Okanogan County, Washington | |
|---|---|
 Okanogan County Courthouse in Okanogan | |
 Seal | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofWashington | |
 Washington's location within theU.S. | |
| Coordinates:48°32′54″N119°44′32″W / 48.54833°N 119.74222°W /48.54833; -119.74222 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Washington |
| Founded | February 2, 1888 |
| Named after | Fort Okanogan |
| Seat | Okanogan |
| Largest city | Omak |
| Area | |
• Total | 5,312.7 sq mi (13,760 km2) |
| • Land | 5,266.2 sq mi (13,639 km2) |
| • Water | 46.5 sq mi (120 km2) 0.9% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 42,104 |
• Estimate (2024) | 44,942 |
| • Density | 8.3/sq mi (3.2/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−8 (Pacific) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−7 (PDT) |
| Congressional district | 4th |
| Website | okanogancounty.org |
Okanogan County (/ˌoʊkəˈnɑːɡən/)[1] is acounty located in theU.S. state ofWashington along theCanada–U.S. border. As of the2020 census, the population was 42,104.[2] Thecounty seat isOkanogan,[3] while the most populous city isOmak. It is the largest county by area in the state.[4]
About a fifth of the county's residents live in theGreater Omak Area. The county forms a portion of theOkanogan Country. The first county seat wasRuby, which has now been a ghost town for more than 100 years.
Okanogan County was formed out ofStevens County in February 1888.[5] The name derives from theOkanagan language place nameukʷnaqín.[6] The name Okanogan (Okanagan) also refers to a part of southernBritish Columbia.
Before Europeans arrived, the Okanogan County region was home to numerous indigenous peoples that would eventually become part of three Indian reservations referred to as the Northern Okanogans or Sinkaietk, Tokoratums, Kartars and Konkonelps. They spoke in seven types ofInterior Salish languages related to thePuget Sound tribes. The Okanogans experienced a favorable climate, camping in the winter, hunting bears in the spring, catching fish in the summer and hunting deer in fall. The camps consisted of teepee-like longhouses built with hides and bark. Women gathered nuts and berries. A popular destination for this was theKettle Falls, where the Columbia River dropped some 20 feet (6.1 m).
Due to its remoteness, the Okanogan County area was one of the last in Washington settled by Europeans. It was an early thoroughfare used by prospectors to gain access to other communities, such asBritish Columbia. By the 21st century, the region specialized in agriculture, forestry and tourism. Electric producerGrand Coulee Dam was constructed between 1933 and 1942, originally with two power plants, around the Okanogan andGrant counties at the former's southern border.[7]
In July 2014, theCarlton Complexwildfire burned over 250,000 acres (390 sq mi; 1,000 km2) in Okanogan County. It destroyed over 300 homes[8] including 100 in and aroundPateros[9]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 5,312.7 square miles (13,760 km2), of which 5,266.2 square miles (13,639 km2) is land and 46.5 square miles (120 km2) (0.9%) is water.[10] It is the largest county in the state by area, and it is larger than three states in land area.[11]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1890 | 1,467 | — | |
| 1900 | 4,689 | 219.6% | |
| 1910 | 12,887 | 174.8% | |
| 1920 | 17,094 | 32.6% | |
| 1930 | 18,519 | 8.3% | |
| 1940 | 24,546 | 32.5% | |
| 1950 | 29,131 | 18.7% | |
| 1960 | 25,520 | −12.4% | |
| 1970 | 25,867 | 1.4% | |
| 1980 | 30,639 | 18.4% | |
| 1990 | 33,350 | 8.8% | |
| 2000 | 39,564 | 18.6% | |
| 2010 | 41,120 | 3.9% | |
| 2020 | 42,104 | 2.4% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 44,942 | [12] | 6.7% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[13] 1790–1960[14] 1900–1990[15] 1990–2000[16] 2010–2020[2] | |||
As of the2020 census, there were 42,104 people, 16,942 households, and 10,768 families residing in the county.[17] Thepopulation density was 8.0 inhabitants per square mile (3.1/km2). There were 21,720 housing units at an average density of 4.12 inhabitants per square mile (1.6/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 65.6%White, 0.4%African American, 11.6%Native American, 0.7%Asian, 0.1%Pacific Islander, 11.8% from some other races and 9.8% from two or more races.Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 19.5% of the population.[18] 21.7% of residents were under the age of 18, 5.3% were under 5 years of age, and 23.8% were 65 and older.
As of the2010 census, there were 41,120 people, 16,519 households, and 10,914 families living in the county.[19] The population density was 7.8 inhabitants per square mile (3.0/km2). There were 22,245 housing units at an average density of 4.2 per square mile (1.6/km2).[20] The racial makeup of the county was 73.9% white, 11.4% American Indian, 0.6% Asian, 0.4% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 10.1% from other races, and 3.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 17.6% of the population.[19] In terms of ancestry, 21.4% wereGerman, 12.4% wereIrish, 12.2% wereEnglish, and 3.6% wereAmerican.[21]
Of the 16,519 households, 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.7% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.9% were non-families, and 28.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.96. The median age was 42.9 years.[19]
The median income for a household in the county was $38,551 and the median income for a family was $48,418. Males had a median income of $37,960 versus $29,032 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,093. About 14.7% of families and 19.5% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 27.3% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over.[22]
As of the2000 census, there were 39,564 people, 15,027 households, and 10,579 families living in the county. Thepopulation density was 8 people per square mile (3.1 people/km2). There were 19,085 housing units at an average density of 4 per square mile (1.5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 75.32%White, 0.28%Black orAfrican American, 11.47%Native American, 0.44%Asian, 0.07%Pacific Islander, 9.58% fromother races, and 2.84% from two or more races. 14.38% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race. 14.0% were ofGerman, 9.5%English, 9.2%United States or American and 6.8%Irish ancestry.
There were 15,027 households, out of which 33.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.40% weremarried couples living together, 11.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.60% were non-families. 24.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.70% under the age of 18, 7.30% from 18 to 24, 25.50% from 25 to 44, 25.50% from 45 to 64, and 14.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 99.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $29,726, and the median income for a family was $35,012. Males had a median income of $29,495 versus $22,005 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $14,900. About 16.00% of families and 21.30% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 28.20% of those under age 18 and 10.40% of those age 65 or over.
Okanogan County was once a national bellwether county in U.S. presidential elections, voting for the nationwide winner in each presidential election from 1904 to 1992. In fact, it became the longest-running national bellwether afterCrook County, Oregon, voted forGeorge H. W. Bush in 1992. However, it has become a Republican-leaning county since 1996, when it voted forBob Dole, with the longest national bellwether status passing on toNew Castle County, Delaware.[23]
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1892 | 577 | 50.04% | 425 | 36.86% | 151 | 13.10% |
| 1896 | 284 | 22.72% | 950 | 76.00% | 16 | 1.28% |
| 1900 | 457 | 38.08% | 714 | 59.50% | 29 | 2.42% |
| 1904 | 1,192 | 66.63% | 435 | 24.32% | 162 | 9.06% |
| 1908 | 1,368 | 49.23% | 1,074 | 38.65% | 337 | 12.13% |
| 1912 | 804 | 18.97% | 1,461 | 34.47% | 1,974 | 46.57% |
| 1916 | 1,896 | 35.55% | 2,924 | 54.82% | 514 | 9.64% |
| 1920 | 2,784 | 54.98% | 1,260 | 24.88% | 1,020 | 20.14% |
| 1924 | 2,531 | 50.41% | 721 | 14.36% | 1,769 | 35.23% |
| 1928 | 3,245 | 64.86% | 1,722 | 34.42% | 36 | 0.72% |
| 1932 | 2,277 | 32.78% | 3,969 | 57.13% | 701 | 10.09% |
| 1936 | 2,367 | 27.31% | 5,622 | 64.87% | 678 | 7.82% |
| 1940 | 4,244 | 43.96% | 5,362 | 55.54% | 49 | 0.51% |
| 1944 | 4,084 | 46.60% | 4,642 | 52.97% | 38 | 0.43% |
| 1948 | 4,083 | 41.10% | 5,644 | 56.81% | 208 | 2.09% |
| 1952 | 6,085 | 55.57% | 4,817 | 43.99% | 48 | 0.44% |
| 1956 | 5,448 | 50.66% | 5,298 | 49.27% | 8 | 0.07% |
| 1960 | 5,169 | 48.32% | 5,507 | 51.48% | 22 | 0.21% |
| 1964 | 3,931 | 37.46% | 6,554 | 62.45% | 10 | 0.10% |
| 1968 | 4,490 | 45.19% | 4,379 | 44.08% | 1,066 | 10.73% |
| 1972 | 5,796 | 56.09% | 3,835 | 37.11% | 703 | 6.80% |
| 1976 | 5,455 | 47.05% | 5,543 | 47.81% | 597 | 5.15% |
| 1980 | 6,460 | 51.71% | 4,634 | 37.09% | 1,399 | 11.20% |
| 1984 | 7,476 | 57.25% | 5,330 | 40.81% | 253 | 1.94% |
| 1988 | 5,856 | 49.88% | 5,630 | 47.96% | 254 | 2.16% |
| 1992 | 4,265 | 32.72% | 5,015 | 38.48% | 3,753 | 28.80% |
| 1996 | 5,890 | 45.05% | 4,810 | 36.79% | 2,375 | 18.16% |
| 2000 | 9,384 | 63.41% | 4,335 | 29.29% | 1,079 | 7.29% |
| 2004 | 9,636 | 58.96% | 6,309 | 38.61% | 397 | 2.43% |
| 2008 | 8,798 | 51.79% | 7,613 | 44.82% | 576 | 3.39% |
| 2012 | 9,221 | 54.23% | 7,108 | 41.80% | 674 | 3.96% |
| 2016 | 9,610 | 54.74% | 6,298 | 35.87% | 1,648 | 9.39% |
| 2020 | 11,840 | 55.63% | 8,900 | 41.82% | 542 | 2.55% |
| 2024 | 11,555 | 55.74% | 8,466 | 40.84% | 711 | 3.43% |
Places adjacent to Okanogan County, Washington | |
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Municipalities and communities ofOkanogan County, Washington,United States | ||
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| Cities |  | |
| Towns | ||
| CDPs | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Indian reservation | ||
| Ghost towns | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
| International | |
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| National | |
| Other | |
