Walla Walla County, Washington | |
|---|---|
 Walla Walla County Courthouse in 2024 | |
 Seal | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofWashington | |
 Washington's location within theU.S. | |
| Coordinates:46°14′N118°29′W / 46.23°N 118.48°W /46.23; -118.48 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Washington |
| Founded | April 25, 1854 |
| Named after | Walla Walla people |
| Seat | Walla Walla |
| Largest city | Walla Walla |
| Area | |
• Total | 1,299 sq mi (3,360 km2) |
| • Land | 1,270 sq mi (3,300 km2) |
| • Water | 29 sq mi (75 km2) 2.2% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 62,584 |
• Estimate (2024) | 62,068 |
| • Density | 46/sq mi (17.8/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−8 (Pacific) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−7 (PDT) |
| Congressional district | 5th |
| Website | co.walla-walla.wa.us |
Walla Walla County (/ˌwɑːləˈwɑːlə/WAH-ləWAH-lə)[1] is acounty located in the southeast of theU.S. state ofWashington. As of the2020 census, its population was 62,584.[2] Thecounty seat and most populous city isWalla Walla.[3] The county was formed on April 25, 1854[4] and is named after theWalla Walla tribe ofNative Americans.
Walla Walla County is included in the Walla Walla, WAMetropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2020, the Walla Walla MSA is the third smallest metropolitan area in the United States, after theCarson City, Nevada MSA andEagle Pass, Texas MSA.
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,299 square miles (3,360 km2), of which 29 square miles (75 km2) (2.2%) are covered by water.[5]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1860 | 1,318 | — | |
| 1870 | 5,300 | 302.1% | |
| 1880 | 8,716 | 64.5% | |
| 1890 | 12,224 | 40.2% | |
| 1900 | 18,680 | 52.8% | |
| 1910 | 31,931 | 70.9% | |
| 1920 | 27,539 | −13.8% | |
| 1930 | 28,441 | 3.3% | |
| 1940 | 30,547 | 7.4% | |
| 1950 | 40,135 | 31.4% | |
| 1960 | 42,195 | 5.1% | |
| 1970 | 42,176 | 0.0% | |
| 1980 | 47,435 | 12.5% | |
| 1990 | 48,439 | 2.1% | |
| 2000 | 55,180 | 13.9% | |
| 2010 | 58,781 | 6.5% | |
| 2020 | 62,584 | 6.5% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 62,068 | [6] | −0.8% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[7] 1790–1960[8] 1900–1990[9] 1990–2000[10] 2010–2020[2] | |||
As of the2010 census, there were 58,781 people, 21,719 households, and 14,132 families living in the county.[11] The population density was 46.3 inhabitants per square mile (17.9/km2). There were 23,451 housing units at an average density of 18.5 per square mile (7.1/km2).[12] The racial makeup of the county was 84.5% white, 1.8% black or African American, 1.3% Asian, 1.0% American Indian, 0.3% Pacific islander, 8.0% from other races, and 3.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 19.7% of the population.[11] In terms of ancestry, 23.5% wereGerman, 13.3% wereEnglish, 12.7% wereIrish, and 6.6% wereAmerican.[13]
Of the 21,719 households, 30.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.1% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.9% were non-families, and 28.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.05. The median age was 36.7 years.[11]
The median income for a household in the county was $45,575 and the median income for a family was $55,773. Males had a median income of $42,704 versus $35,586 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,027. About 12.4% of families and 17.5% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 24.6% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over.[14]
As of the2000 census, there were 55,180 people, 19,647 households, and 13,242 families living in the county. Thepopulation density was 43 people per square mile (17 people/km2). There were 21,147 housing units at an average density of 17 per square mile (6.6/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 85.3%White, 1.7%Black orAfrican American, 0.8%Native American, 1.1%Asian, 0.2%Pacific Islander, 8.2% fromother races, and 2.6% from two or more races. 15.7% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race. 20.1% were ofGerman, 10.7%English, 7.7%United States or American and 7.3%Irish ancestry.
There were 19,647 households, out of which 32.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.00% weremarried couples living together, 9.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.60% were non-families. 27.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.08.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.60% under the age of 18, 13.40% from 18 to 24, 26.50% from 25 to 44, 20.80% from 45 to 64, and 14.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 103.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $35,900, and the median income for a family was $44,962. Males had a median income of $34,691 versus $24,736 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $16,509. About 10.20% of families and 15.10% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 18.80% of those under age 18 and 8.20% of those age 65 or over.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1892 | 1,362 | 47.14% | 1,313 | 45.45% | 214 | 7.41% |
| 1896 | 1,596 | 47.63% | 1,716 | 51.21% | 39 | 1.16% |
| 1900 | 2,119 | 57.44% | 1,480 | 40.12% | 90 | 2.44% |
| 1904 | 2,824 | 71.99% | 956 | 24.37% | 143 | 3.65% |
| 1908 | 2,843 | 60.73% | 1,660 | 35.46% | 178 | 3.80% |
| 1912 | 1,937 | 25.28% | 2,507 | 32.72% | 3,219 | 42.01% |
| 1916 | 4,429 | 48.00% | 4,456 | 48.29% | 342 | 3.71% |
| 1920 | 5,957 | 67.60% | 2,338 | 26.53% | 517 | 5.87% |
| 1924 | 5,465 | 58.83% | 1,662 | 17.89% | 2,163 | 23.28% |
| 1928 | 6,774 | 70.08% | 2,859 | 29.58% | 33 | 0.34% |
| 1932 | 4,653 | 44.00% | 5,578 | 52.75% | 344 | 3.25% |
| 1936 | 4,584 | 39.28% | 6,562 | 56.23% | 524 | 4.49% |
| 1940 | 7,883 | 57.04% | 5,875 | 42.51% | 63 | 0.46% |
| 1944 | 7,364 | 55.64% | 5,793 | 43.77% | 78 | 0.59% |
| 1948 | 7,993 | 51.98% | 7,102 | 46.18% | 283 | 1.84% |
| 1952 | 11,987 | 67.28% | 5,738 | 32.21% | 92 | 0.52% |
| 1956 | 11,827 | 66.04% | 6,076 | 33.93% | 7 | 0.04% |
| 1960 | 11,786 | 63.64% | 6,721 | 36.29% | 12 | 0.06% |
| 1964 | 8,102 | 46.05% | 9,481 | 53.89% | 11 | 0.06% |
| 1968 | 10,042 | 59.34% | 5,841 | 34.52% | 1,040 | 6.15% |
| 1972 | 12,579 | 67.87% | 5,364 | 28.94% | 590 | 3.18% |
| 1976 | 10,883 | 59.15% | 7,012 | 38.11% | 505 | 2.74% |
| 1980 | 11,223 | 59.14% | 5,825 | 30.70% | 1,929 | 10.16% |
| 1984 | 12,361 | 63.72% | 6,804 | 35.08% | 233 | 1.20% |
| 1988 | 9,683 | 55.64% | 7,448 | 42.80% | 272 | 1.56% |
| 1992 | 7,894 | 39.71% | 7,325 | 36.84% | 4,662 | 23.45% |
| 1996 | 9,085 | 46.62% | 8,038 | 41.25% | 2,363 | 12.13% |
| 2000 | 13,304 | 62.27% | 7,188 | 33.64% | 873 | 4.09% |
| 2004 | 14,323 | 62.48% | 8,257 | 36.02% | 345 | 1.50% |
| 2008 | 14,182 | 57.01% | 10,081 | 40.52% | 614 | 2.47% |
| 2012 | 14,648 | 57.90% | 9,768 | 38.61% | 882 | 3.49% |
| 2016 | 13,651 | 52.05% | 9,694 | 36.96% | 2,883 | 10.99% |
| 2020 | 16,400 | 52.46% | 13,690 | 43.79% | 1,171 | 3.75% |
| 2024 | 15,476 | 52.34% | 13,106 | 44.32% | 986 | 3.33% |
Walla Walla County is generally Republican; it has voted for that party in all but one presidential election since 1940, and has voted Democratic just five times since Washington's statehood in 1889. Like the state as a whole, third-party candidates often receive a larger share of the vote than they do nationally. The county is part ofWashington's 5th congressional district, which is represented by Republican Michael Baumgaurtner.
School districts in Walla Walla County include:[16]
Places adjacent to Walla Walla County, Washington | ||||||||||||||||
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Municipalities and communities ofWalla Walla County, Washington,United States | ||
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| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Ghost towns | ||
46°14′N118°29′W / 46.23°N 118.48°W /46.23; -118.48
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