Concrete, Washington
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Concrete is a town in north-central Skagit County, Washington, United States. It is part of the Mount Vernon-Anacortes, Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area, and had a population of 801 at the 2020 census.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
History
The town of Concrete has undergone several incarnations, the earliest being a settlement at the northwestern junction of the Baker and Skagit Rivers, known as "Minnehaha." Amasa "Peg-Leg" Everett was one of the earliest settlers and in 1890, the townsite was platted by another settler, Magnus Miller. Shortly thereafter, a post office was established and the town name changed to "Baker." In 1905, a settlement across the Baker River came into being due to the building of the Washington Portland Cement Company and was named "Cement City." After the Superior Portland Cement Company plant was built in Baker in 1908, it was decided to merge the two towns. Inhabitants of the new community settled on the name "Concrete" and the town was so christened and officially incorporated on May 8, 1909.<ref>"Skagit Settlers: Trials and Triumphs, 1890–1920", Published by Skagit County Historical Society, 1975</ref>
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of Template:Convert, of which, Template:Convert is land and Template:Convert is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">Template:Cite web</ref>
The town lies mostly on the north bank of the Skagit River, and is split into half by the lower Baker River (a tributary to the Skagit River). Mount Baker, a stratovolcano, lies northwest of Concrete and Mount Shuksan lies almost directly north. Both peaks are part of the North Cascades range.
Climate
The town has a warm summer Mediterranean climate (Csb) with cool winters and warm, mostly dry summers. Precipitation mostly comes in the form of rain in Concrete but occasional snow can be seen with about 20 inches falling per year.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Demographics
2010 census
As of the 2010 census,<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">Template:Cite web</ref> there were 705 people, 295 households, and 179 families residing in the town. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 358 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the town was 91.5% White, 0.3% African American, 2.0% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 1.1% Pacific Islander, 1.6% from other races, and 3.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 5.5% of the population.
There were 295 households, of which 31.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.0% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.3% were non-families. 29.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.93.
The median age in the town was 40.4 years. 26.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.4% were from 25 to 44; 32.9% were from 45 to 64; and 12.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 51.2% male and 48.8% female.
2000 census
As of the 2000 census,<ref name="GR2" /> there were 790 people, 300 households, and 198 families residing in the town. The population density was 650.3 people per square mile (252.1/km2). There were 335 housing units at an average density of 275.8 per square mile (106.9/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 92.78% White, 2.53% Native American, 0.89% Asian, 1.14% from other races, and 2.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 2.66% of the population.
There were 300 households, out of which 37.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.3% were married couples living together, 14.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.7% were non-families. 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.19.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 34.1% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $29,375, and the median income for a family was $34,464. Males had a median income of $34,083 versus $17,083 for females. The per capita income for the town was $12,492. About 8.4% of families and 14.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.4% of those under age 18 and 8.8% of those age 65 or over.
Arts and culture
Notable buildings and landmarks include:<ref>All information on these buildings and landmarks have been referenced from the local history book, "So They Called The Town Concrete," written by Charles M. Dwelley, published by The Concrete Herald, 1980; reprint 2004, 2009. It contains reputable knowledge of Concrete.</ref>
- Henry Thompson Bridge - built in 1916–1918, it was named for a local settler killed by a logging train in 1918.<ref name="Baker River Bridge HAER No. WA-105">Template:Cite web</ref> At the time, it was either the longest single-span reinforced concrete bridge in the world<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> or in the West.<ref name="Baker River Bridge HAER No. WA-105"/> It is listed on the Washington State and National Register of historic places.<ref>[1] Template:Webarchive</ref>
- Concrete High School<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> was built in 1952. This Boy's Life was filmed there in 1993.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
- The Concrete Herald building - built in 1918, owner and editor Charles Dwelley selected it as the location of The Concrete Herald (established in 1910).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Town Hall - built in 1908 as a grade-school.Template:Citation needed
- Concrete Theatre - built in 1923, it is listed on the Washington Heritage Register.<ref>[2] Template:Webarchive</ref>
- Lower Baker Dam - completed in 1925, and two years later raised to Template:Convert, it was the highest hydroelectric dam in the world.Template:Citation needed
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Henry Thompson Bridge
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Concrete High School
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Concrete Herald Building
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Concrete Town Hall
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Lower Baker Dam
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Infrastructure
Mears Field (3W5), formerly known as Concrete Municipal Airport, is located one mile south of Concrete at an elevation of 267 ft MSL.