Anderson is a city in Shasta County, California, approximately 10 miles (16 km) south of Redding.

Located 138 miles (222 km) north of Sacramento, the city's roots are as a railroad town near the northern tip of the Central Valley of California.

The city was named after ranch owner Elias Anderson, who granted the Oregon and California Railroad trackage rights and land for a station.

Elias married Elizabeth Summers in 1839 and built the Prairie House in the community of Cottonwood in 1856 on the south side of Cottonwood Creek (now Tehama County).

Elias Anderson purchased the American Ranch from Thomas Freeman in 1856 and built the American Ranch Hotel in what would become downtown Anderson, California.

Elias and Elizabeth Anderson built their new home at 2865 East Street in 1873; it no longer exists.

In 1876 the Andersons moved their ranch hotel to the corner of Main and Ferry Streets.

The report by the California Department of Finance lists the annual percentage change population estimate at 1.4%.

Another 8,342 live in rural areas, including at least 3,500 people in the communities of Olinda and Happy Valley, which is west of Anderson and southwest of Redding.

A total of 21,400 people live in the entire Anderson area, including Olinda, Happy Valley, and some areas south of Churn Creek Bottom.

In the state legislature Anderson is located in the 1st Senate District, represented by Republican Megan Dahle,[12] and the 1st Assembly District, represented by Republican Heather Hadwick.

[13] Federally, Anderson is in California's 1st congressional district, represented by Republican Doug LaMalfa.

The park consists of athletic fields, picnic areas, fishing access, play structures, and a disc golf course.

[15] River Splash has three large shade structures, picnic tables, seating, lawn areas, restrooms, and a 106-feet diameter water play area.

South Volonte Park consists of wetlands that are outlined by a jogging trail.