Adams County, Washington facts for kids

Adams County
	Adams County, Washington
	Map
	; Location in the state of Washington
	; Washington's location in the U.S.
	Statistics
Founded	November 28, 1883
Seat	Ritzville
Largest City	Othello
Area; - Total; - Land; - Water	; 1,930 sq mi (4,999 km²); 1,925 sq mi (4,986 km²); 4.9 sq mi (13 km²), 0.3%
PopulationEst.; - (2015); - Density	; 19,254; 10/sq mi (4/km²)
Time zone	Pacific: UTC-8/-7
	Website: www.co.adams.wa.us
	Named for: John Adams

Adams County is a county in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2010 census, the population was 18,728. The county seat is at Ritzville, and its largest city is Othello. The county was formed out of Whitman County on November 28, 1883 and is named for the second President of the United States, John Adams.

Adams County comprises the Othello, WA Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also part of the Moses Lake-Othello, WA Combined Statistical Area.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,930 square miles (5,000 km²), of which 1,925 square miles (4,990 km²) is land and 4.9 square miles (13 km²) (0.3%) is water.

Major highways

Interstate 90
U.S. Route 395

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Columbia National Wildlife Refuge (part)
Saddle Mountain National Wildlife Refuge (part)

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1890	2,098	—
1900	4,840	130.7%
1910	10,920	125.6%
1920	9,623	−11.9%
1930	7,719	−19.8%
1940	6,209	−19.6%
1950	6,584	6.0%
1960	9,929	50.8%
1970	12,014	21.0%
1980	13,267	10.4%
1990	13,603	2.5%
2000	16,428	20.8%
2010	18,728	14.0%
Est. 2015	19,254	2.8%
U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2015

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 16,428 people, 5,229 households, and 4,094 families residing in the county. The population density was 8 people per square mile (3/km²). There were 5,773 housing units at an average density of 3 per square mile (1/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 64.96% White, 0.28% Black or African American, 0.68% Native American, 0.60% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 30.69% from other races, and 2.75% from two or more races. 16.3% were of German, 6.2% United States or American and 5.6% English ancestry. 57.0% spoke English, 41.7% Spanish and 1.2% German as their first language.

There were 5,229 households out of which 44.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.50% were married couples living together, 10.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.70% were non-families. 18.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.09 and the average family size was 3.52.

In the county, the population was spread out with 34.20% under the age of 18, 9.80% from 18 to 24, 26.30% from 25 to 44, 19.40% from 45 to 64, and 10.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 104.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,888, and the median income for a family was $37,075. Males had a median income of $28,740 versus $21,597 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,534. About 13.60% of families and 18.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.00% of those under age 18 and 8.90% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 18,728 people, 5,720 households, and 4,410 families residing in the county. The population density was 9.7 inhabitants per square mile (3.7/km²). There were 6,242 housing units at an average density of 3.2 per square mile (1.2/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 62.5% white, 1.9% American Indian, 0.7% Asian, 0.6% black or African American, 31.5% from other races, and 2.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 59.3% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 16.4% were German, 6.8% were Irish, 5.6% were English, and 2.2% were American.

Of the 5,720 households, 47.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.7% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 22.9% were non-families, and 18.8% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 3.25 and the average family size was 3.71. The median age was 29.0 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $40,829 and the median income for a family was $43,551. Males had a median income of $35,695 versus $25,160 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,689. About 19.0% of families and 25.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 36.6% of those under age 18 and 12.6% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Othello
Ritzville (county seat)

Towns

Unincorporated communities

Ghost towns

Keystone
Marcellus (site of Griffith Cemetery) Lat: 47° 15' 24"N, Lon: 118° 23' 07"W, T20N R35E NE corner SE¼ of Sec 3 (8.5 miles north of Ritzville on Marcellus Rd, cemetery on the west).