Pacific County, Washington

Infobox U.S. County
county = Pacific County
state = Washington




map size = 250
founded = 1851
seat = South Bend | area_total_sq_mi =1224
area_land_sq_mi = 933
area_water_sq_mi =291
area percentage = 23.74%
census yr = 2000
pop = 20984
density_km2 =9
web = www.co.pacific.wa.us
|

Pacific County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. It is named after the Pacific Ocean. As of 2000, the population was 20,984. The county seat is at South Bend. Its largest city is Raymond.

Pacific County was formed by the government of Oregon Territory on February 4, 1851.cite web |title=Milestones for Washington State History — Part 2: 1851 to 1900|url=http://www.historylink.org/essays/output.cfm?file_id=5380| date=March 6, 2003|publisher=HistoryLink.org]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,224 square miles (3,169 km²), of which, 933 square miles (2,416 km²) of it is land and 291 square miles (752 km²) of it (23.74%) is water.

Geographic features

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

Major highways

*U.S. Route 101

Adjacent counties

*Grays Harbor County, Washington - north
*Lewis County, Washington - east
*Wahkiakum County, Washington - southeast
*Clatsop County, Oregon - south

National protected areas

* Lewis and Clark National and State Historical Parks (part)
* Willapa National Wildlife Refuge

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 20,984 people, 9,096 households, and 5,885 families residing in the county. The population density was 22 people per square mile (9/km²). There were 13,991 housing units at an average density of 15 per square mile (6/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 according to Census 2000.

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.

Census-recognized communities

*Bay Center
*Chinook
*Ilwaco
*Lebam
*Long Beach
*Naselle
*Ocean Park
*Raymond
*South Bend
*Tokeland

Other communities

*Firdale
*Frances
*Holcomb
*Menlo
*Nahcotta
*Nemah
*North Cove
*Oceanside
*Old Willapa
*Oysterville
*Seaview
*Surfside
*Willapa

ee also

*Willapa Bay
*Steamboats of Willapa Bay
*Ilwaco Railway and Navigation Company

References