Lewis County, Washington

Lewis County
County
Lewis County Historic Courthouse
Location within the U.S. state of Washington
Washington's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 46°35′N122°24′W / 46.58°N 122.4°W / 46.58; -122.4
Country	United States
State	Washington
Founded	December 19, 1845
Named for	Meriwether Lewis
Seat	Chehalis
Largest city	Centralia
Area
• Total	2,436 sq mi (6,310 km2)
• Land	2,403 sq mi (6,220 km2)
• Water	33 sq mi (90 km2)  1.4%
Population  (2020)
• Total	82,149
• Estimate  (2022)	85,370
• Density	32.5/sq mi (12.5/km2)
Time zone	UTC−8 (Pacific)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−7 (PDT)
Congressional district	3rd
Website	www.lewiscountywa.gov

Lewis County is a county in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, the county's population was 82,149. ^[1] The county seat is Chehalis, ^[2] and its largest city is Centralia. Lewis County comprises the Centralia, WA Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Seattle-Tacoma, WA Combined Statistical Area.

History

The county was created as Vancouver County on December 19, 1845, by the Provisional Government of Oregon, ^[3] named for George Vancouver. In 1849, the county name was changed, to honor Meriwether Lewis. ^[4] At the time, the county included all U.S. lands north of the Cowlitz River, including much of the Puget Sound region and British Columbia. ^[5] The initial establishment of a county seat was Claquato in 1862, the honor being relinquished in 1874 in favor of Chehalis. ^[6]

The first recognized court hearing in the Washington Territory was held in Lewis County at the John R. Jackson Courthouse, the oldest standing courthouse in Washington. ^[7]

The county received official recognition as a "Purple Heart County" in November 2019. ^[8]

Geography and natural features

Lewis County sits along the Interstate 5 corridor. Lewis shares a border with eight other counties. Clockwise from the top left, those are: Grays Harbor, Thurston, Pierce, Yakima, Skamania, Cowlitz, Wahkiakum, and Pacific counties. ^[9]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,436 square miles (6,310 km²), of which 2,403 square miles (6,220 km²) is land and 33 square miles (85 km²) (1.4%) is water. ^[10] One of the world's tallest Douglas fir trees was in the town of Mineral within Lewis County, attaining a height of 120 metres (390 ft). ^[11]

Geographic features

• Cascade Mountains
• Chehalis River and three of its tributaries, the South Fork Chehalis River, Newaukum River, the Skookumchuck River, along with several major creeks including Centralia's China Creek. ^[12]
• Cowlitz River and its tributaries, including the Ohanapecosh River, Cispus River, and Tilton River.
• Nisqually River
• Lake Mayfield
• Riffe Lake
• Big Horn, the highest point in Lewis county
• Boistfort Peak, the highest point in the Willapa Hills
• Walupt Creek Falls

Major highways

• Interstate 5
• U.S. Route 12
• State Route 6
• State Route 7

Adjacent counties

• Grays Harbor County – north/northwest
• Thurston County – north
• Pierce County – north/northeast
• Yakima County – east
• Skamania County – south/southeast
• Cowlitz County – south
• Wahkiakum County – south/southwest
• Pacific County – west

National protected areas

• Gifford Pinchot National Forest (part)
• Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest (part)
• Mount Rainier National Park (part)
• Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument (part)
• Goat Rocks Wilderness (part)

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1850	558		—
1860	384		−31.2%
1870	888		131.3%
1880	2,600		192.8%
1890	11,499		342.3%
1900	15,157		31.8%
1910	32,127		112.0%
1920	36,840		14.7%
1930	40,034		8.7%
1940	41,393		3.4%
1950	43,755		5.7%
1960	41,858		−4.3%
1970	45,467		8.6%
1980	56,025		23.2%
1990	59,358		5.9%
2000	68,600		15.6%
2010	75,455		10.0%
2020	82,149		8.9%
2022 (est.)	85,370	[13]	3.9%
U.S. Decennial Census [14] 1790–1960 [15] 1900–1990 [16] 1990–2000 [17] 2010–2020 [1]

2010 census

As of the 2010 Census, there were 75,455 people, 29,743 households, and 20,104 families residing in the county. ^[18] The population density was 31.4 people per square mile (12.1 people/km²). There were 34,050 housing units at an average density of 14.2 units per square mile (5.5 units/km²). ^[19] The racial makeup of the county's population: 89.7% white, 1.4% American Indian, 0.9% Asian, 0.5% black or African American, 0.2% Pacific islander, 4.0% from other races, and 3.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 8.7% of the population. ^[18] In terms of ancestry, 24.1% were German, 14.9% were Irish, 12.5% were English, 7.7% were American, and 5.1% were Norwegian. ^[20]

Of the 29,743 households, 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.2% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.4% were non-families, and 25.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.97. The median age was 41.5 years. ^[18]

The median income for a household in the county was $43,874 and the median income for a family was $53,358. Males had a median income of $43,695 versus $31,720 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,695. About 10.3% of families and 13.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.2% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over. ^[21]

2000 census

As of the 2000 Census, ^[22] there were 68,600 people, 26,306 households, and 18,572 families in the county. The population density was 28 people per square mile (11 people/km²). There were 29,585 housing units at an average density of 12 units per square mile (4.6 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 92.96% White, 0.38% Black or African American, 1.22% Native American, 0.69% Asian, 0.18% Pacific Islander, 2.55% from other races, and 2.01% from two or more races. 5.37% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 18.7% were of German, 11.8% United States or American, 11.1% English, 8.7% Irish and 5.7% Norwegian ancestry.

There were 26,306 households, 31.60% of which had resident children under age 18, 55.90% were married couples living together, 9.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.40% were non-families. 24.00% of households were made up of individuals, and 11.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.02.

The age distribution of the county's population: 26.50% under age 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 25.20% from 25 to 44, 24.50% from 45 to 64, and 15.50% at or over age 65. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 98.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,511, and the median income for a family was $41,105. Males had a median income of $35,714 versus $23,453 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,082. About 10.40% of families and 14.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.60% of those under age 18 and 9.40% of those age 65 or over.

Homelessness

Lewis County participates in the Point In Time Count (PTC), a census of the homeless population as required by law. ^{[23] [24]} Beginning in 2003 as mandated by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), ^[25] the annual PTC, which tracks the number of individuals and families experiencing homelessness on a specified date, is usually held in January. ^[23]

Homeless residents in the county were listed as 309 in 2012, falling to 205 in 2013. ^[26] A count in 2018 reported 132 homeless residents, ^[27] and following counts reported 161 in 2019, 142 in 2020, 120 in 2022, and 153 in 2023. ^{[23] [28]} There was no census of homeless residents taken in 2021. ^[23]

Students and children under the age of 18 who are described as, "in an overnight accommodation insecure situation", are not officially recorded as part of the PTC, however a count in 2018 reported 558 students who meet the qualifications to be listed as homeless. ^[27]

Government and politics

National level

In modern times, Lewis County is the most conservative county in western Washington. It is significantly more Republican than adjacent counties. Unlike much of western Washington, it has a strong tinge of social conservatism. In 2000, George W. Bush received over 60% of the county's vote. In 2008 John McCain defeated Barack Obama by over eighteen percent — his only victory in a county west of the Cascades. McCain lost all the neighboring counties except Yakima. ^[29] Since Washington's statehood in 1889 only three Democratic presidential candidates have carried the county – William Jennings Bryan in 1896, Franklin D. Roosevelt three times in 1932, 1936 and 1940, plus Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964. ^[30]

All told, as of 2024, 18 of the last 19 Republican presidential tickets successfully carried Lewis County, the only exception being that of Barry Goldwater who lost to the aforementioned Johnson.

It is part of Washington's 3rd congressional district, which has been represented by Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez since 2023.

United States presidential election results for Lewis County, Washington ^{[31] [32]}

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	29,391	64.87%	14,520	32.05%	1,398	3.09%
2016	21,992	62.48%	9,654	27.43%	3,553	10.09%
2012	20,452	59.59%	12,664	36.90%	1,204	3.51%
2008	20,278	57.99%	13,624	38.96%	1,067	3.05%
2004	21,042	64.89%	10,726	33.08%	660	2.04%
2000	18,565	61.91%	9,891	32.99%	1,530	5.10%
1996	13,238	47.89%	10,331	37.37%	4,075	14.74%
1992	12,316	45.33%	7,810	28.75%	7,042	25.92%
1988	14,184	61.04%	8,629	37.13%	425	1.83%
1984	15,846	66.22%	7,634	31.90%	451	1.88%
1980	13,636	59.94%	6,962	30.60%	2,151	9.46%
1976	10,933	51.65%	9,026	42.64%	1,208	5.71%
1972	12,071	58.64%	6,946	33.74%	1,568	7.62%
1968	8,779	47.03%	8,444	45.23%	1,445	7.74%
1964	6,933	36.45%	12,070	63.45%	19	0.10%
1960	11,012	56.53%	8,411	43.18%	57	0.29%
1956	11,949	60.69%	7,714	39.18%	25	0.13%
1952	12,287	62.78%	7,115	36.35%	169	0.86%
1948	9,047	50.39%	8,394	46.76%	512	2.85%
1944	8,896	53.19%	7,706	46.07%	124	0.74%
1940	9,228	49.28%	9,280	49.56%	218	1.16%
1936	5,885	35.23%	9,619	57.58%	1,201	7.19%
1932	4,647	29.80%	8,454	54.21%	2,493	15.99%
1928	9,253	71.12%	3,591	27.60%	166	1.28%
1924	6,973	58.07%	1,544	12.86%	3,490	29.07%
1920	6,160	54.59%	2,212	19.60%	2,913	25.81%
1916	5,186	48.92%	4,318	40.73%	1,097	10.35%
1912	3,200	32.70%	2,471	25.25%	4,115	42.05%
1908	3,170	60.45%	1,412	26.93%	662	12.62%
1904	3,098	69.93%	896	20.23%	436	9.84%
1900	1,907	55.40%	1,382	40.15%	153	4.45%
1896	1,594	48.35%	1,654	50.17%	49	1.49%
1892	1,350	41.49%	1,014	31.16%	890	27.35%

Gubernatorial races

In the 1970s, Democratic candidates for governor won the county, but this was something of an anomaly. The last Democratic candidate for Governor to win the county was Booth Gardner in 1984. ^[33]

State representation

The county's government is the 20th district of the state. It is represented solely by Republicans. ^[34]

• Senator John Braun—Republican
• Representative Peter Abbarno—Position 1, Republican
• Representative Ed Orcutt—Position 2, Republican

County level

The county's government is solely Republican.

• Lewis County Assessor: Dianne Dorey—R
• Lewis County Auditor: Larry E. Grove—R
• Lewis County Clerk: Scott Tinney—R
• Coroner Warren Mcleod—R
• Lewis County Prosecuting Attorney: Jonathan Meyer—R
• Lewis County Sheriff: Rob Snaza—R
• Lewis County Treasurer: Arny Davis—R

Commissioners ^[35]

• Sean D. Swope, District #1—R
• Dr. Lindsey Pollock, District #2—R
• Scott J. Brummer, District #3—R

Law enforcement

The Lewis County Sherriff's Department contains a Marine Patrol Unit. Patrolling several waterways in the county, including Riffe Lake and the Cowlitz River, the unit investigates boating accidents while providing water safety education, with an emphasis on the inspections of watercraft. ^{[36] [37]}

Economy

Lumber production is a staple of the economy in Lewis County. The county annually produces 600,000 short tons (540,000 t) of dried timber while hosting 10 pulpwood production plants. Due to the region's biomass production capabilities, the county was the first in the state to receive a Bioeconomy Development Opportunity (BDO) Zone rating of AA by the BDO Zone Initiative. ^[38]

A leading economic producer for the county is farming, ^[39] with the region also holding large numbers for employment in mining, production, and warehousing. As of 2020 ^[update] , women held 48.6% of jobs in the county primarily in finance, health care, and education, where men held majority employment in such industries as construction, manufacturing, and utility jobs. ^[40]

Reports from 2019-2020 list wages and incomes to be less than the state averages, with the median annual wages to be over $48,000 and a total household income of under $59,000. Unemployment is perennially moderately higher than the state average, though boom years in large Lewis County economic sectors can influence the employment levels. ^[40]

Arts and culture

Art

The county is home to the ARTrails of Southwest Washington initiative. The cooperative, begun in 2003, showcases local artists, art studios and galleries throughout the region, and holds an annual autumnal studio tour that incorporates events in smaller towns within Lewis County. ^{[41] [42]} The Lewis County Historical Museum hosts a permanent ARTrails gallery. ^[43] and Centralia is home to the nexus of the event and an ARTrails-owned gallery. ^{[44] [45]}

Charitable organizations

The Lewis County branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) has been in existence since 1923. The organization has held an annual used book sale since 1979. The proceeds help to fund scholarships, day camps, film festivals, and career days for young women in middle and high school. ^[46]

Education

The county is home to Centralia College, founded in 1925. Located in the middle of Centralia, it is the oldest continuously operating community college in the state. ^[47]

Parks and recreation

As of 2022 ^[update] , Lewis County directly oversees 164.0 acres (66.4 ha) of parks with a department budget of $65,000. Parks and sites under the auspices of the Lewis County Parks and Recreation Department include the recreation areas located in the central part of the county - Adna's Back Memorial Park and Rose Parks, Centralia's Schaefer County Park, Claquato Church, South County Regional Park in Toledo, and St. Urban Church. Eastern Lewis County areas include the Cowlitz River Park (Packwood Park), Hopkins Hill Mt. St. Helens Viewpoint, and the Mineral Lake Swim Area. ^{[48] [49]}

In 2010, the county declared that all parks under its jurisdiction were to be "No Shooting Zones". ^[48] A proposal was introduced in 2020 that would transfer 180.0 acres (72.8 ha) of Washington state parks land to Lewis County. The undeveloped parcel, known as Skate Creek, is situated alongside the Cowlitz River near Packwood. ^[50]

The county honors the travels of pioneer Ezra Meeker on the Oregon Trail with several historical markers throughout the region. Markers are located in Centralia, Chehalis, Claquato, and Toledo. ^[51]

The Lewis County Historic Bike Ride is an annual, mid-spring fundraising event that began as a county-held historic celebration in the early 1990s. The ride starts in Mary's Corner and through a variety of course options, participants can travel to several small towns and communities in the county, including Evaline, Salkum, Saint Urban, and Vader, and can bike through Centralia and Chehalis. The route is often used as a warm-up by riders of the Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic (STP) due to the similarities in elevation gains and topography. ^[52]

Communities

Cities

• Centralia
• Chehalis (county seat)
• Morton
• Mossyrock
• Napavine
• Toledo
• Vader
• Winlock

Town

• Pe Ell

Census-designated places

• Fords Prairie
• Mineral
• Onalaska
• Packwood

Unincorporated communities

• Adna
• Alpha
• Boistfort
• Bunker
• Cinebar
• Curtis
• Doty
• Dryad
• Ethel
• Evaline
• Galvin
• Glenoma
• Harmony
• Klaber
• Lacamas
• Littell
• Mary's Corner
• Newaukum
• Randle
• Saint Urban
• Salkum
• Silver Creek
• Wildwood

Former communities

• Kosmos (inundated)
• Nesika (inundated)
• Riffe (inundated)

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Lewis County, Washington
• Lewis County Transit

References

1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. "Milestones for Washington State History — Part 1: Prehistory to 1850". HistoryLink.org. March 5, 2003.
4. Oregon Spectator (Oregon City OR), "Name of Counties Changed", October 18, 1849, p. 3. Online at the University of Oregon Digital Archives
5. "Action Bringing Lewis County Goes Back A Total of 115 Years". The Daily Chronicle . June 6, 1953. p. 10B. Retrieved July 26, 2018– via Newspapers.com.
6. Jones, Pat (July 1, 2006). "She's a grand old flag, the American flag". The Chronicle. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
7. The Chronicle staff (October 4, 2016). "Jackson Courthouse Up for Review for National Register of Historic Places". The Chronicle. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
8. Mancini, Ralph (November 4, 2019). "Lewis County Designated as a Purple Heart County". The Chronicle. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
9. "GIS Map Library | Wahkiakum County, WA". www.co.wahkiakum.wa.us. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
10. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved July 7, 2015.
11. C. Michael Hogan (2008) Douglas-fir: Pseudotsuga menziesii, globalTwitcher.com, ed. Nicklas Strõmberg Archived June 4, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
12. "Washington State Geospatial Open Data Portal". geo.wa.gov. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
13. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
14. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
15. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
16. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
17. "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.
18. "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.
19. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
20. "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.
21. "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.
22. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved May 14, 2011.
23. The Chronicle staff (January 27, 2023). "Lewis County Census of Homeless Population and Services Merge on Third Thursday in January". The Chronicle (Centralia, Washington) . Retrieved February 7, 2024.
24. Roland, Mitchell (January 29, 2024). "Seeking 'second chance,' Lewis County residents attend annual resource fair during PIT count". The Chronicle. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
25. Block, Brandon (October 4, 2020). "Data Shows Thurston's Homeless Population Is Rising - And Still Not Everyone Is Counted". The Chronicle. The Olympian. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
26. Broadt, Lisa (August 1, 2013). "Lewis County Holds First Summer Project Homeless Connect Event". The Chronicle. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
27. Stanton, Carrina (December 21, 2018). "Amid Housing Crisis, Local Churches, Organizations Do Their Best". The Chronicle (Centralia, Washington) . Retrieved February 7, 2024.
28. Roland, Mitchell (February 5, 2024). "Salvation Army completes Point in Time homeless count". The Chronicle (Centralia, Washington) . Retrieved February 7, 2024.
29. The New York Times Electoral Map (zoom in on Washington state)
30. Menendez, Albert J.; The Geography of Presidential Elections in the United States, 1868–2004, pp. 332–334 ISBN   0786422173
31. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
32. The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 2,032 votes, while Socialist candidate Eugene Debs received 1,637 votes, Prohibition candidate Eugene Chafin received 410 votes, and Socialist Labor candidate Arthur Reimer received 36 votes.
33. David Leip’s US Election Atlas
34. Lewis County, Democrats Archived July 3, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
35. "Meet Your Commissioners". Lewis County, Washington. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
36. McClurg, Dian (May 31, 2003). "Wonderful weather can cause water woes". The Chronicle. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
37. "Lewis County Sheriff's Marine Patrol deputies promote safety on lakes and rivers". Lewis County Sherriff's Department (Press release). August 29, 2023. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
38. The Chronicle staff (January 29, 2024). "Lewis County receives 'AA' rating for woody biomass". The Chronicle. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
39. Saldanha, Alison (January 27, 2024). "Building an oasis in a rural WA 'food desert'". The Seattle Times. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
40. "Lewis County profile". WA State Employment Security Department. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
41. Emerson, Amy (June 9, 2003). "Winlock man working to promote local art". The Chronicle. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
42. Frazier, Karen (September 24, 2013). "ARTrails Seeks to Make Lewis County an Art Destination". The Chronicle. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
43. The Chronicle staff (March 6, 2015). "Historical Museum Launches Permanent ARTrails Gallery". The Chronicle. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
44. Tomtas, Justuna (November 27, 2015). "ARTrails Opens Gallery in Downtown Centralia". The Chronicle. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
45. Vander Stoep, Isabel (September 21, 2022). "Last Call for ARTrails Studio Tour This Weekend Showcasing Lewis County Artists". The Chronicle. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
46. The Chronicle Staff (March 20, 2023). "Lewis County AAUW to Hold Annual Book Sale This Week". The Chronicle. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
47. Centralia College (December 25, 2015). "A Timeline: 90 Years of Education at Centralia College". The Chronicle. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
48. Allen, Marqise (March 23, 2010). "Lewis County Parks Get 'No Shooting Zone' Designation". The Chronicle. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
49. "Parks & Venues". Lewis County Parks and Recreation Department. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
50. Rosane, Eric (January 26, 2022). "Deal Would Transfer 180 Acres of State Park Land to Lewis County". The Chronicle. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
51. The Chronicle Staff (May 22, 2006). "Roadside sights bring history alive". The Chronicle. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
52. Zylstra, Matthew (April 29, 2023). "Annual Lewis County Historic Bike Ride Returns". The Chronicle. Retrieved September 20, 2023.

Further reading

• Ware, Louisa Jackson (1865). Daily journal of Louisa Jackson, 1865. Available online through the Washington State Library's Classics in Washington History collection Daily diary for the entire year of 1865, recording the details of pioneer life in Washington Territory from the perspective of a 12-year-old girl who was part of a prominent Lewis County family. Brief entries document the activities of running the farm and the number of visitors and immigrants that stopped at the Jackson home.
• Early history of Lewis County on Drizzle.com

External links

• Lewis County Official Website