Population131,647 (2025 est.)
Bayfront Communities Beneath the Coastal Redwood Canopy
Humboldt County, CaliforniaHumboldt County brings California’s North Coast into focus through redwood forests, Pacific shoreline and the communities around Humboldt Bay. Eureka is the county seat, with Arcata providing another important community nearby. Redwood National and State Parks protect landscapes extending into neighboring Del Norte County, so choosing a specific park area matters. The county’s Native histories, bayfront towns and forest environments offer distinct perspectives on a region often first imagined through its tallest trees.
Humboldt County at a Glance
Population131,647 (2025 est.)
County SeatEureka
Largest cityEureka
Established1853
ZIP CodesSee postal resources
Total Area, Including Water4,052 sq mi (total)
Major RoutesU.S. Route 101; State Route 36; State Route 96; State Route 169; State Route 200; State Route 211
Area CodesVaries by community
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Humboldt County
The area now called Humboldt County includes the homelands of Native peoples such as the Wiyot, Yurok, Hupa and Karuk, whose communities remain part of the region. Later settlement and timber extraction profoundly changed the landscape. The protected redwood parks preserve forests alongside prairies, streams and coast, while restoration work addresses some of the effects of past land use. Reading the county through both its communities and its forests reveals a history of human relationships with the North Coast.
Eureka and Arcata offer starting points around Humboldt Bay, while a redwood outing calls for choosing a particular park and trail area. The National Park Service's visitor information distinguishes forest, coast and river experiences across the larger park system. Humboldt County is only part of that system's geography, and other redwood parks are managed separately. Use the destination's own information to plan a focused visit, leaving time for the bay communities as well as the trees.
What Shapes Us
Beyond the Trees
The protected redwood landscape includes prairies, streams and shoreline as well as forests, offering several ways to understand the connected environments of the North Coast.
Bay Communities
Eureka and Arcata provide distinct community settings around Humboldt Bay, connecting civic life, education and historic streetscapes with the county's broader coastal geography.
Living Native Histories
Wiyot, Yurok, Hupa, Karuk and other Native communities belong to the region's present as well as its past, adding essential perspectives to local history.
Discover the coast through its forests and living communities.
A Closer Look
Humboldt County
Places and perspectives from Humboldt County
Humboldt County headlines via Google News
A Major Award! Humboldt County Auditor-Controller's Office Wins State Honors for Financial Reporting - Lost Coast Outpost
A Major Award! Humboldt County Auditor-Controller's Office Wins State Honors for Financial Reporting Lost Coast Outpost
Read the Story Nov 2, 2026 • 2 min read
Around Humboldt County
Stories from every corner of Humboldt County.
A Major Award! Humboldt County Auditor-Controller's Office Wins State Honors for Financial Reporting - Lost Coast Outpost
A Major Award! Humboldt County Auditor-Controller's Office Wins State Honors for Financial Reporting Lost Coast Outpost
Nov 2, 2026 • 2 min read
Humboldt County Jail Reports: Daily Booking Sheet – November 2, 2026 - Redheaded Blackbelt
Humboldt County Jail Reports: Daily Booking Sheet – November 2, 2026 Redheaded Blackbelt
Nov 2, 2026 • 2 min read
Breaking: Moon Fire reported in Humboldt County on Nov. 2 - Sacramento Bee
Breaking: Moon Fire reported in Humboldt County on Nov. 2 Sacramento Bee
Nov 2, 2026 • 2 min read
Update: Bondi Fire in Humboldt County - Oct. 31 status - Sacramento Bee
Update: Bondi Fire in Humboldt County - Oct. 31 status Sacramento Bee
Oct 31, 2026 • 2 min read
Breaking: Bondi Fire reported in Humboldt County on Oct. 31 - Merced Sun-Star
Breaking: Bondi Fire reported in Humboldt County on Oct. 31 Merced Sun-Star
Oct 31, 2026 • 2 min read
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Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
County Resources
Find the Right Local Connection
Start with the organization responsible for the service you need. Follow its official link for current requirements, office locations and availability.
Government
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Schools
Public school contacts
Selected local schools from the NCES 2024-2025 directory. Contact the school or district to confirm enrollment, attendance boundaries and current services; this is not a complete school list.
Agnes J. Johnson Charter – Other; grades KG-12. 73 School Rd., Weott, CA 95571. 707-946-2347.
Alder Grove Charter School 2 – Other; grades KG-12. 714 F St., Eureka, CA 95501. 707-268-0854.
Arcata Elementary – Elementary; grades KG-05. 2400 Baldwin St., Arcata, CA 95521. 707-822-4858.
Big Lagoon Elementary – Elementary; grades KG-08. 269 Big Lagoon Park Rd., Trinidad, CA 95570. 707-677-3688.
Blue Lake Union Elementary – Elementary; grades KG-08. 631 Greenwood Ave., Blue Lake, CA 95525. 707-668-5674.
Bridgeville Elementary – Elementary; grades KG-08. 38717 Kneeland Rd., Bridgeville, CA 95526. 707-777-3311.
Coastal Grove Charter – Elementary; grades KG-08. 1897 S St., Arcata, CA 95521. 707-825-8804.
Hospitals
Local hospital contacts
Facility contacts from the CMS Hospital General Information directory, updated July 22, 2026. Contact the facility directly to confirm current services and appointment arrangements.
Mad River Community Hospital – Acute Care Hospitals. 3800 Janes Rd, Arcata, CA 95521. 707-822-3621.
Providence St Joseph Hospital – Acute Care Hospitals. 2700 Dolbeer St, Eureka, CA 95501. 707-445-8121.
Providence Redwood Memorial Hospital – Critical Access Hospitals. 3300 Renner Drive, Fortuna, CA 95540. 707-445-8121.
Jerold Phelps Community Hospital – Critical Access Hospitals. 733 Cedar St, Garberville, CA 95542. 707-923-3921.
Sempervirens – Psychiatric. 720 Wood St, Eureka, CA 95501. 707-268-2990.
Public Safety
Emergency Services
Parks & Public Lands
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Trails
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Utilities
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Libraries
Local library contacts
Locations and public phone numbers are from the IMLS FY2024 Public Libraries Survey. Call the branch to confirm current hours and services before visiting.
Eureka Main Library – 1313 Third St., Eureka, CA 95501. 707-269-1929.
Arcata Library – 500 Seventh St., Arcata, CA 95521. 707-822-5954.
Blue Lake Library – 111 Greenwood Ave., Blue Lake, CA 95525. 707-668-4207.
Ferndale Library – 807 Main Street, Ferndale, CA 95536. 707-786-9559.
Fortuna Library – 775 14Th St., Fortuna, CA 95540. 707-725-3460.
Garberville Library – 715 Cedar St., Garberville, CA 95542. 707-923-2230.
Kim Yerton Memorial Library – Loop Road, Hoopa, CA 95546. 530-625-5082.
Courts
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
DMV
California — Locations & Hours
California — Renew Registration
Transportation
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Postal Services
USPS location finder — Search by street address, city or ZIP Code for nearby post offices, collection boxes and available services.
USPS ZIP Code lookup — Find the mailing ZIP Code for a specific street address.
USPS Hold Mail — Arrange a temporary mail hold and review identity-verification requirements.
USPS change of address and forwarding — Review forwarding options and submit an address-change request through USPS.
USPS package pickup — Check pickup availability for your address and schedule eligible shipments.
Veterans
National services available to local residents
VA accredited representatives — Find help with VA claims and benefit applications.
VA health care applications — Review application options and supporting information.
VA disability claims — Find the official steps for submitting a disability claim.
GI Bill and education benefits — Review how to apply for VA education benefits.
Veteran career and employment support — Explore VA employment, training and career assistance.
Employment
National services available to local residents
USAJOBS federal employment — Search federal openings by location and occupation.
Apprenticeship Finder — Search apprenticeship opportunities by location and occupation.
My Next Move career exploration — Explore occupations, industries and career interests.
Government job-training resources — Find routes to state training programs and support for different job seekers.
Unemployment benefit guidance — Find your state program and its application and eligibility information.
Get to Know Humboldt County
Useful answers for residents, visitors and anyone planning their next step.
Local Questions
Humboldt County Questions, Answered
Explore practical details about the county and the organizations that serve it.
131,647 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate). This is a dated Census Bureau estimate, rather than a live resident count.
4,052.254 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography). The total combines land and water area.
Start with Sheriff’s Office, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Office of Emergency Services, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
No. The jointly managed park landscape extends across Humboldt and Del Norte counties. Choose a specific destination within the park system when planning travel. Redwood park facts.
Yes. The park system includes forest, coastline and river settings. The official hiking information helps distinguish routes and their conditions. Redwood walks and hikes.
Start with these official California resources: Renew DL/ID; Locations & Hours; Renew Registration. Choose the page for the service you need, then check its office or online instructions before making a trip. These links cover state services; they do not establish that every transaction is available at a county office.
Use USPS ZIP Code Lookup for the mailing ZIP Code of a specific street address. Use the USPS location finder to search for nearby postal facilities and available services. An address lookup is more useful for mailing than assuming the entire county shares one ZIP Code.
The VA explains how to find and appoint an accredited representative for benefit claims. Contact a representative to confirm availability before appointing them. For education benefits, use the GI Bill application guidance. These are national VA services available to eligible local residents, rather than a listing of county offices.
Search USAJOBS for federal positions and the Apprenticeship Finder for apprenticeship opportunities, using location filters to narrow the results. USAGov job-training guidance points to training programs and state resources. Check each listing for current availability, eligibility and application instructions; a search result does not guarantee an opening in the county.
The area now called Humboldt County includes the homelands of Native peoples such as the Wiyot, Yurok, Hupa and Karuk, whose communities remain part of the region. Later settlement and timber extraction profoundly changed the landscape. The protected redwood parks preserve forests alongside prairies, streams and coast, while restoration work addresses some of the effects of past land use. Reading the county through both its communities and its forests reveals a history of human relationships with the North Coast.
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Local Businesses
Businesses Serving Humboldt CountyExplore the businesses listed for this county.
Businesses serving Humboldt County
Additional county facts: county overview and references.
Connect with local businesses.Humboldt County