View source for Okanogan, Washington

{{Short description|City in Washington, United States}}
{{Other uses|Okanogan (disambiguation){{!}}Okanogan}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Okanogan
| settlement_type    = [[City]]
| official_name      = City of Okanogan
| image_skyline      = View of Okanogan WA.jpg
| image_caption      = Skyline of downtown Okanogan
| image_blank_emblem = Okanogan city logo.png
| image_map          = Okanogan County Washington Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Okanogan Highlighted.svg
| mapsize            = 250x200px
| motto              = 100 Years of Community Pride
| map_caption        = Location of Okanogan in<br />[[Okanogan County, Washington]]
| pushpin_map        = USA
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in the United States
<!-- Location -->| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = United States
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Washington (state)|Washington]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Washington|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Okanogan County|Okanogan]]
<!-- Government -->| established_title  = Established
| established_date   = 1888
| established_title1 = [[Municipal incorporation|Incorporated]]
| established_date1  = October&nbsp;29, 1907
| government_type    = [[Mayor–council government|Mayor–council]]
| leader_title       = Mayor
| leader_name        = Wayne Turner<ref>[https://www.okanogancity.com/citycouncil] Retrieved November 8, 2025</ref>
| leader_title1      = [[City council|Council]]
| leader_name1       = <!-- Area -->
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_total_sq_mi   = 2.12
| area_land_sq_mi    = 2.01
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.11
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_53.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 7, 2020}}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = 5.48
| area_land_km2      = 5.20
| area_water_km2     = 0.28
| area_urban_km2     = 12.267
<!-- Population -->| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
| population_footnotes = <ref name ="2020 Census"/>
| population_total   = 2379
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_density_sq_mi = auto
<!-- General information -->| timezone           = [[Pacific Time Zone|PST]]
| utc_offset         = -8
| timezone_DST       = [[Pacific Time Zone|PDT]]
| utc_offset_DST     = -7
| elevation_ft       = 860
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| coordinates        = {{coord|48|22|42|N|119|34|02|W|region:US-WA_type:city|display=inline,title}}
<!-- Area/postal codes and others -->| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code        = 98840
| area_code          = [[Area code 509|509]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 53-50920<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|title=U.S. Census website |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=May 14, 2011}}</ref>
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 2411309<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2411309}}</ref>
| website            = {{URL|www.okanogancity.com}}
| footnotes          = 
}}
[[Image:Okanogan, WA - street clock and post office.jpg|thumb|upright|alt=Street clock and (at right) post office. The legend on the clock says "Live better electrically." The post office is listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].]]
'''Okanogan''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|oʊ|k|ə|ˈ|n|ɒ|ɡ|ən}} {{respell|OH|kə|NOG|ən}}; derived from [[Okanagan language|Syilx'tsn]]: "rendezvous" or "meeting place") is a city in [[Okanogan County, Washington|Okanogan County]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]], United States. The population was 2,379 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]],<ref name="2020 Census">{{Cite web |date=May 2023 |title=Census Bureau profile: Okanogan, Washington |url=https://data.census.gov/all?q=Okanogan%20city,%20Washington |access-date=May 12, 2024 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> down from 2,552 at the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]], within the [[Greater Omak Area]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/dc10map/UAUC_RefMap/uc/uc65296_omak_wa/DC10UC65296.pdf|title=Urban Cluster Reference Map|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|date=April 1, 2010|access-date=May 17, 2013}}</ref> It is the [[county seat]] of [[Okanogan County, Washington|Okanogan County]].

It has a small commuter airfield, [[Okanogan Legion Airport]] – (S35) with one paved runway of {{convert|2533|ft|m|0|abbr=on}} in length.<ref>[http://www.airnav.com/airport/S35 AirNav]</ref>

==History==
[[Image:Okanogan County Courthouse 01.jpg|thumb|left|Okanogan County Courthouse, Okanogan, Washington]]
Okanogan was officially incorporated on October 29, 1907.

A pair of 115 year old {{cvt|60|ft|m|}} long murals<ref name="CNNmural">{{cite news |last1=Smart |first1=Sara |date=27 January 2022 |title=A couple renovating a 115-year-old building discovered two 60-foot-long hidden murals |url=https://www.cnn.com/style/article/couple-discover-murals-during-renovation-trnd/index.html |access-date=29 January 2022 |work=[[CNN]]}}</ref>  were discovered during renovation of a 1907 commercial building in January 2022.  The murals were initially tentatively attributed to Western photographer [[Frank S. Matsura]] as the building had been used as a theater several times and Matsura had played in the Okanogan County Band on stage there.<ref name="krem2mural">{{cite news |last1=Perez |first1=Brianda |date=25 January 2022 |title=Couple finds 60-foot secret mural hidden on walls of Okanogan building |url=https://www.krem.com/article/news/history/okanogan-couple-finds-hidden-mural/293-aa6b8b8d-4f4f-4ce9-aba1-f725a08204db |access-date=29 January 2022 |work=[[KREM (TV)|KREM2]] |publisher=}}</ref>  The mural is painted on canvases split between the north and south walls, and a 1915 newspaper clipping found by the Okanogan County Historical Society provided coverage of plans for the murals. Then the Hub Theater, the building was planned to incorporate panoramic scenery murals in tans painted by a local artist.<ref name="CNNmural"/> further investigation lead to attribution of the murals to a [[Wenatchee, Washington|Wenatchee]] painter W.J. McConnon.<ref name="krem2muralFEB">{{cite news |last=Somers |first1=Dave |last2=Perez |first2=Brianda |date=February 3, 2022 |title=Couple that found hidden historical mural in Okanogan building shares renovation plans |url=https://www.krem.com/article/news/history/couple-that-found-hidden-historical-mural-okanogan-building-shares-renovation-plans/293-593c057d-e906-44b6-9411-5cbee46ba847 |access-date=February 20, 2024 |work=[[KREM (TV)|KREM2]] |publisher=}}</ref>  The owners planned to take the murals down for restoration before rehanging them as the centerpiece of a historical exhibit.<ref name="CNNmural"/>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|2.00|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which, {{convert|1.95|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.05|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2012-12-19|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112090031/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|archive-date=January 12, 2012}}</ref>

The town is located along the [[Okanogan River]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Okanogan%2C+Washington&sourceid=Mozilla-search |website=Google Maps |title=Okanogan, Washington}}</ref>

===Climate===
Okanogan experiences a [[semi-arid climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]]: '''BSk'''). A weather station is located in nearby [[Omak, Washington|Omak]].
{{Weather box
| single line = yes
| collapsed   = yes
|width = auto
| location    = Omak Municipal Airport (1909–2013)
| Jan record high F = 60
| Feb record high F = 63
| Mar record high F = 79
| Apr record high F = 96
| May record high F = 101
| Jun record high F = 117
| Jul record high F = 114
| Aug record high F = 107
| Sep record high F = 102
| Oct record high F = 90
| Nov record high F = 77
| Dec record high F = 67
| year record high F = 117
| Jan high F = 30.2
| Feb high F = 38.3
| Mar high F = 51.9
| Apr high F = 64.1
| May high F = 73.5
| Jun high F = 80.6
| Jul high F = 88.8
| Aug high F = 87.1
| Sep high F = 77.1
| Oct high F = 62.2
| Nov high F = 43.6
| Dec high F = 33.0
| year high F = 60.9
| Jan mean F = 23.4
| Feb mean F = 29.9
| Mar mean F = 40.4
| Apr mean F = 50.1
| May mean F = 58.4
| Jun mean F = 65.4
| Jul mean F = 72.2
| Aug mean F = 70.5
| Sep mean F = 61.2
| Oct mean F = 48.8
| Nov mean F = 35.5
| Dec mean F = 26.9
| Jan low F = 16.6
| Feb low F = 21.5
| Mar low F = 29.0
| Apr low F = 36.1
| May low F = 43.3
| Jun low F = 50.2
| Jul low F = 55.6
| Aug low F = 53.9
| Sep low F = 45.3
| Oct low F = 35.5
| Nov low F = 27.5
| Dec low F = 20.8
| year low F = 36.3
| Jan record low F = -22
| Feb record low F = -26
| Mar record low F = -7
| Apr record low F = 15
| May record low F = 19
| Jun record low F = 30
| Jul record low F = 35
| Aug record low F = 31
| Sep record low F = 20
| Oct record low F = 8
| Nov record low F = -6
| Dec record low F = -21
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation inch = 1.32
| Feb precipitation inch = 1.08
| Mar precipitation inch = 0.83
| Apr precipitation inch = 0.87
| May precipitation inch = 0.98
| Jun precipitation inch = 1.13
| Jul precipitation inch = 0.61
| Aug precipitation inch = 0.49
| Sep precipitation inch = 0.56
| Oct precipitation inch = 0.89
| Nov precipitation inch = 1.44
| Dec precipitation inch = 1.66
| Jan snow inch = 7.3
| Feb snow inch = 4.0
| Mar snow inch = 0.7
| Apr snow inch = 0
| May snow inch = 0
| Jun snow inch = 0
| Jul snow inch = 0
| Aug snow inch = 0
| Sep snow inch = 0
| Oct snow inch = 0
| Nov snow inch = 2.5
| Dec snow inch = 7.7
| year snow inch = 22.3
| unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
| Jan precipitation days = 8
| Feb precipitation days = 6
| Mar precipitation days = 5
| Apr precipitation days = 5
| May precipitation days = 5
| Jun precipitation days = 6
| Jul precipitation days = 3
| Aug precipitation days = 3
| Sep precipitation days = 4
| Oct precipitation days = 5
| Nov precipitation days = 8
| Dec precipitation days = 9
| year precipitation days = 68
| source 1 = Western Regional Climate Center,<ref name = WRCC >
{{cite web|url =http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?wa6123|title=Omak 2 NW, Washington (456123) – Period of Record Monthly Climate Summary |publisher=Western Regional Climate Center|access-date=November 25, 2012}}</ref> [[The Weather Channel]]<ref name="twc">{{cite web |url=http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USWA0320 |title=Average Weather for Omak, Washington |publisher=[[The Weather Channel]] |access-date=November 15, 2011}}</ref>
| date = January 2012}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
| align = left
| 1910 = 611
| 1920 = 1015
| 1930 = 1519
| 1940 = 1735
| 1950 = 2013
| 1960 = 2001
| 1970 = 2015
| 1980 = 2326
| 1990 = 2370
| 2000 = 2484
| 2010 = 2552
| 2020 = 2379
| align-fn = center
| footnote = U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|author=United States Census Bureau|author-link=United States Census Bureau|access-date=October 4, 2013}}</ref><br>2020 Census<ref name="2020 Census"/>
}}

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]],<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2012-12-19}}</ref> there were 2,552 people, 983 households, and 619 families living in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1308.7|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 1,051 housing units at an average density of {{convert|539.0|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 79.8% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.5% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 7.9% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.4% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.2% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 6.4% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 4.8% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 14.1% of the population.

There were 983 households, of which 32.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 15.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.0% were non-families. 30.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.4% 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 2.91.

The median age in the city was 37.7 years. 24.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.3% were from 25 to 44; 26.6% were from 45 to 64; and 14.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.7% male and 49.3% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]], there were 2,484 people, 909 households, and 599 families living in the city. The [[population density]] was 1,354.8 people per square mile (524.1/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 997 housing units at an average density of 543.8 per square mile (210.4/km<sup>2</sup>). The racial makeup of the city was 80.60% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.36% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 8.17% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.40% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.08% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 6.64% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 3.74% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 10.10% of the population.

There were 909 households, out of which 37.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.1% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 13.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.0% were non-families. 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.7% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $26,994, and the median income for a family was $33,947. Males had a median income of $31,143 versus $20,822 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $13,849. About 20.2% of families and 24.3% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 31.9% of those under age 18 and 16.3% of those age 65 or over.

==Sister city==
Okanogan has one [[Town twinning|Sister City]]:<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121105144331/http://www.ltgov.wa.gov/International/Washington%20Organizations/Sisters/ Washington State Lt. Governor's list of Washington Sister Cities]</ref>

* {{flagicon|Canada}} [[Keremeos, British Columbia]], [[Canada]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=9592 History of Okanogan] at [[HistoryLink]]

{{Okanogan County, Washington}}
{{Washington (state) county seats}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Cities in Okanogan County, Washington]]
[[Category:County seats in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:1907 establishments in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Populated places in Greater Omak]]
[[Category:Washington (state) populated places on the Okanogan River]]
[[Category:Populated places in the Okanagan Country]]
[[Category:Washington (state) placenames of Native American origin]]