Yakima County, Washington

Yakima County
County
Yakima County Courthouse
Location within the U.S. state of Washington
Washington's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 46°28′N120°44′W / 46.467°N 120.733°W / 46.467; -120.733
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.yakimacounty.us

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]

History

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.

Geography

Orchards near Selah

Mount Adams, highest point in Yakima County

Southeastern Yakima County's vast farmlands

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.

Geographic features

Mountain Goats near the glaciers of Goat Rocks Wilderness

• Mount Adams, 12,281 feet (3,743 m)
• Gilbert Peak, 8,184 feet (2,494 m)
• Mount Aix, 7,766 feet (2,367 m)
• Tieton Peak, 7,768 feet (2,368 m)
• Cascade Mountains
• Rattlesnake Hills
• Horse Heaven Hills

Major rivers

• Yakima River
• Columbia River
• Naches River
• Tieton River
• Bumping River
• American River

National protected areas

• Wenatchee National Forest (part)
• Gifford Pinchot National Forest (part)
• Snoqualmie National Forest (part)
• Goat Rocks Wilderness
• Mount Adams Wilderness (part)
• Norse Peak Wilderness (part)
• William O. Douglas Wilderness
• Toppenish National Wildlife Refuge

Major roads

• Interstate 82
• U.S. Route 12
• U.S. Route 97

Adjacent counties

• Pierce County - northwest
• Lewis County - west
• Skamania County - southwest
• Kittitas County - north
• Klickitat County - south
• Grant County - northeast
• Benton County - east

Demographics

Historical population

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]

2010 census

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]

2000 census

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.

Economy

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.

Wine regions

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]

Pests

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]

Communities

Cities

• Grandview
• Granger
• Mabton
• Moxee
• Selah
• Sunnyside
• Tieton
• Toppenish
• Union Gap
• Wapato
• Yakima (county seat)
• Zillah

Towns

• Harrah
• Naches

Census-designated places

• Ahtanum
• Buena
• Cowiche
• Donald
• Eschbach
• Gleed
• Outlook
• Parker
• Satus
• Summitview
• Tampico
• Terrace Heights
• West Valley
• White Swan

Unincorporated communities

• Brownstown
• Buena
• Byron
• Cliffdell
• East Selah
• Fruitvale
• Goose Prairie
• Gromore
• Nile
• Pomona
• Wiley City

Politics

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 statewide candidate to carry Yakima County for the Democrats was popular Senator "Scoop" Jackson in 1982. ^[23]

United States presidential election results for Yakima County, Washington ^[24]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
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%

See also

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

References

1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. "P2: HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE". 2020 Census. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
4. "Milestones for Washington State History — Part 2: 1851 to 1900". HistoryLink.org. March 6, 2003.
5. Smith, Charles W. (July 1909). "The Naming of Counties in the State of Washington". The Magazine of History With Notes and Queries. X (1). New York: William Abbatt: 80–83, 85. Retrieved October 23, 2024– via HathiTrust.
6. HistoryLink.org: Yakima County – Thumbnail History
7. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved July 16, 2015.
8. List of U.S. states and territories by area
9. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
10. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
11. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
12. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
13. "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 8, 2014.
14. "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.
15. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
16. "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.
17. "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.
18. "National Agricultural Statistics Service - 2017 Census of Agriculture - Volume 1, Chapter 1: State Level Data". USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service . 2017. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
19. A. Domine (ed) Wine pp. 798-800 Ullmann Publishing 2008 ISBN   978-3-8331-4611-4
20. J. Robinson (ed) "The Oxford Companion to Wine" Third Ed. pp. 761-762 Oxford University Press 2006 ISBN   0-19-860990-6
21. Capinera, John (2020). Handbook of Vegetable Pests (2 ed.). London, UK; San Diego, Ca, US: Academic Press. pp. xv+799. ISBN   978-0-12-814488-6. OCLC   1152284558. ISBN   9780128144893.
22. David Leip. "Gubernatorial General Election Map Comparison - Washington". Dave Leip's U.S. Election Atlas.
23. David Leip. "Senatorial General Election Map Comparison – Washington". Dave Leip's U.S. Election Atlas.
24. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 10, 2018.

Further reading

• William Denison Lyman, History of the Yakima Valley, Washington: Comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties. In Two Volumes. Chicago: S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919. Volume 1 and Volume 2.

External links

• Yakima County, official county site
• Yakima Valley Visitors Bureau
• Washington Wine Commission