- Paradise, California
Infobox Settlement
official_name = Paradise, California
settlement_type =Town
nickname =
website = [http://www.townofparadise.com/ www.townofparadise.com]
imagesize =
image_caption =
image_
seal_size =
imagesize =
image_caption =
image_
seal_size =
mapsize = 250x200px
map_caption =
mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_type1 = County
subdivision_name =United States
subdivision_name1 = Butte County
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Butte
government_type =
leader_title =Mayor
leader_name = Woody Culleton
leader_title1 = State Senate
leader_name1 =Sam Aanestad (R)
leader_title2 = State Assembly
leader_name2 =Rick Keene (R)
leader_title3 = U. S. Congress
leader_name3 =Wally Herger (R)
established_date =
area_magnitude =
area_total_sq_mi = 18.2
area_total_km2 = 47.3
area_land_sq_mi = 18.2
area_land_km2 = 47.3
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0
area_water_km2 = 0.0
area_water_percent =
population_as_of = 2007
population_total = 26485
population_urban =
area_urban_km2 =
area_urban_sq_mi =
population_metro =
population_density_km2 = 558.7
population_density_sq_mi = 1447.1
timezone = PST
utc_offset = -8
timezone_DST = PDT
utc_offset_DST = -7
latd = 39 |latm = 45 |lats = 42 |latNS = N
longd = 121 |longm = 36 |longs = 31 |longEW = W
elevation_m = 542
elevation_ft = 1778
postal_code_type =ZIP code s
postal_code = 95967, 95969
area_code = 530
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 06-55520
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0277573
footnotes =Paradise is an incorporated town in Butte County, in the northwest foothills of
California 's Central Valley, in the Sierra. The town is considered part of the Chico Metropolitan Area. The population was 26,408 at the 2000 census. Paradise is some 8 miles (13 km) east of Chico and 100 miles (160 km) north-northeast of Sacramento.Geography
The town of Paradise is spread out on a wide ridge which rises between deep canyons on either side. These canyons are formed by the west branch of the
Feather River to the east, and Butte Creek to the west. The Paradise area extends northwards from Paradise to include the unincorporated town of Magalia and smaller communities such asStirling City to the far north. Elevations in the town range from around 1500 to 2300 feet (450 to 700 m), steadily increasing as one travels northwards. The town is approximately 8 miles (13 km) east of the city of Chico, and 10 miles (16 km) north of the Oroville area.According to the
United States Census Bureau , the town has a total area of 18.2square mile s (47.3km² ), all of it land.Demographics
As of the
census GR|2 of 2000, there were 26,408 people, 11,591 households, and 7,244 families residing in the town. Thepopulation density was 1,447.1 people per square mile (558.7/km²). There were 12,374 housing units at an average density of 678.1/sq mi (261.8/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 93.73% White, 0.19% Black or African American, 1.07% Native American, 1.04% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 1.21% from other races, and 2.64% from two or more races. 4.27% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.There were 11,591 households out of which 23.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.7% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.5% were non-families. 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.77.
In the town the population was spread out with 20.4% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 21.2% from 25 to 44, 25.3% from 45 to 64, and 27.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females there were 87.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.5 males.
The median
income for a household in the town was $31,863, and the median income for a family was $41,228. Males had a median income of $35,419 versus $25,231 for females. Theper capita income for the town was $19,267. About 9.7% of families and 12.4% of the population were below thepoverty line , including 17.6% of those under age 18 and 6.7% of those age 65 or over.Health care
The State of California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development defines "Feather River Hospital" as a General Acute Care
Hospital in Paradise with Basic emergency care as of August 22,2006 . The facility is located at (NAD83) latitude/longitude coor dms|39|45|25|N|121|34|16|W.Education
Paradise is served by Paradise Elementary School, Ponderosa Elementary School, Cedarwood Elementary School, Pine Ridge (K-8)School, Children's Community Charter School, Paradise Intermediate School, Paradise Charter Middle School, Evergreen Sixth Grade Academy, Paradise High School, and Ridgeview High School.
Transportation
There are not many options for transportation within Paradise other than driving an automobile. One notable exception is the Paradise Memorial Trail, which is a paved pedestrian and bicycle path which runs through town on the path of the former railroad tracks leading up the ridge. However, aside from points along this path, the very hilly terrain of the town, coupled with the large spacing of commercial areas and large land area make Paradise difficult to navigate on foot or on a bicycle, in addition to the lack of sidewalks.
The main road through town, and Paradise's link with Chico is known as The Skyway, or simply "Skyway". Skyway begins in the Valley, at the Highway 99 Freeway in Chico, and runs up the ridge as a 4-lane divided highway until it reaches Paradise. Through the town it is a four-lane undivided highway, and it becomes a two-lane road as it continues up the Ridge to Magalia and numerous smaller communities to the north. Paradise is connected to Oroville via Highway 191, otherwise known as Clark Road upon entering the town.
Paradise is also served by the "B Line", Butte County's regional bus service.
"Paradise Skypark", (FAA identifier: Q88), is located parallel to State Route 191 and south of the town at coor dms|39|42|38|N|121|36|59|W.
Humboldt and Camp Fires
In June 2008, a
wildfire , named the "Humboldt Fire" for its point of origin, swept over several thousand acres of land between Chico and Paradise. As many as 9300 people were forced to evacuate southwestern Paradise until the fire could be brought under control. [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/06/15/BAD1119FHI.DTL] . Also in July of 2008 another fire, the Camp Fire, burned on the northern side of Paradise in the canyon where the Feather River is located. Again, thousands were evacuated from their homes, but the fire failed to cross the river.Notable residents
* Actor and painter
Gary Burghoff of M.A.S.H. resides in Magalia. Fact|date=September 2007
* OlympianJack Yerman , winner of the 1600 meter relay in 1960 (Rome, Italy), also resides in Paradise with his wife Margo.Fact|date=September 2007
* Nobel Prize-winning physicistArthur Leonard Schawlow lived in Paradise a number of years.Fact|date=September 2007
* ActorTom Selleck has a residence in De Sabla, just above Magalia.Fact|date=June 2008
* Blues legendLazy Lester is currently living in Paradise.Fact|date=June 2008
* Child actressTiffany Brissette , best known for her role as VICI on the 1980s sitcomSmall Wonder was born in Paradise.Fact|date=June 2008
*Norton Buffalo , regarded as one of the most versatile and talented harmonica players in the music business, currently resides in Paradise.References
Scenes from Gone With The Wind were filmed in Paradise off of Stark Lane.
ee also
Paradise is home to
Radio Paradise , a listener-supported internet radio station and community web site.Media
Newspapers
Paradise Post Butte County Safety Scanner
thenet411.net External links
* [http://www.townofparadise.com/ Town of Paradise web site]
* [http://www.ontheridge.com/ Town history, geography, etc.]
* [http://www.paradisepost.com/ Paradise Post]
* [http://www.bcaqmd.org/ Butte County Air Quality Management District]
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