Wikipedia

Douglas County, Washington

Douglas County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, its population was 42,938.[1] The county seat is Waterville,[2] while its largest settlement is East Wenatchee. The county was created out of Lincoln County on November 28, 1883[3] and is named for American statesman Stephen A. Douglas.

Douglas County
County
County Courthouse
County Courthouse
Official seal of Douglas County
Seal
Map of Washington highlighting Douglas County
Location within the U.S. state of Washington
Map of the United States highlighting Washington
Washington's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 47°44′N 119°41′W / 47.74°N 119.69°W / 47.74; -119.69
Country United States
State Washington
FoundedNovember 28, 1883
Named forStephen A. Douglas
SeatWaterville
Largest cityEast Wenatchee
Area
 • Total
1,849 sq mi (4,790 km2)
 • Land1,819 sq mi (4,710 km2)
 • Water29 sq mi (80 km2)  1.6%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
42,938
 • Estimate 
(2023)
44,798 Increase
 • Density22/sq mi (8/km2)
Time zoneUTC−8 (Pacific)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−7 (PDT)
Congressional district4th
Websitedouglascountywa.net

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

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,849 square miles (4,790 km2), of which 1,819 square miles (4,710 km2) is land and 29 square miles (75 km2) (1.6%) is water.[4]

Geographic features

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Major highways

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Adjacent counties

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18903,161—
19004,92655.8%
19109,22787.3%
19209,3921.8%
19307,561−19.5%
19408,65114.4%
195010,81725.0%
196014,89037.7%
197016,78712.7%
198022,14431.9%
199026,20518.3%
200032,60324.4%
201038,43117.9%
202042,93811.7%
2023 (est.)44,798[5]4.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8]
1990–2000[9] 2010–2020[1]

2010 census

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As of the 2010 census, there were 38,431 people, 13,894 households, and 10,240 families living in the county.[10] The population density was 21.1 inhabitants per square mile (8.1/km2). There were 16,004 housing units at an average density of 8.8 units per square mile (3.4 units/km2).[11] The racial makeup of the county was 79.6% White, 1.1% American Indian, 0.7% Asian, 0.3% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 15.6% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 28.7% of the population.[10] In terms of ancestry, 20.2% were German, 11.2% were English, 9.4% were Irish, 6.0% were Norwegian, and 5.0% were American.[12]

Of the 13,894 households, 37.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.8% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 26.3% were non-families, and 20.8% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.18. The median age was 36.8 years.[10]

The median income for a household in the county was $48,708 and the median income for a family was $55,766. Males had a median income of $39,991 versus $31,706 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,359. About 10.2% of families and 14.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.0% of those under age 18 and 3.7% of those age 65 or over.[13]

2000 census

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As of the 2000 census, there were 32,603 people, 11,726 households, and 8,876 families living in the county. The population density was 18 people per square mile (6.9 people/km2). There were 12,944 housing units at an average density of 7 units per square mile (2.7 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 84.65% White, 0.31% Black or African American, 1.09% Native American, 0.55% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 10.83% from other races, and 2.48% from two or more races. 19.73% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 18.0% were of German, 10.0% English, 9.3% United States or American and 7.8% Irish ancestry. 81.5% spoke English, and 17.7% Spanish as their first language.

There were 11,726 households, out of which 38.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.60% were married couples living together, 9.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.30% were non-families. 20.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.16.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 29.50% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 27.30% from 25 to 44, 22.40% from 45 to 64, and 12.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $38,464, and the median income for a family was $43,777. Males had a median income of $35,917 versus $24,794 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,148. About 11.20% of families and 14.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.00% of those under age 18 and 6.90% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

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Truck driving through Douglas County on Route 2

Cities

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Towns

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Unincorporated communities

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Ghost Towns

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Politics

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Federally, Douglas County is represented primarily by Dan Newhouse (R) of the 4th while parts of East Wenatchee have been siphoned off into the 8th, represented by Democrat Kim Schrier. It is one of the most strongly Republican counties in the state in presidential elections, and has not voted for a Democratic candidate since 1964, in Lyndon B. Johnson's rout of Barry Goldwater.

United States presidential election results for Douglas County, Washington[16]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 12,998 61.90% 7,338 34.95% 661 3.15%
2020 12,955 60.80% 7,811 36.66% 542 2.54%
2016 9,603 60.39% 4,918 30.93% 1,380 8.68%
2012 9,425 62.58% 5,166 34.30% 469 3.11%
2008 9,098 59.52% 5,848 38.26% 339 2.22%
2004 8,900 66.56% 4,306 32.20% 166 1.24%
2000 8,512 66.22% 3,822 29.73% 521 4.05%
1996 5,682 52.01% 3,913 35.82% 1,330 12.17%
1992 4,920 44.53% 3,731 33.77% 2,397 21.70%
1988 5,378 58.16% 3,760 40.66% 109 1.18%
1984 6,443 66.44% 3,127 32.24% 128 1.32%
1980 5,171 59.38% 2,833 32.53% 705 8.10%
1976 4,547 53.09% 3,809 44.48% 208 2.43%
1972 4,512 60.31% 2,420 32.35% 549 7.34%
1968 3,234 48.52% 2,764 41.47% 667 10.01%
1964 2,643 41.45% 3,728 58.47% 5 0.08%
1960 3,241 51.07% 3,087 48.64% 18 0.28%
1956 2,602 46.09% 3,034 53.75% 9 0.16%
1952 2,954 55.43% 2,361 44.30% 14 0.26%
1948 1,703 42.23% 2,251 55.81% 79 1.96%
1944 1,809 49.36% 1,832 49.99% 24 0.65%
1940 1,959 49.33% 1,972 49.66% 40 1.01%
1936 1,025 29.75% 2,290 66.47% 130 3.77%
1932 1,179 35.07% 1,941 57.73% 242 7.20%
1928 1,760 66.34% 862 32.49% 31 1.17%
1924 1,070 42.19% 398 15.69% 1,068 42.11%
1920 1,587 57.86% 918 33.47% 238 8.68%
1916 1,125 34.95% 1,916 59.52% 178 5.53%
1912 642 20.16% 1,357 42.61% 1,186 37.24%
1908 1,942 52.20% 1,540 41.40% 238 6.40%
1904 1,722 71.30% 577 23.89% 116 4.80%
1900 516 44.44% 615 52.97% 30 2.58%
1896 334 31.01% 733 68.06% 10 0.93%
1892 345 37.70% 253 27.65% 317 34.64%

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ The community was named after James Beebe, a businessperson in the agriculture industry.[14] A post office called Beebe was established in 1912, and remained in operation until 1942.[15]

References

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  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
  4. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  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. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 26, 2015. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  9. ^ a b c "DP-1 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 1, 2016.
  10. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 1, 2016.
  11. ^ "DP02 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 1, 2016.
  12. ^ "DP03 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 1, 2016.
  13. ^ Meany, Edmond S. (1923). Origin of Washington geographic names. Seattle: University of Washington Press. p. 16.
  14. ^ "Post Offices". Jim Forte Postal History. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
  15. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 6, 2018.

Further reading

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Douglas County, Washington.

47°44′N 119°41′W / 47.74°N 119.69°W / 47.74; -119.69

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