Rio Dell

Rio Dell is a southern Humboldt community with a population of 3,000. Established as the “sin town” across the river from the company logging town of Scotia, Rio Dell continues to have a high proportion of residents suffering from alcoholism, methamphetamine addiction, and family dysfunction as well as a large number of disabled and elderly former timber workers.

Unemployment rates are double those of other areas within the county and 47% of the population is below poverty level. Historically relatively low rents attracted a fair number of transient and financially marginal families to the area, but as housing costs rise, many are being displaced.