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Chelan County, Washington facts for kids

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Chelan County
Chelan County Courthouse
Chelan County Courthouse
Official seal of Chelan County
Seal
Map of Washington highlighting Chelan County
Location within the U.S. state of Washington
Map of the United States highlighting Washington
Washington's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Washington
Founded March 13, 1899
Seat Wenatchee
Largest city Wenatchee
Area
 • Total 2,994 sq mi (7,750 km2)
 • Land 2,921 sq mi (7,570 km2)
 • Water 73 sq mi (190 km2)  2.5%%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 79,074
 • Estimate 
(2021)
79,646 Increase
 • Density 26/sq mi (10/km2)
Time zone UTC−8 (Pacific)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−7 (PDT)
Congressional district 8th

Chelan County is a county in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, its population was 79,074. The county seat and largest city is Wenatchee. The county was created out of Okanogan and Kittitas Counties on March 13, 1899. It derives its name from a Chelan Indian word meaning "deep water," likely a reference to 55-mile (89 km)-long Lake Chelan, which reaches a maximum depth of 1,486 feet (453 m).

Chelan County is part of the Wenatchee, Washington, Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,994 square miles (7,750 km2), of which 2,921 square miles (7,570 km2) is land and 73 square miles (190 km2) (2.5%) is water. It is the third-largest county in Washington by area.

Geographic features

Major highways

  • US 2.svg U.S. Route 2
  • US 97.svg U.S. Route 97

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1900 3,931
1910 15,104 284.2%
1920 20,906 38.4%
1930 31,634 51.3%
1940 34,412 8.8%
1950 39,301 14.2%
1960 40,744 3.7%
1970 41,355 1.5%
1980 45,061 9.0%
1990 52,250 16.0%
2000 66,616 27.5%
2010 72,453 8.8%
2020 79,074 9.1%
2021 (est.) 79,646 9.9%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790–1960 1900–1990
1990–2000 2010–2020

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 72,453 people, 27,827 households, and 18,795 families living in the county. The population density was 24.8 inhabitants per square mile (9.6/km2). There were 35,465 housing units at an average density of 12.1 per square mile (4.7/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 79.3% white, 1.0% American Indian, 0.8% Asian, 0.3% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 15.7% from other races, and 2.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 25.8% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 17.6% were German, 15.0% were American, 11.3% were English, and 8.3% were Irish.

Of the 27,827 households, 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.7% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.5% were non-families, and 26.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.10. The median age was 39.3 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $48,674 and the median income for a family was $57,856. Males had a median income of $41,076 versus $34,261 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,378. About 8.2% of families and 11.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.8% of those under age 18 and 9.0% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Barn at Chumstick WA
Old barn, Chumstick, Washington

Cities

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Chelan County vote
by party in presidential elections
Year Republican Democratic
2016 53.4% 18,114 38.4% 13,032
2012 56.6% 18,402 40.4% 13,112
2008 54.7% 17,605 42.9% 13,781
2004 62.8% 18,482 35.6% 10,471
2000 63.9% 16,980 31.7% 8,412
1996 51.8% 12,363 36.0% 8,595
1992 45.6% 10,716 33.5% 7,860
1988 57.8% 11,601 40.8% 8,183
1984 65.1% 13,667 33.2% 6,978
1980 56.9% 11,299 32.7% 6,483
1976 56.1% 10,492 40.8% 7,623
1972 60.1% 10,470 33.8% 5,889
1968 52.8% 9,093 39.4% 6,787
1964 41.6% 7,406 57.8% 10,295
1960 54.1% 9,854 44.9% 8,177

Ghost town

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Chelan para niños

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