Pacific County, Washington

This article is about Pacific County, Washington. For the city in King and Pierce counties, see Pacific, Washington.
Pacific County, Washington

Pacific County Courthouse
Map of Washington highlighting Pacific County
Location in the U.S. state of Washington
Map of the United States highlighting Washington
Washington's location in the U.S.
Founded February 4, 1851
Named for Pacific Ocean
Seat South Bend
Largest city Raymond
Area
 • Total 1,223 sq mi (3,168 km2)
 • Land 933 sq mi (2,416 km2)
 • Water 291 sq mi (754 km2), 24%
Population (est.)
 • (2015) 20,848
 • Density 22/sq mi (8/km²)
Congressional district 3rd
Time zone Pacific: UTC-8/-7
Website www.co.pacific.wa.us

Pacific County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2010 census, the population was 20,920.[1] Its county seat is South Bend,[2] and its largest city is Raymond. The county was formed by the government of Oregon Territory on February 4, 1851[3] and is named for the Pacific Ocean.

The unincorporated community of Oysterville, established in 1852, was the original county seat until the late 19th century when it changed to South Bend. Pacific County is centered on the Willapa Bay, a region that provides twenty-five percent of the United States oyster harvest,[4] though forestry, fishing, and tourism are also important elements of the county's economy.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,223 square miles (3,170 km2), of which 933 square miles (2,420 km2) is land and 291 square miles (750 km2) (24%) is water.[5]

Geographic features

Major highways

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1860420—
187073875.7%
18801,645122.9%
18904,358164.9%
19005,98337.3%
191012,532109.5%
192014,89118.8%
193014,9700.5%
194015,9286.4%
195016,5584.0%
196014,674−11.4%
197015,7967.6%
198017,2379.1%
199018,8829.5%
200020,98411.1%
201020,920−0.3%
Est. 201520,848[6]−0.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790–1960[8] 1900–1990[9]
1990–2000[10] 2010–2015[1]

2000 census

As of the census[11] 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.

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.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 20,920 people, 9,499 households, and 5,707 families residing in the county.[12] The population density was 22.4 inhabitants per square mile (8.6/km2). There were 15,547 housing units at an average density of 16.7 per square mile (6.4/km2).[13] The racial makeup of the county was 87.4% white, 2.3% American Indian, 2.0% Asian, 0.4% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 4.4% from other races, and 3.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 8.0% of the population.[12] In terms of ancestry, 23.4% were German, 13.8% were English, 11.9% were Irish, 7.6% were American, 6.2% were Norwegian, and 5.8% were Swedish.[14]

Of the 9,499 households, 20.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.6% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 39.9% were non-families, and 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.72. The median age was 50.8 years.[12]

The median income for a household in the county was $39,642 and the median income for a family was $51,450. Males had a median income of $44,775 versus $34,538 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,326. About 12.4% of families and 16.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.4% of those under age 18 and 9.9% of those age 65 or over.[15]

Politics

Pacific County vote
by party in presidential elections[16]
Year Republican Democratic
2016 49.1% 5,338 42.3% 4,597
2012 42.3% 4,499 53.7% 5,711
2008 41.2% 4,555 55.1% 6,094
2004 44.4% 4,634 53.4% 5,570
2000 42.5% 4,042 51.4% 4,895
1996 28.5% 2,598 55.9% 5,095
1992 24.2% 2,243 49.6% 4,587
1988 37.5% 3,073 61.2% 5,017
1984 42.9% 3,613 55.6% 4,679
1980 39.1% 3,132 46.5% 3,727
1976 37.8% 2,781 58.2% 4,278
1972 46.7% 3,349 50.0% 3,585
1968 37.7% 2,491 56.6% 3,740
1964 26.1% 1,789 73.7% 5,056
1960 45.5% 3,224 54.1% 3,837

Pacific County, along with neighboring Grays Harbor County, has been one of the most consistently Democratic in the nation. In 2016 the county broke its long streak of backing the Democratic candidate for president, when it voted for Donald Trump.

Communities

Cities

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. ↑ Chinook Observer, The Willapa Bay Oyster Industry: Shellfish is still No. 1
  4. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved July 7, 2015.
  5. ↑ "County Totals Dataset: Population, Population Change and Estimated Components of Population Change: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  6. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  10. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
  11. 1 2 3 "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2016-03-06.
  12. ↑ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2016-03-06.
  13. ↑ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2016-03-06.
  14. ↑ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2016-03-06.
  15. ↑ http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/

Media related to Pacific County, Washington at Wikimedia Commons

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Coordinates: 46°34′N 123°47′W / 46.56°N 123.78°W / 46.56; -123.78

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