Whitman County, Washington

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,178 square miles (5,640 km²), of which 2,159 square miles (5,590 km²) is land and 19 square miles (49 km²) (0.9%) is water. Whitman County is part of the Palouse, a wide and rolling prairie-like region of the middle Columbia basin.

Rivers

Lakes and reservoirs

Summits and peaks

Notable parks

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 40,740 people, 15,257 households, and 8,055 families residing in the county. The population density was 19 people per square mile (7/km²). There were 16,676 housing units at an average density of 8 per square mile (3/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 88.07% White, 1.53% Black or African American, 0.73% Native American, 5.55% Asian, 0.27% Pacific Islander, 1.22% from other races, and 2.63% from two or more races. 2.99% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 21.9% were of German, 9.8% English, 8.6% Irish, 8.3% United States or American and 6.6% Norwegian ancestry.

There were 15,257 households out of which 24.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.20% were married couples living together, 6.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 47.20% were non-families. 29.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.10% 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 2.91.

In the county, the population was spread out with 18.10% under the age of 18, 32.60% from 18 to 24, 24.00% from 25 to 44, 16.00% from 45 to 64, and 9.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 25 years. For every 100 females there were 102.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $28,584, and the median income for a family was $44,830. Males had a median income of $33,381 versus $27,046 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,298. About 11.00% of families and 25.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.50% of those under age 18 and 5.50% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 44,776 people, 17,468 households, and 8,130 families residing in the county. The population density was 20.7 inhabitants per square mile (8.0/km²). There were 19,323 housing units at an average density of 8.9 per square mile (3.4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 84.6% white, 7.8% Asian, 1.7% black or African American, 0.7% American Indian, 0.2% Pacific islander, 1.4% from other races, and 3.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 4.6% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 29.4% were German, 14.5% were English, 13.4% were Irish, 7.1% were Norwegian, and 4.1% were American.

Of the 17,468 households, 20.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.4% were married couples living together, 5.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 53.5% were non-families, and 32.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.86. The median age was 24.4 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,368 and the median income for a family was $61,598. Males had a median income of $46,663 versus $34,496 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,506. About 10.7% of families and 27.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.3% of those under age 18 and 5.7% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

The county is traditionally Republican, and as part of Washington's 5th congressional district it is represented by Republican Cathy McMorris Rodgers. Whitman was one of only three counties in the state to be won by Barry Goldwater in 1964. Since that election, the county has been won by the winning candidate in all but three presidential elections, 1976, 2012 and 2016. Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush all won the county twice.

In 2008, Barack Obama received 51.57% of the Whitman County vote, but in 2012, he received 46.9% of the vote, with Mitt Romney winning with a 49.7% plurality. Surprisingly, Whitman was the only county in eastern Washington to approve same-sex marriage via Referendum 74, and it was the only county to vote in favor of Referendum 74 while voting against Barack Obama. Whitman County voters also approved marijuana legalization via Initiative 502.

Economy

Whitman County has highly productive agriculture. According to Heart of Washington, Whitman County produces more barley, wheat, dry peas, and lentils than any other county in the United States.

The county is also home to Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories in Pullman.

Education

Pullman is home to Washington State University, the state's land-grant university.

Cities

Census-designated place

Ghost town