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Clallam County, Washington facts for kids

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Clallam County
Clallam County Courthouse
Clallam County Courthouse
Official seal of Clallam County
Seal
Map of Washington highlighting Clallam 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 April 26, 1854
Seat Port Angeles
Largest city Port Angeles
Area
 • Total 2,671 sq mi (6,920 km2)
 • Land 1,738 sq mi (4,500 km2)
 • Water 932 sq mi (2,410 km2)  35%%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 77,155
 • Estimate 
(2021)
78,209 Increase
 • Density 44.4/sq mi (17.1/km2)
Time zone UTC−8 (Pacific)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−7 (PDT)
Congressional district 6th

Clallam County is a county in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, the population was 77,155, with an estimated population of 78,209 in 2021. The county seat and largest city is Port Angeles; the county as a whole comprises the Port Angeles, WA Micropolitan Statistical Area. The name is a Klallam word for "the strong people". The county was formed on April 26, 1854. Located on the Olympic Peninsula, it is south from the Strait of Juan de Fuca, which forms the Canada–US border, as British Columbia's Vancouver Island is across the strait.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,671 square miles (6,920 km2), of which 1,738 square miles (4,500 km2) is land and 932 square miles (2,410 km2) (35%) is water.

Located in Clallam County is Cape Alava, the westernmost point in both Washington and the continental United States, with a longitude of 124 degrees, 43 minutes and 59 seconds West (-124.733). Near Cape Alava is Ozette, the westernmost town in the continental United States (see Extreme points of the United States for more information).

Geographic features

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1860 149
1870 408 173.8%
1880 638 56.4%
1890 2,771 334.3%
1900 5,603 102.2%
1910 6,755 20.6%
1920 11,368 68.3%
1930 20,449 79.9%
1940 21,848 6.8%
1950 26,396 20.8%
1960 30,022 13.7%
1970 34,770 15.8%
1980 51,648 48.5%
1990 56,464 9.3%
2000 64,525 14.3%
2010 71,404 10.7%
2020 77,155 8.1%
2021 (est.) 78,209 9.5%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790–1960 1900–1990
1990–2000 2010–2020

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 71,404 people, 31,329 households, and 19,713 families living in the county. The population density was 41.1 inhabitants per square mile (15.9/km2). There were 35,582 housing units at an average density of 20.5 per square mile (7.9/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 87.0% white, 5.1% American Indian, 1.4% Asian, 0.8% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 1.8% from other races, and 3.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 5.1% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 21.4% were German, 16.4% were English, 12.6% were Irish, 6.5% were Norwegian, and 5.2% were American.

Of the 31,329 households, 22.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.4% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 37.1% were non-families, and 30.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.70. The median age was 49.0 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $44,398 and the median income for a family was $54,837. Males had a median income of $44,609 versus $32,125 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,449. About 9.5% of families and 14.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.4% of those under age 18 and 6.0% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation

US 101 interchange WA 117 Clallam County
US Route 101 at the interchange with Washington State Route 117

Major highways

  • US 101.svg U.S. Route 101

Airports

The following public use airports are located in the county:

  • William R. Fairchild International Airport (CLM) – Port Angeles
  • Forks Airport (S18) – Forks
  • Quillayute Airport (UIL) – Quillayute / Forks
  • Sekiu Airport (11S) – Sekiu
  • Sequim Valley Airport (W28) – Sequim

Communities

Crossroads in Port Angeles
Crossroads in Port Angeles, Strait of Juan de Fuca and Vancouver Island in the background

Cities

Census-designated places

Other communities

Popular Culture

The popular Twilight Saga novels and film series are set in Clallam County. The main storyline is set in Forks, however, the characters also visit neighboring Port Angeles.

See also

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

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