Map of Nicolaus CDP

Nicolaus is a census-designated place (CDP) in Sutter County, California. Nicolaus is part of the Yuba City Metropolitan Statistical Area. Nicolaus sits at an elevation of 26 feet (7.9 m). The 2010 United States census reported Nicolaus’s population was 211.

It is named after Nicolaus Allgeier, local rancher. The town’s former names included Nicolaus Ferry and Nicolaus’ Ranche.

Nicolaus CDP overview:
Name:	Nicolaus CDP
LSAD Code:	57
LSAD Description:	CDP (suffix)
State:	California
County:	Sutter County
Elevation:	26 ft (8 m)
Total Area:	3.138 sq mi (8.127 km²)
Land Area:	3.138 sq mi (8.127 km²)
Water Area:	0 sq mi (0 km²) 0%
Total Population:	211
Population Density:	67/sq mi (26/km²)
FIPS code:	0651336
GNISfeature ID:	2583093

Online Interactive Map

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Nicolaus online map. Source: Basemap layers from Google Map, Open Street Map (OSM), Arcgisonline, Wmflabs. Boundary Data from Database of Global Administrative Areas.

Nicolaus location map. Where is Nicolaus CDP?

Nicolaus location on the U.S. Map. Where is Nicolaus CDP. — Nicolaus location on the U.S. Map.

Nicolaus location on the California map. Where is Nicolaus CDP. — Location of Nicolaus in California.

History

Nicolaus Allgeier established a ferry at what later became the town of Nicolaus in 1843 to cross the Feather River on the road between Sutter’s Fort and Sutter’s Hock Farm. The town was established in 1850 and has had a post office since July 28, 1851 making it one of the oldest post offices in the state.

Nicolaus was an early major stopping point on the Feather River during the California Gold Rush. It was the county seat of Sutter County in 1850-1851 and again 1852-1856 except for two months in 1854 when it was located in Yuba City. The area was described by R.T.P. ,Allen, Special Agent of the United States Government for the purpose of selecting early post offices in California as “a most beautiful country…[t]he country bordering the Feather River (near Nicolaus) is by far the most fertile and most beautiful I have seen in California.”

Nicolaus was once home to a significant Chinese American community, but it violently drove all its Chinese American residents out of town in March 1886. It was also home to a large mixed population of Maidu Indians and Hawaiians, or Kanakas, which has since relocated to El Dorado County, California. The Hawaiians or Kanakas are descendants of workers brought over by John Sutter in 1839.

The town itself has approximately 200 residents and the outlying area has a population of roughly 600. The town is located just off State Highway 99 and adjoins the Feather River. The State Highway used to go through the town but a major flood in 1955 tore out the bridge over the Feather River and the town’s commercial district has declined since that time.

The community is inside area code 530. The zip code is 95659 that also encompasses the communities of East Nicolaus, Trowbridge, Lee and Verona. It is served by East Nicolaus High School that is renowned for its male and female sports teams. The football team was the State of California Small Schools Champion in 2015 and has won several section titles in football and other sports. It is also served by Marcum-Illinois Elementary School.

Recreational opportunities abound in the area. Golfers have access to the River Oaks Golf Course, a public 18-hole course, which is located next to the Feather River. The area is an outdoor paradise widely known for its hunting, fishing and bird watching. It is also known for canoeing and kayaking on the Feather River and for bicycling along its roads.

The area is unique in that it has retained its rural character yet is only 20 minutes north of Sacramento, the state capital. The economy of the Nicolaus area is driven by farming and walnut orchards and rice farming predominate. The town of Nicolaus is the site of an annual Labor Day parade, which attracts visitors from throughout the state.