Othello, Washington

Othello (/oʊˈθɛloʊ/) is a city in Adams County, Washington, United States. The population was 5,847 at the 2000 census and grew 25.9% over the next decade to 7,364 at the 2010 census. In the 2018 census, it was 8,099. Othello refers to the city as being in the "Heart" of the Columbia Basin Project. It is located approximately 100 miles (160 km) southwest of Spokane, 180 miles (290 km) east of Seattle, and about 25 miles (40 km) south of Interstate 90, at the intersection of SR 17 and SR 26.

Othello
City
Seal
Location of Othello, Washington
Coordinates: 46°49′25″N 119°10′2″W
CountryUnited States
StateWashington
CountyAdams
Area
 • Total3.98 sq mi (10.31 km2)
 • Land3.98 sq mi (10.31 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
1,060 ft (323 m)
Population
 • Total7,364
 • Estimate 
(2019)[3]
8,386
 • Density2,107.56/sq mi (813.75/km2)
Time zoneUTC-8 (Pacific (PST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP codes
99327, 99332, 99344
Area code509
FIPS code53-52215
GNIS feature ID1507216[4]
Websitewww.othellowa.gov

Othello has many outdoor recreation opportunities.[5] The Columbia National Wildlife Refuge is about 5 miles (8 km) away with 23,200 acres (94 km2) of land for hiking, fishing, biking and wildlife viewing.[5] Othello also has a single 9-hole public golf course, three miles (5 km) outside of the city limits to the southwest.[5]

History

The first white settlers in the area were two brothers, Ben and Sam Hutchinson, who built a cabin along the Crab Creek in 1884. An influx of homesteaders began after the start of the 20th century, and a post office was established in 1904. The post office was named Othello after a post office also called Othello in Roane County, Tennessee.

The Chicago, Milwaukee, & St. Paul Railroad ran a track through Adams County in 1907. In 1912, a hotel was built for the railroad workers. That hotel would be later known as the Old Hotel and Art Gallery. The railroad officially platted the town as a stop, with water to feed the boilers of steam trains. They kept the name Othello, and built a railyard and wooden roundhouse there. Although the roundhouse burned in 1919, it was replaced with a brick structure which lasted many years. Businesses and settlers continued to follow, and the town was incorporated May 31, 1910.[6] At the time the railroad was the eastern terminus of the second electrified district of the Milwaukee Road's "Pacific Extension" route, which extended up to Tacoma, Washington.

The Bureau of Reclamation located offices in Othello in 1947, which prevented the decline of this town with the decline of rail shipping after World War II. In the early 1950s, the Columbia Basin Project brought irrigation to the Othello area, increasing both agriculture and commerce. Prior to this, water came only from Crab Creek and from local wells. The water arrived via the Potholes East Canal between Billy Clapp Lake and Scootenay Reservoir in Franklin County. Once there was irrigation available, a land drawing was held in Othello. On May 31, 1952 42 names were drawn (of more than 7000 submitted) for the privilege of purchasing this newly-desirable acreage.[7]

From 1951 to 1973, the 637th Radar Squadron operated the Othello Radar Station near the town.[8][9] In 1958, an ice plant was opened in town to service railroad cars moving produce. Frozen food packaging came to town in the early 1960s, and has since become the main industry.[10]

Since 1998, Othello has also been home to the Sandhill Crane Festival, celebrating the annual arrival of sandhill cranes to the nearby Columbia National Wildlife Refuge.[11]

Geography

Othello is located at 46°49′25″N 119°10′2″W (46.823679, -119.167319).[12]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.81 square miles (9.87 km2), all of it land.[13]

Climate

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Othello has a semi-arid climate, abbreviated "BSk" on climate maps.[14]

Climate data for Othello, Washington
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 64
(18)		 67
(19)		 79
(26)		 91
(33)		 99
(37)		 106
(41)		 111
(44)		 114
(46)		 102
(39)		 91
(33)		 73
(23)		 63
(17)		 114
(46)
Average high °F (°C) 35
(2)		 43
(6)		 53
(12)		 61
(16)		 69
(21)		 76
(24)		 83
(28)		 83
(28)		 74
(23)		 61
(16)		 45
(7)		 35
(2)		 60
(15)
Average low °F (°C) 23
(−5)		 28
(−2)		 31
(−1)		 36
(2)		 43
(6)		 49
(9)		 54
(12)		 54
(12)		 47
(8)		 37
(3)		 31
(−1)		 24
(−4)		 38
(3)
Record low °F (°C) −26
(−32)		 −26
(−32)		 6
(−14)		 16
(−9)		 23
(−5)		 31
(−1)		 34
(1)		 36
(2)		 26
(−3)		 14
(−10)		 −14
(−26)		 −15
(−26)		 −26
(−32)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 0.93
(24)		 0.85
(22)		 0.86
(22)		 0.62
(16)		 0.73
(19)		 0.52
(13)		 0.39
(9.9)		 0.33
(8.4)		 0.40
(10)		 0.57
(14)		 1.04
(26)		 1.21
(31)		 8.45
(215.3)
Source: [15]

Demographics
T-33 jet in Pioneer Park, Othello.
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1920649—
1930397−38.8%
1940332−16.4%
195052658.4%
19602,669407.4%
19704,12254.4%
19804,4548.1%
19904,6384.1%
20005,84726.1%
20107,36425.9%
2019 (est.)8,386[3]13.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[16]
2015 Estimate[17]

2010 census

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 7,364 people, 2,108 households, and 1,669 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,932.8 inhabitants per square mile (746.3/km2). There were 2,185 housing units at an average density of 573.5 per square mile (221.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 53.4% White, 0.5% African American, 2.2% Native American, 1.2% Asian, 39.6% from other races, and 3.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 74.7% of the population.

There were 2,108 households, of which 57.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.5% were married couples living together, 15.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 20.8% were non-families. 17.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.46 and the average family size was 3.91.

The median age in the city was 25.6 years. 37.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 11.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.2% were from 25 to 44; 15.6% were from 45 to 64; and 8.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.4% male and 49.6% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 5,847 people, 1,788 households, and 1,412 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,949.7 people per square mile (752.5/km2). There were 1,864 housing units at an average density of 621.6 per square mile (239.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 54.18% White, 0.53% African American, 1.01% Native American, 1.01% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 39.54% from other races, and 3.64% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 63.76% of the population.

There were 1,788 households, out of which 48.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.6% were married couples living together, 13.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.0% were non-families. 17.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.24 and the average family size was 3.66.

In the city, the age distribution of the population shows 36.1% under the age of 18, 12.0% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 17.1% from 45 to 64, and 8.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 26 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,291, and the median income for a family was $31,282. Males had a median income of $28,423 versus $21,455 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,409. About 18.4% of families and 24.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.5% of those under age 18 and 5.3% of those age 65 or over.

Sister city

Othello has the following sister city relationship:

Notable people

References
  1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  2. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-12-19.
  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. "Othello, Washington". City of Othello website. Accessed May 2010.
  6. http://www.othello-wa.us/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=47&Itemid=77 Archived June 14, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  7. Gibson, Elizabeth (2007-04-12). "the Free Online Encyclopedia of Washington State History". HistoryLink.org. Retrieved 2013-04-29.
  8. http://www.othello-wa.us/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=42&Itemid=71 Archived April 20, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  9. "Air Defense Radar Stations". Radomes.org. Retrieved 2013-04-29.
  10. Becker, Paula (2006-07-08). "the Free Online Encyclopedia of Washington State History". HistoryLink.org. Retrieved 2013-04-29.
  11. Tate, Cassandra (2005-08-31). "the Free Online Encyclopedia of Washington State History". HistoryLink.org. Retrieved 2013-04-29.
  12. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  13. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2012-01-24. Retrieved 2012-12-19.
  14. Climate Summary for Othello, Washington
  15. "weather.com". Retrieved July 11, 2014.
  16. United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing". Retrieved October 3, 2013.
  17. "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on October 19, 2016. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
  18. "Sister Cities". Archived from the original on 2015-11-20. Retrieved 2015-12-02.
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