Pacific County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2010 census, the population was 20,920. Its county seat is South Bend, and its largest city is Raymond. The county was formed by the government of Oregon Territory on February 4, 1851 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, though forestry, fishing, and tourism are also important elements of the county's economy.
Video Pacific County, Washington
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.
Geographic features
- Cape Disappointment
- Columbia River
- Long Beach Peninsula
- Long Island
- Willapa Bay
Major highways
- U.S. Route 101
- State Route 6
Adjacent counties
- Grays Harbor County - north
- Lewis County - east
- Wahkiakum County - southeast
- Clatsop County, Oregon - south
National protected areas
- Lewis and Clark National and State Historical Parks (part)
- Willapa National Wildlife Refuge
Maps Pacific County, Washington
Demographics
2000 census
As of the census 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. 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). 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. 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.
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.
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.
Politics
Pacific County, along with neighboring Grays Harbor County, has been one of the most consistently Democratic counties in the nation. In 2016, however, the county, like Grays Harbor County, broke its long streak of backing the Democratic candidate for president, voting for Republican Donald Trump over Democrat Hillary Clinton.
Communities
Cities
- Ilwaco
- Long Beach
- Raymond
- South Bend (county seat)
Census-designated places
- Bay Center
- Chinook
- Lebam
- Naselle
- Ocean Park
- Tokeland
- Willapa
Unincorporated communities
See also
- Ilwaco Railway and Navigation Company
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Pacific County, Washington
- Steamboats of Willapa Bay
- Astoria-Megler Ferry
- Willapa Bay
References
External links
- Pacific County, official county site
Media related to Pacific County, Washington at Wikimedia Commons
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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