Yuba County is a county in California, United States, along the Feather and Yuba rivers in the northern Sacramento Valley. It had a population of 81,575 at the 2020 census and covers 644 square miles (1,670 km2) centred near 39°16′N 121°21′W.
Marysville is the county seat, and its postal code is 95901. The county has 2 incorporated cities, 4 census-designated places and a scatter of unincorporated foothill communities. Yuba County sits in the Pacific time zone and carries FIPS code 06115.
Towns & Villages in Yuba County
Marysville and Wheatland anchor the valley floor; Linda, Olivehurst and Plumas Lake are the growing suburban CDPs south of Marysville, and the foothill communities to the east and northeast are small, unincorporated mining and ranching settlements.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marysville | City · seat | 12,844 | 95901 |
| Wheatland | City | 3,712 | 95692 |
| Linda | CDP | 21,654 | 95901 |
| Olivehurst | CDP | 16,595 | 95961 |
| Plumas Lake | CDP | 8,126 | 95961 |
| Loma Rica | CDP | 2,409 | 95901 |
| Browns Valley | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Brownsville | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Camptonville | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Challenge | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Dobbins | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Oregon House | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Rackerby | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Smartsville | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Strawberry Valley | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Woodleaf | Unincorp. | — | — |
ZIP Codes
- 95901 — Marysville (also serves Linda and Loma Rica)
- 95692 — Wheatland
- 95961 — Olivehurst (also serves Plumas Lake)
The smaller foothill communities such as Camptonville, Dobbins, Oregon House, Brownsville, Challenge, Smartsville, Strawberry Valley and Woodleaf are served by rural post offices whose exact codes are not confirmed here; residents typically use a nearby town’s ZIP for mail.
Geography
Yuba County spans the transition from the flat Sacramento Valley floor around Marysville and Wheatland to the pine-covered foothills of the Sierra Nevada in its eastern third, where elevations climb well above 2,000 feet. The Feather River forms much of the county’s western edge and the Yuba River, for which the county is named, cuts through its centre before joining the Feather near Marysville. New Bullards Bar Reservoir, high in the eastern hills, is the county’s largest body of water.
Yuba County borders Butte County to the north, Sierra County to the northeast, Nevada County to the east, Placer County to the southeast, and Sutter County to the west and southwest across the Feather River.
Demographics
Yuba County had 81,575 residents at the 2020 census, with a 2025 estimate of 88,691. Linda (21,654) and Olivehurst (16,595) are the county’s two largest communities, both suburban CDPs south of Marysville. Yuba County’s median household income trails the California state figure of $95,521. Spread over 644 square miles, the county’s overall population density works out to roughly 127 people per square mile, though most residents live in the valley communities near Marysville rather than the sparsely populated foothills.
Economy & Local Life
Agriculture remains central to Yuba County’s economy: fruit and nut orchards, rice fields and cattle ranching cover much of the valley floor, aided by hydroelectric and irrigation infrastructure fed by the Yuba and Feather rivers. Beale Air Force Base, just south of Marysville, is one of the county’s largest employers, alongside Yuba Community College and the Marysville Joint Unified School District. Yuba-Sutter Fair, held each August in Yuba City just across the river, draws visitors from both counties.
History
Yuba County was one of California’s original 27 counties, organized on February 18, 1850. It takes its name from the Yuba River, itself derived from the name of a Maidu village along its banks. The county’s original territory was far larger than today; the legislature carved out portions to form or enlarge neighboring counties in 1851 and 1852, leaving Yuba with roughly its present boundaries. Gold discovered along the Yuba River in the 1850s drew miners to camps such as Camptonville and Smartsville, and hydraulic mining debris later contributed to serious flooding downstream at Marysville.
Getting There
State Routes 20, 49, 65 and 70 cross the county, linking Marysville and Wheatland to the wider Sacramento Valley highway network.
- Sacramento — 40 miles south
- Yuba City — 3 miles west
- Grass Valley — 25 miles east
- Chico — 45 miles north
Yuba County Airport, three miles south of Marysville, handles general aviation. The nearest Amtrak station is in Sacramento; Amtrak Thruway buses connect downtown Marysville to Sacramento and Stockton three times daily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Yuba County?
It is in north-central California, along the Feather and Yuba rivers about 40 miles north of Sacramento.
What is the Marysville postcode?
95901.
What is the county seat of Yuba County?
Marysville is the county seat.
How big is Yuba County?
644 square miles (1,670 km2).
What is the population of Yuba County?
81,575 people at the 2020 census, with a 2025 estimate of 88,691.
Is Yuba City in Yuba County?
No. Despite the shared name, Yuba City is the seat of neighboring Sutter County, just across the Feather River from Marysville.
What counties border Yuba County?
Butte, Sierra, Nevada, Placer and Sutter counties.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in California.