Okanogan County, Washington

Okanogan County () is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington along the Canada–U.S. border. As of the 2020 census, the population was 42,104. The county seat is Okanogan, while the most populous city is Omak. It is the largest county by area in the state.

About a fifth of the county's residents live in the Greater Omak Area. The county forms a portion of the Okanogan Country. The first county seat was Ruby, which has now been a ghost town for more than 100 years.

Okanogan County was formed out of Stevens County in February 1888. The name derives from the Okanagan language place name ''ukʷnaqín''. The name Okanogan (Okanagan) also refers to a part of southern British Columbia.

History

Before Europeans arrived, the Okanogan County region was home to numerous indigenous peoples that would eventually become part of three Indian reservations referred to as the Northern Okanogans or Sinkaietk, Tokoratums, Kartars and Konkonelps. They spoke in seven types of Interior Salish languages related to the Puget Sound tribes. The Okanogans experienced a favorable climate, camping in the winter, hunting bears in the spring, catching fish in the summer and hunting deer in fall. The camps consisted of teepee-like longhouses built with hides and bark. Women gathered nuts and berries. A popular destination for this was the Kettle Falls, where the Columbia River dropped some .

Due to its remoteness, the Okanogan County area was one of the last in Washington settled by Europeans. It was an early thoroughfare used by prospectors to gain access to other communities, such as British Columbia. By the 21st century, the region specialized in agriculture, forestry and tourism. Electric producer Grand Coulee Dam was constructed between 1933 and 1942, originally with two power plants, around the Okanogan and Grant counties at the former's southern border.

In July 2014, the Carlton Complex wildfire burned over in Okanogan County. It destroyed over 300 homes including 100 in and around Pateros

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (0.9%) is water. It is the largest county in the state by area, and it is larger than three states in land area.

Geographic features

*Cascade Mountains
*Columbia River
*Okanogan River
* North Gardner Mountain, the highest point in Okanogan County
* Beaner Lake

Major highways

* U.S. Route 97
* State Route 20
* State Route 153

Adjacent counties

* Fraser Valley Regional District, British Columbia – northwest
* Okanagan-Similkameen Regional District, British Columbia – north
* Kootenay Boundary Regional District, British Columbia – northeast
* Ferry County – east
* Lincoln County – southeast
*Grant County – south
* Douglas County – south
* Chelan County – southwest
* Skagit County – west
*Whatcom County – west

National protected areas

* Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail (part)
*Nez Perce National Historical Park (part)
* Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest
* Pasayten Wilderness

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 42,104 people, 16,942 households, and 10,768 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 21,720 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 65.6% White, 0.4% African American, 11.6% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 11.8% from some other races and 9.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 19.5% of the population. 21.7% of residents were under the age of 18, 5.3% were under 5 years of age, and 23.8% were 65 and older.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 41,120 people, 16,519 households, and 10,914 families living in the county. The population density was . There were 22,245 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 73.9% white, 11.4% American Indian, 0.6% Asian, 0.4% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 10.1% from other races, and 3.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 17.6% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 21.4% were German, 12.4% were Irish, 12.2% were English, and 3.6% were American.

Of the 16,519 households, 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.7% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.9% were non-families, and 28.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.96. The median age was 42.9 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $38,551 and the median income for a family was $48,418. Males had a median income of $37,960 versus $29,032 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,093. About 14.7% of families and 19.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.3% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 39,564 people, 15,027 households, and 10,579 families living in the county. The population density was . There were 19,085 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 75.32% White, 0.28% Black or African American, 11.47% Native American, 0.44% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 9.58% from other races, and 2.84% from two or more races. 14.38% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 14.0% were of German, 9.5% English, 9.2% United States or American and 6.8% Irish ancestry.

There were 15,027 households, out of which 33.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.40% were married couples living together, 11.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.60% were non-families. 24.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.70% under the age of 18, 7.30% from 18 to 24, 25.50% from 25 to 44, 25.50% from 45 to 64, and 14.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 99.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $29,726, and the median income for a family was $35,012. Males had a median income of $29,495 versus $22,005 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,900. About 16.00% of families and 21.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.20% of those under age 18 and 10.40% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

* Brewster
* Okanogan (county seat)
* Omak
* Oroville
*Pateros
* Tonasket

Towns

* Conconully
* Coulee Dam (partial)
* Elmer City
* Nespelem
* Riverside
* Twisp
* Winthrop

Census-designated places

* Disautel
* Loomis
* Malott
* Methow
* Nespelem Community
* North Omak

Other unincorporated communities

*Aeneas
* Azwell
* Carlton
* Ellisford (aka Ellisforde)
* Havillah
* Mazama
* Monse
*Nighthawk
* Rocky Butte
* Synarep
* Wauconda

Ghost towns

* Bodie
* Bolster
* Chesaw
*Molson
*Ruby

Politics

Okanogan County was once a national bellwether county in U.S. presidential elections, voting for the nationwide winner in each presidential election from 1904 to 1992. In fact, it became the longest-running national bellwether after Crook County, Oregon, voted for George H. W. Bush in 1992. However, it has become a Republican-leaning county since 1996, when it voted for Bob Dole, with the longest national bellwether status passing on to New Castle County, Delaware.

See also

* National Register of Historic Places listings in Okanogan County, Washington
* Okanogan Conservation District

Further reading

Available online through the Washington State Library's Classics in Washington History collection

References

{{Coord, 48.55, -119.75, display=title, type:adm2nd_region:US-WA_source:UScensus1990

1888 establishments in Washington Territory
Populated places established in 1888
Eastern Washington
Washington (state) placenames of Native American origin