Wasco County, Oregon | |
|---|---|
 Wasco County Courthouse in The Dalles | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofOregon | |
| Coordinates:45°10′N121°10′W / 45.16°N 121.16°W /45.16; -121.16 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Oregon |
| Founded | January 11, 1854 |
| Named after | Wasco people |
| Seat | The Dalles |
| Largest city | The Dalles |
| Area | |
• Total | 2,395 sq mi (6,200 km2) |
| • Land | 2,382 sq mi (6,170 km2) |
| • Water | 14 sq mi (36 km2) 0.6% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 26,670 |
• Estimate (2024) | 26,507 |
| • Density | 11.20/sq mi (4.323/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−8 (Pacific) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−7 (PDT) |
| Congressional district | 2nd |
| Website | co |
Wasco County is one of the36 counties in theU.S. state ofOregon. As of the2020 census, the population was 25,213.[1] Itscounty seat isThe Dalles.[2] The county isnamed for a local tribe ofNative Americans, theWasco, aChinook tribe who live on the south side of theColumbia River. It is near theWashington state line. Wasco County comprises The DallesMicropolitan Statistical Area.
Celilo Falls on the Columbia River served as a gathering place and major trading center for the local Native Americans, including theWasco,Paiute, and Warm Springs tribes, for thousands of years. These rapids came to be namedLes Grandes Dalles de la Columbia or "The Great Falls of the Columbia" by the French Canadian fur traders.
The Dalles initially served as a way station on theOregon Trail as it approached theWillamette Valley. The construction of theBarlow Road over theCascade Range in 1845, and theDonation Land Claim Act of 1850 encouraged families to settle in the area. Over the following years, Wasco County was a major transportation hub for both river and inland traffic.
TheOregon Territorial Legislature created Wasco County on January 11, 1854, from the parts ofClackamas,Lane,Linn andMarion counties, that were east of the Cascade Range. At the time of its creation, it was the largest county in the United States, consisting of 130,000 square miles (340,000 km2) that stretched clear to theRocky Mountains. Its northern border was theWashington Territory line (theColumbia River). WhenDakota Territory (including present-dayWyoming) was created in 1861,Idaho Territory in 1863, andMontana Territory in 1864, the parts of Wasco County east of the present Oregon boundaries were ceded to those territories. Other Oregon counties were split away, and Wasco was reduced to its current size.
| Dates of Creation of Other Eastern Oregon Counties | |
| County | Date of Division |
| Baker | September 22, 1862 |
| Umatilla | September 27, 1862 |
| Grant | October 14, 1864 |
| Lake | October 24, 1874 |
| Crook | October 24, 1882 |
| Morrow | February 16, 1885 |
| Gilliam | February 25, 1885 |
| Sherman | February 25, 1889 |
| Hood River | June 23, 1908 |
The Dalles was designated the county seat with the creation of the county, and has been its only location.
The river traffic on the Columbia River was profoundly affected in 1935 by the building ofBonneville Dam inMultnomah County and byThe Dalles Dam in 1957 in Wasco County (which submerged Celilo Falls).
Wasco County attracted international attention in the 1980s, whenBhagwan Shree Rajneesh established theRajneeshpuram movement at a marginal ranch originally called "The Big Muddy". Disagreements with the county government and other residents over zoning rules and building codes escalated, while his followers, known as Rajneeshees, settleden bloc inAntelope, Oregon and were able to elect a majority of the town councillors. When the Rajneeshees subsequently recruitedhomeless people from across the United States to settle at Rajneeshpuram, it was widely seen as an attempt to use the ballot box to seize control of the county. Anintentional outbreak ofsalmonella in salad bars at ten restaurants in The Dalles in 1984 was traced to the acts of Rajneeshees.
Rajneesh was arrested as he was fleeing the U.S. in 1985 and he was subsequently indicted along with seven followers for immigration crimes by a federal grand jury. A separate grand jury in Wasco County charged three Rajneeshees of attempted murder, while Rajneesh entered anAlford plea and was given a suspended sentence on condition that he leave the country.
The former Rajneesh ranch is now known as "Washington Family Ranch". It is owned and operated byYoung Life Ministries, aChristian organization providing camp services for youth.
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,395 square miles (6,200 km2), of which 2,382 square miles (6,170 km2) is land and 14 square miles (36 km2) (0.6%) is water.[3] The northern boundary withWashington is theColumbia River (the state line).
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1860 | 1,689 | — | |
| 1870 | 2,509 | 48.5% | |
| 1880 | 11,120 | 343.2% | |
| 1890 | 9,183 | −17.4% | |
| 1900 | 13,199 | 43.7% | |
| 1910 | 16,336 | 23.8% | |
| 1920 | 13,648 | −16.5% | |
| 1930 | 12,646 | −7.3% | |
| 1940 | 13,069 | 3.3% | |
| 1950 | 15,552 | 19.0% | |
| 1960 | 20,205 | 29.9% | |
| 1970 | 20,133 | −0.4% | |
| 1980 | 21,732 | 7.9% | |
| 1990 | 21,683 | −0.2% | |
| 2000 | 23,791 | 9.7% | |
| 2010 | 25,213 | 6.0% | |
| 2020 | 26,670 | 5.8% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 26,507 | [4] | −0.6% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[5] 1790–1960[6] 1900–1990[7] 1990–2000[8] 2010–2020[1] | |||
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 1980[9] | Pop 1990[10] | Pop 2000[11] | Pop 2010[12] | Pop 2020[13] | % 1980 | % 1990 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 20,434 | 19,474 | 19,967 | 19,556 | 18,703 | 94.03% | 89.81% | 83.93% | 77.56% | 70.13% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 63 | 59 | 65 | 85 | 115 | 0.29% | 0.27% | 0.27% | 0.34% | 0.43% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 617 | 844 | 845 | 1,018 | 983 | 2.84% | 3.89% | 3.55% | 4.04% | 3.69% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 114 | 235 | 189 | 191 | 248 | 0.52% | 1.08% | 0.79% | 0.76% | 0.93% |
| Native Hawaiian orPacific Islander alone (NH) | x[14] | x[15] | 116 | 142 | 185 | x | x | 0.49% | 0.56% | 0.69% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 18 | 6 | 19 | 16 | 110 | 0.08% | 0.03% | 0.08% | 0.06% | 0.41% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | x[16] | x[17] | 376 | 462 | 1,309 | x | x | 1.58% | 1.83% | 4.91% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 486 | 1,065 | 2,214 | 3,743 | 5,017 | 2.24% | 4.91% | 9.31% | 14.85% | 18.81% |
| Total | 21,732 | 21,683 | 23,791 | 25,213 | 26,670 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the2020 census, the county had a population of 26,670. Of the residents, 21.4% were under the age of 18 and 22.7% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 42.3 years. For every 100 females there were 99.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 96.4 males. 65.2% of residents lived in urban areas and 34.8% lived in rural areas.[18][19]
The racial makeup of the county was 74.3% White, 0.5%Black or African American, 4.2%American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Asian, 0.7%Native Hawaiian andPacific Islander, 8.1% from some other race, and 11.2% fromtwo or more races.Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 18.8% of the population.[20]
There were 10,553 households in the county, of which 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 26.1% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 28.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[19]
There were 11,996 housing units, of which 12.0% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 65.3% were owner-occupied and 34.7% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.5%.[19]
As of the2010 census, there were 25,213 people, 10,031 households, and 6,540 families living in the county.[21] The population density was 10.6 inhabitants per square mile (4.1/km2). There were 11,487 housing units at an average density of 4.8 units per square mile (1.9 units/km2).[22] Theracial makeup of the county was 86.1% white, 4.4% American Indian, 0.8% Asian, 0.6% Pacific islander, 0.4% black or African American, 5.2% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 14.8% of the population.[21] In terms of ancestry, 19.8% wereGerman, 14.0% wereEnglish, 10.6% wereIrish, 6.4% wereAmerican, and 5.0% wereSwedish.[23]
Of the 10,031 households, 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.4% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.8% were non-families, and 28.8% of households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.98. The median age was 41.7 years.[21]
The median household income was $42,133 and the median family income was $50,279. Males had a median income of $40,658 versus $27,996 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,922. About 11.1% of families and 15.5% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 20.1% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.[24]
As of the2000 census, there were 23,791 people, 9,401 households, and 6,505 families living in the county. The population density was 10 people per square mile (3.9 people/km2). There were 10,651 housing units at an average density of 4 units per square mile (1.5/km2). Theracial makeup of the county was 86.58% White, 3.81% Native American, 0.80% Asian, 0.50% Pacific Islander, 0.30% Black or African American, 5.65% from other races, and 2.36% from two or more races. 9.31% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 17.8% were ofGerman, 11.8%English, 9.8%American, 9.5%Irish and 5.0%Norwegian ancestry of the 9,401 households 30.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.80% were married couples living together, 9.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.80% were non-families. 26.10% of households were one person and 11.50% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.96.
The age distribution was 25.40% under the age of 18, 7.40% from 18 to 24, 25.20% from 25 to 44, 25.40% from 45 to 64, and 16.70% 65 or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 97.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.10 males.
The median household income was $35,959 and the median family income was $42,412. Males had a median income of $36,051 versus $21,575 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,195. About 10.30% of families and 12.90% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 17.70% of those under age 18 and 7.30% of those age 65 or over.
The Northern Oregon Regional Corrections Facility (Norcor), a short-term jail, serves Wasco,Gilliam,Hood River, andSherman counties.[25]
Politically, Wasco is a swing county. No presidential candidate has won more than 55% of the county's vote sinceRonald Reagan in 1984. From 1972 to 2008, it voted for the election's national winner every time except the drought and farm crisis-influenced 1988 election; Obama lost here by just 18 votes or 0.2% of the popular vote in 2012.
Wasco County is currently one of 11 counties in Oregon in which therapeutic psilocybin is legal.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1904 | 2,092 | 67.33% | 536 | 17.25% | 479 | 15.42% |
| 1908 | 1,309 | 57.14% | 764 | 33.35% | 218 | 9.52% |
| 1912 | 775 | 29.88% | 929 | 35.81% | 890 | 34.31% |
| 1916 | 2,243 | 47.53% | 2,287 | 48.46% | 189 | 4.01% |
| 1920 | 2,698 | 62.25% | 1,434 | 33.09% | 202 | 4.66% |
| 1924 | 2,409 | 51.46% | 1,185 | 25.32% | 1,087 | 23.22% |
| 1928 | 2,746 | 60.85% | 1,699 | 37.65% | 68 | 1.51% |
| 1932 | 1,740 | 37.31% | 2,776 | 59.52% | 148 | 3.17% |
| 1936 | 1,278 | 24.65% | 3,573 | 68.92% | 333 | 6.42% |
| 1940 | 2,553 | 45.79% | 3,001 | 53.82% | 22 | 0.39% |
| 1944 | 2,429 | 50.75% | 2,313 | 48.33% | 44 | 0.92% |
| 1948 | 2,740 | 51.74% | 2,438 | 46.03% | 118 | 2.23% |
| 1952 | 4,362 | 63.09% | 2,517 | 36.40% | 35 | 0.51% |
| 1956 | 4,332 | 50.98% | 4,165 | 49.02% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 4,355 | 49.58% | 4,426 | 50.39% | 3 | 0.03% |
| 1964 | 2,695 | 31.35% | 5,890 | 68.51% | 12 | 0.14% |
| 1968 | 3,842 | 46.26% | 3,918 | 47.17% | 546 | 6.57% |
| 1972 | 4,537 | 51.70% | 3,749 | 42.72% | 489 | 5.57% |
| 1976 | 4,258 | 46.08% | 4,560 | 49.35% | 422 | 4.57% |
| 1980 | 4,703 | 45.95% | 4,336 | 42.36% | 1,196 | 11.69% |
| 1984 | 6,905 | 55.36% | 5,526 | 44.31% | 41 | 0.33% |
| 1988 | 4,462 | 45.37% | 5,141 | 52.28% | 231 | 2.35% |
| 1992 | 3,242 | 29.55% | 4,663 | 42.50% | 3,068 | 27.96% |
| 1996 | 3,662 | 36.80% | 4,967 | 49.91% | 1,323 | 13.29% |
| 2000 | 5,356 | 50.23% | 4,616 | 43.29% | 692 | 6.49% |
| 2004 | 6,119 | 50.98% | 5,691 | 47.42% | 192 | 1.60% |
| 2008 | 5,103 | 44.84% | 5,906 | 51.90% | 371 | 3.26% |
| 2012 | 5,229 | 48.09% | 5,211 | 47.93% | 433 | 3.98% |
| 2016 | 5,833 | 48.75% | 4,781 | 39.96% | 1,350 | 11.28% |
| 2020 | 7,035 | 49.79% | 6,604 | 46.74% | 491 | 3.47% |
| 2024 | 6,837 | 51.06% | 6,069 | 45.32% | 485 | 3.62% |
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The county's economy is based upon agriculture (orchards, wheat farming, livestock ranching), lumber, manufacturing, electric power, transportation, and tourism. Aluminum production was previously a major support of the local economy, but electrical price fluctuations and a slump in global aluminum prices has forced the closing of a number of local aluminumfoundries.
Municipalities and communities ofWasco County, Oregon,United States | ||
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| Ghost towns | ||
| Indian reservation | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
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