Pacific County, Washington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pacific County
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Pacific County Courthouse, South Bend
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Location within the U.S. state of Washington
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 Washington's location within the U.S. |
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Washington |
| Founded | February 4, 1851 |
| Named for | Pacific Ocean |
| Seat | South Bend |
| Largest city | Raymond |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1,223 sq mi (3,170 km2) |
| • Land | 933 sq mi (2,420 km2) |
| • Water | 291 sq mi (750 km2) 24%% |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 23,365 |
| • Estimate
(2023)
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24,200  |
| • Density | 19/sq mi (7/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−8 (Pacific) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−7 (PDT) |
| Congressional district | 3rd |
Pacific County is a county in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, the population was 23,365. Its county seat is South Bend, and its largest city is Raymond. The county was formed by the government of Oregon Territory in February 1851 and is named for the Pacific Ocean.
Pacific County is centered on Willapa Bay, a region that provides twenty-five percent of the United States oyster harvest, although forestry, fishing, and tourism are also significant elements of the county's economy.
Contents
History
The area that is now Pacific County was part of Oregon Territory in the first part of the nineteenth century. On December 19, 1845, the Provisional Government of Oregon created two counties (Vancouver and Clark) in its northern portion (which is now the state of Washington). In 1849, the name of Vancouver County was changed to Lewis County, and on February 4, 1851, a portion of Lewis County was partitioned off to become Pacific County. The county's boundaries have not changed since its creation. Pacific City was the first county seat, when it was annexed by the US military, the county seat was transferred to Chinookville. The unincorporated community of Oysterville, established in 1852, was the third county seat. The county records were stolen from Oysterville and ferried across Willapa Harbor by residents of South Bend, resulting in that town becoming the new county seat in 1893.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has an area of 1,223 square miles (3,170 km2), of which 933 square miles (2,420 km2) is land and 291 square miles (750 km2) (24%) is water.
Geographic features
Major highways
U.S. Route 101
State Route 6
Adjacent counties
- Grays Harbor County – north
- Lewis County – east
- Wahkiakum County – southeast
- Clatsop County, Oregon – south
National protected areas
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1860 | 420 | — | |
| 1870 | 738 | 75.7% | |
| 1880 | 1,645 | 122.9% | |
| 1890 | 4,358 | 164.9% | |
| 1900 | 5,983 | 37.3% | |
| 1910 | 12,532 | 109.5% | |
| 1920 | 14,891 | 18.8% | |
| 1930 | 14,970 | 0.5% | |
| 1940 | 15,928 | 6.4% | |
| 1950 | 16,558 | 4.0% | |
| 1960 | 14,674 | −11.4% | |
| 1970 | 15,796 | 7.6% | |
| 1980 | 17,237 | 9.1% | |
| 1990 | 18,882 | 9.5% | |
| 2000 | 20,984 | 11.1% | |
| 2010 | 20,920 | −0.3% | |
| 2020 | 23,365 | 11.7% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 24,200 | 15.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2020 |
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2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 20,920 people, 9,499 households, and 5,707 families living in the county. The population density was 22.4 inhabitants per square mile (8.6/km2). There were 15,547 housing units at an average density of 16.7 per square mile (6.4/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 87.4% white, 2.3% American Indian, 2.0% Asian, 0.4% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 4.4% from other races, and 3.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 8.0% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 23.4% were German, 13.8% were English, 11.9% were Irish, 7.6% were American, 6.2% were Norwegian, and 5.8% were Swedish.
Of the 9,499 households, 20.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.6% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 39.9% were non-families, and 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.72. The median age was 50.8 years.
The median income for a household in the county was $39,642 and the median income for a family was $51,450. Males had a median income of $44,775 versus $34,538 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,326. About 12.4% of families and 16.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.4% of those under age 18 and 9.9% of those age 65 or over.
Communities
Cities
- Ilwaco
- Long Beach
- Raymond
- South Bend (county seat)
Census-designated places
Unincorporated communities
- Dexter by the Sea
- Firdale
- Frances
- Holcomb
- Megler
- Menlo
- Nemah
- North Cove
- Oceanside
- Old Willapa
- Oysterville
- Pluvius
- Seaview
- Surfside
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Pacific para niños
