List of unincorporated communities in Washington facts for kids
Unincorporated communities are places in the U.S. state of Washington where people live, but they are not officially organized as cities or towns. Think of them as neighborhoods or small settlements that are managed by the larger county government instead of having their own local government. Sometimes, places on this list might be historical spots that no longer exist, or they might have become part of a bigger city or a special data-collection area.
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What are Unincorporated Communities?
When a place is "incorporated," it means the people living there have voted to create their own official city or town government. This government usually has a mayor and a city council. They make their own local laws and provide services like police, fire departments, and road maintenance.
However, an unincorporated community does not have its own local government. Instead, the county government is in charge of providing services and making rules for these areas. For example, the county sheriff's office would provide police services, and the county public works department would take care of the roads. Many people live in unincorporated areas across Washington state.
Census-Designated Places (CDPs)
The U.S. Census Bureau counts everyone in the country every ten years. To make sure they count people in all areas, even those without official city governments, they create something called a Census-Designated Place (CDP).
A CDP is a special area that the Census Bureau defines just for collecting data. It's not a real city with its own government, but it helps the government understand how many people live in different parts of the state. Washington has many CDPs, which are listed separately for more detailed information.
Why Places Stay Unincorporated
There are several reasons why a community might remain unincorporated:
- Size: Some communities are very small and don't need a full city government.
- Cost: Setting up and running a city government can be expensive. Residents might prefer to save money by letting the county handle services.
- Local Control: People might prefer the county's way of doing things, or they might not want the extra rules that a city government could create.
- Location: A community might be too close to an existing city, making it difficult to form a new one.
Exploring Washington's Unincorporated Areas
Washington state is home to hundreds of unincorporated communities. These places are found in every county, from small hamlets in rural areas to larger, more developed neighborhoods near big cities. Each community has its own unique history and character.
For example, places like Addy in Stevens County or Adna in Lewis County are unincorporated communities that have their own postal addresses. Other places, like Alderwood in Whatcom County, might not have their own post office but are still recognized as distinct communities.
While we can't list every single one here, this table shows a few examples of these communities, their county, and sometimes their nearest postal address:
