Ferry County, Washington

Ferry County is a county located on the northern border of the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, the population was 7,178,[1] making it the fourth-least populous county in Washington.[2] The county seat and largest city is Republic.[3] The county was created out of Stevens County in February 1899[4] and is named for Elisha P. Ferry, the state's first governor.[5]

Ferry County
County
Ferry County Courthouse in Republic
Ferry County Courthouse in Republic
Map of Washington highlighting Ferry County
Location within the U.S. state of Washington
Map of the United States highlighting Washington
Washington's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 48°28′N 118°31′W
Country United States
State Washington
FoundedFebruary 21, 1899
Named forElisha P. Ferry
SeatRepublic
Largest cityRepublic
Area
 • Total2,257 sq mi (5,850 km2)
 • Land2,203 sq mi (5,710 km2)
 • Water54 sq mi (140 km2)  2.4%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total7,178
 • Estimate 
(2021)
7,273 Increase
 • Density3.5/sq mi (1.4/km2)
Time zoneUTC−8 (Pacific)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−7 (PDT)
Congressional district5th
Websitewww.ferry-county.com

History

During the time of Washington Territory, the Territorial Legislature created Stevens County in 1863, containing all the land from the Columbia River to the Cascades north of the Wenatchee River from Walla Walla County.[6] On January 20, 1864, the original Spokane County was dissolved and merged with the unorganized Stevens County.[7] The western section of Stevens County was separated on February 18, 1899, and named Ferry County, in recognition of the Territory's last governor and the State's first governor, Elisha P. Ferry.

The town of Republic is the county's seat of government, as well as the largest town. It was founded at the end of the nineteenth century by gold prospectors and was incorporated in 1900. The original election precinct of Republic was created on April 6, 1898.[8] Following the 1922 primary elections, a group of citizens called for an investigation into possible election irregularities. The group claimed that two of that years voting precincts had been formed unlawfully in conjunction with misconduct in six precincts by election officers and the canvassing board. As a result of the actions, the validity of two candidates were called in question. Demands were made that Thomas F. Barker, seeking re-election as sheriff, and John W. McCool, seeking the County Treasurer seat, be barred from the ballot. Barker was notably facing charges at the federal level at that time from allegations of conspiring and abetting bootleggers.[9]

The original county courthouse, made of wood, burned in 1934. Its replacement, made of concrete and stucco, is presently being considered for historical preservation.[10]

Economy

Ferry County reaches to Canada on the north, and to the Columbia River on the east. Its southern portion is in the boundary of the Colville Indian Reservation, controlled by the Colville Confederated Tribes, and its northern portion is largely occupied by Colville National Forest. As a result, only eighteen percent of the total county area is taxable-use ground.[10] The county's economy is largely based on timber-extraction, and mining.

Ferry County's topography and climate make it an ideal recreation destination, so tourism is becoming a significant portion of the county's economy. Washington State Highway 20, designated a National Scenic Highway, crosses the county east–west, and has the state's highest navigable pass (5,575 feet above sea level).

The county seat, Republic, is the site of the Stonerose Interpretive Center and Fossil Site, which exhibits and explains Eocene-era fossils from an ancient lake bed north of Republic.[10]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,257 square miles (5,850 km2), of which 2,203 square miles (5,710 km2) is land and 54 square miles (140 km2) (2.4%) is water.[11] Most of the county is covered by the rugged Kettle River Range, which extends from the Canada–US border to its southernmost perimeter bounded by the Columbia River and Lake Roosevelt. Only a narrow north–south strip running the length of the county on the west between the San Poil River and the Okanogan County line is covered by the Okanogan Highland. Except for the town of Republic, the county is sparsely populated.

Geographic features
  • Kettle River Range
  • Copper Butte, highest point: 7,140 feet (2,176 m)
  • Snow Peak, 7,103 feet (2,165 m)
  • Scar Mountain, 7,046 feet (2,148 m)
  • Wapaloosie Mountain, 7,018 feet (2,139 m)
  • Sherman Peak, 7,011 feet (2,137 m)
  • Bald Mountain, 6,940 feet (2,115 m)
  • White Mountain, 6,923 feet (2,110 m)
  • Columbia Mountain, 6,782 feet (2,067 m)
  • Midnight Mountain, 6,660 feet (2,030 m)
  • King Mountain, 6,634 feet (2,022 m)
  • Edds Mountain, 6,540 feet (1,993 m)
  • Sherman Pass, 5,575 feet (1,699 m), highest mountain pass open all year in the state
  • Okanogan Highland

Major rivers and lakes
The Sanpoil River flows south to the Columbia

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
19004,562—
19104,8005.2%
19205,1437.1%
19304,292−16.5%
19404,7019.5%
19504,096−12.9%
19603,889−5.1%
19703,655−6.0%
19805,81159.0%
19906,2958.3%
20007,26015.3%
20107,5514.0%
20207,178−4.9%
2021 (est.)7,273[12]1.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[13]
1790–1960[14] 1900–1990[15]
1990–2000[16] 2010–2020[1]

2000 census

As of the census[17] of 2000, there were 7,260 people, 2,823 households, and 1,987 families living in the county. The population density was 3 inhabitants per square mile (1.2/km2). There were 3,775 housing units at an average density of 2 units per square mile (0.77 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 75.48% White, 0.21% Black or African American, 18.28% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 2.23% from other races, and 3.46% from two or more races. 2.82% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 14.1% were of German, 9.5% United States or American, 9.1% Irish, and 7.6% English ancestry. 96.7% spoke English and 1.9% Spanish as their first language.

There were 2,823 households, out of which 30.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.70% were married couples living together, 10.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.60% were non-families. 24.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.90% under the age of 18, 7.60% from 18 to 24, 23.40% from 25 to 44, 29.50% from 45 to 64, and 12.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 107.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,388, and the median income for a family was $35,691. Males had a median income of $32,103 versus $23,371 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,019. About 13.30% of families and 19.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.40% of those under age 18 and 10.30% of those age 65 or over.[18]

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 7,551 people, 3,190 households, and 2,070 families living in the county.[19] The population density was 3.4 inhabitants per square mile (1.3/km2). There were 4,403 housing units at an average density of 2.0 per square mile (0.77/km2).[20] The racial makeup of the county was 76.3% white, 16.7% American Indian, 0.7% Asian, 0.3% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 1.2% from other races, and 4.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.4% of the population.[19] In terms of ancestry, 23.0% were German, 18.0% were English, 12.3% were Irish, and 3.7% were American.[21]

Of the 3,190 households, 23.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.2% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 35.1% were non-families, and 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.75. The median age was 47.3 years.[19]

The median income for a household in the county was $35,485 and the median income for a family was $43,576. Males had a median income of $41,755 versus $30,972 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,021. About 13.6% of families and 20.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.3% of those under age 18 and 12.4% of those age 65 or over.[22]

Government
United States presidential election results for Ferry County, Washington[23][24]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 2,771 63.45% 1,486 34.03% 110 2.52%
2016 2,202 60.43% 1,098 30.13% 344 9.44%
2012 1,995 57.20% 1,294 37.10% 199 5.71%
2008 1,916 54.19% 1,467 41.49% 153 4.33%
2004 2,019 60.38% 1,201 35.92% 124 3.71%
2000 1,896 62.41% 932 30.68% 210 6.91%
1996 1,091 38.73% 1,197 42.49% 529 18.78%
1992 773 30.23% 963 37.66% 821 32.11%
1988 972 48.10% 972 48.10% 77 3.81%
1984 1,232 55.75% 935 42.31% 43 1.95%
1980 1,108 52.76% 802 38.19% 190 9.05%
1976 776 45.86% 814 48.11% 102 6.03%
1972 815 53.37% 560 36.67% 152 9.95%
1968 608 43.84% 596 42.97% 183 13.19%
1964 526 36.05% 931 63.81% 2 0.14%
1960 623 40.30% 921 59.57% 2 0.13%
1956 662 44.34% 830 55.59% 1 0.07%
1952 687 47.38% 754 52.00% 9 0.62%
1948 473 35.30% 824 61.49% 43 3.21%
1944 518 39.39% 792 60.23% 5 0.38%
1940 590 31.91% 1,247 67.44% 12 0.65%
1936 320 21.11% 1,130 74.54% 66 4.35%
1932 322 22.28% 1,035 71.63% 88 6.09%
1928 640 45.75% 732 52.32% 27 1.93%
1924 507 34.49% 349 23.74% 614 41.77%
1920 592 43.56% 505 37.16% 262 19.28%
1916 581 33.72% 913 52.99% 229 13.29%
1912 286 16.94% 609 36.08% 793 46.98%
1908 467 47.17% 393 39.70% 130 13.13%
1904 511 54.89% 297 31.90% 123 13.21%
1900 423 33.25% 830 65.25% 19 1.49%

County law enforcement

County-wide law enforcement is provided by the Ferry County Sheriff Office which is headquartered in Republic. Henry Waisman was the county's first sheriff, appointed by the county commissioners following the county's 1899 organization, with a mandate to serve until the first general election in 1900. The county's first elected sheriff was A.E. Stewart.[25] During 2016 the sheriff was Ray Maycumber.[26]

Communities

City
Republic, Washington

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

Notable people

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 8, 2022.
  2. Ahead of Wahkiakum (4,422), Columbia (3,952), and Garfield (2,286) counties.
  3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. "Milestones for Washington State History — Part 2: 1851 to 1900". HistoryLink.org. March 6, 2003.
  5. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 125.
  6. "Statutes of Washington Territory Tenth Session" (PDF).
  7. "Statutes of the Territory of Washington in 1864" (PDF).
  8. "Stevens County Board of Commissioners, Meetings, 1860-1913".
  9. "100 years ago in Ferry County: Election misconduct alleged".
  10. "Ferry County Government". www.ferry-county.com. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  11. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved July 5, 2015.
  12. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021". Retrieved April 8, 2022.
  13. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  14. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  15. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  16. "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 7, 2014.
  17. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  18. Hanlon, James (September 5, 2022). "After slump, Ferry County attempts to regain lost population in 2020 census". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  19. "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 1, 2016.
  20. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 1, 2016.
  21. "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 1, 2016.
  22. "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 1, 2016.
  23. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  24. The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 286 votes, while Socialist candidate Eugene Debs received 269 votes, Prohibition candidate Eugene Chafin received 13 votes, and Socialist Labor candidate Arthur Reimer received 9 votes.
  25. An Illustrated History of Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan and Chelan Counties, State of Washington. Western Historical Publishing Company. 1904. p. 446.
  26. Jackson, Steve (June 23, 2016). "New Colville Reservation Fireworks Ban in Response to Wildfire Hazards". KPBX-FM. Retrieved December 23, 2016.

Further reading

48.47°N 118.51°W / 48.47; -118.51

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