Welcome to McKinleyville

Located on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean with a backdrop of tree covered mountains, McKinleyville is the fastest growing unincorporated community in Northern California’s Humboldt County with a population of approximately 17,000. With a growing number of retail, professional services, community services and conveniences, the town is large enough to offer the amenities of a small urban area while maintaining a small town charm and friendliness.

The community offers a variety of activities, parks, trails, community projects, philanthropic organizations, an active senior center, recreation programs for pre-k through adults, and established school systems, with Humboldt State University and College of the Redwoods only a few minutes away. Characterized by mild, rainy winters and cool, dry summers, with an average temperature of 55 degrees, McKinleyville includes several watershed areas, including the north bank of the Mad River, Mill Creek, Patrick Creek and Little River, to name a few. McKinleyville is known as a recreation paradise offering activities such as surfing, hunting, and fishing, and is home to the Hammond Trail, which consists of over 5 miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails that link McKinleyville to neighboring communities.

McKinleyville enjoys a high degree of civic engagement. Residents care deeply about their community and actively work to create opportunities to tell their story, which can be seen through projects such as the Pop-Up Museum and activities that bring the community together such as Pony Express Days and Music in the Park summer events.

In addition to its beautiful landscape and easy-going lifestyle, McKinleyville offers one of the more affordable places to live in California. The community is easily accessible via US 101 or State Route 299 and is home to the full-service Arcata-Eureka Airport.

The McKinleyville Community Services District is an independent special district established in 1970. Serving approximately 17,000 people, the District provides water, wastewater, parks and recreation, library, streetlights, and open space maintenance services to residents and businesses in the unincorporated area of McKinleyville.

The District has 26 full time and 60 part time employees and its operating budget for fiscal year 19-20 is approximately 10 million in revenue.  Water service is provided to approximately 5,800 active connections and wastewater services sre provided to approximately 4,900 active connections. District staff operate a state of the art wastewater management facility (commissioned in late 2017) utilizing two extended aeration basins and secondary clarifiers.

Parks and Recreation programs, facilities, and trails are an integral part of the services offered by the District. The District owns and maintains three parks and many facilities, including the Teen and Community Center, Azalea Hall Event Center (also home to the McKinleyville Senior Center), Law Enforcement Facility and the McKinleyville Library.

The District actively plans for the future through the use of its 10 year Capital Improvement Plan, 20 year Wastewater Facility Plan, Water and Wastewater Mainline Replacement and Rehabilitation Plan and 5 Year Strategic Plan.

The District is governed by an elected five-member Board of Directors who each serve a four-year term. The General Manager implements Board policies and oversees all aspects of the District.

Check out this two minute video from California Special Districts Association, Districts Make the Difference Program to see a little more about MCSD https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVaUnTW7l7k.