California

Plumas

19,790
2020 population
1860
first census record
17
census records

About Plumas

Plumas, California, first appears in the United States federal census in 1860, when it recorded a population of 4,363. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 19,790.

Its recorded population peaked at 20,824 in 2000, and has since declined by roughly 5 percent.

On the ground today, one documented military engagement has been recorded within the county, among them Concow-Maidu Death March (September 1863), and 6 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
202019,790
201020,007
200020,824
199019,739
198017,340
197011,707
196011,620
195013,519
194011,548
19307,913
19205,681
19105,259
19004,657
18904,933
18806,180
18704,489
18604,363
Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Battles & engagements in Plumas

Military engagements that took place in Plumas, California.

Concow-Maidu Death March (September 1863)
1863

Historic places in Plumas

National Register of Historic Places listings in Plumas, California.

Warner Valley Ranger Station
Chester
Mount Harkness Fire Lookout
Mineral
Drakesbad Guest Ranch
Chester
Browse all Californiahistoric sites ›

Other counties in California

Explore census history and historic records for more California counties.

CalaverasColusaContra CostaDel NorteEl DoradoFresnoGlennHumboldtImperialInyoKernKingsKlamathLakeLassenLos AngelesMaderaMarinMariposaMendocino
Unlimited access

Everything a full report reveals about Plumas County, California

This page charts the census history of Plumas County, California. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
First month just $5.99, then $11.99 a month. Unlimited locations, cancel anytime.

Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.

Start your Plumas County, California report
Or see a real report first

Explore California records

Californiahistory ›NRHP historic sites ›Notable people from California›

Frequently asked about Plumas

When does Plumas first appear in the US census?
Plumas, California first appears in the federal census in 1860, with a recorded population of 4,363.
What is the population of Plumas?
At the most recent federal census (2020), Plumas had a recorded population of 19,790.
When did Plumas's population peak?
Plumas's recorded population peaked at 20,824 in 2000.
Were any battles fought in Plumas?
1 documented military engagement took place in Plumas, including Concow-Maidu Death March (September 1863).
How many historic places are in Plumas?
6 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Plumas, California.
Aubrey Research

Research the history of any US location

Aubrey searches federal archives, archaeological records, historic registers, and primary sources to build a full historical report for any address or place in the United States.

Research your locationView a free sample report