Walla Walla County, Washington

Walla Walla County
County
Walla Walla County Courthouse in 2024
Walla Walla County Courthouse in 2024
Official seal of Walla Walla County
Seal
Map of Washington highlighting Walla Walla County
Location within the U.S. state of Washington
Map of the United States highlighting Washington
Washington's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 46°14′N 118°29′W / 46.23°N 118.48°W / 46.23; -118.48
Country United States
State Washington
FoundedApril 25, 1854
Named forWalla Walla people
SeatWalla Walla
Largest cityWalla Walla
Area
 • Total
1,299 sq mi (3,360 km2)
 • Land1,270 sq mi (3,300 km2)
 • Water29 sq mi (80 km2)  2.2%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
62,584
 • Estimate 
(2023)
61,568 Decrease
 • Density46/sq mi (17.8/km2)
Time zoneUTC−8 (Pacific)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−7 (PDT)
Congressional district5th
Websiteco.walla-walla.wa.us

Walla Walla County (/ˌwɑːlə ˈwɑːlə/ WAH-lə WAH-lə)[1] is a county located in the southeast of the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, its population was 62,584.[2] The county seat and largest city is Walla Walla.[3] The county was formed on April 25, 1854[4] and is named after the Walla Walla tribe of Native Americans.

Walla Walla County is included in the Walla Walla, WA Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2020, the Walla Walla MSA is the second smallest metropolitan area in the United States, after the Carson City, Nevada MSA.

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,299 square miles (3,360 km2), of which 1,270 square miles (3,300 km2) is land and 29 square miles (75 km2) (2.2%) is water.[5]

Geographic features

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Major highways

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Adjacent counties

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National protected areas

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18601,318—
18705,300302.1%
18808,71664.5%
189012,22440.2%
190018,68052.8%
191031,93170.9%
192027,539−13.8%
193028,4413.3%
194030,5477.4%
195040,13531.4%
196042,1955.1%
197042,1760.0%
198047,43512.5%
199048,4392.1%
200055,18013.9%
201058,7816.5%
202062,5846.5%
2023 (est.)61,568[6]−1.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790–1960[8] 1900–1990[9]
1990–2000[10] 2010–2020[2]
Postcard featuring the Walla Walla Court House in 1906

2010 census

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As of the 2010 census, there were 58,781 people, 21,719 households, and 14,132 families living in the county.[11] The population density was 46.3 inhabitants per square mile (17.9/km2). There were 23,451 housing units at an average density of 18.5 per square mile (7.1/km2).[12] The racial makeup of the county was 84.5% white, 1.8% black or African American, 1.3% Asian, 1.0% American Indian, 0.3% Pacific islander, 8.0% from other races, and 3.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 19.7% of the population.[11] In terms of ancestry, 23.5% were German, 13.3% were English, 12.7% were Irish, and 6.6% were American.[13]

Of the 21,719 households, 30.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.1% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.9% were non-families, and 28.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.05. The median age was 36.7 years.[11]

The median income for a household in the county was $45,575 and the median income for a family was $55,773. Males had a median income of $42,704 versus $35,586 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,027. About 12.4% of families and 17.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.6% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over.[14]

2000 census

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As of the 2000 census, there were 55,180 people, 19,647 households, and 13,242 families living in the county. The population density was 43 people per square mile (17 people/km2). There were 21,147 housing units at an average density of 17 per square mile (6.6/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 85.3% White, 1.7% Black or African American, 0.8% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 8.2% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. 15.7% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 20.1% were of German, 10.7% English, 7.7% United States or American and 7.3% Irish ancestry.

There were 19,647 households, out of which 32.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.00% were married couples living together, 9.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.60% were non-families. 27.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.08.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.60% under the age of 18, 13.40% from 18 to 24, 26.50% from 25 to 44, 20.80% from 45 to 64, and 14.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 103.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,900, and the median income for a family was $44,962. Males had a median income of $34,691 versus $24,736 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,509. About 10.20% of families and 15.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.80% of those under age 18 and 8.20% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

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Cities

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Census-designated places

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Unincorporated communities

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Politics

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United States presidential election results for Walla Walla County, Washington[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 15,273 52.40% 12,904 44.28% 968 3.32%
2020 16,400 52.46% 13,690 43.79% 1,171 3.75%
2016 13,651 52.05% 9,694 36.96% 2,883 10.99%
2012 14,648 57.90% 9,768 38.61% 882 3.49%
2008 14,182 57.01% 10,081 40.52% 614 2.47%
2004 14,323 62.48% 8,257 36.02% 345 1.50%
2000 13,304 62.27% 7,188 33.64% 873 4.09%
1996 9,085 46.62% 8,038 41.25% 2,363 12.13%
1992 7,894 39.71% 7,325 36.84% 4,662 23.45%
1988 9,683 55.64% 7,448 42.80% 272 1.56%
1984 12,361 63.72% 6,804 35.08% 233 1.20%
1980 11,223 59.14% 5,825 30.70% 1,929 10.16%
1976 10,883 59.15% 7,012 38.11% 505 2.74%
1972 12,579 67.87% 5,364 28.94% 590 3.18%
1968 10,042 59.34% 5,841 34.52% 1,040 6.15%
1964 8,102 46.05% 9,481 53.89% 11 0.06%
1960 11,786 63.64% 6,721 36.29% 12 0.06%
1956 11,827 66.04% 6,076 33.93% 7 0.04%
1952 11,987 67.28% 5,738 32.21% 92 0.52%
1948 7,993 51.98% 7,102 46.18% 283 1.84%
1944 7,364 55.64% 5,793 43.77% 78 0.59%
1940 7,883 57.04% 5,875 42.51% 63 0.46%
1936 4,584 39.28% 6,562 56.23% 524 4.49%
1932 4,653 44.00% 5,578 52.75% 344 3.25%
1928 6,774 70.08% 2,859 29.58% 33 0.34%
1924 5,465 58.83% 1,662 17.89% 2,163 23.28%
1920 5,957 67.60% 2,338 26.53% 517 5.87%
1916 4,429 48.00% 4,456 48.29% 342 3.71%
1912 1,937 25.28% 2,507 32.72% 3,219 42.01%
1908 2,843 60.73% 1,660 35.46% 178 3.80%
1904 2,824 71.99% 956 24.37% 143 3.65%
1900 2,119 57.44% 1,480 40.12% 90 2.44%
1896 1,596 47.63% 1,716 51.21% 39 1.16%
1892 1,362 47.14% 1,313 45.45% 214 7.41%

Walla Walla County is generally Republican; it has voted for that party in all but one presidential election since 1940, and has voted Democratic just five times since Washington's statehood in 1889. Like the state as a whole, third-party candidates often receive a larger share of the vote than they do nationally. The county is part of Washington's 5th congressional district, which is represented by Republican Cathy McMorris Rodgers.

Education

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School districts in Walla Walla County include:[16]

See also

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Footnotes

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  1. ^ "Walla Walla". Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Merriam-Webster.
  2. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved July 16, 2015.
  5. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  6. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  8. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  9. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 26, 2015. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  10. ^ a b c "DP-1 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.
  11. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  12. ^ "DP02 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.
  13. ^ "DP03 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.
  14. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  15. ^ U.S. Census Bureau Geography Division (December 21, 2020). 2020 Census – School District Reference Map: Walla Walla County, WA (PDF) (Map). 1:117,896. United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved August 4, 2022.

Further reading

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46°14′N 118°29′W / 46.23°N 118.48°W / 46.23; -118.48

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