Pacific County, Washington

Pacific County, Washington

Location in the state of Washington

Washington's location in the U.S.
Founded 1851
Seat South Bend
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water

1,224 sq mi (3,170 km²)
933 sq mi (2,416 km²)
291 sq mi (754 km²), 23.74%
Population
 - (2010)
 - Density

20,920
22/sq mi (8.6/km²)
Website www.co.pacific.wa.us

Pacific County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. It is named after the Pacific Ocean. According to the US Census Bureau as of 2010 the population of this county is 20,920. The unincorporated community of Oysterville, established in 1852, was the original county seat until the late 19th century when it changed to South Bend. The county's largest city is Raymond. Pacific County is centered on the Willapa Bay, a region that provides twenty-five percent of the United States oyster harvest,[1] though forestry, fishing, and tourism are also important elements of the county's economy.

Pacific County was formed by the government of Oregon Territory on February 4, 1851.[2]

Contents

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,224 square miles (3,170 km2), of which 933 square miles (2,420 km2) is land and 291 square miles (750 km2) (23.74%) is water.

Geographic features

Major highways

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Demographics

Historical populations
Census Pop.
1860 420
1870 738 75.7%
1880 1,645 122.9%
1890 4,358 164.9%
1900 5,983 37.3%
1910 12,532 109.5%
1920 14,891 18.8%
1930 14,970 0.5%
1940 15,928 6.4%
1950 16,558 4.0%
1960 14,674 −11.4%
1970 15,796 7.6%
1980 17,237 9.1%
1990 18,882 9.5%
2000 20,984 11.1%
2010 20,920 −0.3%

As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 20,984 people, 9,096 households, and 5,885 families residing in the county. The population density was 22 people per square mile (9/km²). There were 13,991 housing units at an average density of 15 per square mile (6/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 90.54% White, 0.20% Black or African American, 2.44% Native American, 2.08% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 1.83% from other races, and 2.82% from two or more races. 5.01% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 18.0% were of German, 10.8% English, 8.8% Irish and 8.6% United States or American ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 9,096 households out of which 23.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.10% were married couples living together, 7.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.30% were non-families. 29.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.77.

In the county, the population was spread out with 21.40% under the age of 18, 6.00% from 18 to 24, 21.20% from 25 to 44, 28.90% from 45 to 64, and 22.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females there were 98.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,209, and the median income for a family was $39,302. Males had a median income of $33,892 versus $22,982 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,322. About 9.10% of families and 14.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.70% of those under age 18 and 8.10% of those age 65 or over.

Census-recognized communities

Other communities

  • Nemah
  • North Cove
  • Oceanside
  • Old Willapa

See also

References

External links

Media related to [//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Pacific_County,_Washington Pacific County, Washington] at Wikimedia Commons