Gilliam County, Oregon | |
|---|---|
 Gilliam County Courthouse in Condon | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofOregon | |
| Coordinates:45°23′N120°13′W / 45.38°N 120.21°W /45.38; -120.21 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Oregon |
| Founded | February 25, 1885 |
| Named after | Cornelius Gilliam |
| Seat | Condon |
| Largest city | Condon |
| Area | |
• Total | 1,223 sq mi (3,170 km2) |
| • Land | 1,205 sq mi (3,120 km2) |
| • Water | 18 sq mi (47 km2) 1.5% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 1,995 |
• Estimate (2024) | 1,971 |
| • Density | 1.656/sq mi (0.6392/km2) |
| Congressional district | 2nd |
| Website | www |
Gilliam County is one of the36 counties in theU.S. state ofOregon. As of the2020 census, the population was 1,995,[1] making it the third-least populous county in Oregon. Thecounty seat isCondon.[2] The county was established in 1885 andis named forCornelius Gilliam,[3] a colonel who commanded the forces of the provisional government of Oregon after theWhitman Massacre.
_(gilDA0177).jpg)
TheOregon Legislative Assembly created Gilliam County on February 25, 1885, from the eastern third ofWasco County after residents complained that they were too far from their county seat inThe Dalles. The first Gilliam county seat was at Alkali, nowArlington. The question of a permanent county seat was placed on general election ballots in 1886, 1888, and again in 1890, when voters chose to move the county seat toCondon, known to early settlers as "Summit Springs." Once the question of the location of the county seat was settled, voters in Gilliam County proved reluctant to provide a courthouse in Condon. The county government operated out of a two-room house until 1903, when the county court appropriated money to construct a courthouse. This courthouse burned down in 1954 and was replaced the following year with the current courthouse.
TheShepherds Flat Wind Farm, an 845megawatt (MW)wind farm, began construction nearArlington in 2009, shortly after approval by state regulators. The wind farm was being built byCaithness Energy usingGeneral Electric (GE) 2.5 MWwind turbines, and it will supply electricity toSouthern California Edison. In April 2011,Google announced they had invested $100 million in the project. The wind farm was estimated to have an economic impact of $16 million annually for Oregon.
Gilliam County is located in the central northern part of Oregon, east of theCascade Range. While its southern and eastern borders are defined by its neighboring counties, its western border is defined by theJohn Day River and its northern border is defined by theColumbia River. Most of the county is mostly flat, but contains various canyons created by streams from theBlue Mountains.
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,223 square miles (3,170 km2), of which 1,205 square miles (3,120 km2) is land and 18 square miles (47 km2) (1.5%) is water.[4]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1890 | 3,600 | — | |
| 1900 | 3,201 | −11.1% | |
| 1910 | 3,701 | 15.6% | |
| 1920 | 3,960 | 7.0% | |
| 1930 | 3,467 | −12.4% | |
| 1940 | 2,844 | −18.0% | |
| 1950 | 2,817 | −0.9% | |
| 1960 | 3,069 | 8.9% | |
| 1970 | 2,342 | −23.7% | |
| 1980 | 2,057 | −12.2% | |
| 1990 | 1,717 | −16.5% | |
| 2000 | 1,915 | 11.5% | |
| 2010 | 1,871 | −2.3% | |
| 2020 | 1,995 | 6.6% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 1,971 | [5] | −1.2% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[6] 1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8] 1990–2000[9] 2010–2020[1] | |||
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 1980[10] | Pop 1990[11] | Pop 2000[12] | Pop 2010[13] | Pop 2020[14] | % 1980 | % 1990 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 1,961 | 1,668 | 1,839 | 1,725 | 1,747 | 95.33% | 97.15% | 96.03% | 92.20% | 87.57% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.16% | 0.16% | 0.15% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 9 | 10 | 16 | 18 | 29 | 0.44% | 0.58% | 0.84% | 0.96% | 1.45% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 3 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 0.15% | 0.52% | 0.16% | 0.16% | 0.30% |
| Native Hawaiian orPacific Islander alone (NH) | x[15] | x[16] | 0 | 13 | 9 | x | x | 0.00% | 0.69% | 0.45% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 31 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1.51% | 0.00% | 0.05% | 0.00% | 0.15% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | x[17] | x[18] | 18 | 21 | 91 | x | x | 0.94% | 1.12% | 4.56% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 53 | 30 | 35 | 88 | 107 | 2.58% | 1.75% | 1.83% | 4.70% | 5.36% |
| Total | 2,057 | 1,717 | 1,915 | 1,871 | 1,995 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the2020 census, the county had a population of 1,995. Of the residents, 20.0% were under the age of 18 and 27.1% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 48.0 years. For every 100 females there were 105.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 99.7 males. 0.0% of residents lived in urban areas and 100.0% lived in rural areas.[19][20]
The racial makeup of the county was 88.7% White, 0.2%Black or African American, 1.5%American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Asian, 0.6%Native Hawaiian andPacific Islander, 1.4% from some other race, and 7.3% fromtwo or more races.Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 5.4% of the population.[21]
There were 866 households in the county, of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 25.4% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 28.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[19]
There were 1,095 housing units, of which 20.9% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 71.0% were owner-occupied and 29.0% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.5% and the rental vacancy rate was 12.5%.[19]
As of the2010 census, there were 1,871 people, 864 households, and 508 families living in the county.[22] The population density was 1.6 inhabitants per square mile (0.62 inhabitants/km2). There were 1,156 housing units at an average density of 1.0 units per square mile (0.39 units/km2).[23] The racial makeup of the county was 95.2% white, 1.0% American Indian, 0.7% Pacific islander, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% black or African American, 1.4% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 4.7% of the population.[22] In terms of ancestry, 28.4% wereGerman, 18.5% wereEnglish, 15.5% wereIrish, and 8.3% wereAmerican.[24]
Of the 864 households, 22.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.4% were married couples living together, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 41.2% were non-families, and 35.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.74. The median age was 49.7 years.[22]
The median income for a household in the county was $42,148 and the median income for a family was $52,885. Males had a median income of $34,340 versus $35,962 for females. The per capita income for the county was $25,559. About 9.8% of families and 10.6% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 18.3% of those under age 18 and 10.8% of those age 65 or over.[25]
As of the2000 census, there were 1,915 people, 819 households, and 543 families living in the county. Thepopulation density was 2 people per square mile (0.77 people/km2). There were 1,043 housing units at an average density of 1 units per square mile (0.39/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.76%White, 0.16%Black orAfrican American, 0.84%Native American, 0.16%Asian, 1.15% fromother races, and 0.94% from two or more races. 1.83% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race. 18.2% were ofGerman, 18.1%American, 12.6%English, 12.5%Irish and 5.3%Scottish ancestry.
There were 819 households, out of which 27.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.90% weremarried couples living together, 5.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.60% were non-families. 29.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.85.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.20% under the age of 18, 5.40% from 18 to 24, 25.60% from 25 to 44, 26.70% from 45 to 64, and 19.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 102.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $33,611, and the median income for a family was $41,477. Males had a median income of $30,915 versus $20,852 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $17,659. About 6.70% of families and 9.10% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 11.00% of those under age 18 and 6.60% of those age 65 or over.
The Northern Oregon Regional Corrections Facility (Norcor), a short-term jail, serves Gilliam,Hood River,Sherman, andWasco counties.[26]
Though Gilliam County is located in central Oregon, politically it falls in line with the eastern side of the state. The majority of registered voters who are part of apolitical party in Gilliam County, as well as most counties in eastern Oregon, are members of theRepublican Party.[27] The last time a Democrat carried a clear majority of the votes in Gilliam was in 1964 withLyndon Johnson, thoughBill Clinton was able to win it by a plurality in 1996 and had lost it by just three votes in 1992. In the2008 presidential election, 58.38% of Gilliam County voters voted for RepublicanJohn McCain, while 38.74% voted forDemocratBarack Obama and 2.88% of voters either voted for aThird Party candidate orwrote in a candidate.[28] These numbers show a small but clear shift towards the Democratic candidate when compared to the2004 presidential election, in which 66.3% of Gilliam Country voters voted forGeorge W. Bush, while 32.5% voted forJohn Kerry, and 1.2% of voters either voted for a third-party candidate orwrote in a candidate.[29]
Despite its Republican lean, Gilliam County has still been willing to vote for Democrats at the state level; for example, SenatorRon Wyden won the county in the1998,2004,2010, and2016 elections. This streak, however, ended in2022 when Republican Jo Rae Perkins won most of the county's votes.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1904 | 568 | 67.46% | 195 | 23.16% | 79 | 9.38% |
| 1908 | 470 | 61.92% | 242 | 31.88% | 47 | 6.19% |
| 1912 | 348 | 40.51% | 310 | 36.09% | 201 | 23.40% |
| 1916 | 557 | 37.89% | 870 | 59.18% | 43 | 2.93% |
| 1920 | 821 | 60.59% | 498 | 36.75% | 36 | 2.66% |
| 1924 | 738 | 50.20% | 521 | 35.44% | 211 | 14.35% |
| 1928 | 880 | 62.50% | 515 | 36.58% | 13 | 0.92% |
| 1932 | 470 | 35.00% | 854 | 63.59% | 19 | 1.41% |
| 1936 | 362 | 25.66% | 983 | 69.67% | 66 | 4.68% |
| 1940 | 518 | 39.63% | 785 | 60.06% | 4 | 0.31% |
| 1944 | 492 | 46.42% | 567 | 53.49% | 1 | 0.09% |
| 1948 | 623 | 52.62% | 544 | 45.95% | 17 | 1.44% |
| 1952 | 911 | 68.55% | 415 | 31.23% | 3 | 0.23% |
| 1956 | 793 | 59.58% | 538 | 40.42% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 712 | 54.02% | 606 | 45.98% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 442 | 36.23% | 775 | 63.52% | 3 | 0.25% |
| 1968 | 619 | 55.27% | 436 | 38.93% | 65 | 5.80% |
| 1972 | 665 | 62.21% | 355 | 33.21% | 49 | 4.58% |
| 1976 | 612 | 52.49% | 508 | 43.57% | 46 | 3.95% |
| 1980 | 622 | 54.56% | 394 | 34.56% | 124 | 10.88% |
| 1984 | 700 | 65.24% | 369 | 34.39% | 4 | 0.37% |
| 1988 | 470 | 52.40% | 417 | 46.49% | 10 | 1.11% |
| 1992 | 377 | 36.32% | 374 | 36.03% | 287 | 27.65% |
| 1996 | 398 | 38.27% | 485 | 46.63% | 157 | 15.10% |
| 2000 | 679 | 62.29% | 359 | 32.94% | 52 | 4.77% |
| 2004 | 755 | 66.34% | 370 | 32.51% | 13 | 1.14% |
| 2008 | 648 | 58.38% | 430 | 38.74% | 32 | 2.88% |
| 2012 | 639 | 60.23% | 371 | 34.97% | 51 | 4.81% |
| 2016 | 671 | 65.85% | 239 | 23.45% | 109 | 10.70% |
| 2020 | 834 | 70.80% | 324 | 27.50% | 20 | 1.70% |
| 2024 | 805 | 70.99% | 291 | 25.66% | 38 | 3.35% |
Gilliam County is in the heart of theColumbia River Plateauwheat-growing region. The economy is based on agriculture, and wheat,barley andbeef cattle are the principal products. Properties are large, with an average farm size of about 4,200 acres (17 km2).
The largest individual employers in the county are two subsidiaries of Waste Management Inc., Chemical Waste Management of the Northwest and Oregon Waste Systems, Inc., who run two regional waste disposallandfills. By levying a fee of $1 a ton, Gilliam County receives enough money to pay the first $500 of the property tax bills of its inhabitants, an amount that covers the full tax bill for almost half of the county inhabitants, as well as funding other county projects.
Hunting, fishing and tourism are secondary industries. Transportation also contributes to the local economy; two major rivers, theJohn Day andColumbia, cross the area east-to-west, as doesInterstate 84.Oregon Route 19 connects the county's major cities north-to-south and provides access to the John Day Valley.
Places adjacent to Gilliam County, Oregon | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||
Municipalities and communities ofGilliam County, Oregon,United States | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cities |  | |
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Ghost town | ||
| Indian reservation | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
Salem (capital) | |||||||||
| Topics | |||||||||
| Society | |||||||||
| Regions |
| ||||||||
| Metro areas | |||||||||
| Largest cities (pop. >50,000) | |||||||||
| Counties | |||||||||
45°23′N120°13′W / 45.38°N 120.21°W /45.38; -120.21
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
