Umatilla County, Oregon

Umatilla County (/ˌjuːməˈtɪlə/) is one of the 36 counties in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2020 census, the population was 80,075.[1] Hermiston is the largest city in Umatilla County, but Pendleton remains the county seat.[2] Umatilla County is part of the Hermiston-Pendleton, OR Micropolitan Statistical Area, which has a combined population of 92,261. It is included in the eight-county definition of Eastern Oregon.

Umatilla County
County
Stafford Hansell Government Center in Hermiston
Stafford Hansell Government Center in Hermiston
Map of Oregon highlighting Umatilla County
Location within the U.S. state of Oregon
Map of the United States highlighting Oregon
Oregon's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 45°22′30″N 118°45′05″W
Country United States
State Oregon
FoundedSeptember 27, 1862
Named forUmatilla River
SeatPendleton
Largest cityHermiston
Area
 • Total3,231 sq mi (8,370 km2)
 • Land3,216 sq mi (8,330 km2)
 • Water16 sq mi (40 km2)  0.5%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total80,075
 • Estimate 
(2022)
80,215 Increase
 • Density20/sq mi (9/km2)
Time zoneUTC−8 (Pacific)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−7 (PDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.co.umatilla.or.us

The county is named for the Umatilla River.

History

Umatilla County was created on September 27, 1862, out of a portion of Wasco County. Adjustments were made to the county's boundaries following the creation of Grant, Morrow, Union, and Wallowa Counties. This legislative act also designated Marshall Station as the temporary county seat. An 1865 election selected Umatilla City, now known as Umatilla, as the county seat. With the development of wheat farming, population shifted to the north and east parts of the county, and a subsequent election in 1868 moved the county seat again to Pendleton.

The Umatilla Indian Reservation was established by the Treaty of Walla Walla in 1855. The Umatillas, Walla Wallas, and Cayuse tribes were resettled there, and is located immediately southeast of Pendleton.

EZ Wireless of Hermiston officially opened on February 4, 2004, one of the largest known Wi-Fi wide area networks in the United States, covering parts of Umatilla County, Morrow County and Benton County, Washington. Although created to facilitate communications among local police, firemen and EMT workers who immediately respond to possible accidents or terrorist attacks on the Umatilla Chemical Depot, where the U.S. Army maintained a national arsenal of nerve gas, the network can be accessed in some places by the public for free.[3]

Geography
Map of Umatilla County
Map of Umatilla County

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 3,231 square miles (8,370 km2), of which 3,216 square miles (8,330 km2) are land and 16 square miles (41 km2) (0.5%) are covered by water.[4] It borders the Columbia River across from Washington.

Adjacent counties
I-84 eastbound and McKay Reservoir in Umatilla County

National protected areas

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18702,916—
18809,607229.5%
189013,38139.3%
190018,04934.9%
191020,30912.5%
192025,94627.8%
193024,399−6.0%
194026,0306.7%
195041,70360.2%
196044,3526.4%
197044,9231.3%
198058,86131.0%
199059,2490.7%
200070,54819.1%
201075,8897.6%
202080,0755.5%
2022 (est.)80,215[5]0.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8]
1990–2000[9] 2010–2020[1]

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, 75,889 people, 26,904 households, and 18,647 families resided in the county.[10] The population density was 23.6 inhabitants per square mile (9.1/km2). The 29,693 housing units had an average density of 9.2 per square mile (3.6/km2).[11] The racial makeup of the county was 79.1% White, 3.5% American Indian, 0.9% Asian, 0.8% Black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 12.5% from other races, and 3.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 23.9% of the population.[10] In terms of ancestry, 21.4% were German, 12.8% were Irish, 11.6% were English, and 5.6% were American.[12]

Of the 26,904 households, 36.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.9% were married couples living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.7% were non-families, and 24.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.17. The median age was 35.7 years.[10]

The median income for a household in the county was $45,861 and for a family was $53,585. Males had a median income of $39,288 versus $30,489 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,035. About 11.0% of families and 15.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.4% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over.[13]

2021 US Census American Community Survey- Household Incomes

Strong economic growth in the west end of the county has propelled Hermiston well past Pendleton with the highest median household incomes in Umatilla County.

2021 Median household incomes[14]
Rank City Median Income % Change from 2010
1 Hermiston $60,971 +46.5%
2 Pendleton $58,093 +27.8%
3 Umatilla $51,790 +25.1%
4 Milton-Freewater $48,250 +43.3%

Government and politics

State legislature

Umatilla County contains two Oregon State House Districts: State House District 57, which is currently represented by Greg Smith, and State House District 58, which is currently represented by Bobby Levy. Umatilla County is also located in the 29th District of the Oregon State Senate, represented by Bill Hansell. Smith, Levy, and Hansell are registered Republicans.

Board of commissioners

Umatilla County is represented and governed by three county commissioners. The Umatilla County Board of Commissioners is currently made up of Dan Dorran, John Shafer, and Cindy Timmons.[15]

Make-up of Umatilla County voters
Registered voters in Umatilla County, April 2009[16]

Like all counties in eastern Oregon, the majority of registered voters who are part of a political party in Umatilla County are members of the Republican Party.[17] In the 2008 presidential election, 59.77% of Umatilla County voters voted for Republican John McCain, while 37.16% voted for Democrat Barack Obama and 3.07% of voters either voted for a third-party candidate or wrote in a candidate. These numbers show a small but definite shift towards the Democratic candidate when compared to the 2004 presidential election, in which 65.8% of Umatilla Country voters voted for George W. Bush, while 32.8% voted for John Kerry, and 1.4% of voters either voted for a third-party candidate or wrote in a candidate.[18]

United States presidential election results for Umatilla County, Oregon[19]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 21,270 64.38% 10,707 32.41% 1,061 3.21%
2016 17,059 61.81% 7,673 27.80% 2,865 10.38%
2012 15,499 62.07% 8,584 34.38% 886 3.55%
2008 15,254 59.77% 9,484 37.16% 785 3.08%
2004 17,068 64.84% 8,884 33.75% 370 1.41%
2000 14,140 61.32% 7,809 33.86% 1,111 4.82%
1996 9,703 45.14% 8,774 40.82% 3,018 14.04%
1992 7,095 36.12% 6,787 34.55% 5,761 29.33%
1988 10,254 54.02% 8,327 43.87% 400 2.11%
1984 14,211 63.12% 8,246 36.63% 57 0.25%
1980 12,950 57.78% 7,382 32.93% 2,082 9.29%
1976 9,345 51.83% 7,985 44.28% 701 3.89%
1972 10,470 57.94% 6,090 33.70% 1,511 8.36%
1968 8,975 54.80% 6,402 39.09% 1,002 6.12%
1964 6,138 36.41% 10,689 63.40% 32 0.19%
1960 9,374 53.77% 8,053 46.19% 6 0.03%
1956 9,654 55.70% 7,678 44.30% 0 0.00%
1952 10,529 59.60% 7,098 40.18% 40 0.23%
1948 5,726 48.69% 5,891 50.09% 144 1.22%
1944 5,379 51.77% 4,967 47.80% 45 0.43%
1940 5,193 51.11% 4,935 48.57% 32 0.31%
1936 2,943 31.27% 5,753 61.13% 715 7.60%
1932 2,930 33.01% 5,631 63.43% 316 3.56%
1928 5,277 67.83% 2,390 30.72% 113 1.45%
1924 3,854 44.71% 3,052 35.41% 1,714 19.88%
1920 4,979 58.03% 3,255 37.94% 346 4.03%
1916 3,664 42.33% 4,606 53.22% 385 4.45%
1912 1,261 29.30% 1,563 36.32% 1,480 34.39%
1908 2,328 55.67% 1,568 37.49% 286 6.84%
1904 2,642 66.27% 840 21.07% 505 12.67%

Economy

The gold rush of 1862 brought miners and stock raisers to the mountains and grasslands of Umatilla County. Another stimulus was the arrival of the railroad in 1881, opening the region to the development of dry-land wheat farming. Water for irrigation has been key to economic diversification and growth, most recently in the Hermiston area, where potatoes, onions, corn, and more than 200 other crops are grown commercially. Low-cost power through Umatilla Electric Cooperative and good freeway access are also driving growth in the Hermiston area, with amazon.com developing large data-center operations there, and major distribution facilities for Walmart, FedEx, and UPS are all located in Hermiston.

Communities
Trestle seen off Sparks Station Rd at Pendleton Country Club, opposite of the McKay Reservoir, Pendleton, Oregon. Transportation linkages in Umatilla are one of the county's major advantages.[20]
An old grain elevator along Steen Road south of Milton-Freewater, Umatilla County.

Umatilla County is generally divided into three distinct economic and cultural areas, which are the West End, the Pendleton area, and the Milton-Freewater area. Although each of these communities shares some economic ties, the distance between each creates three very distinct communities. The West End includes the communities of Hermiston, Umatilla, Stanfield, and Echo. The Pendleton area includes Pendleton, Pilot Rock, Adams, and Athena. The Milton-Freewater area is largely tied to the Walla Walla, Washington area, and is considered a part of the Walla Walla Metropolitan Planning Organization. The similarities between the areas has created a long-standing rivalry, particularly between the West-End and the Pendleton-area, with regard to economic opportunity and public resources. The West End, led by Hermiston as its largest city, is now nearly twice the size of the Pendleton area, and is projected to be nearly three times the size of the Pendleton area by 2035.[21]

Cities

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

Education

School districts include:[22]

  • Athena-Weston School District 29J
  • Echo School District 5
  • Helix School District 1
  • Hermiston School District 8
  • Milton-Freewater School District 7
  • Pendleton School District 16
  • Pilot Rock School District 2
  • Stanfield School District 61
  • Ukiah School District 80
  • Umatilla School District 6

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. "Wi-Fi Cloud Covers Rural Oregon". Wired News. CondéNet Inc. Associated Press. October 16, 2005. Retrieved December 10, 2006.
  4. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  5. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022". Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  6. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  7. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  8. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  9. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 26, 2015. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  10. "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  11. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  12. "DP02 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 February 23, 2016.
  13. "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  14. "QuickFacts- Hermiston City, Oregon; Pendleton City, Oregon; Umatilla City, Oregon; Milton-Freewater City, Oregon". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  15. "Board of Commissioners". Umatilla County. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  16. "Content Manager WebDrawer - 2009 April Voter Registration". records.sos.state.or.us. Retrieved April 20, 2009.
  17. "HP Records Manager WebDrawer - 2009 April Voter Registration". records.sos.state.or.us. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
  18. "Umatilla County, Oregon detailed profile - houses, real estate, cost of living, wages, work, agriculture, ancestries, and more". www.city-data.com. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
  19. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  20. 1996 Portrait: Regional (northwest) Economic Review And Outlook. DIANE Publishing Company. 2004. p. 32. ISBN 0-7881-3093-5.
  21. Coordinated Population Forecast for Umatilla County, its Urban Growth Boundaries (UGB), and Area outside UGBs 2016-2066
  22. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Umatilla County, OR" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved July 17, 2022. - Text list

45.375131°N 118.7513661°W / 45.375131; -118.7513661

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