Ferry County, Washington

Ferry County, Washington
Ferry County Courthouse in Republic
Location in the state of Washington (state)
Washington's location in the U.S.
Founded	February 21, 1899
Named for	Elisha P. Ferry
Seat	Republic
Largest city	Republic
Area  - Total  - Land  - Water	2,257 sq mi (5,846 km²) 2,203 sq mi (5,706 km²) 54 sq mi (140 km²), 2.4%
Population  - (2020)  - Density	7,178 3.5/sq mi (1/km²)
Congressional district	5th
Time zone	Pacific: UTC-8/-7
Website	www.ferry-county.com/

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, making it the fourth-least populous county in Washington. The county seat and largest city is Republic. The county was created out of Stevens County in February 1899 and is named for Elisha P. Ferry, the state's first governor.

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. On January 20, 1864, the original Spokane County was dissolved and merged with the unorganized Stevens County. 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. 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.

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

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. 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.

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. 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

• Columbia River
• Kettle River
• Sanpoil River
• Franklin D. Roosevelt Lake, called Lake Roosevelt
• Curlew Lake
• Swan Lake
• Ferry Lake
• Fish Lake
• Long Lake

Adjacent counties

• Kootenay Boundary Regional District, British Columbia, north
• Stevens County, east
• Lincoln County, southwest
• Okanogan County, west

National protected areas

• Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail (part)
• Colville National Forest (part)
• Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area (part)

Demographics

Historical populations
Census	Pop.		%±
1900	4,562		—
1910	4,800		5.2%
1920	5,143		7.1%
1930	4,292		−16.5%
1940	4,701		9.5%
1950	4,096		−12.9%
1960	3,889		−5.1%
1970	3,655		−6.0%
1980	5,811		59.0%
1990	6,295		8.3%
2000	7,260		15.3%
2010	7,551		4.0%
Est. 2021	7,273		0.2%
U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2020

2000 census

As of the census 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 per square mile (1/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.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 7,551 people, 3,190 households, and 2,070 families living in the county. 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). 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. In terms of ancestry, 23.0% were German, 18.0% were English, 12.3% were Irish, and 3.7% were American.

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.

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.

Government

United States presidential election results for Ferry County, Washington

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%
"text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Tie |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. During 2016 the sheriff was Ray Maycumber.

Communities

City

Republic, Washington

• Republic (county seat)

Census-designated places

• Barney's Junction
• Barstow
• Boyds
• Curlew
• Curlew Lake
• Danville
• Inchelium
• Keller
• Laurier
• Malo
• Orient
• Pine Grove
• Torboy
• Twin Lakes

Other unincorporated communities

• Covada
• Goldstake
• Harter
• Impach
• Karamin
• Kewa
• Meteor
• Orient
• Toroda
• West Fork

Notable people

• Alex N. Dragnich (1912-2009) - political scientist
• Stella Leach (1918-2010) - nurse and activist

See also

• Ansorge Hotel
• Ferry County Carousel
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Ferry County, Washington
• List of law enforcement agencies in Washington (state)

Further reading

• An illustrated history of Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan and Chelan counties, State of Washington. Western Historical Pub. Co.. 1904. https://archive.org/details/illustratedhisto00stee. Available online through the Washington State Library's Classics in Washington History collection

External links

• Ferry County, Washington at HistoryLink.org
• Official website of Ferry County Government
• SummitPost.org, Kettle River Range (Washington State)
• Ferry County, Washington at Curlie
• Sheriff's office official website