Chelan County, Washington

Chelan County, Washington
Chelan County Courthouse

Seal
Map of Washington highlighting Chelan County
Location in the state of Washington
Map of the United States highlighting Washington
Washington's location in the U.S.
Founded March 13, 1899
Seat Wenatchee
Largest city Wenatchee
Area
 • Total 2,994 sq mi (7,754 km2)
 • Land 2,921 sq mi (7,565 km2)
 • Water 73 sq mi (189 km2), 2.5%
Population (Est.)
 • (2014) 74,588
 • Density 25.2/sq mi (10/km²)
Congressional district 8th
Time zone Pacific: UTC-8/-7
Website www.co.chelan.wa.us

Chelan County /ʃəˈlæn/ is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2010 census, its population was 72,453.[1] The county seat and largest city is Wenatchee.[2] The county was created out of Okanogan and Kittitas Counties on March 13, 1899.[3][4] It derives its name from a Chelan Indian word meaning "deep water," likely a reference to 55-mile (89 km)-long Lake Chelan, which reaches a maximum depth of 1,486 feet (453 m).

Chelan County is part of the Wenatchee, WA Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,994 square miles (7,750 km2), of which 2,921 square miles (7,570 km2) is land and 73 square miles (190 km2) (2.5%) is water.[5] It is the third-largest county in Washington by area.

Geographic features

Major highways

Adjacent counties

 Skagit County Okanogan County
Snohomish County Douglas County
   Chelan County, Washington  
King County Kittitas County

National protected areas

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
19003,931—
191015,104284.2%
192020,90638.4%
193031,63451.3%
194034,4128.8%
195039,30114.2%
196040,7443.7%
197041,3551.5%
198045,0619.0%
199052,25016.0%
200066,61627.5%
201072,4538.8%
Est. 201474,5882.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2014[1]

As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 66,616 people, 25,021 households, and 17,364 families residing in the county. The population density was 23 people per square mile (9/km²). There were 30,407 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 83.63% White, 0.26% Black or African American, 0.99% Native American, 0.68% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 12.19% from other races, and 2.14% from two or more races. 19.26% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 16.9% were of German, 11.2% English, 9.3% United States or American and 7.1% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000. 80.9% spoke English and 18.1% Spanish as their first language.

There were 25,021 households out of which 34.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.40% were married couples living together, 8.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.60% were non-families. 25.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.14.

In the county, the population was spread out with 28.00% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 27.20% from 25 to 44, 22.70% from 45 to 64, and 13.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 99.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,316, and the median income for a family was $46,293. Males had a median income of $35,065 versus $25,838 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,273. About 8.80% of families and 12.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.00% of those under age 18 and 7.40% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

  1. 32,562 - Wenatchee
  2. 3,942 - Chelan
  3. 3,252 - Sunnyslope in 2010 Census
  4. 3,145 - Cashmere
  5. 1,989 - Leavenworth
  6. 1,553 - South Wenatchee in 2010 Census
  7. 1,468 - Manson in 2010 Census
  8. 1,149 - Entiat
  9. 329 - Chelan Falls in 2010 Census

2012 Estimate population[11]

Other communities

Old barn, Chumstick, Washington

Ghost Towns

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. ↑ McCormick, Ida Skarson (1999). "Links to Okanogan County, Washington".
  4. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  5. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  9. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
  10. ↑ "Incorporated Places and Minor Civil Divisions: Washington". Population Census. United States Census Bureau. 2013-09-25. Retrieved 2013-09-25.

Further reading

External links

Coordinates: 47°53′N 120°38′W / 47.88°N 120.64°W