SOCIAL 1

From CFI

DATE

Jan 27, 2005

RESEARCHER

Jason Bradford and David Drell

QUESTION

How do we define the “Willits Area” geographically?

ASSUMPTIONS

We are looking for a region that is approximately within one days walk from central Willits. If someone were to walk for 12 hours, at 2 miles per hour, that would be between 20 and 30 miles, more or less.

ANSWER

The zip code region 95490 approximates what we are interested in delimiting. Demographic data are also collated based on the zip code, so it will be easy to find the information we are seeking.

The zip code includes the area north of Willits approximately 2/3 the distance to Laytonville and 1/3 the distance to Ukiah. The following places are included in this zip code: Willits, Little Lake Valley, Brooktrails, First, Second and Third Gates, Rocktree valley, Hearst, Pine Mountain, Hilltop, Ridgewood Ranch, Walker Lake, Summit Station.

This area predominantly includes most of the western portion of the Upper Eel watershed, as well as upper portions of the Big-Navaro-Garcia and Russian river watersheds.

The land area of the zip code 321.5 sq. miles with 0.3 sq. miles of water, or a combined land and water total of 205951 acres.

SOURCES

U.S. Census Bureau TIGER mapping service. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/maps/

U.S.G.S. Geographic Names Information System. http://geonames.usgs.gov/

Environmental Protection Agency. http://cfpub.epa.gov/surf/county.cfm?fips_code=06045

City Data.com for 95490. http://www.city-data.com/zips/95490.html