Quincy, Washington

For a person with the name Quincy Washington, see Election (TV series).

Quincy, Washington
City
Historic Reiman-Simmons House at the Quincy Valley Museum
Motto(s):  Where Agriculture Meets Technology Motto: Opportunities Unlimited
Location of Quincy, Washington
Coordinates: 47°14′1″N119°51′8″W / 47.23361°N 119.85222°W / 47.23361; -119.85222
Country	United States
State	Washington
County	Grant
Government [1]
• Type	Mayor–council [2]
• Mayor	Paul Worley [3]
Area [4]
• Total	6.13 sq mi (15.88 km2)
• Land	6.05 sq mi (15.67 km2)
• Water	0.08 sq mi (0.21 km2)
Elevation	1,302 ft (397 m)
Population  (2020) [5]
• Total	7,543
• Estimate  (2021) [6]	8,053
• Density	1,327.55/sq mi (512.60/km2)
Time zone	UTC-8 (PST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP code	98848
Area code	509
FIPS code	53-57115
GNIS feature ID	1512590 [7]
Website	quincywashington.us

Quincy is a city in Grant County, Washington, United States. It is situated east of the Columbia River on State Route 28 and north of Interstate 90. The population was 7,543 at the 2020 census. ^[5] Quincy is one of the closest cities to The Gorge Amphitheatre.

History

Geologic history

Quincy lies atop a part of the Columbia River Basalt Group which is overlain by Pleistocene outburst flood deposits. The Missoula Floods had one of their outlets at Trinidad, close to Quincy and another near Ancient Lakes, which includes the Ancient Lakes of the Columbia Valley AVA. Glacial erratics carried from as far away as Montana can be found nearby. The area also has an abundance of rimrock.

Great Northern Railway

Quincy was founded as a railroad camp during construction of the Great Northern Railway in 1892, and was incorporated on March 27, 1907. It was named after Quincy, Illinois. ^[8]

Grand Coulee Dam

See also: Columbia Basin Reclamation Project § History

The arrival of the water from the Grand Coulee Dam in 1952 changed the town.^{[ citation needed ]}

Geography

Quincy is located at 47°14′1″N119°51′8″W / 47.23361°N 119.85222°W / 47.23361; -119.85222 (47.233691, −119.852296). ^[9]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.04 square miles (13.05 km²), of which, 4.96 square miles (12.85 km²) is land and 0.08 square miles (0.21 km²) is water. ^[10]

Climate

Quincy has a cold desert climate (BSk) according to the Köppen climate classification system.

Climate data for Quincy
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	63 (17)	73 (23)	78 (26)	92 (33)	99 (37)	112 (44)	109 (43)	107 (42)	100 (38)	89 (32)	75 (24)	64 (18)	112 (44)
Average high °F (°C)	34.2 (1.2)	43 (6)	54.2 (12.3)	63.7 (17.6)	72.5 (22.5)	79.3 (26.3)	87.5 (30.8)	86.1 (30.1)	77.8 (25.4)	63.2 (17.3)	45.7 (7.6)	35.7 (2.1)	61.9 (16.6)
Average low °F (°C)	19.1 (−7.2)	25.4 (−3.7)	30.7 (−0.7)	37.3 (2.9)	45.5 (7.5)	52 (11)	57.2 (14.0)	55.9 (13.3)	48.1 (8.9)	37.3 (2.9)	28.5 (−1.9)	21.6 (−5.8)	38.2 (3.4)
Record low °F (°C)	−29 (−34)	−25 (−32)	0 (−18)	14 (−10)	23 (−5)	33 (1)	36 (2)	37 (3)	26 (−3)	9 (−13)	−15 (−26)	−19 (−28)	−29 (−34)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	0.9 (23)	0.73 (19)	0.61 (15)	0.56 (14)	0.67 (17)	0.59 (15)	0.24 (6.1)	0.27 (6.9)	0.37 (9.4)	0.58 (15)	1.1 (28)	1.17 (30)	7.78 (198)
Average snowfall inches (cm)	4.8 (12)	1.5 (3.8)	0.3 (0.76)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	1.2 (3.0)	5 (13)	12.8 (33)
Average precipitation days	7	5	5	4	4	4	2	2	3	4	7	8	55
Source 1: [11]
Source 2: [12]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1910	264		—
1920	285		8.0%
1930	266		−6.7%
1940	318		19.5%
1950	804		152.8%
1960	3,269		306.6%
1970	3,237		−1.0%
1980	3,525		8.9%
1990	3,738		6.0%
2000	5,044		34.9%
2010	6,750		33.8%
2020	7,543		11.7%
2021 (est.)	8,053	[6]	6.8%
U.S. Decennial Census [13] 2020 Census [5]

Fishing, hiking and bird-watching occur at nearby Quincy Lake, a remnant of the temporary Pleistocene lakes that were created by flood waters from glacial Lake Missoula.

2010 census

As of the census ^[14] of 2010, there were 6,750 people, 1,915 households, and 1,541 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,360.9 inhabitants per square mile (525.4/km²). There were 2,020 housing units at an average density of 407.3 per square mile (157.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 54.9% White, 0.4% African American, 0.9% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 40.6% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 74.3% of the population.

There were 1,915 households, of which 55.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.2% were married couples living together, 16.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 9.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 19.5% were non-families. 15.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.51 and the average family size was 3.87.

The median age in the city was 26.2 years. 36.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 11.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.9% were from 25 to 44; 16.6% were from 45 to 64; and 8.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.7% male and 49.3% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 5,044 people, 1,470 households, and 1,176 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,252.8 people per square mile (869.4/km²). There were 1,552 housing units at an average density of 693.2 per square mile (267.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 75.1% White, 12.3% African American, 0.9% Native American, 3.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 5.5% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.5% of the population.

There were 1,470 households, out of which 50.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.0% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.0% were non-families. 17.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.38 and the average family size was 3.79.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 36.0% under the age of 18, 10.6% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 16.1% from 45 to 64, and 9.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27 years. For every 100 females, there were 106.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $32,181, and the median income for a family was $31,847. Males had a median income of $27,813 versus $18,750 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,649. About 18.4% of families and 20.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.5% of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Farming

Quincy has long had an agricultural economy, which was enhanced by irrigation made possible with the Grand Coulee Dam. Major crops include potatoes, wheat, and timothy grass. Orchards and vineyards are also displacing lower-value crops in the Quincy Valley.

An investigation into the dumping of toxic waste onto farmland and its relabeling as fertilizer in Quincy was the subject of the 2001 book Fateful Harvest .

Technology

Technology companies such as Microsoft, Yahoo!, Dell and Intuit have located large data centers within the Quincy area since 2007. ^[15] Microsoft's Columbia Data Center, built starting in 2006 and expanded several times, is said to be the world's largest data center. ^[16] The centers, attracted to the area because of its abundant and cheap hydroelectricity, have been criticized for dodging fines from the Grant County Public Utility District for overusing electricity and for creating air pollution through their diesel backup generators. ^[17]

The data centers are incentivized by tax credits offered by the state of Washington to stimulate economic development in the city. Two additional electrical substations are being built to handle expected demand from current and future companies. ^[18]

Tourism

Although George is the closest town to the Gorge Amphitheatre, Quincy is the closest town that offers services such as motels and a full grocery store. Quincy sees an uptick in population during concerts.

The semi-arid climate allows Quincy to go for weeks or months without rain during the summer. This makes nearby water recreation such as Crescent Bar a major draw. Quincy is the closest town with services to Crescent Bar. The Quincy area offers boating, water skiing, hunting, fishing, and snow skiing during parts of the year.

Culture

Every 2nd Saturday in September, Quincy celebrates Farmer-Consumer Awareness Day. For a month beforehand, the roads leading to town are decorated with signs showing local crops and products made with them. On the day of the celebration, floats created by local schools and farm equipment parade through town. Free agricultural and geology tours are offered, as well as a produce sale, tractor pull, Farm-to-Market fun run, and many other activities.

Parks and recreation

Quincy has several parks including an aqua park with a waterslide with 2 water fed half tubes, heated pools, and special areas for kids. The park is also home to a large field with a baseball diamond, playground, picnic area, and small skate-park.

Notable people

• Colleen Atwood, costume designer

Notes

1. "Welcome to the City of Quincy, "Opportunities Unlimited"!" . Retrieved May 14, 2014.
2. "City Council". City of Quincy. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
3. Thornton, Emily (November 24, 2021). "Votes certified in general election". Columbia Basin Herald . Retrieved August 17, 2023.
4. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
5. "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved March 18, 2022.
6. "City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2021". United States Census Bureau. June 22, 2022. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
7. "Quincy". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
8. "Profile for Quincy, Washington". ePodunk . Retrieved May 28, 2010.
9. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
10. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 12, 2012. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
11. "QUINCY 1 S, WASHINGTON (456880)". Western Regional Climate Center. Retrieved November 18, 2015.
12. "Quincy, WA Monthly Weather Forecast". Weather.com. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
13. United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing" . Retrieved October 2, 2013.
14. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved December 19, 2012.
15. Stewart, Ashley (November 11, 2015). "This tiny town in Central Washington is home to some of the biggest tech companies. Here's why". Puget Sound Business Journal . Retrieved November 11, 2015.
16. Microsoft expanding data center at the Port of Quincy, Port of Quincy, August 25, 2015
17. Glanz, James (September 23, 2012). "Data Barns in a Farm Town, Gobbling Power and Flexing Muscle". The New York Times . Retrieved November 11, 2015.
18. Stewart, Ashley (June 15, 2016). "Microsoft's LinkedIn acquisition could have big benefits for a tiny Washington town". Puget Sound Business Journal. Retrieved June 16, 2016.

Further reading

• Burrows, Peter (June 12, 2006). "Servers As High As An Elephant's Eye". Bloomberg Businessweek . Archived from the original on June 13, 2006. Retrieved January 4, 2013.
• Harden, Blaine (July 9, 2006). "Tech Firms Go Mining for Megawatts". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 4, 2013.

External links

• Official website
• Quincy, Washington at Curlie