Yakima County | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 46°28′N120°44′W / 46.467°N 120.733°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Washington |
Founded | January 21, 1865 |
Named for | Yakama Nation |
Seat | Yakima |
Largest city | Yakima |
Area | |
• Total | 4,311 sq mi (11,170 km2) |
• Land | 4,295 sq mi (11,120 km2) |
• Water | 16 sq mi (40 km2) 0.4% |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 256,728 |
• Estimate (2023) | 256,643 |
• Density | 58/sq mi (22/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−8 (Pacific) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−7 (PDT) |
Congressional district | 4th |
Website | www |
Yakima County is a county in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, its population was 256,728. [1] The county seat and most populous city is Yakima. [2] The county was formed out of Ferguson County in January 1865 and is named for the Yakama tribe of Native Americans.
Yakima County comprises the Yakima, WA Metropolitan Statistical Area and is Washington state's most populous majority-Hispanic county as of 2020. [3]
The area that now comprises Yakima County was part of the Oregon Country at the start of the nineteenth century, inhabited both by fur prospectors from Canada, and Americans seeking land for agricultural and mineral-extraction opportunities. Unable to resolve which country should control this vast area, the Treaty of 1818 provided for joint control. By 1843, the Provisional Government of Oregon had been established, although at first there were questions as to its authority and extent. During its existence, that provisional government formed the area north of the Columbia River first into the Washington Territory, and then (December 19, 1845) into two vast counties: Clark and Lewis.
The Washington Territory was formed as a separate governing entity in 1853. In 1854, that legislature carved several counties out of the two original large counties, including Skamania County. Later in 1854 the new Skamania County was reduced in size by carving out Walla Walla County. This arrangement lasted until January 23, 1863, when Ferguson County was carved out of Walla Walla County. [4] However, the Ferguson County government and boundary was dissolved on January 18, 1865, and its area was assigned to Yakima County three days later. [5]
Since its creation, the Yakima County boundary has been altered two times. In 1883 a portion of its area was carved off in the creation of Kittitas County, and in 1905 a further reduction added to the creation of Benton County. [5]
The Yakama Indian Reservation was created in 1855. However, several tribes felt the agreement creating this reserved area had been completed without sufficient native input, and skirmishes and local war (the Yakima War, which lasted until 1858) meant that the reservation was not fully operational for two decades. The Reservation is the 15th largest reservation in America, covering 1,573 sq mi (4,070 km2), [6] and comprising 36% of the county's total area. Its population was 31,799 in 2000, and its largest city is Toppenish.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 4,311 square miles (11,170 km2), of which 4,295 square miles (11,120 km2) is land and 16 square miles (41 km2) (0.4%) is water. [7] Yakima County is the second-largest county in Washington by land area and third-largest by total area. Yakima County is reputed to be one of the most difficult places on earth to predict weather, because of its surrounding mountains. The county's area is larger than the states of Delaware and Rhode Island combined. [8] The highest point in the county is Mount Adams, which is the second tallest peak in Washington and the third tallest in the Cascade Range.
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1870 | 432 | — | |
1880 | 2,811 | 550.7% | |
1890 | 4,429 | 57.6% | |
1900 | 13,462 | 204.0% | |
1910 | 41,709 | 209.8% | |
1920 | 63,710 | 52.7% | |
1930 | 77,402 | 21.5% | |
1940 | 99,019 | 27.9% | |
1950 | 135,723 | 37.1% | |
1960 | 145,112 | 6.9% | |
1970 | 144,971 | −0.1% | |
1980 | 172,508 | 19.0% | |
1990 | 188,823 | 9.5% | |
2000 | 222,581 | 17.9% | |
2010 | 243,231 | 9.3% | |
2020 | 256,728 | 5.5% | |
2023 (est.) | 256,643 | [9] | 0.0% |
U.S. Decennial Census [10] 1790–1960 [11] 1900–1990 [12] 1990–2000 [13] 2010–2020 [1] |
As of the 2010 census, there were 243,231 people, 80,592 households, and 58,790 families living in the county. [14] The population density was 56.6 people per square mile (21.9 people/km2). There were 85,474 housing units at an average density of 19.9 units per square mile (7.7 units/km2). [15] The racial makeup of the county was 63.7% White, 4.3% American Indian, 1.1% Asian, 1.0% Black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 26.1% from other races, and 3.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 45.0% of the population. [14] In terms of ethnicity, 15.8% reported German, 8.0% English, 7.3% Irish, and 3.6% American ancestry. [16]
Of the 80,592 households, 42.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.4% were married couples living together, 14.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 27.1% were non-families, and 21.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.97 and the average family size was 3.46. The median age was 32.2 years. [14]
The median income for a household in the county was $42,877 and the median income for a family was $48,004. Males had a median income of $37,029 versus $29,824 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,325. About 16.8% of families and 21.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.9% of those under age 18 and 11.9% of those age 65 or over. [17]
As of the 2000 census, there were 222,581 people, 73,993 households, and 54,606 families living in the county. The population density was 52 people per square mile (20 people/km2). There were 79,174 housing units at an average density of 18 units per square mile (6.9 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 65.60% White, 0.97% Black or African American, 4.48% Native American, 0.95% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 24.43% from other races, and 3.48% from two or more races. 35.90% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 13.2% were of German, 6.4% United States or American, 5.9% English and 5.4% Irish ancestry.
There were 73,993 households, out of which 39.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.8% were married couples living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.2% were non-families. 21.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.96 and the average family size was 3.44.
In the county, 31.8% of the population was under the age of 18, 9.8% was from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 19.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.2% was 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 99.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.1 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $34,828, and the median income for a family was $39,746. Males had a median income of $31,620 versus $24,541 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,606. About 14.8% of families and 19.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.2% of those under age 18 and 11.3% of those age 65 or over.
At the last census, the county harvested 1,027 acres (416 ha) of potato (Solanum tuberosum). [18] : 395
The northeastern corner of the county is part of the U.S. Army's Yakima Training Center.
Washington ranks second in the United States in the production of wine, behind only California. [19] The Yakima Valley AVA was established in 1983 in the state's oldest agricultural region. It is Washington's third largest officially designated American Viticultural Area (AVA), and is responsible for more than 40% of the state's wine production.
Located within the larger Columbia Valley AVA, the Yakima Valley AVA is sub-divided into the three smaller wine regions, each with distinctive growing conditions. They are Red Mountain AVA, Snipes Mountain AVA, and Rattlesnake Hills AVA. [20] Of the viticultural region's 665,000 acres (269,000 ha), nearly 11,120 acres (4,500 ha) were planted in 2008. [19]
Common agricultural pests here include the Green Peach Aphid ( Myzus persicae ), the Spotted Cutworm ( Xestia c-nigrum ), and the Beet Leafhopper ( Circulifer tenellus ) in potato. [21]
Yakima County leans Republican in statewide elections. On only four occasions has it backed a Democrat for President – it has voted for the same candidate as the state of South Dakota in every election since they first voted for President – and the last Democratic gubernatorial candidate it backed was Albert D. Rosellini in 1956. [22]
Only Adams County and Columbia County, which last backed a Democrat for governor in 1936 when Clarence D. Martin swept every county in the state, have consistently backed Republicans for governor for longer. [22] Although Yakima County did narrowly support Maria Cantwell in 2012, the previous U.S. senate candidate to carry Yakima County for the Democrats was popular Senator "Scoop" Jackson in 1982. [23]
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2024 | 49,350 | 55.63% | 36,689 | 41.36% | 2,675 | 3.02% |
2020 | 50,555 | 52.56% | 43,179 | 44.89% | 2,459 | 2.56% |
2016 | 41,735 | 52.34% | 31,291 | 39.24% | 6,715 | 8.42% |
2012 | 42,239 | 54.50% | 33,217 | 42.86% | 2,050 | 2.64% |
2008 | 41,946 | 54.10% | 33,792 | 43.58% | 1,796 | 2.32% |
2004 | 43,352 | 59.56% | 28,474 | 39.12% | 964 | 1.32% |
2000 | 39,494 | 58.61% | 25,546 | 37.91% | 2,342 | 3.48% |
1996 | 27,668 | 46.61% | 25,676 | 43.25% | 6,016 | 10.13% |
1992 | 25,841 | 44.58% | 21,026 | 36.27% | 11,102 | 19.15% |
1988 | 30,026 | 55.70% | 23,221 | 43.07% | 663 | 1.23% |
1984 | 40,678 | 61.46% | 24,724 | 37.36% | 780 | 1.18% |
1980 | 33,815 | 55.21% | 21,873 | 35.71% | 5,565 | 9.09% |
1976 | 29,478 | 53.12% | 24,223 | 43.65% | 1,791 | 3.23% |
1972 | 32,240 | 58.93% | 19,729 | 36.06% | 2,736 | 5.00% |
1968 | 27,488 | 53.69% | 19,499 | 38.09% | 4,211 | 8.22% |
1964 | 22,786 | 43.21% | 29,604 | 56.14% | 340 | 0.64% |
1960 | 31,683 | 58.68% | 21,958 | 40.67% | 354 | 0.66% |
1956 | 31,984 | 60.21% | 20,991 | 39.51% | 149 | 0.28% |
1952 | 32,317 | 64.06% | 17,647 | 34.98% | 483 | 0.96% |
1948 | 21,396 | 51.00% | 19,760 | 47.10% | 801 | 1.91% |
1944 | 20,864 | 56.76% | 15,643 | 42.56% | 249 | 0.68% |
1940 | 20,398 | 52.63% | 18,092 | 46.68% | 270 | 0.70% |
1936 | 12,555 | 39.66% | 17,200 | 54.33% | 1,902 | 6.01% |
1932 | 11,151 | 41.54% | 13,880 | 51.70% | 1,815 | 6.76% |
1928 | 16,694 | 73.07% | 6,008 | 26.30% | 146 | 0.64% |
1924 | 12,124 | 63.72% | 2,157 | 11.34% | 4,747 | 24.95% |
1920 | 11,571 | 59.39% | 4,062 | 20.85% | 3,851 | 19.76% |
1916 | 7,188 | 49.10% | 6,136 | 41.91% | 1,316 | 8.99% |
1912 | 3,304 | 25.21% | 3,209 | 24.49% | 6,592 | 50.30% |
1908 | 3,998 | 63.86% | 1,650 | 26.35% | 613 | 9.79% |
1904 | 3,484 | 70.36% | 929 | 18.76% | 539 | 10.88% |
1900 | 1,507 | 55.90% | 1,066 | 39.54% | 123 | 4.56% |
1896 | 948 | 42.57% | 1,266 | 56.85% | 13 | 0.58% |
1892 | 625 | 41.47% | 498 | 33.05% | 384 | 25.48% |
Benton County is a county in the south-central portion of the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, its population was 206,873. The county seat is Prosser, and its most populous city is Kennewick. The Columbia River demarcates the county's north, south, and east boundaries.
Whitman County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, the population was 47,973. The county seat is Colfax, and its largest city is Pullman.
Walla Walla County is a county located in the southeast of the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, its population was 62,584. The county seat and largest city is Walla Walla. The county was formed on April 25, 1854 and is named after the Walla Walla tribe of Native Americans.
Skamania County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, the population was 12,036. The county seat and largest incorporated city is Stevenson, although the Carson River Valley CDP is more populous. Skamania County is included in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Klickitat County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, the population was 22,735. The county seat and largest city is Goldendale. The county is named after the Klickitat tribe.
Kittitas County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. At the 2020 census, its population was 44,337. Its county seat and largest city is Ellensburg. The county was created in November 1883 when it was carved out of Yakima County. Kittitas County comprises the Ellensburg, Washington, Micropolitan Statistical Area.
Grant County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, the population was 99,123. The county seat is Ephrata, and the largest city is Moses Lake. The county was formed out of Douglas County in February 1909 and is named for U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant.
Garfield County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, the population was 2,286, making it the least populous county in Washington; with about 3.2 inhabitants per square mile (1.2/km2), it is also the least densely populated county in Washington. The county seat and only city is Pomeroy.
Franklin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, its population was 96,749. The county seat and most populous city is Pasco. The county was formed out of Whitman County on November 28, 1883, and is named for Benjamin Franklin.
Columbia County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, the population was 3,952, 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, and is named after the Columbia River. Columbia County is included in the Walla Walla, WA Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Chelan County is a county in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, its population was 79,074. The county seat and largest city is Wenatchee. The county was created out of Okanogan and Kittitas Counties on March 13, 1899. It derives its name from a Chelan Indian word meaning "deep water," likely a reference to 55-mile (89 km)-long Lake Chelan, which reaches a maximum depth of 1,486 feet (453 m).
Asotin County is a county in the far southeastern corner of the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, the population was 22,285. The county seat is at Asotin, and its largest city is Clarkston. The county was created out of Garfield County in 1883 and derives its name from a Nez Perce word meaning "Eel Creek." Asotin County is part of the Lewiston–Clarkston metropolitan area, which includes Nez Perce County, Idaho, and Asotin County.
Prosser is a city in and the county seat of Benton County, Washington, United States. Situated along the Yakima River, it had a population of 6,062 at the 2020 census.
Easton is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Kittitas County, Washington, United States. The population was 478 at the 2010 census. Easton is the annual site of the start/finish line for the Cascade Crest 100-mile ultra-running race.
Kittitas is a city in Kittitas County, Washington, United States. The population was 1,438 at the 2020 census. It is also a part of the Ellensburg micropolitan area.
Satus is a census-designated place (CDP) in Yakima County, Washington, United States, located on the eastern corner of the Yakama Indian Reservation. The population was 746 at the 2000 census. It is southwest from the Toppenish National Wildlife Refuge. The community was not recognized in the 2010 census. The area was first settled and established as a post office location in 1890.
Tieton is a city in Yakima County, Washington, United States. The population was 1,389 at the 2020 census.
Toppenish is a city in Yakima County, Washington. As of the 2020 census, the city population was 8,854. It is located within the Yakama Indian Reservation, established in 1855.
Union Gap is a city in Yakima County, Washington, United States. The population was 6,568 at the 2020 census. Union Gap has become the retail hub for the entire Yakima Valley as a result of Valley Mall and other thriving businesses being located here. Part of the city is part of the Yakama Nation.
The Yakama are a Native American tribe with nearly 10,851 members, based primarily in eastern Washington state.