Asotin County, Washington

Asotin County (/əˈsoʊtən/) is a county in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2010 census, the population was 21,623.[1] The county seat is at Asotin,[2] and its largest city is Clarkston. The county was created out of Garfield County in 1883[3] and derives its name from a Nez Perce word meaning "Eel Creek".

Asotin County
U.S. county
Asotin County Courthouse
Location within the U.S. state of Washington
Washington's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 46°11′N 117°11′W
Country United States
State Washington
FoundedOctober 27, 1883
SeatAsotin
Largest cityClarkston
Area
 • Total641 sq mi (1,660 km2)
 • Land636 sq mi (1,650 km2)
 • Water4.4 sq mi (11 km2)  0.7%%
Population
 (2010)
 • Estimate 
(2019)
22,582
 • Density35/sq mi (14/km2)
Time zoneUTC−8 (Pacific)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−7 (PDT)
Congressional district5th
Websitewww.co.asotin.wa.us

Asotin County is part of the Lewiston, ID-WA metropolitan statistical area, which includes Nez Perce County, Idaho, and Asotin County.

History

The area delineated by the future Washington state boundary began to be colonized at the start of the nineteenth century, both by Americans and Canadians. However, the majority of Canadian exploration and interest in the land was due to the fur trade, whereas American settlers were principally seeking land for agriculture and cattle raising. The Treaty of 1818 provided for dual control of this area by US and Canadian government officials. During this period, the future Washington Territory was divided into two administrative zones: Clark County and Lewis County (made official in 1845).

The dual-control concept was unwieldy and led to continual argument, and occasional conflict. The status of the Washington area was settled in 1846, when the Oregon Treaty ceded the land south of latitude 49 degrees North to American control.

In 1854, Skamania County was split from the original Clark County. Later that year, Walla Walla County was split from the new Skamania County. In 1875, Columbia County was split from Walla Walla County, and in 1881, a portion of Columbia County was set off to form Garfield County. The southeastern portion of Garfield County was partitioned in 1883 to form Asotin County. The 1883 boundary of Asotin has remained unchanged since then.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 641 square miles (1,660 km2), of which 636 square miles (1,650 km2) is land and 4.4 square miles (11 km2) (0.7%) is water.[4] It is the fifth-smallest county in Washington by area. It is part of the Palouse, a wide and rolling prairie-like region of the middle Columbia basin.

Geographic features

Major highways

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18901,580—
19003,366113.0%
19105,83173.2%
19206,53912.1%
19308,13624.4%
19408,3652.8%
195010,87830.0%
196012,90918.7%
197013,7996.9%
198016,82321.9%
199017,6054.6%
200020,55116.7%
201021,6235.2%
2019 (est.)22,582[5]4.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8]
1990–2000[9] 2010–2019[1]

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 21,623 people, 9,236 households, and 5,914 families living in the county.[10] The population density was 34.0 inhabitants per square mile (13.1/km2). There were 9,872 housing units at an average density of 15.5 per square mile (6.0/km2).[11] The racial makeup of the county was 94.3% white, 1.4% American Indian, 0.5% Asian, 0.4% black or African American, 0.2% Pacific islander, 0.8% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.0% of the population.[10] In terms of ancestry, 32.4% were German, 14.8% were Irish, 13.7% were English, 7.5% were American, and 6.2% were Norwegian.[12]

Of the 9,236 households, 27.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.5% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 36.0% were non-families, and 29.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.83. The median age was 43.5 years.[10]

The median income for a household in the county was $41,665 and the median income for a family was $52,250. Males had a median income of $39,633 versus $28,475 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,731. About 9.9% of families and 13.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.1% of those under age 18 and 6.7% of those age 65 or over.[13]

2000 census

As of the census[14] of 2000, there were 20,551 people, 8,364 households, and 5,654 families living in the county. The population density was 32 people per square mile (12/km2). There were 9,111 housing units at an average density of 14 per square mile (6/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.62% White, 0.19% Black or African American, 1.27% Native American, 0.51% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.63% from other races, and 1.77% from two or more races. 1.95% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 25.9% were of German, 12.4% English, 11.9% Irish and 11.0% United States or American ancestry. 97.9% spoke English and 1.6% Spanish as their first language.

There were 8,364 households, out of which 31.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.40% were married couples living together, 11.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.40% were non-families. 27.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.70% 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 2.91.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.50% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 26.10% from 25 to 44, 24.00% from 45 to 64, and 16.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,524, and the median income for a family was $40,592. Males had a median income of $35,810 versus $22,218 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,748. About 11.60% of families and 15.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.70% of those under age 18 and 6.70% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

Generally, Asotin County is considered a staunchly Republican area, although it has been known to vote for Democrats, especially on the state level. Currently the county is represented at the county commission level by two Republicans and one Independent.

In the 2004 Presidential election slightly over 60 percent of the vote went to Republican George W. Bush. It was one of 11 of Washington's 39 counties where Bush received a lower percentage of the vote in 2004 than in 2000. Conversely, even though nearly 60 percent of voters selected the Democratic Governor Gary Locke in 2000, in 2004 the Democratic gubernatorial nominee Christine Gregoire received only 41 percent of the vote.

In 2004, 27% of presidential votes were cast from incorporated Clarkston, while 61% was from unincorporated suburbs of Clarkston (34% from Clarkston Heights, 12% from West Clarkston, 9% from South Clarkston, and 6% from Swallows Nest). An additional 6% was cast from the incorporated city of Asotin, with rural areas around Asotin accounting for 4% of the vote and areas around the unincorporated community of Anatone making up 2% of the vote.

By and large, the most competitive areas are Clarkston and its suburbs. Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry won two precincts in 2004, one each in Clarkston and West Clarkston. Bush received 54 percent of the vote in West Clarkston, 55 in Clarkston, and 57 percent in South Clarkston. However, he received larger victories of 64 percent in Clarkston Heights and 67 percent in Swallows Nest. Areas around both Asotin and Anatone delivered 2-to-1 victories, with the lone exception of one of the two incorporated Asotin precincts.

Presidential elections results
Presidential elections results[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 61.2% 7,319 35.6% 4,250 3.2% 382
2016 57.6% 5,741 31.4% 3,134 11.0% 1,099
2012 56.7% 5,654 40.1% 4,003 3.2% 315
2008 55.7% 5,451 42.3% 4,139 1.9% 190
2004 60.6% 5,320 37.8% 3,319 1.7% 147
2000 61.5% 4,909 34.3% 2,736 4.3% 340
1996 39.1% 2,860 45.8% 3,349 15.1% 1,102
1992 31.9% 2,425 42.6% 3,239 25.4% 1,932
1988 45.0% 2,874 53.6% 3,422 1.4% 88
1984 55.2% 3,876 43.3% 3,042 1.5% 103
1980 49.2% 3,275 40.9% 2,724 9.9% 660
1976 47.2% 2,752 49.7% 2,898 3.1% 178
1972 50.4% 2,911 44.3% 2,559 5.4% 310
1968 42.5% 2,307 49.6% 2,693 8.0% 434
1964 32.7% 1,777 67.3% 3,657 0.0% 2
1960 46.0% 2,640 53.9% 3,093 0.1% 6
1956 50.2% 2,608 49.7% 2,586 0.1% 6
1952 55.6% 2,722 44.1% 2,160 0.3% 12
1948 38.6% 1,384 57.3% 2,054 4.1% 145
1944 41.8% 1,367 57.7% 1,888 0.5% 15
1940 41.1% 1,483 58.4% 2,107 0.6% 21
1936 26.6% 916 65.7% 2,261 7.7% 266
1932 31.5% 960 65.3% 1,994 3.2% 98
1928 69.4% 1,812 29.7% 776 0.9% 24
1924 46.5% 1,094 21.6% 508 31.9% 750
1920 64.8% 1,210 26.6% 497 8.5% 159
1916 42.9% 1,004 48.6% 1,136 8.5% 198
1912 31.4% 579 29.9% 551 38.8% 715[16]
1908 59.6% 648 33.6% 365 6.8% 74
1904 72.6% 747 22.1% 227 5.3% 55
1900 52.4% 398 43.2% 328 4.5% 34
1896 43.9% 214 55.2% 269 0.8% 4
1892 52.6% 194 38.8% 143 8.7% 32

Communities

Cities
Asotin, Washington

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

See also

Footnotes
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. "Milestones for Washington State History — Part 2: 1851 to 1900". HistoryLink.org. March 6, 2003.
  4. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
  5. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  6. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  7. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  8. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  9. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  10. "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 1, 2016.
  11. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 1, 2016.
  12. "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 1, 2016.
  13. "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 1, 2016.
  14. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  15. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
  16. The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 513 votes, while Socialist candidate Eugene Debs received 133 votes, Prohibition candidate Eugene Chafin received 66 votes, and Socialist Labor candidate Arthur Reimer received 3 votes.

Further reading

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