Wahkiakum County, Washington

Wahkiakum County, Washington

Wahkiakum County Courthouse in July 2015
Map of Washington highlighting Wahkiakum County
Location in the U.S. state of Washington
Map of the United States highlighting Washington
Washington's location in the U.S.
Founded April 24, 1854
Seat Cathlamet
Largest town Cathlamet
Area
 • Total 287 sq mi (743 km2)
 • Land 263 sq mi (681 km2)
 • Water 24 sq mi (62 km2), 8.3%
Population (est.)
 • (2015) 4,042
 • Density 15/sq mi (6/km²)
Congressional district 3rd
Time zone Pacific: UTC-8/-7
Website www.co.wahkiakum.wa.us

Wahkiakum County /wəˈkaɪ.əkʌm/ is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2010 census, the population was 3,978,[1] making it the second-least populous county in Washington. The county seat and only incorporated town is Cathlamet.[2] The county was formed out of Cowlitz County on April 25, 1854[3] and is named for Chief Wahkiakum ("Tall Timber") of the Chinook.

The County operates the Wahkiakum County Ferry, which connects Cathlamet to Westport, Oregon, across the Columbia River.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 287 square miles (740 km2), of which 263 square miles (680 km2) is land and 24 square miles (62 km2) (8.3%) is water.[4] It is the smallest county of Washington by total area and the third-smallest by land area, ahead of San Juan County and Island County, which are mostly water by area.

Geographic features

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
186042—
1870270542.9%
18801,598491.9%
18902,52658.1%
19002,81911.6%
19103,28516.5%
19203,4725.7%
19303,86211.2%
19404,28611.0%
19503,835−10.5%
19603,426−10.7%
19703,5924.8%
19803,8326.7%
19903,327−13.2%
20003,82414.9%
20103,9784.0%
Est. 20154,042[5]1.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8]
1990–2000[9] 2010–2015[1]

2000 census

As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 3,824 people, 1,553 households, and 1,108 families residing in the county. The population density was 14 people per square mile (6/km²). There were 1,792 housing units at an average density of 7 per square mile (3/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 93.46% White, 0.26% Black or African American, 1.57% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 1.65% from other races, and 2.51% from two or more races. 2.56% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 18.7% were of German, 13.1% Norwegian, 10.6% United States or American, 9.1% English, 7.7% Irish, 6.5% Swedish, and 5.9% Finnish ancestry. 96.7% spoke English and 2.5% Spanish as a first language.

There were 1,553 households out of which 26.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.40% were married couples living together, 6.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.60% were non-families. 24.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.83.

In the county, the population was spread out with 23.40% under the age of 18, 5.30% from 18 to 24, 22.20% from 25 to 44, 30.60% from 45 to 64, and 18.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 100.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $39,444, and the median income for a family was $47,604. Males had a median income of $37,123 versus $27,938 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,063. About 5.90% of families and 8.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.00% of those under age 18 and 2.70% of those age 65 or over.

Wahkiakum County has the second lowest population of any county in Washington state. Its population of 3,978 is 0.2% the size of the population of Washington's largest county, King.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 3,978 people, 1,737 households, and 1,187 families residing in the county.[11] The population density was 15.1 inhabitants per square mile (5.8/km2). There were 2,067 housing units at an average density of 7.8 per square mile (3.0/km2).[12] The racial makeup of the county was 94.0% white, 1.3% American Indian, 0.6% Asian, 0.3% black or African American, 0.2% Pacific islander, 0.7% from other races, and 3.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.7% of the population.[11] In terms of ancestry, 19.8% were Norwegian, 19.3% were German, 13.3% were English, 9.6% were American, 8.5% were Swedish, and 6.8% were Irish.[13]

Of the 1,737 households, 21.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.2% were married couples living together, 6.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 31.7% were non-families, and 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.69. The median age was 52.3 years.[11]

The median income for a household in the county was $40,372 and the median income for a family was $47,266. Males had a median income of $44,779 versus $36,111 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,115. About 7.1% of families and 12.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.5% of those under age 18 and 10.7% of those age 65 or over.[14]

Politics

In the 2008 Presidential election Democrat Barack Obama won the county over Republican John McCain by only 16 votes a margin of 48.87% to 48.17%.

Communities

Town

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Notable residents

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved July 16, 2015.
  4. ↑ "County Totals Dataset: Population, Population Change and Estimated Components of Population Change: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  5. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  9. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
  10. 1 2 3 "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2016-03-06.
  11. ↑ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2016-03-06.
  12. ↑ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2016-03-06.
  13. ↑ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2016-03-06.
 Pacific County Lewis County
Cowlitz County
   Wahkiakum County, Washington  
Clatsop County, Oregon Columbia County, Oregon

Coordinates: 46°17′N 123°26′W / 46.29°N 123.43°W / 46.29; -123.43

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