Franklin County, Washington

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




map size = 225
founded = November 28, 1883
seat = Pasco | area_total_sq_mi =1265
area_land_sq_mi =1242
area_water_sq_mi =23
area percentage = 1.81%
census yr = 2000
pop = 49347
density_km2 =15
web = www.co.franklin.wa.us
|

Franklin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. In 2000, its population was 49,347. The county seat is at Pasco, which is also the county's largest city. It was named after Benjamin Franklin.

Franklin County was formed out of Whitman County on November 28, 1883.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=2003-03-06|publisher=HistoryLink.org]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,265 square miles (3,277 km²), of which, 1,242 square miles (3,218 km²) of it is land and 23 square miles (59 km²) of it (1.81%) is water.

Geographic features

*Columbia River
*Hanford Nuclear Reservation
*Juniper Dunes Wilderness
*Snake River

Major highways

*Interstate 82
*U.S. Route 12
*U.S. Route 395

Adjacent counties

*Adams County, Washington - north
*Whitman County, Washington - east
*Walla Walla County, Washington - southeast
*Benton County, Washington - southwest
*Grant County, Washington - northwest

National protected area

* Hanford Reach National Monument (part)

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 49,347 people, 14,840 households, and 11,604 families residing in the county. The population density was 40 people per square mile (15/km²). There were 16,084 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 61.91% White, 2.49% Black or African American, 0.73% Native American, 1.62% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 28.98% from other races, and 4.14% from two or more races. 46.67% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 9.7% were of German, 6.7% United States or American and 6.2% English ancestry according to Census 2000. 55.8% spoke English and 41.6% Spanish as their first language.

There were 14,840 households out of which 45.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.80% were married couples living together, 11.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.80% were non-families. 17.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.26 and the average family size was 3.67.

In the county, the population was spread out with 34.60% under the age of 18, 10.90% from 18 to 24, 28.10% from 25 to 44, 17.90% from 45 to 64, and 8.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females there were 109.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 108.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $38,991, and the median income for a family was $41,967. Males had a median income of $32,209 versus $24,533 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,459. About 15.50% of families and 19.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.00% of those under age 18 and 7.70% of those age 65 or over.

Census-recognized communities

*Basin City
*Connell
*Kahlotus
*Mesa
*Pasco
*West Pasco

Other communities

*Eltopia

Further reading

*cite book|title=An illustrated history of the Big Bend country : embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams, and Franklin counties, state of Washington|publisher=Western Historical Pub. Co.|year=1904
* [http://www.secstate.wa.gov/history/publications_detail.aspx?p=36 Available online through the Washington State Library's Classics in Washington History collection]

References

External links

* [http://www.historylink.org/results.cfm?searchfield=county&keyword=Franklin&Submit=Search+by+County Franklin County, Washington] at HistoryLink.org