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Klickitat County, Washington

Coordinates: 45°52′N 120°47′W / 45.87°N 120.79°W / 45.87; -120.79
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Klickitat County
Klickitat County Courthouse
Klickitat County Courthouse
Map of Washington highlighting Klickitat County
Location within the U.S. state of Washington
Map of the United States highlighting Washington
Washington's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 45°52′N 120°47′W / 45.87°N 120.79°W / 45.87; -120.79
Country United States
State Washington
FoundedDecember 20, 1859
Named forKlickitat Tribe
SeatGoldendale
Largest cityGoldendale
Area
 • Total
1,904 sq mi (4,930 km2)
 • Land1,871 sq mi (4,850 km2)
 • Water33 sq mi (90 km2)  1.7%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
22,735
 • Estimate 
(2023)
23,589 Increase
 • Density11.6/sq mi (4.5/km2)
Time zoneUTC−8 (Pacific)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−7 (PDT)
Congressional district4th
Websitewww.klickitatcounty.org

Klickitat County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, the population was 22,735.[1] The county seat and largest city is Goldendale.[2] The county is named after the Klickitat tribe.

History

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A replica of Stonehenge built by Samuel Hill as a monument to local men killed in World War I called Maryhill Stonehenge.

Klickitat County was created out of Walla Walla County on December 20, 1859.[3] Samuel Hill was an early promoter of the area, promoting better roads and building local landmarks such as a war memorial replica of Stonehenge (Maryhill Stonehenge) and a mansion that would become the Maryhill Museum of Art. The Sam Hill Memorial Bridge across the Columbia River is named after him.

Geography

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Klickitat Log & Lumber train switching, 1964

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,904 square miles (4,930 km2), of which 1,871 square miles (4,850 km2) is land and 33 square miles (85 km2) (1.7%) is water.[4]

Geographic features

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Major highways

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Adjacent counties

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National protected areas

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1860230
187032943.0%
18804,0551,132.5%
18905,16727.4%
19006,40724.0%
191010,18058.9%
19209,268−9.0%
19309,8256.0%
194011,35715.6%
195012,0496.1%
196013,45511.7%
197012,138−9.8%
198015,82230.4%
199016,6165.0%
200019,16115.3%
201020,3186.0%
202022,73511.9%
2023 (est.)23,589[5]3.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8]
1990–2000[9] 2010–2020[1]

2020 census

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As of the 2020 census, there were 22,735 people and 9,332 households in the county.[10] The population density of the county was 12.1 people per square mile, which went up from 10.9 in 2010. The racial make up of the county was 92.8% White, 0.7% African American, 2.6% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, and 2.7% from two or more races.[10] Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 12% of the population.

18.7% of the population were under 18, and 4.6% were under 5. People who were over 65 represented 25.2% of the population. The gender make up of the county was 49% female and 51% male.[10]

The median household income in the county was $59,583, and the per capita income $34,529. 13.0% of the population in the county were under the poverty line.[10]

2010 census

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As of the 2010 census, there were 20,318 people, 8,327 households, and 5,626 families living in the county.[11] The population density was 10.9 inhabitants per square mile (4.2/km2). There were 9,786 housing units at an average density of 5.2 per square mile (2.0/km2).[12] The racial makeup of the county was 87.7% white, 2.4% American Indian, 0.6% Asian, 0.2% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 5.6% from other races, and 3.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 10.7% of the population.[11] In terms of ancestry,[13]

Of the 8,327 households, 27.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.5% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.4% were non-families, and 26.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.88. The median age was 45.3 years.[11]

The median income for a household in the county was $37,398 and the median income for a family was $46,012. Males had a median income of $43,588 versus $31,114 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,553. About 13.7% of families and 19.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.9% of those under age 18 and 9.4% of those age 65 or over.[14]

2000 census

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As of the 2000 census, there were 19,161 people, 7,473 households, and 5,305 families living in the county. The population density was 10 people per square mile (3.9 people/km2). There were 8,633 housing units at an average density of 5 per square mile (1.9/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 87.56% White, 0.27% Black or African American, 3.47% Native American, 0.73% Asian, 0.21% Pacific Islander, 5.02% from other races, and 2.75% from two or more races. 7.81% of the population were Hispanics or Latinos of any race. 17.7% were of German, 14.0% United States or American, 11.1% English and 9.6% Irish ancestry. 90.3% spoke English and 7.8% Spanish as their first language.

There were 7,473 households, out of which 32.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.70% were married couples living together, 9.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.00% were non-families. 23.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 2.99.

The age distribution was 27.10% under the age of 18, 6.50% from 18 to 24, 25.70% from 25 to 44, 27.00% from 45 to 64, and 13.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 99.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,267, and the median income for a family was $40,414. Males had a median income of $36,067 versus $21,922 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,502. About 12.60% of families and 17.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.50% of those under age 18 and 15.10% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

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The Klickitat Valley

Cities

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Census-designated places

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Unincorporated communities

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Government and politics

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Klickitat is located in Washington's 4th congressional district, which has a Cook Partisan Voting Index of R+11 and has been represented by Republican Dan Newhouse since 2015. In state government the county is part of the 14th district, represented by Gina Mosbrucker and Chris Corry in the Washington House of Representatives and Curtis King in the Washington State Senate.[15]

In presidential elections, Klickitat County has trended Republican in recent years. In 1988 Michael Dukakis narrowly won the county with 49.15% of the vote.[16] Richard Nixon (1960, 1972), Ronald Reagan,[17] Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush[18] all won the county twice. In 2008 Democrat Barack Obama won Klickitat County over Republican John McCain by only 21 votes or percentage wise 48.85% to 48.64%. In 2012 Republican candidate Mitt Romney won the county by a greater margin than in the previous election, with 51.74% of the vote compared to President Obama's 44.75%,[19] and Donald Trump doubled Romney's margin in 2016.

United States presidential election results for Klickitat County, Washington[20]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 7,174 52.78% 5,908 43.46% 511 3.76%
2020 7,237 53.37% 5,959 43.95% 364 2.68%
2016 5,789 52.28% 4,194 37.87% 1,091 9.85%
2012 5,316 51.16% 4,598 44.25% 477 4.59%
2008 4,944 48.64% 4,965 48.85% 255 2.51%
2004 5,016 54.23% 4,036 43.63% 198 2.14%
2000 4,557 55.70% 3,062 37.43% 562 6.87%
1996 2,662 37.68% 3,214 45.49% 1,189 16.83%
1992 2,085 30.44% 2,758 40.27% 2,006 29.29%
1988 2,920 47.98% 2,991 49.15% 175 2.88%
1984 3,910 57.87% 2,712 40.14% 135 2.00%
1980 3,113 49.54% 2,596 41.31% 575 9.15%
1976 2,573 44.99% 2,890 50.53% 256 4.48%
1972 3,061 54.20% 2,293 40.60% 294 5.21%
1968 2,355 45.52% 2,454 47.44% 364 7.04%
1964 1,850 32.60% 3,819 67.31% 5 0.09%
1960 2,836 50.69% 2,744 49.04% 15 0.27%
1956 2,794 51.94% 2,577 47.91% 8 0.15%
1952 2,845 56.78% 2,140 42.71% 26 0.52%
1948 1,951 45.88% 2,206 51.88% 95 2.23%
1944 1,980 47.98% 2,089 50.62% 58 1.41%
1940 2,139 44.62% 2,627 54.80% 28 0.58%
1936 1,190 30.53% 2,545 65.29% 163 4.18%
1932 1,335 36.65% 2,155 59.15% 153 4.20%
1928 1,936 65.43% 975 32.95% 48 1.62%
1924 1,482 52.72% 518 18.43% 811 28.85%
1920 1,649 59.38% 745 26.83% 383 13.79%
1916 1,570 48.17% 1,478 45.35% 211 6.47%
1912 1,163 33.62% 1,028 29.72% 1,268 36.66%
1908 1,245 61.12% 570 27.98% 222 10.90%
1904 1,370 70.65% 362 18.67% 207 10.68%
1900 906 61.01% 495 33.33% 84 5.66%
1896 876 54.92% 708 44.39% 11 0.69%
1892 616 47.02% 279 21.30% 415 31.68%

See also

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Notes

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References

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  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 9, 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 7, 2015.
  4. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 9, 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 d "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Klickitat County, Washington". www.census.gov. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  10. ^ 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 13, 2016.
  11. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
  12. ^ "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 13, 2016.
  13. ^ "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 13, 2016.
  14. ^ "House of Representatives Members, Districts, and Counties". Washington State Legislature. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
  15. ^ "1988 Presidential Election Statistics". uselectionatlas.org.
  16. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections - Compare Maps". uselectionatlas.org.
  17. ^ The New York Times Electoral Map (Zoom in on Washington)
  18. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections - State Data". uselectionatlas.org.
  19. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
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45°52′N 120°47′W / 45.87°N 120.79°W / 45.87; -120.79