Columbia County, Washington

Columbia County
Columbia County Courthouse in Dayton
Columbia County Courthouse in Dayton
Map of Washington highlighting Columbia 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°18′N 117°55′W / 46.3°N 117.92°W / 46.3; -117.92
Country United States
State Washington
FoundedNovember 11, 1875
Named forColumbia River
SeatDayton
Largest cityDayton
Area
 • Total873 sq mi (2,260 km2)
 • Land869 sq mi (2,250 km2)
 • Water4.9 sq mi (13 km2)  0.6%%
Population
 • Total3,952
 • Estimate 
(2021)
4,042 Increase
 • Density4.6/sq mi (1.8/km2)
Time zoneUTC−8 (Pacific)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−7 (PDT)
Congressional district5th
Websitewww.columbiaco.com

Columbia County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, the population was 3,952, making it the second-least populous county in Washington. The county seat and largest city is Dayton. The county was created out of Walla Walla County on November 11, 1875, and is named after the Columbia River (which does not flow through the county). Columbia County is included in the Walla Walla, WA Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 873 square miles (2,260 km2), of which 869 square miles (2,250 km2) is land and 4.9 square miles (13 km2) (0.6%) is water. It is part of the Palouse, a wide and rolling prairie-like region of the middle Columbia basin.

Geographic features

Major highways

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
18807,103
18906,709−5.5%
19007,1286.2%
19107,042−1.2%
19206,093−13.5%
19305,325−12.6%
19405,5494.2%
19504,860−12.4%
19604,569−6.0%
19704,439−2.8%
19804,057−8.6%
19904,027−0.7%
20004,0640.9%
20104,0780.3%
20203,952−3.1%
2021 (est.)4,0422.3%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790–1960 1900–1990
1990–2000 2010–2020

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 4,064 people, 1,687 households, and 1,138 families living in the county. The population density was 5 people per square mile (2/km2). There were 2,018 housing units at an average density of 2 per square mile (1/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 93.73% White, 0.22% Black or African American, 0.96% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 2.73% from other races, and 1.89% from two or more races. 6.35% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 19.6% were of German, 18.2% United States or American, 14.3% English and 8.3% Irish ancestry. 94.3% spoke English and 5.7% Spanish at home.

There were 1,687 households, out of which 27.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.00% were married couples living together, 8.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.50% were non-families. 29.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.90% under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 22.80% from 25 to 44, 27.70% from 45 to 64, and 18.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 95.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,500, and the median income for a family was $44,038. Males had a median income of $33,690 versus $21,367 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,374. About 8.60% of families and 12.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.90% of those under age 18 and 11.10% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 4,078 people, 1,762 households, and 1,156 families living in the county. The population density was 4.7 inhabitants per square mile (1.8/km2). There were 2,136 housing units at an average density of 2.5 per square mile (0.97/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 93.0% white, 1.4% American Indian, 0.6% Asian, 0.3% Pacific islander, 0.3% black or African American, 1.7% from other races, and 2.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 6.2% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 24.7% were German, 18.3% were English, 12.3% were Irish, and 7.0% were American.

Of the 1,762 households, 24.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.6% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.4% were non-families, and 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.76. The median age was 48.3 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $43,611 and the median income for a family was $53,452. Males had a median income of $45,000 versus $35,357 for females. The per capita income for the county was $25,810. About 9.8% of families and 16.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.7% of those under age 18 and 10.9% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

The Columbia County Courthouse in Dayton, one of the 20 NRHP-listed places in the county

City

Town

Unincorporated communities

Politics

Columbia County is one of the most conservative counties in Washington state. It has not been carried by a Democrat for President since Lyndon Johnson's 1964 landslide victory, and the last time it backed a Democrat for Governor was in 1936 when conservative Democrat Clarence D. Martin swept every county in the state. Popular conservative Democratic Senator "Scoop" Jackson carried the county in four consecutive county sweeps (the last in 1982); since then, however, it has been powerfully Republican in those contests too.

United States presidential election results for Columbia County, Washington
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 1,754 70.30% 668 26.77% 73 2.93%
2016 1,497 67.16% 526 23.60% 206 9.24%
2012 1,568 68.77% 645 28.29% 67 2.94%
2008 1,499 66.39% 686 30.38% 73 3.23%
2004 1,470 69.77% 605 28.71% 32 1.52%
2000 1,523 72.28% 515 24.44% 69 3.27%
1996 948 48.49% 743 38.01% 264 13.50%
1992 761 39.76% 668 34.90% 485 25.34%
1988 1,172 60.29% 730 37.55% 42 2.16%
1984 1,404 67.02% 673 32.12% 18 0.86%
1980 1,349 64.67% 587 28.14% 150 7.19%
1976 1,153 56.69% 829 40.76% 52 2.56%
1972 1,445 69.47% 533 25.63% 102 4.90%
1968 1,221 56.74% 754 35.04% 177 8.22%
1964 1,048 47.92% 1,138 52.03% 1 0.05%
1960 1,301 62.13% 793 37.87% 0 0.00%
1956 1,423 65.82% 739 34.18% 0 0.00%
1952 1,511 66.18% 765 33.51% 7 0.31%
1948 1,062 50.28% 1,015 48.06% 35 1.66%
1944 1,211 53.35% 1,039 45.77% 20 0.88%
1940 1,461 54.41% 1,218 45.36% 6 0.22%
1936 807 33.46% 1,391 57.67% 214 8.87%
1932 714 31.07% 1,491 64.88% 93 4.05%
1928 1,328 65.07% 689 33.76% 24 1.18%
1924 1,122 52.11% 522 24.25% 509 23.64%
1920 1,376 64.18% 662 30.88% 106 4.94%
1916 1,148 46.91% 1,164 47.57% 135 5.52%
1912 673 26.25% 855 33.35% 1,036 40.41%
1908 887 57.41% 585 37.86% 73 4.72%
1904 1,089 65.72% 482 29.09% 86 5.19%
1900 899 54.72% 706 42.97% 38 2.31%
1896 776 47.00% 862 52.21% 13 0.79%
1892 615 39.30% 672 42.94% 278 17.76%

See also

Coordinates: 46°18′N 117°55′W / 46.30°N 117.92°W / 46.30; -117.92


This page was last updated at 2022-12-22 18:19 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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