Pacific County
County
Pacific County Courthouse, South Bend
Pacific County Courthouse, South Bend
Map of Washington highlighting Pacific County
Location within the U.S. state of Washington
Map of the United States highlighting Washington
Washington's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 46°34′N 123°47′W / 46.56°N 123.78°W / 46.56; -123.78
Country United States
State Washington
FoundedFebruary 4, 1851
Named forPacific Ocean
SeatSouth Bend
Largest cityRaymond
Area
 • Total1,223 sq mi (3,170 km2)
 • Land933 sq mi (2,420 km2)
 • Water291 sq mi (750 km2)  24%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total23,365
 • Estimate 
(2022)
24,113 Increase
 • Density19/sq mi (7/km2)
Time zoneUTC−8 (Pacific)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−7 (PDT)
Congressional district3rd
Websitewww.co.pacific.wa.us

Pacific County is a county in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, the population was 23,365.[1] Its county seat is South Bend,[2] and its largest city is Raymond. The county was formed by the government of Oregon Territory in February 1851[3] and is named for the Pacific Ocean.

Pacific County is centered on Willapa Bay, a region that provides twenty-five percent of the United States oyster harvest,[4] although forestry, fishing, and tourism are also significant elements of the county's economy.

History

The area that is now Pacific County was part of Oregon Territory in the first part of the nineteenth century. On December 19, 1845, the Provisional Government of Oregon created two counties (Vancouver and Clark) in its northern portion (which is now the state of Washington). In 1849, the name of Vancouver County was changed to Lewis County, and on February 4, 1851, a portion of Lewis County was partitioned off to become Pacific County. The county's boundaries have not changed since its creation. The unincorporated community of Oysterville, established in 1852, was the first county seat. The county records were stolen from Oysterville and ferried across Willapa Harbor by residents of South Bend, resulting in that town becoming the new county seat in 1893.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has an 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
CensusPop.Note%±
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%
202023,36511.7%
2022 (est.)24,113[6]3.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790–1960[8] 1900–1990[9]
1990–2000[10] 2010–2020[1]

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 20,920 people, 9,499 households, and 5,707 families living in the county.[11] 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).[12] 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.[11] 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.[13]

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.[11]

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.[14]

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 20,984 people, 9,096 households, and 5,885 families living in the county. The population density was 22 people per square mile (8.5 people/km2). There were 13,991 housing units at an average density of 15 per square mile (5.8/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.

Politics

Pacific County, along with neighboring Grays Harbor County, were among the most consistently Democratic counties in the nation. In 2016 and 2020 however, the county, like Grays Harbor County, broke its long streak of backing the Democratic candidate for president, voting for the Republican candidate.

United States presidential election results for Pacific County, Washington[15][16]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 6,953 49.44% 6,794 48.31% 317 2.25%
2016 5,360 48.85% 4,620 42.11% 992 9.04%
2012 4,499 42.30% 5,711 53.69% 426 4.01%
2008 4,555 41.20% 6,094 55.12% 406 3.67%
2004 4,634 44.43% 5,570 53.40% 227 2.18%
2000 4,042 42.46% 4,895 51.42% 582 6.11%
1996 2,598 28.51% 5,095 55.92% 1,418 15.56%
1992 2,243 24.24% 4,587 49.58% 2,422 26.18%
1988 3,073 37.48% 5,017 61.18% 110 1.34%
1984 3,613 42.90% 4,679 55.56% 129 1.53%
1980 3,132 39.09% 3,727 46.52% 1,153 14.39%
1976 2,781 37.84% 4,278 58.20% 291 3.96%
1972 3,349 46.73% 3,585 50.03% 232 3.24%
1968 2,491 37.71% 3,740 56.62% 374 5.66%
1964 1,789 26.08% 5,056 73.70% 15 0.22%
1960 3,224 45.47% 3,837 54.12% 29 0.41%
1956 3,799 49.76% 3,824 50.09% 12 0.16%
1952 3,846 50.19% 3,778 49.30% 39 0.51%
1948 2,749 38.98% 3,902 55.33% 401 5.69%
1944 2,419 39.17% 3,745 60.64% 12 0.19%
1940 2,704 37.84% 4,393 61.48% 48 0.67%
1936 1,732 26.87% 4,395 68.17% 320 4.96%
1932 1,737 31.08% 3,099 55.46% 752 13.46%
1928 3,247 67.41% 1,523 31.62% 47 0.98%
1924 2,672 64.57% 501 12.11% 965 23.32%
1920 2,607 65.57% 874 21.98% 495 12.45%
1916 2,688 59.50% 1,537 34.02% 293 6.49%
1912 1,375 33.77% 971 23.85% 1,726 42.39%
1908 1,492 69.30% 483 22.43% 178 8.27%
1904 1,354 76.98% 258 14.67% 147 8.36%
1900 887 66.74% 393 29.57% 49 3.69%
1896 925 61.22% 562 37.19% 24 1.59%
1892 759 52.60% 559 38.74% 125 8.66%

Communities

Cities

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ "Milestones for Washington State History — Part 2: 1851 to 1900". HistoryLink.org. March 6, 2003.
  4. ↑ Chinook Observer, The Willapa Bay Oyster Industry: Shellfish is still No. 1 Archived July 20, 2018, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved July 7, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  7. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 26, 2015. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  11. 1 2 3 "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  12. ↑ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  13. ↑ "Selected Social Characteristics in the United States – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  14. ↑ "Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  15. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  16. ↑ The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 1,251 votes, while Socialist candidate Eugene Debs received 382 votes, Prohibition candidate Eugene Chafin received 82 votes, and Socialist Labor candidate Arthur Reimer received 11 votes.

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