Jefferson County, Washington

Last updated

Jefferson County
Jefferson County Courthouse in Port Townsend, WA.jpg
Jefferson County Courthouse in Port Townsend
Map of Washington highlighting Jefferson County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Washington
Washington in United States.svg
Washington's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 47°50′N123°35′W / 47.84°N 123.58°W / 47.84; -123.58
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Washington.svg  Washington
FoundedDecember 22, 1852
Named for Thomas Jefferson
Seat Port Townsend
Largest cityPort Townsend
Area
  Total2,183 sq mi (5,650 km2)
  Land1,804 sq mi (4,670 km2)
  Water379 sq mi (980 km2)  17%
Population
 (2020)
  Total32,977
  Estimate 
(2022)
33,589 Increase2.svg
  Density17/sq mi (7/km2)
Time zone UTC−8 (Pacific)
  Summer (DST) UTC−7 (PDT)
Congressional district 6th
Website www.co.jefferson.wa.us

Jefferson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, the population was 32,977. [1] The county seat and only incorporated city is Port Townsend. [2] The county is named for Thomas Jefferson. [3]

Contents

Jefferson County was formed out of Thurston County on December 22, 1852, by the legislature of Oregon Territory, [4] and included the northern 4,854-square-mile (12,571.8 km2) portion of the Olympic Peninsula. On April 26, 1854, the legislature of Washington Territory created Clallam County from the northwestern 2,670-square-mile (6,915.3 km2) portion of this original area.

The Hood Canal Bridge connects Jefferson County to Kitsap County, Washington. The Coupeville-Port Townsend route of the Washington State Ferries connects the county to Whidbey Island in Island County, Washington.

Geography

Ruby Beach, Kalaloch Area Cedar Creek Abbey Island Ruby Beach.jpg
Ruby Beach, Kalaloch Area

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,183 square miles (5,650 km2), of which 1,804 square miles (4,670 km2) is land and 379 square miles (980 km2) (17%) is water. [5]

The county is split in three parts by its landforms:

Because of the mountainous barrier, there is no road lying entirely within Jefferson County that connects the eastern and western parts. The most direct land route between the two ends of the county involves a drive of approximately 100 miles (160 km) along U.S. Route 101 through neighbouring Clallam County. The mountains also block the damp Chinook winds, which make the climate much wetter in the west than the so-called eastern "banana belt" in the rain shadow.

Geographic features

Hoh River in the Olympic National Park Hoh river in spring.jpg
Hoh River in the Olympic National Park

Major highways

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1860 531
1870 1,268138.8%
1880 1,71235.0%
1890 8,368388.8%
1900 5,712−31.7%
1910 8,33746.0%
1920 6,557−21.4%
1930 8,34627.3%
1940 8,9186.9%
1950 11,61830.3%
1960 9,639−17.0%
1970 10,66110.6%
1980 15,96549.8%
1990 20,14626.2%
2000 25,95328.8%
2010 29,87215.1%
2020 32,97710.4%
2022 (est.)33,589 [6] 1.9%
U.S. Decennial Census [7]
1790–1960 [8] 1900–1990 [9]
1990–2000 [10] 2010–2020 [1]

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 29,872 people, 14,049 households, and 8,394 families living in the county. [11] The population density was 16.6 inhabitants per square mile (6.4/km2). There were 17,767 housing units at an average density of 9.9 per square mile (3.8/km2). [12] The racial makeup of the county was 91.0% white, 2.3% American Indian, 1.6% Asian, 0.8% black or African American, 0.2% Pacific islander, 0.7% from other races, and 3.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.8% of the population. [11] In terms of ancestry, 20.8% were English, 20.3% were German, 13.9% were Irish, 8.3% were Norwegian, 5.9% were Scottish, and 4.2% were American. [13]

Of the 14,049 households, 18.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.1% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 40.3% were non-families, and 32.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.08 and the average family size was 2.57. The median age was 53.9 years. [11]

The median income for a household in the county was $46,048 and the median income for a family was $59,964. Males had a median income of $45,616 versus $29,508 for females. The per capita income for the county was $28,528. About 8.9% of families and 13.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.8% of those under age 18 and 7.4% of those age 65 or over. [14]

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 25,953 people, 11,645 households, and 7,580 families living in the county. The population density was 14 people per square mile (5.4 people/km2). There were 14,144 housing units at an average density of 8 per square mile (3.1/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 92.17% White, 0.42% Black or African American, 2.31% Native American, 1.19% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 0.76% from other races, and 3.02% from two or more races. 2.06% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 17.4% were of German, 14.8% English, 9.9% Irish and 7.5% Norwegian ancestry. 97.1% spoke English and 1.0% Spanish as their first language.

There were 11,645 households, out of which 23.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.60% were married couples living together, 8.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.90% were non-families. 28.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.67.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 19.80% under the age of 18, 5.00% from 18 to 24, 21.60% from 25 to 44, 32.50% from 45 to 64, and 21.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females there were 95.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,869, and the median income for a family was $45,415. Males had a median income of $37,210 versus $25,831 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,211. About 7.20% of families and 11.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.60% of those under age 18 and 6.00% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

Port Townsend Bay as seen from a ferry Port Townsend Bay.jpg
Port Townsend Bay as seen from a ferry
US Route 101 in Jefferson County US 101 Jefferson County.JPG
US Route 101 in Jefferson County

Jefferson County is a dominant Democratic area, with Democrats having carried the county in every election cycle since Ronald Reagan's landslide victory in 1980. In 2016, Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton won the county 60.62% to Donald Trump's 28.91%. [15] As of 2020 it is located in Washington's 6th congressional district and in the 24th of Washington state legislative districts.

Because of the barrier dividing the county, the populations and economies differ between the eastern and western halves of Jefferson County. The contrasts are notable as the west portion is more dependent on logging, somewhat less prosperous, and having fewer people for roughly the same area. Areas of East Jefferson County located south of Port Townsend remain largely rural and can be divided into two parts, those communities located on the Hood Canal and those on the Admiralty Inlet. Perennial discussions and attempts to separate the west half from the east half gained little support during the twentieth century.

The county seat, Port Townsend, casts a significant number of votes and gave Obama 82% of its votes in the 2012 General Election (source: www.wa.gov). Areas outside of Port Townsend (such as Cape George) gave Obama 2-to-1 victory margins. Democrats also do well in many of the small towns of northern Jefferson County, with strong Democratic leans in Coyle, Discovery Bay, Gardiner, and Nordland, as well as in the towns just southeast of Port Townsend such as Chimacum, Irondale, Kala Point, and Port Hadlock. Democrats also perform strongly in the sparsely populated western part of the county, where much of the population is Native American.

Republicans tend to win victories in several parts of the county, particularly the rural areas in the southeast part of the county including Center, Crocker Lake, Brinnon, and Quilcene. Although it has trended Democratic in recent years, Port Ludlow — an affluent area that casts a notable number of votes — still has a Republican lean.

United States presidential election results for Jefferson County, Washington [16]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.%No.%No.%
2020 6,93127.96%17,20469.39%6572.65%
2016 6,03728.91%12,65660.62%2,18610.47%
2012 6,40532.09%12,73963.82%8174.09%
2008 6,33031.46%13,25265.85%5412.69%
2004 6,65035.66%11,61062.25%3902.09%
2000 6,09538.50%8,28152.30%1,4579.20%
1996 4,60732.63%7,14550.61%2,36716.76%
1992 3,46726.79%6,14847.50%3,32725.71%
1988 4,18443.42%5,27054.69%1821.89%
1984 4,54348.67%4,60249.30%1892.02%
1980 3,64544.61%3,27940.13%1,24615.25%
1976 2,79445.86%2,91347.82%3856.32%
1972 2,77053.49%2,09640.47%3136.04%
1968 1,82740.55%2,25149.97%4279.48%
1964 1,43232.14%3,01267.59%120.27%
1960 2,10348.83%2,19751.01%70.16%
1956 2,30056.69%1,75043.14%70.17%
1952 2,35554.70%1,93344.90%170.39%
1948 1,61043.80%1,91151.99%1554.22%
1944 1,41543.38%1,82956.07%180.55%
1940 1,54042.13%2,08356.99%320.88%
1936 1,06331.04%2,27966.54%832.42%
1932 95229.14%1,99461.03%3219.83%
1928 1,47263.83%81035.13%241.04%
1924 91351.79%1438.11%70740.10%
1920 1,12861.57%32217.58%38220.85%
1916 1,09451.80%86140.77%1577.43%
1912 63627.34%64227.60%1,04845.06%
1908 85963.16%41730.66%846.18%
1904 96273.60%28321.65%624.74%
1900 68461.73%39235.38%322.89%
1896 70456.32%53642.88%100.80%
1892 61043.85%66547.81%1168.34%

Economy

The largest private employer in Jefferson County is the Port Townsend Paper Mill. [17] The largest employer overall (private and public) is Jefferson Healthcare, which operates Jefferson Healthcare Hospital. [18]

Communities

Port Townsend and Admiralty Inlet Port Townsend and Admiralty Inlet.jpg
Port Townsend and Admiralty Inlet

City

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">San Juan County, Washington</span> County in Washington, United States

San Juan County is a county located in the Salish Sea in the far northwestern corner of the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, its population was 17,788. The county seat and only incorporated town is Friday Harbor, located on San Juan Island. The county was formed on October 31, 1873, from Whatcom County and is named for the San Juan Islands, which are in turn named for Juan Vicente de Güemes, 2nd Count of Revillagigedo, the Viceroy of New Spain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mason County, Washington</span> County in Washington, United States

Mason County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, the population was 65,726. The county seat and only incorporated city is Shelton. The county was formed out of Thurston County on March 13, 1854. Originally named Sawamish County, it took its present name in 1864 in honor of Charles H. Mason, the first Secretary of Washington Territory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kitsap County, Washington</span> County in Washington, United States

Kitsap County is located in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, its population was 275,611. Its county seat is Port Orchard; its largest city is Bremerton. The county, formed out of King County and Jefferson County on January 16, 1857, is named for Chief Kitsap of the Suquamish Tribe. Originally named Slaughter County, it was soon renamed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clallam County, Washington</span> County in Washington, United States

Clallam County is a county in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, the population was 77,155, with an estimated population of 77,805 in 2022. The county seat and largest city is Port Angeles; the county as a whole comprises the Port Angeles, WA Micropolitan Statistical Area. The name is a Klallam word for "the strong people". The county was formed on April 26, 1854. Located on the Olympic Peninsula, it is south from the Strait of Juan de Fuca, which forms the Canada–US border, as British Columbia's Vancouver Island is across the strait.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jefferson County, Ohio</span> County in Ohio, United States

Jefferson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 65,249. Its county seat is Steubenville. The county is named for Thomas Jefferson, who was vice president at the time of its creation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Irondale, Missouri</span> City in Missouri, United States

Irondale is a city in Washington County, Missouri, United States. The population was 445 at the 2010 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Poquott, New York</span> Village in New York, United States

Poquott is a village in Suffolk County, New York, United States. The population was 953 at the 2010 census. The village is located in the Town of Brookhaven, on the North Shore of Long Island, and is officially known as the Incorporated Village of Poquott.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Irondale, Ohio</span> Village in Ohio, United States

Irondale is a village in northern Jefferson County, Ohio, United States. The population was 326 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Weirton–Steubenville metropolitan area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Port Orford, Oregon</span> City in Oregon, United States

Port Orford is a city in Curry County on the southern coast of Oregon, United States. The population was 1,133 at the 2010 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bell Hill, Washington</span> Census-designated place in Washington, United States

Bell Hill is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Clallam County, Washington, United States. The population was 837 at the 2010 census, up from 731 at the 2000 census. Located just south of the city of Sequim, Bell Hill has become a fast-growing destination for the very wealthy, with a high population of Californians who found success in high tech businesses. Although Sequim is not affluent, it is known for its low levels of rain, a quality that has made Bell Hill very attractive. Bell Hill gets somewhat more precipitation than Sequim but is drier than most western Washington areas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blyn, Washington</span> Census-designated place in Washington, United States

Blyn is a census-designated place (CDP) in Clallam County, Washington, United States. The population was 101 at the 2010 census, down from 162 at the 2000 census. It is located near the city of Sequim on the shores of Sequim Bay. The area includes the Jamestown S'Klallam Indian Reservation, established in 1874 by the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe, who named their community Jamestown after their leader; Lord James Balch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carlsborg, Washington</span> Census-designated place in Washington, United States

Carlsborg is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Clallam County, Washington, United States. The population was 995 at the 2010 census, up from 855 at the 2000 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Forks, Washington</span> City in Washington, United States

Forks, also previously known as the unincorporated town of Quillayute, is a city in southwest Clallam County, Washington, United States. The population was 3,335 at the 2020 census. It is named after the forks in the nearby Bogachiel, Calawah, and Sol Duc rivers which join together to form the Quillayute River.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Port Angeles, Washington</span> City in Washington, United States

Port Angeles is a city and county seat of Clallam County, Washington, United States. With a population of 19,960 as of the 2020 census, it is the largest city in the county. The population was estimated at 20,134 in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Port Angeles East, Washington</span> Census-designated place in Washington, United States

Port Angeles East is a census-designated place (CDP) in Clallam County, Washington, United States. The population was 3,036 at the 2010 census. This unincorporated urban growth area bordering the city of Port Angeles is known by locals as the Gales Addition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sequim, Washington</span> City in Washington, United States

Sequim is a city in Clallam County, Washington, United States. It is located along the Dungeness River near the base of the Olympic Mountains. The 2020 census counted a population of 8,018, with an estimated population in 2021 of 8,241.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brinnon, Washington</span> Census-designated place in Washington, United States

Brinnon is a census-designated place (CDP) in Jefferson County, Washington, United States. The population was 797 at the 2010 census. The community is named for Ewell P. Brinnon, who in 1860 took a donation land claim at the mouth of the Duckabush River. Its known landmarks include Dosewallips State Park and Black Point Marina. Camp Parsons, founded in 1919 and the oldest Boy Scout camp west of the Mississippi River, sits just outside the north end of the CDP.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Port Hadlock-Irondale, Washington</span> Census-designated place in Washington, United States

Port Hadlock-Irondale is a census-designated place (CDP) in Jefferson County, Washington, United States. The population was 3,983 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Port Townsend, Washington</span> City in Washington, United States

Port Townsend is a city on the Quimper Peninsula in Jefferson County, Washington, United States. The population was 10,148 at the 2020 United States Census. It is the county seat and only incorporated city of Jefferson County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Quilcene, Washington</span> Census-designated place in Washington, United States

Quilcene is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Jefferson County, Washington, United States. The population was 596 at the 2010 census.

References

  1. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp.  168.
  4. Reinartz, Kay. "History of King County Government 1853–2002" (PDF). p. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 25, 2009. Retrieved December 28, 2007.
  5. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved July 5, 2015.
  6. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022" . Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  7. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  8. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  9. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  10. "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.
  11. 1 2 3 "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 6, 2016.
  12. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  13. "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 6, 2016.
  14. "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 6, 2016.
  15. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  16. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  17. McClary, Daryl C. "Jefferson County – Thumbnail History". History Ink. Retrieved July 7, 2012.
  18. Bermant, Charlie (September 14, 2010). "Hospital's new CEO highest paid public official in Jefferson County". The Peninsula Daily News. Retrieved July 7, 2012.

47°50′N123°35′W / 47.84°N 123.58°W / 47.84; -123.58