North Richmond is an unincorporated area in Contra Costa County, California, a census-designated place (CDP) with a population of 4,175 as of the 2020 census, adjacent to and nearly surrounded by the city of Richmond.
History
The area of North Richmond was populated by Ohlone tribes which settled the area in the 6th century. However, Hokan speaking people may have inhabited the area even earlier, and archaeological evidence shows human settlement to have begun at least by 4000 BC. The Ohlone tribesmen subsisted from hunter-gathering the bountiful amount of land and sea life of the area. Especially the great amounts of seafood made available along the coastline of Castro Cove and the surrounding marshlands and delta of Wildcat and San Pablo creeks. The majority of present-day North Richmond was territory of the Karkin tribe (or Carquinez) however the land lies on what was a border area with the Chocheño tribe and likely had influences of both groups. The tribes made great use of the salmon and trout runs on the rivers. However, today, culverting and damming has decimated the habitat for these species and they are rarely present ever at the opening of the watercourse.
In the early part of the 20th century, North Richmond was populated by Italian-Americans. During World War II, many African Americans moved from the South and Midwest and came to the Western United States in order to find jobs contributing to the war effort. Many came to work in Richmond's shipyards and consequently, moved into North Richmond.
Subsequently many of the residents were employed in the petroleum, railway, and shipping industries.<br> 2010
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North Richmond first appeared as a census designated place in the 2010 U.S. census.
The census reported that 99.8% of the population lived in households, 0.2% lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and no one was institutionalized. There were 1,082 households, out of which 50.8% included children under the age of 18, 44.7% were married-couple households, 8.1% were cohabiting couple households, 29.9% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present, and 17.3% had a male householder with no spouse or partner present. 15.8% of households were one person, and 7.1% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 3.85. There were 850 families (78.6% of all households).
The age distribution was 28.2% under the age of 18, 11.0% aged 18 to 24, 31.8% aged 25 to 44, 21.1% aged 45 to 64, and 7.9% who were 65years of age or older. The median age was 31.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 100.6 males age 18 and over.
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census
! Race !! Number !! Percent
|-
| White || 302 || 7.2%
|-
| Black or African American || 697 || 16.7%
|-
| American Indian and Alaska Native || 118 || 2.8%
|-
| Asian || 385 || 9.2%
|-
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 31 || 0.7%
|-
| Some other race || 2,054 || 49.2%
|-
| Two or more races || 588 || 14.1%
|-
| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) || 2,833 || 67.9%
|}
Government
The West Contra Costa Housing Authority of Contra Costa County is located in North Richmond. The area is policed by the Contra Costa County Sheriff's department. The community is governed by the county of Contra Costa and the current representative is supervisor John Gioia. North Richmond does, though, have a community council that represents the resident's voices at the county level, known as the North Richmond Municipal Advisory Council. In fall 2011, the neighboring city of San Pablo conducted a telephone opinion poll of San Pablo residents. Among other items, the poll sought to assess San Pablo citizens' opinions on the possibility of the City of San Pablo annexing unincorporated North Richmond. Reasons cited included the opportunity for North Richmond residents to have direct representation and also give San Pablo waterfront access to San Pablo Bay.
Recreation
Sports such as baseball and basketball are common in the neighborhood, especially for young men. Baseball has been a long tradition in the area for decades, with residents frequently playing at the North Richmond Ballfield Complex and at Shields-Reid Park. The Bay Area's Hyphy scene is popular among many young people who aspire to be rappers and singers. Hip hop, Rap, and R&B music, as with many areas densely populated by African Americans, is prominent among the area's youth.
Transportation
This area is served by AC Transit bus lines 76, 71, and 376, that connect the community with Richmond BART & Amtrak station, Contra Costa College in San Pablo, and Hilltop Mall in addition to other areas of west county. The line 376 is an owl service, and due to several assaults and other crimes committed on board during 2010 the bus is now escorted by a county sheriff's vehicle while inside town limits. In fact, many bus drivers refuse to work this line because of how dangerous it can be.
Environment
North Richmond is next to Chevron Richmond Refinery in Richmond's Point Richmond District. The public health risks associated with emissions and chemical spills, especially of sulfur trioxide, are major concerns for the entire area. A community warning system of loud sirens is in place to warn residents of chemical spills. This warning is tested on the first Wednesday of every month, and can be heard from miles away. The Richmond dump is also in a tiny strip of Richmond that runs through North Richmond.
The landfill pays into a mitigation fund used for community projects to offset how blight and pollution impact the town. The community is home to many farms and greenhouses; thousands of flowers both within and surrounding these greenhouses can be seen from the Richmond Parkway.
There are very few commercial businesses in the town but there are two small grocers and a liquor store remaining.
There are currently no restaurants or markets in the town. The city of Richmond's redevelopment agency and Contra Costa County have been trying to revitalize the community's main road, Fred Jackson Way (formerly 3rd and Filbert Streets). In 2010 a thirty-six town home development was under construction to provide ultra low income housing that is planned to be kept affordable over time through a low equity scheme.