Walla Walla County, Washington

Walla Walla County
	Walla Walla County, Washington
	; Seal
	; Seal
	; Location in the state of Washington
	; Washington's location in the U.S.
Founded	April 25, 1854
Seat	Walla Walla
Area; - Total; - Land; - Water	; 1,299 sq mi (3,364 km²); 1,271 sq mi (3,292 km²); 29 sq mi (75 km²), 2.21%
Population; - (2010); - Density	; 58,781; 46/sq mi (17.8/km²)
Website	www.co.walla-walla.wa.us

Walla Walla County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. It is named after the Walla Walla tribe of Native Americans. In 2010, its population was 58,781. The county seat is Walla Walla, which is also its largest city.

Walla Walla County was formed on April 25, 1854.^[1]

[edit] Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,299 square miles (3,360 km²), of which 1,271 square miles (3,290 km²) is land and 29 square miles (75 km²) (2.21%) is water.

[edit] Geographic features

[edit] Major highways

U.S. Route 12

[edit] Adjacent counties

Columbia County, Washington - east
Umatilla County, Oregon - south
Benton County, Washington - west
Franklin County, Washington - northwest

[edit] National protected areas

[edit] Demographics

Historical populations
Census	Pop.	%±
1860	1,318	—
1870	5,300	302.1%
1880	8,716	64.5%
1890	12,224	40.2%
1900	18,680	52.8%
1910	31,931	70.9%
1920	27,539	−13.8%
1930	28,441	3.3%
1940	30,547	7.4%
1950	40,135	31.4%
1960	42,195	5.1%
1970	42,176	0%
1980	47,435	12.5%
1990	48,439	2.1%
2000	55,180	13.9%
2010	58,781	6.5%

As of the census^[2] of 2000, there were 55,180 people, 19,647 households, and 13,242 families residing in the county. The population density was 43 people per square mile (17/km²). There were 21,147 housing units at an average density of 17 per square mile (6/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 85.32% White, 1.69% Black or African American, 0.84% Native American, 1.11% Asian, 0.22% Pacific Islander, 8.24% from other races, and 2.57% from two or more races. 15.68% 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 according to Census 2000.

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.