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Clallam County, Washington

Coordinates:48°6′45″N123°26′27″W/ 48.11250°N 123.44083°W/48.11250; -123.44083
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Clallam County
Clallam County Courthouse
Flag of Clallam County
Official seal of Clallam County
Map of Washington highlighting Clallam County
Location within the U.S. state ofWashington
Map of the United States highlighting Washington
Washington's location within theU.S.
Coordinates:48°06′45″N123°26′27″W/ 48.1125°N 123.44083333333°W/48.1125; -123.44083333333
CountryUnited States
StateWashington
FoundedApril 26, 1854
SeatPort Angeles
Largest cityPort Angeles
Area
• Total2,671 sq mi (6,920 km2)
• Land1,738 sq mi (4,500 km2)
• Water932 sq mi (2,410 km2) 35%
Population
• Total77,155
• Estimate
(2022)
77,805Increase
• Density44.4/sq mi (17.1/km2)
Time zoneUTC−8(Pacific)
• Summer (DST)UTC−7(PDT)
Congressional district6th
Websitewww.clallam.net

Clallam Countyis acountyin theU.S. stateofWashington.As of the2020 census,the population was 77,155,[1]with an estimated population of 77,805 in 2022. Thecounty seatand largest city isPort Angeles;the county as a whole comprises the Port Angeles, WAMicropolitan Statistical Area.[2]The name is aKlallamword for "the strong people". The county was formed on April 26, 1854.[3]Located on theOlympic Peninsula,it is south from theStrait of Juan de Fuca,which forms theCanada–US border,asBritish Columbia'sVancouver Islandis across the strait.

Geography

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According to theUnited States Census Bureau,the county has a total area of 2,671 square miles (6,920 km2), of which 1,738 square miles (4,500 km2) is land and 932 square miles (2,410 km2) (35%) is water.[4]

Located in Clallam County isCape Alava,thewesternmost pointin both Washington and the contiguousUnited States,with alongitudeof 124 degrees, 43 minutes and 59 seconds West (−124.733). Near Cape Alava isOzette,the westernmost town in the contiguous United States. Clallam County also contains the west-northwesternmost, northwesternmost, and north-northwesternmost points in the contiguous United States.[5]

Geographic features

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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
1860149
1870408173.8%
188063856.4%
18902,771334.3%
19005,603102.2%
19106,75520.6%
192011,36868.3%
193020,44979.9%
194021,8486.8%
195026,39620.8%
196030,02213.7%
197034,77015.8%
198051,64848.5%
199056,4649.3%
200064,52514.3%
201071,40410.7%
202077,1558.1%
2023 (est.)77,616[6]0.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790–1960[8]1900–1990[9]
1990–2000[10]2010–2020[1]
Sol Duc River
Lake Crescent

2000 census

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As of the2000 census,[11]there were 64,525 people, 27,164 households, and 18,064 families living in the county. Thepopulation densitywas 37 people per square mile (14 people/km2). There were 30,683 housing units at an average density of 18 units per square mile (6.9 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 89.12%White,0.84%BlackorAfrican American,5.12%Native American,1.13%Asian,0.16%Pacific Islander,1.18% fromother races,and 2.44% from two or more races. 3.41% of the population wereHispanicorLatinoof any race. 17.2% were ofGerman,13.1%English,9.3%Irish,8.3%United Statesor American and 6.0%Norwegianancestry. 95% spokeEnglishand 3.2%Spanishas their first language.

There were 27,164 households, out of which 25.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.90% weremarried couplesliving together, 9.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.50% were non-families. 28.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.78.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.00% under the age of 18, 7.10% from 18 to 24, 22.80% from 25 to 44, 26.90% from 45 to 64, and 21.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 98.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,449, and the median income for a family was $44,381. Males had a median income of $35,452 versus $24,628 for females. Theper capita incomefor the county was $19,517. About 8.90% of families and 12.50% of the population were below thepoverty line,including 17.10% of those under age 18 and 6.80% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

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As of the2010 census,there were 71,404 people, 31,329 households, and 19,713 families living in the county.[12]The population density was 41.1 inhabitants per square mile (15.9/km2). There were 35,582 housing units at an average density of 20.5 units per square mile (7.9 units/km2).[13]The racial makeup of the county was 87.0% white, 5.1% American Indian, 1.4% Asian, 0.8% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 1.8% from other races, and 3.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 5.1% of the population.[12]In terms of ancestry, 21.4% wereGerman,16.4% wereEnglish,12.6% wereIrish,6.5% wereNorwegian,and 5.2% wereAmerican.[14]

Of the 31,329 households, 22.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.4% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 37.1% were non-families, and 30.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.70. The median age was 49.0 years.[12]

The median income for a household in the county was $44,398 and the median income for a family was $54,837. Males had a median income of $44,609 versus $32,125 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,449. About 9.5% of families and 14.3% of the population were below thepoverty line,including 21.4% of those under age 18 and 6.0% of those age 65 or over.[15]

Politics

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Modern Clallam County is generally regarded as a competitive area politically. In the2020 presidential election,DemocratJoe Bidenwon with 50.2% of the vote versus 46.9% of the vote for RepublicanDonald Trump.In the2016 presidential election,Republican Donald Trump won with 46.7% of the vote, compared to 44.0% of the vote for DemocratHillary Clinton.In the2012 presidential election,DemocratBarack Obamanarrowly won with 48.4% of the vote, compared to 48.0% of the vote for RepublicanMitt Romney.In the2008 presidential election,Barack Obama won the county with 50.6% of the vote, compared to 47.3% for candidate RepublicanJohn McCain.

Clallam County is abellwether,holding the longest record, as of 2020, forpredicting official presidential election winnersin the entire country.[16]It has voted the winning candidate in every presidential election since1980,and in every election since1920except for1968and1976.[17]As of 2020, it is the only county in the United States that has voted for the presidential winner in every election since 1980, and currently has the longest streak as a bellwether county in the United States.[16]

Democratic candidates are generally most successful in the county seat and largest city,Port Angeles,which casts a significant number of votes. The city ofSequimand its general vicinity (excepting newer developments such asBell Hillwhich tend to be Republican) is generally considered a battleground area. TheForksarea is generally Republican, with the exception of American Indian areas. TheMakahtribe areas around Neah Bay are some of the most Democratic areas in the state. Otherwise, with the exception of a few locations (such asBlynandJamestownnear Sequim), unincorporated Clallam County has a strong Republican lean.

United States presidential election results for Clallam County, Washington[18][19]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 23,062 46.81% 24,721 50.18% 1,481 3.01%
2016 18,794 46.37% 17,677 43.61% 4,062 10.02%
2012 18,437 48.03% 18,580 48.40% 1,368 3.56%
2008 18,199 47.25% 19,470 50.55% 851 2.21%
2004 18,871 51.33% 17,049 46.37% 846 2.30%
2000 16,251 50.42% 13,779 42.75% 2,202 6.83%
1996 12,432 42.12% 12,585 42.64% 4,499 15.24%
1992 9,765 34.06% 10,820 37.74% 8,088 28.21%
1988 11,200 49.14% 11,123 48.80% 471 2.07%
1984 13,605 57.32% 9,701 40.87% 429 1.81%
1980 11,515 51.65% 8,029 36.01% 2,752 12.34%
1976 9,132 49.67% 8,268 44.97% 986 5.36%
1972 9,372 58.25% 5,620 34.93% 1,097 6.82%
1968 5,921 41.60% 7,030 49.39% 1,283 9.01%
1964 4,175 31.03% 9,265 68.86% 15 0.11%
1960 6,227 47.61% 6,801 52.00% 52 0.40%
1956 6,852 54.82% 5,632 45.06% 16 0.13%
1952 6,442 53.96% 5,390 45.15% 106 0.89%
1948 4,178 41.38% 5,412 53.60% 507 5.02%
1944 3,551 39.23% 5,441 60.11% 59 0.65%
1940 3,555 36.91% 5,966 61.95% 110 1.14%
1936 2,404 28.56% 5,586 66.36% 428 5.08%
1932 1,870 24.81% 3,954 52.46% 1,713 22.73%
1928 3,319 65.53% 1,705 33.66% 41 0.81%
1924 2,129 52.07% 283 6.92% 1,677 41.01%
1920 1,775 53.76% 489 14.81% 1,038 31.44%
1916 1,475 45.23% 1,339 41.06% 447 13.71%
1912 727 28.67% 464 18.30% 1,345 53.04%
1908 938 59.59% 428 27.19% 208 13.21%
1904 903 68.15% 273 20.60% 149 11.25%
1900 723 60.45% 407 34.03% 66 5.52%
1896 559 43.43% 717 55.71% 11 0.85%
1892 518 38.20% 448 33.04% 390 28.76%

Transportation

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US Route 101at the interchange withWashington State Route 117

Clallam Transitoperates bus service between and within the towns of the county and to destinations outside Clallam County.

Major highways

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Airports

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The following public use airports are located in the county:[20]

Communities

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Crossroads in Port Angeles,Strait of Juan de FucaandVancouver Islandin the background

Cities

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Census-designated places

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Unincorporated communities

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The popularTwilight Saganovels and film series are set in Clallam County. The main storyline is set inForks;however, the characters also visit neighboringPort Angeles.

The rural-comedy film seriesMa and Pa Kettle(1949–1957) is set in a fictionalizedCape Flattery.

A popular YouTube series following the restoration of the historic sailing vesselTally Hotakes place inSequimsince 2017 and often visits other places in Clallam County.[21]The county has demanded that donations and work on the project be stopped, citing lack of permits and an unwillingness to issue those permits.[22]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ab"State & County QuickFacts".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedAugust 16,2023.
  2. ^"Find a County".National Association of Counties. Archived fromthe originalon May 31, 2011.RetrievedJune 7,2011.
  3. ^"2010 Census Gazetteer Files".United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012.RetrievedJuly 4,2015.
  4. ^"16 Extreme Compass Points".Del Leu.RetrievedFebruary 3,2022.
  5. ^"U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Clallam County, Washington".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedJune 26,2024.
  6. ^"U.S. Decennial Census".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedJanuary 7,2014.
  7. ^"Historical Census Browser".University of Virginia Library. Archived fromthe originalon August 11, 2012.RetrievedJanuary 7,2014.
  8. ^"Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedJanuary 7,2014.
  9. ^"Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000"(PDF).United States Census Bureau. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on February 26, 2015.RetrievedJanuary 7,2014.
  10. ^"U.S. Census website".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedMay 14,2011.
  11. ^abc"DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data".United States Census Bureau.Archived fromthe originalon February 13, 2020.RetrievedMarch 1,2016.
  12. ^"Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County".United States Census Bureau.Archived fromthe originalon February 13, 2020.RetrievedMarch 1,2016.
  13. ^"DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates".United States Census Bureau.Archived fromthe originalon February 13, 2020.RetrievedMarch 1,2016.
  14. ^"DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates".United States Census Bureau.Archived fromthe originalon February 13, 2020.RetrievedMarch 1,2016.
  15. ^ab"Clallam County continues its streak of picking every presidential winner since 1980".king5.RetrievedNovember 8,2020.
  16. ^"What does Clallam County know? Voters just chose a winner for the tenth straight election".kitsapsun.RetrievedNovember 8,2020.
  17. ^Leip, David."Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".uselectionatlas.org.RetrievedApril 5,2018.
  18. ^The leading "other" candidate,ProgressiveTheodore Roosevelt,received 686 votes, while Socialist candidateEugene Debsreceived 610 votes,ProhibitioncandidateEugene Chafinreceived 36 votes, andSocialist LaborcandidateArthur Reimerreceived 13 votes.
  19. ^"Clallam County Public and Private Airports".tollfreeairline.RetrievedAugust 12,2018.
  20. ^"One man's mission to save a historic ship built a digital community".High Country News – Know the West.September 25, 2019.RetrievedFebruary 1,2021.
  21. ^"Boat restoration project may be asked to move".Peninsula Daily News.March 2, 2021.RetrievedMarch 13,2021.
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48°6′45″N123°26′27″W/ 48.11250°N 123.44083°W/48.11250; -123.44083