Gold Bar, Washington

Gold Bar is a small town in Snohomish County, Washington, United States. It is located on the Skykomish River between Sultan and Index, connected by U.S. Route 2. The population was 2,075 at the 2010 census.

Gold Bar, Washington
City
Welcome sign on U.S. Route 2
Location of Gold Bar, Washington
Coordinates: 47°51′15″N 121°41′36″W
CountryUnited States
StateWashington
CountySnohomish
IncorporatedSeptember 16, 1910
Area
 • Total1.06 sq mi (2.74 km2)
 • Land1.06 sq mi (2.74 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
207 ft (63 m)
Population
 • Total2,075
 • Estimate 
(2019)[3]
2,352
 • Density2,220.96/sq mi (857.19/km2)
Time zoneUTC-8 (Pacific (PST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP code
98251
Area code360
FIPS code53-27365
GNIS feature ID1520077[4]
Websitecityofgoldbar.us

History

The area around modern-day Gold Bar was occupied by the Skykomish, a branch of the Snohomish people, prior to the arrival of American settlers. The Skykomish had a permanent village near Gold Bar that was named 'xaitɬd.[5] Gold Bar started as a prospectors camp in 1869, named by a miner who found traces of gold on a river gravel bar.[6] After Gold Bar became a construction camp for the Great Northern Railway, anti-Chinese sentiment was inflamed by a shooting fray started by disreputable camp followers. To save the lives of the threatened Chinese, construction engineer Eduard Bauer slipped them out of camp in hastily constructed coffins. Gold Bar was officially incorporated on September 16, 1910. The 1940 population was 307.[7]

Gold Bar, along with neighboring Sultan and Index, were filming locations for the 2016 film Captain Fantastic, which also filmed in other Western Washington locations.[8][9]

In 2012, the town faced disincorporation to avoid bankruptcy.[10]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.03 square miles (2.67 km2), all of it land.[11] The city center is bordered to the south by the Skykomish River and to the north by Mays Creek.

Gold Bar is adjacent to Wallace Falls State Park, located 2 miles (3.2 km) northeast.[12]

Climate

The climate in this area has mild differences between highs and lows, and there is adequate rainfall year-round. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Gold Bar has a marine west coast climate, abbreviated "Cfb" on climate maps.[13]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1920353—
1930304−13.9%
19403071.0%
1950305−0.7%
19603153.3%
197050460.0%
198079457.5%
19901,07835.8%
20002,01486.8%
20102,0753.0%
2019 (est.)2,352[3]13.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[14]
U.S. Census Estimate (2019)[15]

2010 census

As of the 2010 U.S. census, there were 2,075 people, 782 households, and 519 families living in the city. The population density was 2,014.6 inhabitants per square mile (777.8/km2). There were 837 housing units at an average density of 812.6 per square mile (313.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 85.1% White, 0.6% African American, 0.7% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 0.7% Pacific Islander, 7.0% from other races, and 4.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.1% of the population.[2]

There were 782 households, of which 37.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.1% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 7.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.6% were non-families. 27.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.20.[2]

The median age in the city was 36.6 years. 26.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 29.1% were from 25 to 44; 28.8% were from 45 to 64; and 7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 52.8% male and 47.2% female.[2]

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 2,014 people, 705 households, and 525 families living in the city. The population density was 1,887.2 people per square mile (726.7/km2). There were 769 housing units at an average density of 720.6 per square mile (277.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 91.56% White, 0.40% African American, 0.70% Native American, 1.29% Asian, 0.40% Pacific Islander, 1.39% from other races, and 4.27% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.28% of the population.[16]

There were 705 households, out of which 44.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.7% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.5% were non-families. 18.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.86 and the average family size was 3.30.[16]

In the city, the age distribution of the population shows 33.5% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 35.2% from 25 to 44, 17.3% from 45 to 64, and 6.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 108.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.9 males.[16]

The median income for a household in the city was $45,714, and the median income for a family was $48,152. Males had a median income of $40,250 versus $25,815 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,712. About 5.6% of families and 7.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.3% of those under age 18 and 2.4% of those age 65 or over.[16]

Attractions

Gold Bar is known as a white-water rafting destination for those seeking to float the Skykomish River. One of the most popular low elevation hikes in the metro Seattle area, the trail to Wallace Falls, is located on the north margin of the city. More than 160,000 people visit Wallace Falls State Park annually.[17]

Gold Bar hosts the Gold Dust days every fourth weekend in July. It is a street fair with vendors selling wares, local music, and food. Traditionally, there is also a car show that takes place on the Saturday of the weekend.

References
  1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  2. "Decennial Census Tables". United States Census Bureau. September 2011. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  3. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places in Washington: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2019". United States Census Bureau. May 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  4. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  5. Hollenbeck, Jan L.; Moss, Madonna (1987). A Cultural Resource Overview: Prehistory, Ethnography and History: Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. United States Forest Service. pp. 161–164. OCLC 892024380. Retrieved January 5, 2019 – via HathiTrust.
  6. Phillips, James W. (1971). Washington State Place Names. University of Washington Press. p. 55. ISBN 0-295-95158-3. OCLC 1052713900. Retrieved November 18, 2019 – via The Internet Archive.
  7. Washington - A guide to the Evergreen State, WPA American Guide Series, Washington State Historical Society, 1941
  8. "Sultan is scene of shooting for new hollywood movie". Sky Valley Chronicle. July 26, 2014. Retrieved May 27, 2018.
  9. Kahn, Dean (July 19, 2016). "Whatcom County has scenic role in new film, 'Captain Fantastic'". The Bellingham Herald. Retrieved May 27, 2018.
  10. Myers, Laura L. (2012-07-12). "Washington state town mulls disincorporation, citing finances". Reuters. Retrieved 2012-09-30.
  11. "2018 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 16, 2020.
  12. Lee, Jessica (April 24, 2018). "Body of woman recovered from water at Snohomish County's Wallace Falls State Park". The Seattle Times. Retrieved May 27, 2018.
  13. Climate Summary for Gold Bar, Washington
  14. "Decennial Census of Population and Housing". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 26, 2013.
  15. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places in Washington: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2019". United States Census Bureau. May 2020. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  16. "Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: Gold Bar city, Washington" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 2000. Retrieved May 26, 2020 – via Puget Sound Regional Council.
  17. "Friends of Wallace State Falls Park". Friends of Wallace State Falls Park. Retrieved February 9, 2014.
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