Columbia County, Washington

This article is about the county in the U.S. state of Washington. For Washington D.C.'s county, see Washington County, DC and District of Columbia County, DC.

Columbia County
County
Columbia County Courthouse in Dayton
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Washington
Washington's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 46°18′N117°55′W / 46.3°N 117.92°W / 46.3; -117.92
Country	United States
State	Washington
Founded	November 11, 1875
Named for	Columbia River
Seat	Dayton
Largest city	Dayton
Area
• Total	873 sq mi (2,260 km2)
• Land	869 sq mi (2,250 km2)
• Water	4.9 sq mi (13 km2)  0.6%
Population  (2020)
• Total	3,952
• Estimate  (2023)	4,053
• Density	4.6/sq mi (1.8/km2)
Time zone	UTC−8 (Pacific)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−7 (PDT)
Congressional district	5th
Website	www.columbiaco.com

Columbia County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, the population was 3,952, ^[1] making it the second-least populous county in Washington. The county seat and largest city is Dayton. The county was created out of Walla Walla County on November 11, 1875, ^[2] and is named after the Columbia River (which does not flow through the county). Columbia County is included in the Walla Walla, WA Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 873 square miles (2,260 km²), of which 869 square miles (2,250 km²) is land and 4.9 square miles (13 km²) (0.6%) is water. ^[3] It is part of the Palouse, a wide and rolling prairie-like region of the middle Columbia basin.

Geographic features

• Snake River
• Blue Mountains
• Touchet River
• Tucannon River

Major highways

• U.S. Route 12

Adjacent counties

• Whitman County - north
• Garfield County - east
• Wallowa County, Oregon - southeast
• Umatilla County, Oregon - southwest
• Walla Walla County - west
• Franklin County - northwest

National protected area

• Umatilla National Forest (part)

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1880	7,103		—
1890	6,709		−5.5%
1900	7,128		6.2%
1910	7,042		−1.2%
1920	6,093		−13.5%
1930	5,325		−12.6%
1940	5,549		4.2%
1950	4,860		−12.4%
1960	4,569		−6.0%
1970	4,439		−2.8%
1980	4,057		−8.6%
1990	4,027		−0.7%
2000	4,064		0.9%
2010	4,078		0.3%
2020	3,952		−3.1%
2023 (est.)	4,053	[4]	2.6%
U.S. Decennial Census [5] 1790–1960 [6] 1900–1990 [7] 1990–2000 [8] 2010–2020 [1]

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 4,078 people, 1,762 households, and 1,156 families living in the county. ^[9] The population density was 4.7 inhabitants per square mile (1.8/km²). There were 2,136 housing units at an average density of 2.5 units per square mile (0.97 units/km²). ^[10] The racial makeup of the county was 93.0% white, 1.4% American Indian, 0.6% Asian, 0.3% Pacific islander, 0.3% black or African American, 1.7% from other races, and 2.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 6.2% of the population. ^[9] In terms of ancestry, 24.7% were German, 18.3% were English, 12.3% were Irish, and 7.0% were American. ^[11]

Of the 1,762 households, 24.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.6% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.4% were non-families, and 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.76. The median age was 48.3 years. ^[9]

The median income for a household in the county was $43,611 and the median income for a family was $53,452. Males had a median income of $45,000 versus $35,357 for females. The per capita income for the county was $25,810. About 9.8% of families and 16.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.7% of those under age 18 and 10.9% of those age 65 or over. ^[12]

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 4,064 people, 1,687 households, and 1,138 families living in the county. The population density was 5 people per square mile (1.9 people/km²). There were 2,018 housing units at an average density of 2 units per square mile (0.77 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 93.73% White, 0.22% Black or African American, 0.96% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 2.73% from other races, and 1.89% from two or more races. 6.35% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 19.6% were of German, 18.2% United States or American, 14.3% English and 8.3% Irish ancestry. 94.3% spoke English and 5.7% Spanish at home.

There were 1,687 households, out of which 27.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.00% were married couples living together, 8.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.50% were non-families. 29.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.90% under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 22.80% from 25 to 44, 27.70% from 45 to 64, and 18.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 95.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,500, and the median income for a family was $44,038. Males had a median income of $33,690 versus $21,367 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,374. About 8.60% of families and 12.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.90% of those under age 18 and 11.10% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

City

• Dayton (county seat)

Town

• Starbuck

Unincorporated communities

• Covello, Washington
• Jackson, Washington
• Huntsville
• Marengo
• Turner

Ghost towns

• Grange City, Washington

Politics

United States presidential election results for Columbia County, Washington ^[13]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2024	1,737	69.90%	661	26.60%	87	3.50%
2020	1,754	70.30%	668	26.77%	73	2.93%
2016	1,497	67.16%	526	23.60%	206	9.24%
2012	1,568	68.77%	645	28.29%	67	2.94%
2008	1,499	66.39%	686	30.38%	73	3.23%
2004	1,470	69.77%	605	28.71%	32	1.52%
2000	1,523	72.28%	515	24.44%	69	3.27%
1996	948	48.49%	743	38.01%	264	13.50%
1992	761	39.76%	668	34.90%	485	25.34%
1988	1,172	60.29%	730	37.55%	42	2.16%
1984	1,404	67.02%	673	32.12%	18	0.86%
1980	1,349	64.67%	587	28.14%	150	7.19%
1976	1,153	56.69%	829	40.76%	52	2.56%
1972	1,445	69.47%	533	25.63%	102	4.90%
1968	1,221	56.74%	754	35.04%	177	8.22%
1964	1,048	47.92%	1,138	52.03%	1	0.05%
1960	1,301	62.13%	793	37.87%	0	0.00%
1956	1,423	65.82%	739	34.18%	0	0.00%
1952	1,511	66.18%	765	33.51%	7	0.31%
1948	1,062	50.28%	1,015	48.06%	35	1.66%
1944	1,211	53.35%	1,039	45.77%	20	0.88%
1940	1,461	54.41%	1,218	45.36%	6	0.22%
1936	807	33.46%	1,391	57.67%	214	8.87%
1932	714	31.07%	1,491	64.88%	93	4.05%
1928	1,328	65.07%	689	33.76%	24	1.18%
1924	1,122	52.11%	522	24.25%	509	23.64%
1920	1,376	64.18%	662	30.88%	106	4.94%
1916	1,148	46.91%	1,164	47.57%	135	5.52%
1912	673	26.25%	855	33.35%	1,036	40.41%
1908	887	57.41%	585	37.86%	73	4.72%
1904	1,089	65.72%	482	29.09%	86	5.19%
1900	899	54.72%	706	42.97%	38	2.31%
1896	776	47.00%	862	52.21%	13	0.79%
1892	615	39.30%	672	42.94%	278	17.76%

Columbia County is one of the most conservative counties in Washington state. It has not been carried by a Democrat for President since Lyndon Johnson's 1964 landslide victory. The last time it backed a Democrat for Governor was in 1936 when conservative Democrat Clarence D. Martin swept every county in the state ^[14] and the last Democratic Senator was "Scoop" Jackson, who carried the county in five consecutive county sweeps (the last in 1982). ^[15]

Education

Schools

School districts including parts of the county are: ^[16]

• Dayton School District
• Pomeroy School District
• Prescott School District
• Starbuck School District
• Waitsburg School District

Library

The Columbia County Rural Library District operates a library in Dayton. People living in Dayton are in the library's taxation base, but not in the library's voting base; the voting area for the library only consists of unincorporated areas. ^[17] The library was established in 1919 as a small reading room while a women's civics club fundraised for a permanent building. The raised funds were transferred to the Dayton city government in 1935 and used to construct a public library in 1937 using New Deal funding; the building was later expanded in 1947. ^[18] It is the only public library in Columbia County. A November 2023 ballot measure proposes to close the rural library district, and therefore the library itself, entirely due to the placement and availability of children's books on racial issues and LGBT topics. The library collection would be received by the Washington State Library if the rural library district is dissolved. ^[17]

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Columbia County, Washington

References

1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
2. "Milestones for Washington State History — Part 2: 1851 to 1900". HistoryLink.org. March 6, 2003.
3. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
4. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
5. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
6. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
7. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
8. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 26, 2015. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
9. "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 1, 2016.
10. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 1, 2016.
11. "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 1, 2016.
12. "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 1, 2016.
13. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
14. David Leip. "Gubernatorial General Election Map Comparison – Washington". Dave Leip's U.S. Election Atlas.
15. David Leip. "Senatorial General Election Map Comparison – Washington". Dave Leip's U.S. Election Atlas.
16. "2020 Census – School District Reference Map: Columbia County, WA" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 14, 2023. - Text list
17. Gutman, David (August 13, 2023). "Book battles are raging nationwide. A WA library could be nation's first to close". The Seattle Times . Retrieved August 14, 2023.
18. Smith, Kate (July 2, 2023). "Dayton Memorial Library through the years". Walla Walla Union-Bulletin . Retrieved August 14, 2023.

Further reading

• Frank T. Gilbert, Historic Sketches: Walla Walla, Columbia and Garfield Counties, Washington Territory. Portland, OR: A.G. Walling Printing House, 1882.
• W.D. Lyman, Lyman's History of Old Walla Walla County, Embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin Counties. In Two Volumes. Chicago: S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1918. Volume 1 | Volume 2
• Frederic Ambrose Shaver, An Illustrated History of Southeastern Washington, Including Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin Counties, Washington. Spokane, WA: Western Historical Publishing Co., 1906.

External links

• Official County Website
• Columbia County Library
• Columbia County Heritage

46°18′N117°55′W / 46.30°N 117.92°W / 46.30; -117.92