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'Independence' is a census-designated place and the county seat of Inyo County, California. The population was 574 at the 2000 census. Independence is home to the Eastern California Museum ^[1]. The home of author Mary Austin is preserved as a museum located at 235 Market Street in Independence.

Contents

Geography

History

Demographics

In film

References

External links

Geography

It is on U.S. Highway 395, the main north-south artery through the Owens Valley, connecting the Inland Empire to Reno, Nevada. US 395 also connects Independence to Los Angeles via State Route 14 through Palmdale.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 10.4 km² (4.0 mi²), all land.
The elevation of Independence is 3,925 feet above sea level.

History

Independence began as a US Army camp established by Colonel George Evans on July 4, 1862. Col. Evans established the camp at the request of local settlers who feared Indian hostilities. The camp was soon closed, but was re-established as Fort Independence when hostilities resumed in 1865. The fort was finally abandoned in 1877^[2].
Independence became the Inyo County seat in the late 19th century when its chief competitor for the site, a camp called Kearsarge, disappeared under an avalanche^[3].

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 574 people, 272 households, and 161 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 55.4/km² (143.6/mi²). There were 342 housing units at an average density of 33.0/km² (85.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 88.85% White, 3.48% Native American, 0.70% Asian, 0.87% Pacific Islander, 3.31% from other races, and 2.79% from two or more races. 7.14% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 272 households out of which 23.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.6% were married couples living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.8% were non-families. 35.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.11 and the average family size was 2.72.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 22.1% under the age of 18, 4.5% from 18 to 24, 20.9% from 25 to 44, 30.8% from 45 to 64, and 21.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females there were 88.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.5 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $37,500, and the median income for a family was $45,781. Males had a median income of $41,736 versus $29,688 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $20,535. About 4.2% of families and 6.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.0% of those under age 18 and 7.4% of those age 65 or over.

In film

The city of Independence, CA was the film location for the film ''Trial and Error'' staring Michael Richards and Jeff Daniels. It was also the shooting location for a brief scene of ''Gone in Sixty Seconds''.

References

1. [1] Eastern California Museum. Accessed July 8, 2007.
2. California Historical Marker No. 349.
3. Inyo County Supervisor Jim Bilyeu quoted in The Los Angeles Times 15 July 2007

External links