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Columbia County, Washington facts for kids

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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.
Country  United States
State  Washington
Founded November 11, 1875
Named for Columbia River
Seat Dayton
Largest city Dayton
Area
 • Total 873 sq mi (2,260 km2)
 • Land 869 sq mi (2,250 km2)
 • Water 4.9 sq mi (13 km2)  0.6%%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 3,952
 • Estimate 
(2021)
4,042 Increase
 • Density 4.6/sq mi (1.8/km2)
Time zone UTC−8 (Pacific)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−7 (PDT)
Congressional district 5th

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. Columbia County is included in the Walla Walla, WA Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

According to the U.S. 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

  • US 12.svg U.S. Route 12

Adjacent counties

National protected area

  • Umatilla National Forest (part)

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1880 7,103
1890 6,709 −5.5%
1900 7,128 6.2%
1910 7,042 −1.2%
1920 6,093 −13.5%
1930 5,325 −12.6%
1940 5,549 4.2%
1950 4,860 −12.4%
1960 4,569 −6.0%
1970 4,439 −2.8%
1980 4,057 −8.6%
1990 4,027 −0.7%
2000 4,064 0.9%
2010 4,078 0.3%
2020 3,952 −3.1%
2021 (est.) 4,042 −0.9%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790–1960 1900–1990
1990–2000 2010–2020

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

Dayton Courthouse
Columbia County courthouse

City

Town

Unincorporated communities

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Columbia (Washington) para niños

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