Douglas County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2010 census, its population was 38,431. The county seat is Waterville, while its largest settlement is East Wenatchee Bench, although East Wenatchee is the commercial center. The county was created out of Lincoln County on November 28, 1883 and is named for American statesman Stephen A. Douglas.
Douglas County is part of the Wenatchee, WA Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,849 square miles (4,790Â km2), of which 1,819 square miles (4,710Â km2) is land and 29 square miles (75Â km2) (1.6%) is water.
Geographic features
- Columbia River
Major highways
- U.S. Route 2
- U.S. Route 97
Adjacent counties
- Okanogan County â€" north
- Grant County â€" south
- Kittitas County â€" southwest
- Chelan County â€" west
Demographics
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 32,603 people, 11,726 households, and 8,876 families residing in the county. The population density was 18 people per square mile (7/km²). There were 12,944 housing units at an average density of 7 per square mile (3/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 84.65% White, 0.31% Black or African American, 1.09% Native American, 0.55% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 10.83% from other races, and 2.48% from two or more races. 19.73% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 18.0% were of German, 10.0% English, 9.3% United States or American and 7.8% Irish ancestry. 81.5% spoke English, and 17.7% Spanish as their first language.
There were 11,726 households out of which 38.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.60% were married couples living together, 9.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.30% were non-families. 20.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.16.
In the county, the population was spread out with 29.50% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 27.30% from 25 to 44, 22.40% from 45 to 64, and 12.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 98.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $38,464, and the median income for a family was $43,777. Males had a median income of $35,917 versus $24,794 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,148. About 11.20% of families and 14.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.00% of those under age 18 and 6.90% of those age 65 or over.
2010 census
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 38,431Â people, 13,894Â households, and 10,240Â families residing in the county. The population density was 21.1 inhabitants per square mile (8.1/km2). There were 16,004 housing units at an average density of 8.8 per square mile (3.4/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 79.6% white, 1.1% American Indian, 0.7% Asian, 0.3% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 15.6% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 28.7% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 20.2% were German, 11.2% were English, 9.4% were Irish, 6.0% were Norwegian, and 5.0% were American.
Of the 13,894Â households, 37.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.8% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 26.3% were non-families, and 20.8% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.18. The median age was 36.8 years.
The median income for a household in the county was $48,708 and the median income for a family was $55,766. Males had a median income of $39,991 versus $31,706 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,359. About 10.2% of families and 14.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.0% of those under age 18 and 3.7% of those age 65 or over.
Communities
Cities
- Bridgeport
- East Wenatchee
- Rock Island
Towns
- Coulee Dam (partial)
- Mansfield
- Waterville (county seat)
Unincorporated communities
- Farmer
- Leahy
- Mold
- Orondo
- Palisades
- Withrow
Politics
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Douglas County, Washington
- Mansfield Branch (Great Northern Railway)
References
Further reading
- An illustrated history of the Big Bend country : embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams, and Franklin counties, state of Washington. Western Historical Pub. Co. 1904. Available online through the Washington State Library's Classics in Washington History collection
External links
- Douglas County web site
- Douglas County photos
