Clallam County, Washington

Clallam County, Washington
Clallam County Courthouse

Seal
Map of Washington highlighting Clallam County
Location in the state of Washington
Map of the United States highlighting Washington
Washington's location in the U.S.
Founded April 26, 1854
Seat Port Angeles
Largest city Port Angeles
Area
 • Total 2,671 sq mi (6,918 km2)
 • Land 1,739 sq mi (4,504 km2)
 • Water 932 sq mi (2,414 km2), 34.9%
Population (Est.)
 • (2014) 72,715
 • Density 41/sq mi (15.8/km²)
Congressional district 6th
Time zone Pacific: UTC-8/-7
Website www.clallam.net
Sol Duc River
Lake Crescent
Hoh River

Clallam County is a county in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2010 census, the population was 71,404.[1] The county seat and largest city is Port Angeles.[2] The name is a Klallam word for "the strong people." The county was formed on April 26, 1854.[3] It is south from the Canadian border of British Columbia.

Clallam County comprises the Port Angeles, WA Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,671 square miles (6,920 km2), of which 1,739 square miles (4,500 km2) is land and 932 square miles (2,410 km2) (34.9%) is water.[4]

Located in Clallam County is Cape Alava, the westernmost point in both Washington and the continental United States, with a longitude of 124 degrees, 43 minutes and 59 seconds. Near Cape Alava is Ozette, the westernmost town in the continental United States (see Extreme points of the United States for more information).

Geographic features

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Transportation

US Route 101 at the interchange with Washington State Route 117

Major highways

Airports

The following public use airports are located in the county:[5]

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1860149—
1870408173.8%
188063856.4%
18902,771334.3%
19005,603102.2%
19106,75520.6%
192011,36868.3%
193020,44979.9%
194021,8486.8%
195026,39620.8%
196030,02213.7%
197034,77015.8%
198051,64848.5%
199056,4649.3%
200064,52514.3%
201071,40410.7%
Est. 201472,7151.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2014[1]

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 71,404 people residing in the county. 87.0% were White, 5.1% Native American, 1.4% Asian, 0.8% Black or African American, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.8% of some other race and 3.8% of two or more races. 5.1% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race). 16.2% were of German, 12.2% English, 8.9% Irish and 5.4% American ancestry.[10]

As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 64,525 people, 27,164 households, and 18,064 families residing in the county. The population density was 37 people per square mile (14/km²). There were 30,683 housing units at an average density of 18 per square mile (7/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 89.12% White, 0.84% Black or African American, 5.12% Native American, 1.13% Asian, 0.16% Pacific Islander, 1.18% from other races, and 2.44% from two or more races. 3.41% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 17.2% were of German, 13.1% English, 9.3% Irish, 8.3% United States or American and 6.0% Norwegian ancestry. 95% spoke English and 3.2% Spanish as their first language.

There were 27,164 households out of which 25.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.90% were married couples living together, 9.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.50% were non-families. 28.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.78.

In the county, the population was spread out with 22.00% under the age of 18, 7.10% from 18 to 24, 22.80% from 25 to 44, 26.90% from 45 to 64, and 21.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 98.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,449, and the median income for a family was $44,381. Males had a median income of $35,452 versus $24,628 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,517. About 8.90% of families and 12.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.10% of those under age 18 and 6.80% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

Modern Clallam County is generally regarded as a competitive area politically. In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama narrowly won the county with 50.5% of the vote, compared to 47.2% for Republican candidate John McCain. However, Republican George W. Bush carried Clallam twice, defeating John Kerry by 51.3% to 46.3% in 2004, and Al Gore by 50.4% to 42.7% in 2000 (although Bush lost Washington as a whole both times). Clallam County is a bellwether, voting for the nationwide winning candidate in every presidential election from 1980 onward.[12]

Democratic candidates are generally most successful in the county seat and largest city, Port Angeles, which casts a significant number of votes. The city of Sequim and its general vicinity (excepting newer developments such as Bell Hill which tend to be Republican) is generally considered a battleground area. The Forks area is generally Republican, with the exception of American Indian areas. The Makah tribe areas around Neah Bay are some of the most Democratic areas in the state. Otherwise, with the exception of a few locations (such as Blyn and Jamestown near Sequim), unincorporated Clallam County has a strong Republican lean.

Communities

Crossroads in Port Angeles, Strait of Juan de Fuca and Vancouver Island in the background
Name Population
2012 estimate[13]
Port Angeles 19,056
Sequim 6,624
Forks 3,692
Port Angeles East 3,036
Carlsborg 995
Neah Bay 865
Bell Hill 837
River Road 454
Blyn 101

Other communities

 Strait of Juan de Fuca
Pacific Ocean Jefferson County
   Clallam County, Washington  
Jefferson County

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. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  4. ↑ Clallam County Public and Private Airports, Washington. Retrieved June 4, 2013.
  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"
  10. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
  11. ↑ "David Leip's Atlas of Presidential Elections". David Leip. 2009-10-28.
  12. ↑ "Incorporated Places and Minor Civil Divisions: Washington". Population Census. United States Census Bureau. 2013-09-25. Retrieved 2013-09-25.

External links

Coordinates: 48°6′45″N 123°26′27″W / 48.11250°N 123.44083°W