Eureka, California
City of Eureka, California
Aerial view: Eureka on Humboldt Bay
Motto: Eureka! - (I have found it!)
Eureka shown within Humboldt County
in the State of California
Coordinates: 40°48′07″N 124°09′49″W /
40.80194°N 124.16361°W / 40.80194;
-124.16361Coordinates: 40°48′07″N
124°09′49″W / 40.80194°N 124.16361°W /
40.80194; -124.16361
Country
United States
State
California
County
Humboldt
Founded
May 13, 1850 (settlement)
Incorporated
April 18, 1856 (town)
Re-incorporated February 19, 1874 (city)
Government
- Type
Mayor-council
- Mayor
Virginia Bass
- City manager
David Tyson
- Senate
Patricia Wiggins (D)
- Assembly
Patty Berg (D)
- U. S. Congress Mike Thompson (D)
Area
- Total
14.4 sq mi (37.4 km2)
- Land
9.4 sq mi (24.50 km2)
- Water
5.0 sq mi (12.9 km2)
34.60%
Elevation
44 ft (13.4 m)
Population (2007)
- Total
26,097
- Density
2,764.5/sq mi (1,067.5/
km2)
Source: U.S. Census
Time zone
PST (UTC-8)
- Summer (DST) PDT (UTC-7)
ZIP codes
95501, 95502, 95503
Area code(s)
707
FIPS code
06-23042
GNIS feature ID
0277605
[1]
Website
www.ci.eureka.ca.gov
Eureka is the county seat and principal city
in Humboldt County, California, United
States. Located adjacent to Humboldt Bay,
the port city of 26,097 (2007) residents is
situated near extensive preserves of the
world’s tallest trees - the Coast Redwoods.
This architecturally and historically signific-
ant coastal city serves as the regional center
for government, health care, trade, and the
Arts for the far North Coast of California.
History
Eureka’s Pacific coastal location on Hum-
boldt Bay adjacent to abundant Redwood
forests provided a rich environment for the
birth of this 19th century seaport town. Be-
ginning more than 150 years ago, miners,
loggers, and fishermen began making their
mark in this pristine wilderness of the Cali-
fornia North Coast. Before that time the area
was already occupied by small groups of indi-
genous peoples.
Native Americans
The Wiyot people lived in the area now
known as Eureka for thousands of years prior
to European arrival.