Wahkiakum County, Washington

2025-10-13T19:02:55Z

24.17.42.232: /* History */

{{Short description|County in Washington, United States}}
{{for|the ship|USS Wahkiakum County}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
| county = Wahkiakum County
| state = Washington
| seal =
| flag =
| founded year = 1854
| founded date = April 24
| seat wl = Cathlamet
| largest city wl = Puget Island
| city type = town
| area_total_sq_mi = 287
| area_land_sq_mi = 263
| area_water_sq_mi = 24
| area percentage = 8.3%
| population_as_of = 2020
| population_total = 4422
| pop_est_as_of = 2024
| population_est = 4800 {{increase}}
| density_sq_mi = auto
| time zone = Pacific
| web = www.co.wahkiakum.wa.us
| district = 3rd
| ex image = Cathlamet, WA - Wahkiakum County Courthouse 01.jpg
| ex image cap = Wahkiakum County Courthouse in [[Cathlamet, Washington|Cathlamet]]
| named for = Chief Wahkiakum
}}

'''Wahkiakum County''' ({{IPAc-en|w|ə|ˈ|k|aɪ|.|ə|k|ʌ|m}} {{respell|wə|KY|ə|kum}}) is a [[County (United States)|county]] located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Washington (state)|Washington]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 4,422,<ref name="QF">{{Cite web |title=State & County QuickFacts |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/wahkiakumcountywashington/PST045223 |access-date=November 9, 2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> making it one of the least populous counties in Washington. The [[county seat]] and only incorporated town is [[Cathlamet, Washington|Cathlamet]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Find a County |url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> The county was formed out of [[Cowlitz County, Washington|Cowlitz County]] in April 1854<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 6, 2003 |title=Milestones for Washington State History — Part 2: 1851 to 1900 |url=http://www.historylink.org/essays/output.cfm?file_id=5380 |publisher=[[HistoryLink.org]]}}</ref> and is named for Chief Wahkiakum ("Tall Timber") of the [[Chinookan|Chinook]], who is buried in the Pioneer Cemetery in Cathlamet.<ref name="HWC">[https://www.co.wahkiakum.wa.us/389/Wahkiakum-County ''History of Wahkiakum County'']</ref>

The county operates the [[Wahkiakum County Ferry]], which connects Cathlamet to [[Westport, Oregon]], across the [[Columbia River]].

==History==
The region that became Wahkiakum County was home to the Wahkiakums, one of the [[Chinookan peoples]].<ref name=martin>{{cite book| title=Beaches of Heaven: A History of Wahkiakum County | last=Martin | first=Irene | publisher=Washington State University Press | year=1997 | isbn=0-87422-156-0}}</ref>{{rp|1}} Archaeological investigation at [[Skamokawa]] indicated that the site, where the inhabitants engaged in fishing, hunting, wood-working, and tool manufacture, was approximately 2,300 years old.{{r|martin|p=15}}

Merchant sea captain [[Robert Gray (sea captain)|Robert Gray]], on his [[Robert Gray's Columbia River expedition|Columbia River expedition]] in 1792, was the first European American known to arrive in the area. During salmon season in the early 1800s, the [[Hudson's Bay Company]]{{'}}s post at [[Fort Astoria|Fort George]] operated a salting station in the region. In 1844, the first trading post was established in the area, near Skamokawa.{{r|martin|p=3}} It was succeeded by Birnie's Retreat, a trading post established in 1846 by [[James Birnie]], who had previously worked for the Hudson's Bay Company. The influence of his wife, Charlotte Beaulieu Birnie, whose parents were a French [[voyageur]] and a [[Kutenai|Kootenay]] tribe member, helped protect [[Cathlamet, Washington|Cathlamet]] during the [[Puget Sound War]].{{r|martin|pp=26-30}}

Wahkiakum County, with Cathlamet as the county seat, was created by the First Legislative Assembly of the Territory of Washington in 1854.{{r|martin|p=126}}

Early settlers came from Great Britain and the eastern United States until around 1870, when they were followed by a large number of immigrants from Sweden, Norway, Finland, and [[Dalmatia]]. From 1870 to the early 1900s, there was a large population of Chinese residents who worked in the fish canneries.{{r|martin|pp=34-36}} The total population in 1912 was 5,283.{{r|martin|p=59}} Lacking roads, travel between early communities was by foot or by boat.{{r|martin|p=98}} Numerous areas of population disappeared in the years after roads began to replace water transportation.{{r|martin|p=92}}

Settlers engaged in fishing, logging, farming, and trading. Salmon canning began in 1866, quickly followed by the establishment of multiple canneries. In 1872, Chinese laborers were brought in to work in the canneries. Salmon canning over the years was impacted by overfishing and habitat degradation, with declines observed by 1889. The last salmon pack in Wahkiakum County took place in 1947.{{r|martin|pp=75-82}}

As a densely wooded region, Wahkiakum County was an abundant source for logging companies. Logs were easily transported by water, although that transport relied on seasonal changes in [[freshet|freshets]]. When timber nearest the water had been felled, loggers had to rely on oxen, and then on railroads. The first logging train began operating in 1892, established by [[Simon Benson]].{{r|martin|pp=42-44}}

Many trees were also felled by immigrants to clear land for farming. By 1912, there were approximately 140 farms in the region, primarily dairy farms. The first cooperative creamery on the west coast was organized in 1898 in Skamokawa.{{r|martin|p=59}} The first chapter in Wahkiakum County of the [[National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry]] was organized in 1901.{{r|martin|p=67}}

The earliest periodicals in the area included the ''Cathlamet Gazette'' (1889), the ''Skamokawa Eagle'' (1891) which continues to be the county's official newspaper, and ''the Timberman'' (1899).{{r|martin|pp=6-7}}

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|287|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|263|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|24|sqmi}} (8.3%) is water.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 22, 2012 |title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files |url=http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_53.txt |access-date=July 16, 2015 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> It is the smallest county of Washington by total area and the third-smallest by land area, after [[San Juan County, Washington|San Juan County]] and [[Island County, Washington|Island County]], which are mostly water by area.

===Geographic features===
*[[Columbia River]]
*[[Elochoman River]]
*[[Grays River (Washington)|Grays River]]
*[[Puget Island]]

===State highways===
*[[File:WA-4.svg|20px]] [[Washington State Route 4|State Route 4]]
*[[File:WA-409.svg|20px]] [[Washington State Route 409|State Route 409]]

===Adjacent counties===
*[[Pacific County, Washington|Pacific County]] – northwest
*[[Lewis County, Washington|Lewis County]] – north/northeast
*[[Cowlitz County, Washington|Cowlitz County]] – east/southeast
*[[Columbia County, Oregon]] – south/southeast
*[[Clatsop County, Oregon]] – south/southwest

===National protected area===
*[[Julia Butler Hansen National Wildlife Refuge]] (part)

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1860= 42
|1870= 270
|1880= 1598
|1890= 2526
|1900= 2819
|1910= 3285
|1920= 3472
|1930= 3862
|1940= 4286
|1950= 3835
|1960= 3426
|1970= 3592
|1980= 3832
|1990= 3327
|2000= 3824
|2010= 3978
|2020= 4422
|estyear=2024
|estimate=4800
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2024">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html|title=County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 17, 2025}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. Decennial Census |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |access-date=January 8, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref><br/>1790–1960<ref>{{Cite web |title=Historical Census Browser |url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu |access-date=January 8, 2014 |publisher=University of Virginia Library}}</ref> 1900–1990<ref>{{Cite web |title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/wa190090.txt |access-date=January 8, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref><br/>1990–2000<ref>{{Cite web |title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226035610/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=February 26, 2015 |access-date=January 8, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 2010–2020<ref name="QF" />
}}

Wahkiakum County has one of the lowest population of any county in Washington state. Its population of 4,422 is 0.2% the size of the population of Washington's largest county, King.

The county has the second highest [[divorce]] rate of any Washington county, behind [[Lincoln County, Washington|Lincoln County]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=St. John |first=Natalie |date=March 7, 2017 |title=Cathlamet is place to go for mail-order divorces |url=https://www.chinookobserver.com/news/local/cathlamet-is-place-to-go-for-mail-order-divorces/article_af1e3414-7ec6-5124-b352-9f0bbf0803a6.html |access-date=September 29, 2019 |work=[[Chinook Observer]]}}</ref>

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], there were 3,978 people, 1,737 households, and 1,187 families living in the county.<ref name="census-dp1">{{Cite web |title=Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US53069 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213033252/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US53069 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=March 6, 2016 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> The population density was {{convert|15.1|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people |people|}}. There were 2,067 housing units at an average density of {{convert|7.8|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units |units|}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US53069 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213185844/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US53069 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=March 6, 2016 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> The racial makeup of the county was 94.0% white, 1.3% American Indian, 0.6% Asian, 0.3% black or African American, 0.2% Pacific islander, 0.7% from other races, and 3.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.7% of the population.<ref name="census-dp1" /> In terms of ancestry, 19.8% were [[Norwegians|Norwegian]], 19.3% were [[Germans|German]], 13.3% were [[English people|English]], 9.6% were [[Americans|American]], 8.5% were [[Swedes|Swedish]], and 6.8% were [[Irish people|Irish]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Selected Social Characteristics in the United States – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US53069 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213012718/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US53069 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=March 6, 2016 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref>

Of the 1,737 households, 21.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.2% were married couples living together, 6.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 31.7% were non-families, and 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.69. The median age was 52.3 years.<ref name="census-dp1" />

The median income for a household in the county was $40,372 and the median income for a family was $47,266. Males had a median income of $44,779 versus $36,111 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,115. About 7.1% of families and 12.2% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 14.5% of those under age 18 and 10.7% of those age 65 or over.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US53069 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213015543/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US53069 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=March 6, 2016 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref>

===2000 census===
As of the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]], there were 3,824 people, 1,553 households, and 1,108 families living in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|14|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people |people}}. There were 1,792 housing units at an average density of {{convert|7|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units |units|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 93.46% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 0.26% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 1.57% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.47% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.08% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.65% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 2.51% from two or more races. 2.56% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race. 18.7% were of [[German American|German]], 13.1% [[Norwegian American|Norwegian]], 10.6% [[United States]] or American, 9.1% [[English American|English]], 7.7% [[Irish American|Irish]], 6.5% [[Swedish American|Swedish]], and 5.9% [[Finnish American|Finnish]] ancestry. 96.7% spoke [[English Language|English]] and 2.5% [[Spanish language|Spanish]] as a first language.

There were 1,553 households, out of which 26.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.40% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 6.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.60% were non-families. 24.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.83.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.40% under the age of 18, 5.30% from 18 to 24, 22.20% from 25 to 44, 30.60% from 45 to 64, and 18.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 100.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $39,444, and the [[median]] income for a family was $47,604. Males had a median income of $37,123 versus $27,938 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $19,063. About 5.90% of families and 8.10% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 11.00% of those under age 18 and 2.70% of those age 65 or over.

==Politics==
{{PresHead|place=Wahkiakum County, Washington|whig=no|source1=<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leip |first=David |title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections |url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS |access-date=April 10, 2018 |website=uselectionatlas.org}}</ref>}}

{{PresRow|1892|Republican|239|225|53|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1896|Democratic|290|396|3|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1900|Republican|396|207|38|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|473|101|75|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|485|150|50|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1912|Progressive|282|185|417|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1916|Republican|490|340|111|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|494|164|199|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|496|89|235|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|578|382|15|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|442|730|192|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|419|1,098|66|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|642|1,164|19|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|532|1,003|10|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|622|877|98|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1952|Democratic|815|928|17|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1956|Democratic|808|953|6|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|796|923|3|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|446|1,175|3|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|1968|Democratic|641|899|135|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|818|796|112|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|704|942|64|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|828|751|199|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|1984|Democratic|776|930|33|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|1988|Democratic|629|961|36|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|488|696|612|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|619|924|293|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|1,033|803|137|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|1,171|1,021|43|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|1,105|1,121|80|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|1,119|1,094|100|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|1,344|832|253|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|1,741|1,165|75|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|1,757|1,204|101|Washington (state)}}
{{PresFoot}}

In the 2016 Presidential election, [[Donald Trump]] won the county over [[Hillary Clinton]] by a decisive margin – 55.3% to 34.3%.<ref>[http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/statesub.php?year=2016&fips=53069&f=0&off=0&elect=0 US Elections Atlas]</ref> It is generally a swing county in presidential elections. From 1932 to 1996, it voted Democratic all but twice, but since 2000 it has voted Republican all but once.

==Communities==

===Town===
*[[Cathlamet, Washington|Cathlamet]] (county seat)

===Census-designated places===
{{div col}}
*[[Altoona, Washington|Altoona]]
*[[Deep River, Washington|Deep River]]
*[[East Cathlamet, Washington|East Cathlamet]]
*[[Grays River, Washington|Grays River]]
*[[Lower Elochoman, Washington|Lower Elochoman]]
*[[Puget Island, Washington|Puget Island]]
*[[Rosburg, Washington|Rosburg]]
*[[Skamokawa Valley, Washington|Skamokawa Valley]]
*[[Upper Elochoman, Washington|Upper Elochoman]]
{{div col end}}

===Unincorporated communities===
*[[Brookfield, Washington|Brookfield]]
*[[Eagle Cliff, Washington|Eagle Cliff]]
*[[Flandersville, Washington|Flandersville]]
*[[Skamokawa, Washington|Skamokawa]]
*[[Waterford, Washington|Waterford]]

==Notable residents==
*[[Krist Novoselic]], former bass player of the Seattle grunge band Nirvana
*[[Robert Michael Pyle]], lepidopterist and author
*[[Hadley Caliman]], jazz musician

==See also==
*[[National Register of Historic Places listings in Washington#Wahkiakum County|National Register of Historic Places listings in Wahkiakum County, Washington]]
{{clear}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.co.wahkiakum.wa.us/ Wahkiakum County, official county site]
*{{Commons category-inline|Wahkiakum County, Washington}}

{{Geographic Location
|Centre = Wahkiakum County, Washington
|North =
|Northeast = [[Lewis County, Washington|Lewis County]]
|East = [[Cowlitz County, Washington|Cowlitz County]]
|Southeast = [[Columbia County, Oregon]]
|South =
|Southwest = [[Clatsop County, Oregon]]
|West =
|Northwest = [[Pacific County, Washington|Pacific County]]
}}

{{Wahkiakum County, Washington}}
{{Washington}}
{{Authority control}}

{{Coord|46.29|-123.43|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-WA_source:UScensus1990}}

[[Category:Wahkiakum County, Washington| ]]
[[Category:1854 establishments in Washington Territory]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1854]]
[[Category:Western Washington]]
[[Category:Washington (state) placenames of Native American origin]]

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Wahkiakum County, Washington