Long Beach, Washington

Long Beach is a city in Pacific County, Washington, United States. The population was 1,392 at the 2010 census.

Long Beach, Washington
City
Downtown Long Beach
Location of Long Beach, Washington
Coordinates: 46°21′3″N 124°3′13″W
CountryUnited States
StateWashington
CountyPacific County
IncorporatedJanuary 18, 1922
Government
 • TypeMayor-council
 • MayorJerry Phillips[1]
Area
 • Total1.89 sq mi (4.90 km2)
 • Land1.38 sq mi (3.57 km2)
 • Water0.51 sq mi (1.33 km2)
Elevation
10 ft (3 m)
Population
 • Total1,392
 • Estimate 
(2019)[4]
1,496
 • Density1,084.84/sq mi (418.72/km2)
Time zoneUTC-8 (PST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP code
98631
Area code(s)360
FIPS code53-40070[5]
GNIS feature ID1512400[6]
WebsiteCity of Long Beach

History

Long Beach began when Henry Harrison Tinker bought a land claim from Charles E. Reed in 1880. He platted the town and called it "Tinkerville."[7] Long Beach was officially incorporated on January 18, 1922. From 1889 to 1930, a narrow gauge railroad called the Ilwaco Railway and Navigation Company ran up the whole peninsula.

The Long Beach depot was built between First and Second Streets on the east side of the track, which ran north along "B" Street.[8] A major destination in Long Beach was Tinker's Hotel, later renamed the Long Beach Hotel, and built very close to the station. This was the second hotel built at the site by Henry Harrison Tinker, the founder of Long Beach. Tinker's first hotel burned down in 1894. He built another one just a few feet to the east and south of the rail depot.[9] The image in the gallery shows a crowd waiting for the train sometime between 1901 and 1907. Just across the tracks (which doubled in this area)[10] from Tinker's Hotel in Long Beach was the Portland Hotel. The Portland Hotel, owned by the Hanniman family featured an enormous round (and unique) turret-like structure. The Portland Hotel burned down on December 6, 1914, and was not replaced.[9] The Driftwood Hotel was another common Long Beach destination.

The Pacific Ocean and Long Beach

The boardwalk area near the station was known as "Rubberneck Row."[11] Businesses existing in August 1911 that can be identified along Rubberneck Row from photographs (see images in this article) include, on the west side of the tracks, an establishment advertising "Baths" (possibly the Crystal Baths, an indoor swimming pool), Milton York Candies, a "Postal Shop," and a soda fountain just across from the station advertising "Milk Shake." A somewhat earlier photograph shows a sign for a livery stable immediately to the west across the tracks from Tinker's Hotel, followed (proceeding southwards) by a barber shop, "Vincent's Souvenirs," and "The Candy Man". A banner stretching above the tracks advertises a restaurant. The photo published by Feagans shows it was produced by H.A. Vincent, Ilwaco and Long Beach, who was probably the owner of Vincent's Souvenirs.[12] Then, in the late 80s, Marsh's Free Museum was made, to show people the wonders of the northwest.

Geography

Long Beach is located at 46°21′3″N 124°3′13″W (46.350959, -124.053643)[13] on the Long Beach Peninsula. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.35 square miles (3.50 km2), all of it land.[14]

Climate

With a Marine West Coast-cool summer Mediterranean climate, Long Beach is known for its year-round mild climate. Both hot and cold weather is rare. The record high temperature is 99 degrees Fahrenheit on August 10, 1981, and the record low is 0 degrees Fahrenheit on December 8, 1972. Long Beach records nearly 80 inches of rainfall annually. Snow is not as common as rain, but can happen every once in a while.

Climate data for Long Beach, Washington
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 65
(18)		 74
(23)		 72
(22)		 82
(28)		 94
(34)		 93
(34)		 95
(35)		 99
(37)		 92
(33)		 90
(32)		 72
(22)		 64
(18)		 99
(37)
Average high °F (°C) 49
(9)		 51
(11)		 53
(12)		 55
(13)		 59
(15)		 62
(17)		 65
(18)		 66
(19)		 66
(19)		 60
(16)		 52
(11)		 48
(9)		 57
(14)
Average low °F (°C) 37
(3)		 37
(3)		 39
(4)		 41
(5)		 46
(8)		 50
(10)		 52
(11)		 52
(11)		 48
(9)		 43
(6)		 40
(4)		 36
(2)		 43
(6)
Record low °F (°C) 8
(−13)		 9
(−13)		 25
(−4)		 26
(−3)		 30
(−1)		 33
(1)		 38
(3)		 36
(2)		 29
(−2)		 21
(−6)		 15
(−9)		 0
(−18)		 0
(−18)
Average rainfall inches (mm) 11.79
(299)		 8.69
(221)		 8.64
(219)		 6.26
(159)		 3.81
(97)		 2.94
(75)		 1.44
(37)		 1.66
(42)		 2.58
(66)		 7.20
(183)		 12.26
(311)		 11.67
(296)		 78.94
(2,005)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 0.2
(0.51)		 0.3
(0.76)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0.1
(0.25)		 0.6
(1.52)
Source: Weather.com[15]

Earthquake and tsunami vulnerability

If a magnitude 9.0 earthquake were to hit the Cascadia subduction zone, emergency planners estimate the first tsunami waves could hit Long Beach 20 to 25 minutes later.

At a December 2016 open house, the city government presented initial plans of a proposed 32-foot berm which could potentially accommodate 850 persons. The structure would have had a "modified prow," much like a ship looking out to sea.[16] The shape was also designed to withstand the backwash from a tsunami. The total cost was estimated at $3.4 million, of which the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was to pay 75%, the Emergency Management Division of Washington State 12.5%, and the City of Long Beach 12.5%.[17] The project was abandoned in 2017 after new scientific reports indicated it was designed at least 14.5 feet too short to withstand a worst-case tsunami. [18][19]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1930396—
194062056.6%
195078326.3%
1960665−15.1%
197096845.6%
19801,19923.9%
19901,2363.1%
20001,2833.8%
20101,3928.5%
2019 (est.)1,496[4]7.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[20]

2010 census

As of the census[3] of 2010, there were 1,392 people, 726 households, and 342 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,031.1 inhabitants per square mile (398.1/km2). There were 1,564 housing units at an average density of 1,158.5 per square mile (447.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 91.5% White, 0.1% African American, 0.8% Native American, 1.3% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 3.7% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.7% of the population.

There were 726 households, of which 15.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.9% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 52.9% were non-families. 44.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.85 and the average family size was 2.54.

The median age in the city was 50.1 years. 14.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.1% were from 25 to 44; 32.1% were from 45 to 64; and 24.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.8% male and 52.2% female.

2000 census

As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 1,283 people, 660 households, and 314 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,018.7 people per square mile (393.2/km2). There were 1,155 housing units at an average density of 917.1 per square mile (353.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 89.87% White, 0.08% African American, 1.09% Native American, 1.40% Asian, 1.56% from other races, and 6.00% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.83% of the population. 19.6% were of German, 11.5% Irish, 10.3% English, 6.3% American and 5.7% Norwegian ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 660 households, out of which 17.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.2% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 52.3% were non-families. 43.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.92 and the average family size was 2.63.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 17.6% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 23.1% from 25 to 44, 28.9% from 45 to 64, and 24.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females, there were 81.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $23,611, and the median income for a family was $33,029. Males had a median income of $30,938 versus $20,625 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,266. About 13.4% of families and 18.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.5% of those under age 18 and 11.4% of those age 65 or over.

  • Crystal Baths, Long Beach, WA, c. 1905, looking south towards Cape Disappointment (high land in background)
  • Long Beach, WA, July 1909 "Rubberneck Row," looking north towards depot (building with 2 windows in distance just to right of telegraph pole)
  • Waiting for train, Long Beach, WA, August 1911, looking south, probably from depot window or roof
  • Tinker's Hotel, Long Beach, WA, looking east
  • Long Beach (formerly Tinker's Hotel), April 1953
  • Breakers Hotel, Long Beach, WA, looking east from beach
  • Breakers Hotel looking west
  • Jake the Alligator Man at Marsh's Free Museum in Long Beach
  • The whale skeleton on the Long Beach Trail
  • Marsh's Free Museum
  • Long Beach police station
  • World's largest chopsticks

See also

References
  1. "City Government of Long Beach, Washington: MAYOR". City of Long Beach, Washington. 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-06-28. Retrieved 2008-03-25.
  2. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  3. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-12-19.
  4. "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.
  5. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  6. "Long Beach". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey.
  7. Hobbs, Nancy L., and Lucero, Donella J., The Long Beach Peninsula, at page 15, Arcadia Publishing 2005 ISBN 0-7385-2995-8
  8. Feagans, at 37
  9. Hobbs and Lucero, Long Beach Peninsula, at 24
  10. Feagans, at 71 states that a passing siding was built at Long Beach
  11. Feagans, at 23, publishing post card showing area with caption "Long Beach, Wash. Rubberneck Row," from the Pacific County Historical Society
  12. Feagans, at 23, reprinting postcard from Pacific County Historical Society
  13. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  14. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2012-07-02. Retrieved 2012-12-19.
  15. "Monthly Averages for Long Beach, WA". Weather Channel. 2012. Retrieved 2012-07-16.
  16. 'Bring The Hill Closer:' Long Beach Unveils Design For Tsunami Safe Haven, NW News Network, Tom Banse, Dec. 13, 2016.
  17. The Safe Haven Tsunami Vertical Evacuation Project(aka "The Berm Project"), City of Long Beach, Washington, Oct. 11, 2016.
  18. Long Beach abandons $4M tsunami shelter project
  19. Long Beach Berm Modeling Study - University of Washington Tsunami Modeling Group
  20. United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing". Retrieved September 12, 2014.
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