Location, Elevation & Climate | Population & Housing Costs | Labor Force, Jobs by Industry & Personal Income

Location & Elevation

Willits is nestled at the western edge of the Little Lake Valley at 1,350 feet above sea level and is surrounded by the forested mountains of the coastal range.

The City of Willits, centrally located in the heart of Mendocino County, is on U. S. Highway 101 and State Highway 20 West approximately halfway between San Francisco and Eureka (140 miles either direction), 158 miles west of Sacramento, and 36 miles east of the Mendocino coast.

Climate

Willits has a very moderate climate year-round. The coastal influence contributes to this wonderful climate especially in the summer months when our neighbors to the south can be up to 10 degrees warmer.

Temperature

Annual Temperatures Recorded
High - 104     Low - 14

Precipitation
Average Annual Rainfall 53 inches
Average Annual Snowfall 0-3 inches (usually in Feb. or Mar.)


Population

The population of the Willits area has increased at a very even and moderate rate over the last few years. The growth has been at approximately 1.7% to 2% per year over the last 6 years.

Source: Claritas

Willits Trade Area: 19,000

The Willits Trade Area includes four census tracts in northern Mendocino County. The Trade Area extends from Willits to the Mendocino/Humboldt County border and includes Brooktrails, Pine Mountain, Leggett, Laytonville and Covelo. Residents of the Trade Area, who live outside the City of Willits in the unincorporated areas make up approximately 25 percent of the non-tourist business with the City.

The Willits Trade Area has grown in population and households at an annual rate between 1.6 and 2.2 percent since 1980, which is slightly higher than growth rates in Mendocino County. This trend is expected to continue over the next few years.

Housing Costs

Willits has a unique mix of quality housing stock, in a wide variety of price ranges. Homes are still affordable for the first-time home buyer as well as some exclusive executive homes. Homes with acreage, mini ranches, quality homes in sub-divisions are all available in a wide price range.

The average sales price for a 3 bedroom/2 bath hone in the Willits area is $318,000 (versus $245,000 in 2003). Rental information can be obtained through the local real estate firms with property management specialists on staff and through property management firms in the area.

Number of Households

Source: Claritas

Population by Age
1999 Population

Source: Claritas

Labor Force

Many highly skilled and multi-talented people live in the Willits area. Home to many entrepreneurs, Willits has a unique mix of cottage industries, small businesses and corporations that offer a wide variety of employment at many levels. There is also a diverse group of skilled labor personnel.

Population 16 Yrs + in Labor Force

Source: Claritas

Personal Income
Per Capita

Avg Household

Source: Claritas

Jobs by Industry
1990 Employed Population 16 Yrs + by Industry

Source: Claritas

Unemployment Rate

Mendocino County has continued to show a decrease in unemployment throughout the last few years.

Source: Employment Development Dept.

Jobs by Occupation
The Willits area has many qualified personnel; over 38% of the labor force is employed in the field of manufacturing, precision repair and agriculture. Sales and service accounts for over 36% of the labor force and approximately 25% are employed in the managerial and professional field.

1990 Employed Population 16 Yrs +

Source: Claritas

Ethnic Origin
1999 Population

Source: Claritas

 
Education

The Willits Unified School District provides area students with an excellent educational system. The high school, a California Distinguished School, is accredited and provides an outstanding curriculum. Both primary and secondary schools are well staffed with qualified teachers and aides. Several alternative schools are within the area.

Health Coordinators provide hearing, vision, and dental screenings. A complete range of Special Education services are available to identified students. Counseling services are available at all schools within the District. For additional information on the public schools in the Willits area contact:

Willits Unified School District Office
120 Pearl St., Willits, CA 95490
(707) 459-5314 ~ (707) 459-7862 fax
E-mail: sjorgensen@mcoe.k12.ca.us
Web Site: www.ntap.K12.ca.us/wusd/index/shtm

Special Education Services (707) 459-5314 ext. 1102 or ext. 1112 
Transportation Department (707) 459-5111
Food Service Center (707) 459-7700 ext. 1515

Head Start (707) 459-1048 or (707) 459-5141
Brookside School Campus (Spruce & Lincoln Ways)
P.O. Box 1088, Willits, CA 95490

School/Grade

Brookside Elementary School (K - 2nd)
(707) 459-5385
Spruce & Lincoln Ways, Willits, CA 95490

Blosser Lane Elementary School (3rd -5th)
(707) 459-3232
1275 Blosser Ln., Willits, CA 95490

Baechtel Grove Middle School (6th - 8th)
(707) 459-2417
1150 Magnolia St., Willits, CA 95490

Willits High School (9th - 12th)
(707) 459-7700
299 N. Main St., Willits, CA 95490

New Horizons/Independent Study (K - 12th)
(707) 459-4801 ext. 1138
120 N. Main St., Willits, CA 95490

Sherwood Elementary School (K - 6th)
(707) 984-6769
32600 Sherwood Rd. (Note: Mailing address is 618 S. Main St., Willits, CA 95490)

San Hedrin Continuation High School (9th - 12th)
(707) 459-4801
120 N. Main St., Willits, CA 95490

Secondary Community Day School (9th - 12th)
(707) 459-7754
370 E. Commercial St., Willits, CA 95490

Willits Charter School (6th - 12th)
(707) 459-5506
7 S. Marin St., Willits, CA 95490

Willits Seventh-Day Adventist School (Elementary)
(707) 459-4333
22751 Bray Rd., Willits, CA 95490



Regional Colleges & Universities

Mendocino College
Willits Campus (707) 459-6224
Ukiah Campus (707) 468-3101

Mendocino College provides a variety of educational opportunities. In addition to the standard curriculum, the College has two programs that are particularly relevant to businesses. First, the Contract Education Program allows employers to request specific training for employees which is customized to the needs of their individual business. Second, the Community Extension Program provides on-site local short courses for small groups.

In addition to Mendocino College, there are several colleges that provide excellent educational opportunities.

College of the Redwoods - Fort Bragg, 35 miles west

Empire College - Santa Rosa, 80 miles south

Heald Business College - Santa Rosa, 80 miles south

Humboldt State University - Arcata, 150 miles north

Santa Rosa Junior College - Santa Rosa, 80 miles south

Sonoma State University - Santa Rosa, 80 miles south

University of San Francisco - Santa Rosa, 80 miles south

Educational Attainment
Educational Attainment for Population 25Yrs +

Source: Claritas

Government

Willits operates under a City Council-City Manager form of government with a five-member City Council that elects its mayor each year.

The City of Willits, understanding the need to maintain a strong commitment to assisting our existing businesses as well as attracting new businesses, has taken a pro-active approach to economic development. Local government has taken a conservative approach in levying permit and regulatory fees.

The City has programs in place that assist business, such as the Revolving Loan Fund and the Façade Grant Program.

Governing Agency
City of Willits
111 E. Commercial St.
Willits, CA 95490
(707) 459-4601
(707) 459-1562 fax


Taxes
Taxes are competitive to the property tax rates in the State of California.

Property Tax Rates (%)

County (1.00 of assessed value)
(for specific tax information contact Mendocino County Tax Assessor's Office 1-707-463-4311)

Fire District (60 dollars per parcel)

Income Tax Rates (%)

State (6.00)
State Sales Tax (%) 7.75
T.O.T (%) 10.00
(Transient Occupancy Tax)

Utilities

Electric

Pacific Gas & Electric - 1-800-743-5000

Natural Gas

Pacific Gas & Electric - 1-800-743-5000

Alternative Energy

Because of the rural character of the Willits area, a high percentage of the population choose not to use conventional forms of power rather they are - "off the grid," using solar electric power systems.

Gaia Productions Solar - (707) 456-0881

Telecommunications

Pacific Telesis - basic phone service - 1-800-750-2355

Long distance - provided by various companies

Cellular service - provided by various companies

Internet service - provided by various local companies

Water

City of Willits - (707) 459-4601
Provides service inside city limits.
Current storage capacity - 3.5MGD
Current usage - 2.2MGD

Water service outside the incorporated City limits is provided by:

• Brooktrails Community Services Dist. - (707) 459-2494

• Pine Mountain Mutual Water Dist. - (707) 459-4171

• Well or spring water may be available in some areas.

Waste Water Treatment

City of Willits - (707) 459-4601

Sanitation Service

Within the City limits residents are required to have refuse collection service. The City of Willits strongly encourages and supports recycling efforts.

Solid Wastes of Willits - (707) 459-4778 provides residential & commercial refuse collection service.
Additionally, they operate a recycling center and transfer station located at 350 Franklin St. (707) 459-0272 
Open Tuesday - Saturday, 9:00am to 4:30pm.


Business Programs

Willits has many forms of assistance for your business, whether it is for start-up, expansion, improvements, or relocation. These programs range from financing, permit streamlining, location assistance, job training, market research to technical assistance.

Financial Institutions

• Bank of Willits - Conventional, SBA, Commercial (707) 459-5533

• Six Rivers National Bank - Conventional, SBA, Commercial (707) 459-5581

• National Bank of the Redwoods - Conventional, SBA, Commercial (707) 462-3288

• Washington Mutual Savings & Loan - Conventional (707) 459-7940

Loan Programs

• West Company - Microloans (707) 468-3553

• SAFE-BIDCO - Business loans for business start-up, acquisition, working capital, expansion, etc. 1-800-273-8637

• Economic Development & Financing Corp. - Business Revolving Loan Fund for Mendocino County Businesses. (707) 462-2353

• City of Willits - Revolving Loan Program & Façade Grant Program (707) 459-4601

Recycling Market Development Zone

In 1993 Mendocino County was designated a RMDZ by the California Integrated Waste Management Board. This gives added advantages to locating recycling-based manufacturing businesses in Mendocino County.

Access

• Low interest loans up to $1,000,000
• Site, permitting, engineering and technical support
• Feedstock analysis and assistance

Transportation
Willits, centrally located in Mendocino County and on U.S. Hwy 101,
is in close proximity to the San Francisco Bay Area.

INTERSTATES

Interstate 5 - 96 miles east

HIGHWAYS