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people}}. There were 4,807 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 85.9% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 0.7% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 4.2% [[Race (United States Census)|American Indian]], 0.6% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.1% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 5.7% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 2.8% from two or more races. 11.5% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race. The largest ethnicity/ancestry groups in Modoc county include: 15% [[English people|English]], 14% [[Irish people|Irish]] and 13% [[German people|German]] of whom 90.4% spoke [[English language|English]] and 8.8% [[Spanish language|Spanish]] as their first language.

There were 3,784 households, out of which 29.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.6% were non-families. 28.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.91. In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.6% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 23.3% from 25 to 44, 27.7% from 45 to 64, and 17.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.7 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $27,522, and the median income for a family was $35,978. Males had a median income of $30,538 versus $23,438 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $17,285. About 16.4% of families and 21.5% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 29.7% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over. Modoc County has the [[California locations by per capita income|lowest median household income]] of any county in California. In 2005, the median home price reached $100,000 for the first time ever, over a 40% increase since 2000.<ref name="Bargains">{{cite news |last1=La Ganga |first1=Maria L. |title=Housing Bargains, at a Price |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-jan-13-me-modoc13-story.html  |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=January 13, 2006 | url-access=limited}}</ref> Much of this can be traced to an influx of residents from other parts of the state, who find the housing bargains attractive. Some of these are retirees who have sold their houses for large profits in other parts of the state, using the proceeds to live on, while others are [[remote work]]ers. This sudden rise in housing prices become unaffordable for locals, who find themselves unable to purchase homes given their limited incomes.<ref name="Bargains" />

===2010===
The [[2010 United States census]] reported that Modoc County had a population of 9,686. The racial makeup of Modoc County was 8,084 (83.5%) [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 82 (0.8%) [[African American (U.S. census)|African American]], 370 (3.8%) [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 78 (0.8%) [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 21 (0.2%) [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 680 (7.0%) from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 371 (3.8%) from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1,342 persons (13.9%).<ref>{{USCensus2010CA}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed"
!colspan=10|Population reported at [[2010 United States census]]
|-
|style="text-align:center;" |'''The County''' ||style="text-align:center;" |'''Total<br/>Population'''||style="text-align:center;" |'''[[White (U.S. Census)|White]]''' ||style="text-align:center;" |'''[[African American (U.S. census)|African<br/>American]]''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''[[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native<br/>American]]''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''[[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''[[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific<br/>Islander]]''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''[[Race (United States Census)|other<br/>races]]''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''two or<br/>more races''' ||style="text-align:center;" |'''[[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]]<br/>or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]<br/> (of any race)'''
|-
|''' Modoc County'''
|align="right"|9,686||align="right"|8,084||align="right"|82||align="right"|370||align="right"|78||align="right"|21||align="right"|680||align="right"|371||align="right"|1,342
|-
|style="text-align:center;" |'''[[Incorporated city|Incorporated<br/>city]]''' ||style="text-align:center;" |'''Total<br/>Population'''||style="text-align:center;" |'''[[White (U.S. Census)|White]]''' ||style="text-align:center;" |'''[[African American (U.S. census)|African<br/>American]]''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''[[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native<br/>American]]''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''[[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''[[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific<br/>Islander]]''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''[[Race (United States Census)|other<br/>races]]''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''two or<br/>more races''' ||style="text-align:center;" |'''[[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]]<br/>or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]<br/> (of any race)'''
|-
|'''[[Alturas, California|Alturas]]'''
|align="right"|2,827||align="right"|2,430||align="right"|15||align="right"|81||align="right"|45||align="right"|7||align="right"|118||align="right"|131||align="right"|347
|-
|style="text-align:center;" |'''[[Census-designated place|Census-designated<br/>place]]''' ||style="text-align:center;" |'''Total<br/>Population'''||style="text-align:center;" |'''[[White (U.S. Census)|White]]''' ||style="text-align:center;" |'''[[African American (U.S. census)|African<br/>American]]''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''[[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native<br/>American]]''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''[[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''[[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific<br/>Islander]]''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''[[Race (United States Census)|other<br/>races]]''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''two or<br/>more races''' ||style="text-align:center;" |'''[[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]]<br/>or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]<br/> (of any race)'''
|-
|'''[[Adin, California|Adin]]'''
|align="right"|272||align="right"|240||align="right"|2||align="right"|8||align="right"|0||align="right"|0||align="right"|9||align="right"|13||align="right"|32
|-
|'''[[California Pines, California|California Pines]]'''
|align="right"|520||align="right"|416||align="right"|11||align="right"|16||align="right"|6||align="right"|2||align="right"|33||align="right"|36||align="right"|83
|-
|'''[[Canby, California|Canby]]'''
|align="right"|315||align="right"|292||align="right"|2||align="right"|7||align="right"|1||align="right"|0||align="right"|9||align="right"|4||align="right"|24
|-
|'''[[Cedarville, California|Cedarville]]'''
|align="right"|514||align="right"|422||align="right"|1||align="right"|15||align="right"|0||align="right"|0||align="right"|59||align="right"|17||align="right"|86
|-
|'''[[Daphnedale Park, California|Daphnedale Park]]'''
|align="right"|184||align="right"|166||align="right"|2||align="right"|6||align="right"|0||align="right"|4||align="right"|2||align="right"|4||align="right"|18
|-
|'''[[Eagleville, Modoc County, California|Eagleville]]'''
|align="right"|59||align="right"|58||align="right"|0||align="right"|0||align="right"|0||align="right"|0||align="right"|1||align="right"|0||align="right"|2
|-
|'''[[Fort Bidwell, California|Fort Bidwell]]'''
|align="right"|173||align="right"|75||align="right"|2||align="right"|76||align="right"|0||align="right"|0||align="right"|10||align="right"|10||align="right"|23
|-
|'''[[Lake City, Modoc County, California|Lake City]]'''
|align="right"|61||align="right"|58||align="right"|0||align="right"|0||align="right"|0||align="right"|0||align="right"|0||align="right"|3||align="right"|0
|-
|'''[[Likely, California|Likely]]'''
|align="right"|63||align="right"|57||align="right"|0||align="right"|5||align="right"|0||align="right"|0||align="right"|0||align="right"|1||align="right"|6
|-
|'''[[Lookout, California|Lookout]]'''
|align="right"|84||align="right"|76||align="right"|0||align="right"|2||align="right"|0||align="right"|0||align="right"|5||align="right"|1||align="right"|14
|-
|'''[[New Pine Creek, California|New Pine Creek]]'''
|align="right"|98||align="right"|89||align="right"|0||align="right"|0||align="right"|0||align="right"|1||align="right"|0||align="right"|8||align="right"|4
|-
|'''[[Newell, California|Newell]]'''
|align="right"|449||align="right"|199||align="right"|2||align="right"|23||align="right"|1||align="right"|5||align="right"|193||align="right"|26||align="right"|271
|-
|style="text-align:center;" |'''Other<br>[[unincorporated area]]s''' ||style="text-align:center;" |'''Total<br/>Population'''||style="text-align:center;" |'''[[White (U.S. Census)|White]]''' ||style="text-align:center;" |'''[[African American (U.S. census)|African<br/>American]]''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''[[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native<br/>American]]''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''[[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''[[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific<br/>Islander]]''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''[[Race (United States Census)|other<br/>races]]''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''two or<br/>more races''' ||style="text-align:center;" |'''[[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]]<br/>or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]<br/> (of any race)'''
|-
|All others not CDPs (combined)
|align="right"|4,067||align="right"|3,506||align="right"|45||align="right"|131||align="right"|25||align="right"|2||align="right"|241||align="right"|117||align="right"|432
|}
{{Clear}}

==Politics==

Federally, Modoc County is in {{Representative|cacd|1|fmt=district}}.<ref>{{Cite GovTrack|CA|1|access-date=March 1, 2013}}</ref> In the [[California State Legislature|state legislature]] Modoc 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> For much of the 20th century, Modoc County was a [[bellwether]] county for statewide elections in California, voting for the statewide winner in every election between 1912 and 1990 with the exception of [[Jerry Brown]]'s 2 statewide victories (the county's dislike of Brown is attributable to his environmental policies negatively affecting the county's logging industry).<ref>{{cite news |last1=Stall |first1=Bill |title=As Modoc County Goes, So Goes California |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-08-19-mn-609-story.html |access-date=September 17, 2021 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=August 19, 1991}}</ref>

Recently, though, Modoc County has trended Republican, becoming one of the most conservative counties in the state. On November 4, 2008, Modoc County delivered the most lopsided vote in favor of [[John McCain]] of any county in California, with 67.4% of voters opting for the Republican. The county also voted 74.2% in favor of Proposition 8 which amended the California Constitution to ban same-sex marriages; only [[Kern County|Kern]] and [[Tulare County|Tulare]] counties voted in higher proportion, both opting for the Proposition with 75.4% of the vote.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-2008election-california-results,0,3304898.htmlstory | work=Los Angeles Times | title=California results}}</ref> In the [[2021 California gubernatorial recall election]], Modoc and neighboring [[Lassen County, California|Lassen County]] voted the most strongly in favor of recalling Newsom of any counties in the state. On September 24, 2013, the Modoc County Board of Supervisors voted 4–0 in favor of [[secession]] from California to form a proposed state named [[Jefferson (proposed Pacific state)|Jefferson]].<ref>{{cite web|last = Butler | first = Kristen |title=Another county votes to secede from California|url=http://www.upi.com/blog/2013/09/26/Another-county-votes-to-secede-from-California/9731380216823/|publisher=UPI|access-date=September 26, 2013}}</ref>

===Voter registration===

{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed"
|-
! colspan="3" | Population and registered voters
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" | Total population<ref name="US-CB-B02001"/>
| colspan="2" | 9,587
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" | &nbsp;&nbsp;Registered voters<ref name="CA-SS">California Secretary of State. [http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ror/ror-pages/ror-odd-year-2013/political-sub.pdf February 10, 2013 - Report of Registration] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130727173649/http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ror/ror-pages/ror-odd-year-2013/political-sub.pdf |date=July 27, 2013 }}. Retrieved October 31, 2013.</ref><ref name="PCT-RV" group=note>Percentage of registered voters with respect to total population. Percentages of party members with respect to registered voters follow.</ref>
| 5,273
| 55.0%
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Democratic<ref name="CA-SS"/>
| 1,364
| 25.9%
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Republican<ref name="CA-SS"/>
| 2,634
| 50.0%
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Democratic&ndash;Republican spread<ref name="CA-SS"/>
| <span style="color: #d6002b;">'''-1,270'''</span>
| <span style="color: #d6002b;">'''-24.1%'''</span>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Independent<ref name="CA-SS"/>
| 262
| 5.0%
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Green<ref name="CA-SS"/>
| 21
| 0.4%
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Libertarian<ref name="CA-SS"/>
| 45
| 0.9%
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Peace and Freedom<ref name="CA-SS"/>
| 6
| 0.1%
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Americans Elect<ref name="CA-SS"/>
| 0
| 0.0%
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Other<ref name="CA-SS"/>
| 10
| 0.2%
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No party preference<ref name="CA-SS"/>
| 931
| 17.7%
|}

==== Cities by population and voter registration ====

{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed sortable" style="width: 100%;"
|-
! colspan="8" | Cities by population and voter registration
|-
! City
! data-sort-type="number" | Population<ref name="US-CB-B02001"/>
! data-sort-type="number" | Registered voters<ref name="CA-SS"/><br /><ref name="PCT-RV" group=note/>
! data-sort-type="number" | Democratic<ref name="CA-SS"/>
! data-sort-type="number" | Republican<ref name="CA-SS"/>
! data-sort-type="number" | D&ndash;R spread<ref name="CA-SS"/>
! data-sort-type="number" | Other<ref name="CA-SS"/>
! data-sort-type="number" | No party preference<ref name="CA-SS"/>
|-
| [[Alturas, California|Alturas]] || 2,813 || 54.7% || 31.0% || 42.4% || <span style="color: #d6002b;">'''-11.4%'''</span> || 12.9% || 19.5%
|}

===Historical election results===

{{PresHead|place=Modoc County, California|source=<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=August 31, 2018}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|1892|Democratic|406|596|143|California}}
{{PresRow|1896|Democratic|300|588|21|California}}
{{PresRow|1900|Democratic|446|532|18|California}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|559|444|34|California}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|620|574|48|California}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|1|941|772|California}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|768|1,222|108|California}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|992|535|58|California}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|731|374|567|California}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|942|711|7|California}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|655|1,643|88|California}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|968|1,828|35|California}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|1,371|2,232|27|California}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|1,288|1,540|9|California}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|1,480|1,607|93|California}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|2,634|1,633|26|California}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|1,981|1,729|13|California}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|1,839|1,691|20|California}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|1,386|1,972|0|California}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|1,713|1,264|290|California}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|2,085|1,271|209|California}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|1,917|1,733|94|California}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|2,579|1,046|375|California}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|2,995|1,219|96|California}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|2,518|1,416|83|California}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|1,803|1,489|1,333|California}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|2,285|1,368|650|California}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|2,969|945|193|California}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|3,235|1,149|83|California}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|2,981|1,313|126|California}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|2,777|1,111|131|California}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|2,696|877|270|California}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|3,109|1,150|108|California}}
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|2,884|1,008|135|California}}
{{PresFoot}}

== Crime ==

The following table includes the number of incidents reported and the rate per 1,000 persons for each type of offense:

{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed"
|-
! colspan="3" | Population and crime rates
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" | Population<ref name="US-CB-B02001"/>
| colspan="2" | 9,587
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" | Violent crime<ref name="CA-DOJ-T11">Office of the Attorney General, Department of Justice, State of California. [http://stats.doj.ca.gov/cjsc_stats/prof09/00/11.pdf Table 11: Crimes &ndash; 2009] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202222315/http://stats.doj.ca.gov/cjsc_stats/prof09/00/11.pdf |date=December 2, 2013 }}. Retrieved November 14, 2013.</ref>
| 10 || 1.04
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" | &nbsp;&nbsp;Homicide<ref name="CA-DOJ-T11"/>
| 0 || 0.00
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" | &nbsp;&nbsp;Forcible rape<ref name="CA-DOJ-T11"/>
| 1 || 0.10
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" | &nbsp;&nbsp;Robbery<ref name="CA-DOJ-T11"/>
| 0 || 0.00
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" | &nbsp;&nbsp;Aggravated assault<ref name="CA-DOJ-T11"/>
| 9 || 0.94
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" | Property crime<ref name="CA-DOJ-T11"/>
| 76 || 7.93
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" | &nbsp;&nbsp;Burglary<ref name="CA-DOJ-T11"/>
| 44 || 4.59
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" | &nbsp;&nbsp;Larceny-theft<ref name="CA-DOJ-T11"/><ref name="LT-note group=note">Only larceny-theft cases involving property over $400 in value are reported as property crimes.</ref>
| 69 || 7.20
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" | &nbsp;&nbsp;Motor vehicle theft<ref name="CA-DOJ-T11"/>
| 7 || 0.73
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" | Arson<ref name="CA-DOJ-T11"/>
| 1 || 0.10
|}

=== Cities by population and crime rates ===

{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed sortable" style="width: 100%;"
|-
! colspan="9" | Cities by population and crime rates
|-
! City
! data-sort-type="number" | Population<ref name="FBI-UCR-T8">United States Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation. [https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2012/crime-in-the-u.s.-2012/tables/8tabledatadecpdf/table-8-state-cuts/table_8_offenses_known_to_law_enforcement_by_california_by_city_2012.xls Crime in the United States, 2012, Table 8 (California)]. Retrieved November 14, 2013.</ref>
! data-sort-type="number" | Violent crimes<ref name="FBI-UCR-T8"/>
! data-sort-type="number" | Violent crime rate<br />per 1,000 persons
! data-sort-type="number" | Property crimes<ref name="FBI-UCR-T8"/>
! data-sort-type="number" | Property crime rate<br />per 1,000 persons
|-
| [[Alturas, California|Alturas]] || 2,802 || 36 || 12.85 || 62 || 22.13
|}

==Transportation==

===Major highways===
*[[File:US 395 (1961 cutout).svg|25px|link= |alt=]] [[U.S. Route 395 in California|U.S. Route 395]]
*[[File:California 139.svg|25px|link= |alt=]] [[California State Route 139|State Route 139]]
*[[File:California 299.svg|25px|link= |alt=]] [[California State Route 299|State Route 299]]

Additionally, the eastern Modoc County communities of [[Eagleville, Modoc County, California|Eagleville]], [[Cedarville, California|Cedarville]], [[Lake City, Modoc County, California|Lake City]], and [[Fort Bidwell]] are connected via Surprise Valley Road, which runs from the southern county line to the Oregon border.

===Public transportation===
The [[Sage Stage]] is a dial-a-ride service providing trips within Modoc County. It also provides service to [[Klamath Falls, Oregon]] and [[Reno, Nevada]], as well as connections to and from [[Reno–Tahoe International Airport|Reno International Airport]], outside of Door D.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sage Stage|url=http://sagestage.com/|access-date=April 30, 2017}}</ref>

===Airports===
There are general aviation airports near Alturas ([[Alturas Municipal Airport]] and [[California Pines Airport]]). Other airports include [[Cedarville Airport]], [[Eagleville Airport]], [[Fort Bidwell Airport]], and [[Tulelake Municipal Airport]]. The closest major airport is in [[Reno–Tahoe International Airport|Reno]].

==Communities==
===City===
*[[Alturas, California|Alturas]] (county seat)

===Census-designated places===
{{div col}}
*[[Adin, California|Adin]]
*[[California Pines, California|California Pines]]
*[[Canby, California|Canby]]
*[[Cedarville, California|Cedarville]]
*[[Daphnedale Park, California|Daphnedale Park]]
*[[Eagleville, Modoc County, California|Eagleville]]
*[[Fort Bidwell, California|Fort Bidwell]]
*[[Lake City, Modoc County, California|Lake City]]
*[[Likely, California|Likely]]
*[[Lookout, California|Lookout]]
*[[Newell, California|Newell]]
*[[New Pine Creek, California|New Pine Creek]]
{{div col end}}

===Other unincorporated places===
*[[Davis Creek, California|Davis Creek]]
*[[Tionesta, California|Tionesta]]

===Population ranking===
The population ranking of the following table is based on the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]] of Modoc County.

'''†''' ''county seat''

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Rank
!City/Town/etc.
!Municipal type
!Population (2020 Census)

|- style="background-color:#FFFACD;"
| 1
|'''†''' '''[[Alturas, California|Alturas]]''' 
| City
| 2,715
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 2
|'''[[California Pines, California|California Pines]]''' 
| CDP
| 473
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 3
|'''[[Cedarville, California|Cedarville]]''' 
| CDP
| 437
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 4
|'''[[Newell, California|Newell]]''' 
| CDP
| 301
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 5
|'''[[Adin, California|Adin]]''' 
| CDP
| 205
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 6
|'''[[Canby, California|Canby]]''' 
| CDP
| 183
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 7
|'''[[Fort Bidwell, California|Fort Bidwell]]''' 
| CDP
| 180
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 8
|'''[[Daphnedale Park, California|Daphnedale Park]]''' 
| CDP
| 129
|- style="background-color:#FFFF99;"
| 9
|'''[[XL Ranch|XL Ranch Rancheria]]'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=XL%20Ranch%20Rancheria,%20CA%3B%20California|title=U.S. Census Bureau 2020 Census|first=Website Services & Coordination|last=Staff|website=www.census.gov}}</ref> 
| AIAN
| 117
|- style="background-color:#FFFF99;"
| 10
|'''[[Fort Bidwell Indian Community of the Fort Bidwell Reservation of California|Fort Bidwell Reservation]]'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=Fort%20Bidwell%20Reservation%20and%20Off-Reservation%20Trust%20Land,%20CA%3B%20California|title=U.S. Census Bureau 2020 Census|first=Website Services & Coordination|last=Staff|website=www.census.gov}}</ref> 
| [[AIAN (U.S. Census)|AIAN]]
| 97
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 11
|'''[[New Pine Creek, California|New Pine Creek]]''' 
| CDP
| 87
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 12
|'''[[Lake City, Modoc County, California|Lake City]]''' 
| CDP
| 71
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 13
|'''[[Lookout, California|Lookout]]''' 
| CDP
| 68
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 14
|'''[[Likely, California|Likely]]''' 
| CDP
| 53
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 15
|'''[[Eagleville, Modoc County, California|Eagleville]]''' 
| CDP
| 45
|- style="background-color:#FFFF99;"
| 16
|'''[[Cedarville Rancheria]]'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=Cedarville%20Rancheria%20and%20Off-Reservation%20Trust%20Land,%20CA%3B%20California|title=U.S. Census Bureau 2020 Census|first=Website Services & Coordination|last=Staff|website=www.census.gov}}</ref> 
| AIAN
| 19
|- style="background-color:#FFFF99;"
| 17
|'''[[Lookout Rancheria]]'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=lookout%20rancheria&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P1|title=U.S. Census Bureau 2020 Census|first=Website Services & Coordination|last=Staff|website=www.census.gov}}</ref> 
| AIAN
| 11
|- style="background-color:#FFFF99;"
| 18
|'''[[Alturas Indian Rancheria]]'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=Alturas%20Indian%20Rancheria,%20CA%3B%20California|title=U.S. Census Bureau 2020 Census|first=Website Services & Coordination|last=Staff|website=www.census.gov}}</ref> 
| AIAN
| 3
|- style="background-color:#FFFF99;"
| 19
|'''[[Likely Rancheria]]'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=Likely%20Rancheria,%20CA%3B%20California|title=U.S. Census Bureau 2020 Census|first=Website Services & Coordination|last=Staff|website=www.census.gov}}</ref> 
| AIAN
| 0
|}

== See also ==
* [[Modoc County Historical Museum]]
* [[List of school districts in Modoc County, California]]
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Modoc County, California]]

== Notes ==
{{reflist|group=note}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Sister project links|auto=y}}
* {{Official website|http://www.co.modoc.ca.us/}}
* [https://localwiki.org/redding/Hiking Hiking trails in Modoc County]
* [https://www.h2g2.com/entry/A1065278 h2g2 Guide Entry A1065278: Modoc County, California, USA]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20101220023732/http://openroad.tv/index.php?categoryid=16&p25_id=62 OpenRoad.TV] (Modoc County's Living West video story)

{{Geographic Location
| Centre    = Modoc County, California
| North     = [[Klamath County, Oregon|Klamath]] & [[Lake County, Oregon|Lake]] counties (Oregon)
| Northeast =
| East      = [[Washoe County, Nevada]]
| Southeast =
| South     = [[Lassen County, California|Lassen County]]
| Southwest = [[Shasta County, California|Shasta County]]
| West      = [[Siskiyou County, California|Siskiyou County]]
| Northwest =
}}
{{Cities of Modoc County, California}}
{{California}}
{{Coord|41.60|-120.72|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-CA_source:UScensus1990}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Modoc County, California| ]]
[[Category:California counties]]
[[Category:California placenames of Native American origin]]
[[Category:Shasta Cascade]]
[[Category:1874 establishments in California]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1874]]