Kittitas County, Washington

Kittitas County (/ˈkɪtɪtæs/) is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. At the 2010 census, its population was 40,915. Its county seat and largest city is Ellensburg.[1] The county was created in November 1883 when it was carved out of Yakima County.[2] Kittitas County comprises the Ellensburg, Washington, Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Kittitas County
U.S. county
Kittitas County Courthouse in Ellensburg
Location within the U.S. state of Washington
Washington's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 47°07′N 120°41′W
Country United States
State Washington
FoundedNovember 24, 1883
SeatEllensburg
Largest cityEllensburg
Area
 • Total2,333 sq mi (6,040 km2)
 • Land2,297 sq mi (5,950 km2)
 • Water36 sq mi (90 km2)  1.5%%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total40,915
 • Estimate 
(2019)
47,935
 • Density20/sq mi (8/km2)
Time zoneUTC−8 (Pacific)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−7 (PDT)
Congressional district8th
Websitewww.co.kittitas.wa.us

There are numerous interpretations of the county's name, which is from the language of the Yakama Nation. According to one source, it "has been said to mean everything from 'white chalk' to 'shale rock' to 'shoal people' to 'land of plenty'". Most anthropologists and historians concede that each interpretation has some validity depending upon the particular dialect spoken.[3]

History

The county was organized in November 1883 by the Washington Territorial Legislature, carved from the northern part of Yakima County.

Indigenous peoples known as Kittitas (or Upper Yakima) occupied the lands along the Yakima River for hundreds of years before the present era. The Kittitas Valley was a traditional gathering place for tribes east of the Cascades.

White settlers began pouring into the Kittitas Valley in the late 1850s. Their arrival forced dislocation and displacement of the native inhabitants, who were eventually forced into the Yakama Indian Reservation. White settlers introduced livestock raising, crop farming, dairying, logging, lumber processing, and mining. The abundant grassland and the generally-favorable terrain made beef and cattle production become the county's mainstay. That was assisted by the introduction of railways into the area and the large-scale irrigation systems introduced in the 1930s.

Wheat planting in Kittitas Valley began in 1868. The county's first flour mill was established near Ellensburg in 1873. Production of alfalfa was also seen from the county's early days.

Lumber extraction was an important county activity from its early days, mostly in the west end. Logging camps were established near the county's three largest lakes (Cle Elum, Kachess, Keechelus).

Mining for coal and minerals was established by the mid-1880s.[4]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,333 square miles (6,040 km2), of which 2,297 square miles (5,950 km2) is land and 36 square miles (93 km2) (1.5%) is water.[5] The highest point in the county is Mount Daniel at 7,959 feet (2,426 m) above mean sea level.

Geographic features

Major highways

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18908,777—
19009,70410.6%
191018,56191.3%
192017,737−4.4%
193018,1542.4%
194020,23011.4%
195022,2359.9%
196020,467−8.0%
197025,03922.3%
198024,877−0.6%
199026,7257.4%
200033,36224.8%
201040,91522.6%
2019 (est.)47,935[6]17.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790–1960[8] 1900–1990[9]
1990–2000[10] 2010–2019[11]

2000 census

As of the census[12] of 2000, there were 33,362 people, 13,382 households, and 7,788 families living in the county. The population density was 14 people per square mile (6/km2). There were 16,475 housing units at an average density of 7 per square mile (3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 91.77% White, 0.71% Black or African American, 0.91% Native American, 2.19% Asian, 0.15% Pacific Islander, 2.30% from other races, and 1.97% from two or more races. 5.00% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 19.4% were of German, 11.7% English, 9.0% Irish, 7.8% United States or American and 6.6% Norwegian ancestry. 93.2% spoke English and 4.5% Spanish as their first language.

There were 13,382 households, out of which 26.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.80% were married couples living together, 7.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.80% were non-families. 28.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 20.60% under the age of 18, 21.60% from 18 to 24, 24.60% from 25 to 44, 21.60% from 45 to 64, and 11.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 98.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,546, and the median income for a family was $46,057. Males had a median income of $36,257 versus $25,640 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,928. About 10.50% of families and 19.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.60% of those under age 18 and 8.20% of those age 65 or over.

An irrigated hillside near Ellensburg

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 40,915 people, 16,595 households, and 9,225 families living in the county.[13] The population density was 17.8 inhabitants per square mile (6.9/km2). There were 21,900 housing units at an average density of 9.5 per square mile (3.7/km2).[14] The racial makeup of the county was 89.3% white, 2.0% Asian, 1.0% American Indian, 0.9% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 3.7% from other races, and 3.0% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 7.6% of the population.[13] In terms of ancestry, 26.2% were German, 15.4% were Irish, 12.7% were English, 8.2% were Norwegian, 5.1% were Italian, 5.0% were Swedish, and 3.4% were American.[15]

Of the 16,595 households, 24.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.7% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 44.4% were non-families, and 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.87. The median age was 31.9 years.[13]

The median income for a household in the county was $41,232 and the median income for a family was $61,276. Males had a median income of $45,916 versus $35,380 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,467. About 10.3% of families and 21.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.8% of those under age 18 and 7.0% of those age 65 or over.[16]

Flora and fauna

There are a variety of species represented within Kittitas County. These include a diversity of grasses, herbs, trees, birds, mammals and amphibians. The genus of ricegrass known as Oryzopsis was one of the earliest grasses classified within the county.[17] Among the amphibian species found are the Cascades frog and the rough-skinned newt, the latter being a common far western USA taxon; in fact, examples of neoteny have been found in individual newts of this species within the county.[18]

Communities

Cities

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Events
  • The Kittitas County Fair and Ellensburg Rodeo occur every Labor Day Weekend. The Kittitas County Fair began in 1885, and moved to its current location (North Maple and East 8th Avenue in Ellensburg)[19] in 1923.[20]

Politics

Kittitas County is directed by a three-member Board of Commissioners.

Kittitas County has a slight Republican lean, although it has voted for Democrats in the past.

Presidential elections results
Presidential elections results[21]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 53.5% 14,105 43.3% 11,421 3.2% 838
2016 51.5% 10,100 38.2% 7,489 10.3% 2,026
2012 53.5% 9,782 43.5% 7,949 3.1% 562
2008 52.7% 9,471 44.7% 8,030 2.7% 476
2004 56.2% 9,052 41.8% 6,731 2.1% 331
2000 54.9% 7,727 39.2% 5,516 6.0% 843
1996 41.6% 5,224 45.4% 5,707 13.0% 1,633
1992 32.9% 4,078 43.9% 5,432 23.2% 2,875
1988 48.1% 5,048 50.7% 5,318 1.2% 130
1984 57.1% 6,580 41.9% 4,830 1.1% 121
1980 49.9% 5,359 37.9% 4,075 12.2% 1,314
1976 47.6% 4,765 48.5% 4,858 3.9% 394
1972 54.0% 5,464 42.5% 4,299 3.6% 363
1968 48.3% 4,212 44.9% 3,921 6.8% 596
1964 37.2% 3,200 62.7% 5,383 0.1% 9
1960 51.8% 4,640 48.1% 4,303 0.1% 10
1956 57.7% 5,097 42.2% 3,726 0.1% 7
1952 56.7% 5,201 42.9% 3,937 0.4% 36
1948 41.3% 3,446 55.0% 4,588 3.8% 314
1944 44.5% 3,423 55.0% 4,227 0.5% 36
1940 39.3% 3,401 60.1% 5,203 0.7% 56
1936 26.9% 1,941 69.9% 5,044 3.2% 233
1932 29.4% 1,963 63.8% 4,266 6.8% 455
1928 59.5% 3,207 39.6% 2,136 0.9% 49
1924 47.2% 2,360 9.1% 455 43.7% 2,183
1920 54.5% 2,837 21.5% 1,119 24.0% 1,246
1916 43.7% 2,310 49.4% 2,609 6.9% 362
1912 22.4% 1,157 27.3% 1,407 50.3% 2,592
1908 56.2% 1,752 31.6% 985 12.2% 379
1904 64.9% 1,787 19.0% 523 16.2% 445
1900 52.9% 1,139 43.4% 934 3.8% 81
1896 43.4% 1,044 55.5% 1,336 1.1% 26
1892 37.8% 855 35.4% 800 26.8% 605

See also

References
  1. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  2. Illustrated History of Klickitat, Yakima, & Kittitas Counties, with an outline of the early history of the state of Washington. Interstate Publishing Company. 1904. p. 244.
  3. Cochran, Jennifer (2007). "Kittitas County - About the County". Archived from the original on October 13, 2010.
  4. History of Kittitas County
  5. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved July 7, 2015.
  6. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved April 11, 2020.
  7. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  8. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  9. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  10. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  11. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
  12. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  13. "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 6, 2016.
  14. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  15. "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 6, 2016.
  16. "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 6, 2016.
  17. Charles Vancouver Piper (1906) Flora of the State of Washington, Smithsonian Institution, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington DC
  18. C. Michael Hogan (2008) Rough-skinned Newt ("Taricha granulosa"), GlobalTwitcher, ed. N. Stromberg "Archived copy". Archived from the original on May 27, 2009. Retrieved April 6, 2009.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  19. "Kittitas County Fair". www.kittitascountyfair.com. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  20. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on May 13, 2011. Retrieved June 21, 2011.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  21. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 6, 2018.

Further reading
  • William Denison Lyman, History of the Yakima Valley, Washington: Comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties. In Two Volumes. Chicago: S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919. Volume 1 | Volume 2
  • Andrew Caveness, "Images of America: Kittitas County." South Carolina: Arcadia Publishing Co., 2012.

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