Pend Oreille County, Washington

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Pend Oreille County, Washington
Pend Oreille County Courthouse (September 2014)
Location in the state of Washington (state)
Washington's location in the U.S.
Founded	March 1, 1911
Named for	Pend d'Oreilles people
Seat	Newport
Largest city	Newport
Area  - Total  - Land  - Water	1,425 sq mi (3,691 km²) 1,400 sq mi (3,626 km²) 25 sq mi (65 km²), 1.8%
Population  - (2020)  - Density	13,401 9.3/sq mi (4/km²)
Congressional district	5th
Time zone	Pacific: UTC-8/-7
Website	www.pendoreilleco.org

Pend Oreille County ( /ˌpɒndəˈreɪ/ POND-ə-RAY) is a county located in the northeast corner of the U.S. state of Washington, along the Canada–US border. As of the 2020 census, the population was 13,401. The county seat and largest city is Newport. The county was created out of Stevens County on March 1, 1911. It is the most recently formed of the state's 39 counties. It is named after the Pend d'Oreilles tribe, who in turn were ostensibly named for large shell earrings that members wore. ("Pend d'oreille", while awkward in French, could be translated as "hangs from the ear".)

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,425 square miles (3,690 km²), of which 1,400 square miles (3,600 km²) is land and 25 square miles (65 km²) (1.8%) is water.

Highways

• U.S. Route 2
• State Route 20
• State Route 31
• State Route 41
• State Route 211
• International Selkirk Loop

Adjacent counties

• Boundary County, Idaho – east
• Bonner County, Idaho – east
• Spokane County – south
• Stevens County – west
• Central Kootenay Regional District, British Columbia – north

National protected areas

• Colville National Forest (part)
• Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail (part)
• Kaniksu National Forest (part)
• Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge (part)

Demographics

Historical populations
Census	Pop.		%±
1920	6,363		—
1930	7,155		12.4%
1940	7,156		0%
1950	7,413		3.6%
1960	6,914		−6.7%
1970	6,025		−12.9%
1980	8,580		42.4%
1990	8,915		3.9%
2000	11,732		31.6%
2010	13,001		10.8%
Est. 2021	13,886		18.4%
U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2020

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 11,732 people, 4,639 households, and 3,261 families in the county. The population density was 8 people per square mile (3/km²). There were 6,608 housing units at an average density of 5 per square mile (2/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 93.53% White, 0.14% Black or African American, 2.88% Native American, 0.63% Asian, 0.20% Pacific Islander, 0.57% from other races, and 2.04% from two or more races. 2.05% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 21.1% were of German, 13.2% English, 10.2% United States or American, 9,2% Irish and 5.7% Norwegian ancestry.

There were 4,639 households, out of which 29.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.50% were married couples living together, 8.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.70% were non-families. 25.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.98.

The county population contained 26.30% under the age of 18, 5.50% from 18 to 24, 23.80% from 25 to 44, 29.50% from 45 to 64, and 14.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 100.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,677, and the median income for a family was $36,977. Males had a median income of $36,951 versus $20,693 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,731. About 13.60% of families and 18.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.60% of those under age 18 and 6.40% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 13,001 people, 5,479 households, and 3,628 families residing in the county. The population density was 9.3 inhabitants per square mile (3.6 /km²). There were 7,936 housing units at an average density of 5.7 per square mile (2.2 /km²). The racial makeup of the county was 91.6% Caucasian, 3.8% American Indian, 0.6% Asian, 0.4% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 0.7% from other races, and 2.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.0% of the population. In terms of ancestry,

Of the 5,479 households, 26.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.4% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.8% were non-families, and 28.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.84. The median age was 47.8 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $38,896 and the median income for a family was $46,971. Males had a median income of $45,728 versus $26,128 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,546. About 13.6% of families and 18.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.2% of those under age 18 and 13.3% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Pend Oreille County Historical Museum, Newport

Cities

• Newport (county seat)

Towns

• Cusick
• Ione
• Metaline
• Metaline Falls

Unincorporated communities

• Blueslide
• Diamond Lake
• Jared
• Ruby
• Sacheen Lake
• Scotia
• Tiger
• Usk

Politics

United States presidential election results for Pend Oreille County, Washington

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	5,728	66.97%	2,593	30.32%	232	2.71%
2016	4,373	62.33%	1,934	27.57%	709	10.11%
2012	3,952	58.56%	2,508	37.16%	289	4.28%
2008	3,717	56.28%	2,562	38.79%	326	4.94%
2004	3,693	59.58%	2,310	37.27%	195	3.15%
2000	3,076	56.56%	1,973	36.28%	389	7.15%
1996	2,012	40.27%	2,126	42.55%	858	17.17%
1992	1,528	32.40%	1,798	38.13%	1,390	29.47%
1988	1,802	47.50%	1,925	50.74%	67	1.77%
1984	2,374	58.26%	1,655	40.61%	46	1.13%
1980	2,136	55.70%	1,399	36.48%	300	7.82%
1976	1,516	47.82%	1,533	48.36%	121	3.82%
1972	1,746	59.57%	1,071	36.54%	114	3.89%
1968	1,117	41.16%	1,350	49.74%	247	9.10%
1964	985	33.22%	1,978	66.71%	2	0.07%
1960	1,305	44.19%	1,641	55.57%	7	0.24%
1956	1,488	49.09%	1,540	50.81%	3	0.10%
1952	1,566	52.87%	1,380	46.59%	16	0.54%
1948	1,009	39.31%	1,465	57.07%	93	3.62%
1944	1,052	42.90%	1,385	56.48%	15	0.61%
1940	1,268	40.94%	1,812	58.51%	17	0.55%
1936	813	28.28%	1,903	66.19%	159	5.53%
1932	855	30.97%	1,772	64.18%	134	4.85%
1928	1,206	59.58%	793	39.18%	25	1.24%
1924	1,025	51.05%	231	11.50%	752	37.45%
1920	1,079	54.30%	651	32.76%	257	12.93%
1916	916	43.21%	1,080	50.94%	124	5.85%
1912	305	14.57%	747	35.67%	1,042	49.76%

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Pend Oreille County, Washington