Cottonwood is a census-designated place (CDP) in Shasta County, California, United States. The population was 3,316 at the 2010 census, up from 2,960 at the 2000 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, 15mi in either direction. It is 4mi south of Anderson.In the spring of 1997 Hollywood came to this small, quiet town to film Almost Heroes starring Matthew Perry and Chris Farley. It was Farley's last film.GeographyCottonwood is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 2.3sqmi, all of it land.Cottonwood is located on the north bank of Cottonwood Creek, for which it is named.Demographics2010The 2010 United States Census reported that Cottonwood had a population of 3,316. The population density was 1,433.0 people per square mile (553.3/km²). The racial makeup of Cottonwood was 2,844 (85.8%) White, 4 (0.1%) African American, 99 (3.0%) Native American, 108 (3.3%) Asian, 2 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 120 (3.6%) from other races, and 139 (4.2%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 352 persons (10.6%).
