Penn Valley, California

The community may be named for Madame Penn, the original owner of the town site. ==Geography==

Penn Valley is located at (39.198214, -121.188965). According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of , all of it land. ==Demographics==

Penn Valley first appeared as a census designated place in the 1980 United States census. The census reported that 1,574 people (98.8% of the population) lived in households, 19 (1.2%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and no one was institutionalized. 2010 census The 2010 United States census reported that Penn Valley had a population of 1,621. The population density was . The racial makeup of Penn Valley was 1,434 (88.5%) White, 9 (0.6%) African American, 34 (2.1%) Native American, 23 (1.4%) Asian, 0 (0.0%) Pacific Islander, 31 (1.9%) from other races, and 90 (5.6%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 143 persons (8.8%). The Census reported that 1,611 people (99.4% of the population) lived in households, 10 (0.6%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized. There were 628 households, out of which 195 (31.1%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 301 (47.9%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 91 (14.5%) had a female householder with no husband present, 41 (6.5%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 36 (5.7%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 3 (0.5%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 163 households (26.0%) were made up of individuals, and 74 (11.8%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57. There were 433 families (68.9% of all households); the average family size was 3.02. The population was spread out, with 363 people (22.4%) under the age of 18, 136 people (8.4%) aged 18 to 24, 321 people (19.8%) aged 25 to 44, 506 people (31.2%) aged 45 to 64, and 295 people (18.2%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.2 males. There were 666 housing units at an average density of , of which 485 (77.2%) were owner-occupied, and 143 (22.8%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.6%; the rental vacancy rate was 3.3%. 1,186 people (73.2% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 425 people (26.2%) lived in rental housing units. ==Politics==

In the state legislature, Penn Valley is in , and . Federally, Penn Valley is in . ==Recreation==

• Lake Wildwood • Englebright Lake • Yuba River • Bridgeport Covered Bridge ==Tourism==

Penn Valley hosts a rodeo event each year in late Spring and has attracted as many as 5,000 spectators during one of its events. The Penn Valley Rodeo is organized by Penn Valley Community Rodeo Association since 2005. In the 1950s, the Penn Valley Fire Dept. needed funds. George Alan Smith, a local cowboy and heavy equipment operator, came up with the idea of holding a rodeo. George enlisted the help of friends and relatives on weekends, evenings, and holidays to set posts, build fence and chutes, and put up bleachers. The first rodeo was a success, and it took on a life of its own. The local Fire Department and residents volunteered their time and efforts to help put on the annual event. The Penn Valley Rodeo quickly became "the summer event" for people from all over California to attend. ==Education==

It is in the Penn Valley Union Elementary School District and the Nevada Joint Union High School District. ==Notable residents==

• Chuck Yeager, retired General in the United States Air Force and first man to break the sound barrier. • Tanner Vallejo, NFL football player. ==References==