Cottonwood is a census-designated place (CDP) in Shasta County, California, United States. Its population is 6,268 as of the 2020 census, up from 3,316 from the 2010 census. Cottonwood was a stagecoach town where a settlement was established in 1849. The first Post Office was opened in 1852. Cottonwood is equidistant between Redding and Red Bluff, in either direction. It is south of Anderson.
History
The single winning ticket for the 5th biggest Mega Millions jackpot ever was sold in Cottonwood. The drawing took place Dec 27, 2024. The total (before taxes) jackpot was $1.22 Billion.
Proposed incorporation
A number of residents in Cottonwood have expressed interest in incorporation. Not only would it allow the town to have stricter building codes, but it would stop the City of Anderson from further annexation of the surrounding areas.
Cottonwood is one of five CDPs in Shasta County that have expressed interest in incorporating. The other towns are Burney, Shingletown, Fall River Mills, and McArthur. Fall River Mills and McArthur would incorporate as one city together.
A suggestion for combining the new Sunset Hills and Sun City Tehama subdivisions across the Tehama County line with the current CDP would be currently unworkable since the California constitution prohibits incorporated cities and towns from crossing county lines.
Geography
thumb|left|Cottonwood was originally a part of [[Rancho Buena Ventura, a Mexican-era rancho granted by Governor Manuel Micheltorena to Pierson B. Reading.]]
Cottonwood is located at (40.388953, −122.281823).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of , all land.
Cottonwood is located on the north and south bank of Cottonwood Creek, for which it is named.