Pacific County, Washington

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. Pacific City was the first county seat, when it was annexed by the US military, the county seat was transferred to Chinookville. The unincorporated community of Oysterville, established in 1852, was the third 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 1223 sqmi, of which 933 sqmi is land and 291 sqmi (24%) is water.

Geographic features

• Cape Disappointment
• Columbia River
• Long Beach Peninsula
• Long Island
• Willapa Bay

Major highways

• [[Image:US 101.svg|23px]] U.S. Route 101
• [[File:WA-6.svg|20px]] 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 Historical Park (part)
• Willapa National Wildlife Refuge

Demographics

|align-fn=center 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2020

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 23,365. Of the residents, 17.1% were under the age of 18 and 31.5% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 53.8 years. For every 100 females there were 99.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 97.6 males. 37.1% of residents lived in urban areas and 62.9% lived in rural areas.

The racial makeup of the county was 81.8% White, 0.4% Black or African American, 2.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.0% Asian, 4.9% from some other race, and 8.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 9.4% of the population.

There were 10,514 households in the county, of which 20.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 26.0% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 16,034 housing units, of which 34.4% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 75.3% were owner-occupied and 24.7% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.3%.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 20,920 people, 9,499 households, and 5,707 families living in the county. The population density was 22.4 PD/sqmi. There were 15,547 housing units at an average density of 16.7 /sqmi. 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.

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 /mi2. There were 13,991 housing units at an average density of 15 /mi2. 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, however, the county, like Grays Harbor County, broke its long streak of backing the Democratic candidate for president, voting for the Republican candidate, Donald Trump. The county backed Trump again in 2020, voting for a losing Republican for the first time since 1916. It backed Trump again in 2024, with him winning it by a margin of 1.30%, a slight increase from his margin of 1.13% in 2020.

Communities

Cities

• Ilwaco
• Long Beach
• Raymond
• South Bend (county seat)

Census-designated places

• Bay Center
• Chinook
• Lebam
• Naselle
• Ocean Park
• Tokeland
• Willapa

Unincorporated communities

• Dexter by the Sea
• Firdale
• Frances
• Holcomb
• Megler
• Menlo
• Nemah
• North Cove
• Oceanside
• Old Willapa
• Oysterville
• Seaview
• Surfside
• Brooklyn

Ghost towns

• Bruceport
• Chetlo Harbor
• Frankfort
• Knappton
• McGowan
• Pacific City
• Pluvius
• Seahaven

References

References

1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau.
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties.
3. (March 6, 2003). "Milestones for Washington State History — Part 2: 1851 to 1900".
4. link. (July 20, 2018)
5. (August 22, 2012). "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
6. "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". United States Census Bureau.
7. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau.
8. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library.
9. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau.
10. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". United States Census Bureau.
11. (2023). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau.
12. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau.
13. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau.
14. "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau.
15. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County". United States Census Bureau.
16. "Selected Social Characteristics in the United States – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau.
17. "Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau.
18. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
19. The leading "other" candidate, [[Progressive Party (United States, 1912). Progressive]] [[Theodore Roosevelt]], received 1,251 votes, while Socialist candidate [[Eugene V. Debs. Eugene Debs]] received 382 votes, [[Prohibition Party. Prohibition]] candidate [[Eugene W. Chafin. Eugene Chafin]] received 82 votes, and [[Socialist Labor Party of America. Socialist Labor]] candidate [[Arthur Reimer]] received 11 votes.
20. Reed, Sam. (November 4, 2008). "President/Vice President - County Results". [[Secretary of State of Washington]].
21. Reed, Sam. (November 6, 2012). "President/Vice President - County Results". [[Secretary of State of Washington]].