Puget Island, Washington facts for kids
Puget Island is a beautiful island located in the Columbia River in Wahkiakum County, Washington, United States. It is also known as a CDP, which means it's a special area defined by the government for counting people. The island covers about 7.5 square miles (19.365 square kilometers).
The island got its name from Peter Puget, who was a lieutenant on an exploration trip called the Vancouver Expedition. This group first mapped the island in 1792.
To get to Puget Island, you can cross the Julia Butler Hansen Bridge. This bridge was built in 1938 and connects the island to the town of Cathlamet, Washington. The main road on the island is State Route 409. This road goes all the way to the southern part of the island. From there, you can take the Oscar B ferry, which is run by the county, to Westport, Oregon.
In 2020, about 922 people lived on Puget Island. The island is also home to a special place called the Robert W. Little Preserve. This preserve helps protect a group of endangered Columbian white-tailed deer.
Quick facts for kids
Puget Island
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Puget Island from the north. It is linked to Cathlamet, Washington by the Julia Butler Hansen Bridge.
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 Puget Island
Location in Washington (state)
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| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | Wahkiakum |
| Area | |
| • Total | 7.477 sq mi (19.365 km2) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 922 |
| • Density | 123.31/sq mi (47.612/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP code |
98612
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| Area code(s) | 360 |
Contents
Island History and Farming
Puget Island was first settled in 1884 by the Ostervold family. Early farmers on the island raised dairy cows. They also grew mint from 1917 until the late 1940s.
Past Crops on Puget Island
After mint, farmers started growing cucumbers. These were mainly used for pickling. However, a plant sickness called mosaic disease damaged the cucumber crops.
Modern Farming on the Island
By the 1990s, the main types of farming on Puget Island had changed. Farmers were raising sheep and dairy cows. They also grew cottonwood trees.
People Living on Puget Island
The 2020 census counted 922 people living on Puget Island. There were 488 homes and 455 families.
Backgrounds of Residents
Most people on Puget Island are White, with 833 individuals. There are also 13 Native Americans, 2 Asians, and a small number of people from other backgrounds. About 34 people are of Hispanic or Latino origin.
Many residents have family roots from different countries. The most common ancestries include:
- English (21.5%)
- German (8.7%)
- Irish (7.1%)
- Norwegian (4.9%)
- Scottish (1.8%)
- French (1.8%)
- Italian (0.9%)
Age and Income
The average age of people on Puget Island is 60 years old. A large part of the population, about 37.5%, is over 65.
The average income for a household on the island was $56,929. For families, it was $58,401. About 10.6% of the people on the island lived in poverty.
See also
In Spanish: Puget Island (Washington) para niños
