Wallowa County, Oregon
Wallowa County | |
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UTC−7 (PDT) | |
Congressional district | 2nd |
Website | co |
Wallowa County (
Wallowa County is part of the eight-county definition of Eastern Oregon.
History
This section needs additional citations for verification. (January 2010) |
In 1871, the first white settlers came to the area, crossing the mountains in search of livestock feed in the Wallowa Valley. The county was established on February 11, 1887,[3] from the eastern portion of Union County. Boundary changes occurred with Union County in 1890, 1900, and 1915.
In 1877, the younger
Wallowa County was the scene of perhaps the worst incident of violence against
In 1896, the Joseph town bank was robbed and there was a shootout in the streets. The town has occasionally had re-enactments of that event.[6]
Wallowa County Courthouse was built in 1909–1910, using locally quarried Bowlby stone, a type of volcanic tuff. It is a Romanesque Revival-style building with Queen Anne architectural elements in some exterior features. The courthouse was listed on National Register of Historic Places in 2000. Today, it still houses Wallowa County government offices and faces west toward South River Street and is surrounded by Courthouse Square which encompasses one city block, approximately 1.3 acres (1 ha). The square is landscaped with oak, pine, maple, linden, juniper, and flowering crab apple trees. There are roses planted on the north, west, and south sides of the courthouse. The square also has several veteran memorials along with a 20-by-24-foot (6.1 by 7.3 m) wood-framed gazebo in the northeast corner of the square.[7][8][9]
In December 2003, a developer announced a proposal to buy a 62-acre (0.25 km2) property near
Geography
Wallowa is the northeasternmost county of Oregon. According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 3,152 square miles (8,160 km2), of which 3,146 square miles (8,150 km2) is land and 5.5 square miles (14 km2) (0.2%) is water.[11]
Geographic features
Wallowa Lake and the Wallowa Mountains attract tourists to this region. The lake is a natural glacial formation, held in on three sides by prominent moraines. The microclimate is somewhat different from the surrounding areas and provides a cool retreat during the summer. Other geographic features include:
Adjacent counties
- Columbia County, Washington - northwest
- Garfield County, Washington - north
- Asotin County, Washington - northeast
- Nez Perce County, Idaho - northeast
- Idaho County, Idaho - east/Mountain Time Border
- Adams County, Idaho - southeast/Mountain Time Border
- Baker County (south)
- Union County (southwest)
- Umatilla County (west)
National protected areas
- Nez Perce National Historical Park (part)
- Umatilla National Forest (part)
- Wallowa–Whitman National Forest (part)
- Hells Canyon National Recreation Area (part)
Demographics
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1890 | 3,661 | — | |
1900 | 5,538 | 51.3% | |
1910 | 8,364 | 51.0% | |
1920 | 9,778 | 16.9% | |
1930 | 7,814 | −20.1% | |
1940 | 7,623 | −2.4% | |
1950 | 7,264 | −4.7% | |
1960 | 7,102 | −2.2% | |
1970 | 6,247 | −12.0% | |
1980 | 7,273 | 16.4% | |
1990 | 6,911 | −5.0% | |
2000 | 7,226 | 4.6% | |
2010 | 7,008 | −3.0% | |
2020 | 7,391 | 5.5% | |
2023 (est.) | 7,674 | [12] | 3.8% |
U.S. Decennial Census[13] 1790–1960[14] 1900–1990[15] 1990–2000[16] 2010–2020[1] |
2010 census
As of the
Of the 3,133 households, 22.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.3% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 35.4% were non-families, and 30.0% of households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.70. The median age was 50.5 years.[17]
The median income for a household in the county was $41,116 and the median family income was $49,961. Males had a median income of $35,963 versus $29,395 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,023. About 9.6% of families and 12.9% of the population were below the
2000 census
As of the
ancestry.Of the 3,029 households 28.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.70% were married couples living together, 6.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.20% were non-families. 27.10% of households were one person and 11.90% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.85.
The age distribution was 24.30% under the age of 18, 4.90% from 18 to 24, 21.90% from 25 to 44, 30.00% from 45 to 64, and 18.90% 65 or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 100.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.10 males.
The median household income was $32,129 and the median family income was $38,682. Males had a median income of $28,202 versus $21,558 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,276. About 9.80% of families and 14.00% of the population were below the
Communities
Incorporated cities
- Enterprise (county seat)
- Joseph
- Lostine
- Wallowa
Census-designated place
Unincorporated communities
Politics
State Legislature
Wallowa County is located in Oregon State House District 58 which is currently represented by Bobby Levy. It is also located in Oregon State Senate District 29, represented by Bill Hansell. Both Levy and Hansell are registered Republicans.[22]
Board of Commissioners
Wallowa County is represented and governed by three
Make-up of voters
Like most counties in eastern Oregon, the majority of registered voters who are part of a
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2020 | 3,404 | 66.11% | 1,625 | 31.56% | 120 | 2.33% |
2016 | 2,848 | 65.23% | 1,116 | 25.56% | 402 | 9.21% |
2012 | 2,804 | 66.68% | 1,253 | 29.80% | 148 | 3.52% |
2008 | 2,836 | 63.52% | 1,492 | 33.42% | 137 | 3.07% |
2004 | 3,132 | 69.28% | 1,269 | 28.07% | 120 | 2.65% |
2000 | 3,279 | 76.36% | 836 | 19.47% | 179 | 4.17% |
1996 | 2,379 | 55.36% | 1,321 | 30.74% | 597 | 13.89% |
1992 | 1,630 | 40.01% | 1,203 | 29.53% | 1,241 | 30.46% |
1988 | 1,993 | 56.89% | 1,425 | 40.68% | 85 | 2.43% |
1984 | 2,619 | 68.36% | 1,204 | 31.43% | 8 | 0.21% |
1980 | 2,485 | 65.53% | 995 | 26.24% | 312 | 8.23% |
1976 | 1,693 | 53.76% | 1,310 | 41.60% | 146 | 4.64% |
1972 | 1,909 | 62.28% | 899 | 29.33% | 257 | 8.38% |
1968 | 1,527 | 55.69% | 1,006 | 36.69% | 209 | 7.62% |
1964 | 1,055 | 37.04% | 1,790 | 62.85% | 3 | 0.11% |
1960 | 1,440 | 46.08% | 1,682 | 53.82% | 3 | 0.10% |
1956 | 1,604 | 48.21% | 1,723 | 51.79% | 0 | 0.00% |
1952 | 1,891 | 59.41% | 1,271 | 39.93% | 21 | 0.66% |
1948 | 1,196 | 44.71% | 1,408 | 52.64% | 71 | 2.65% |
1944 | 1,152 | 42.34% | 1,544 | 56.74% | 25 | 0.92% |
1940 | 1,319 | 39.84% | 1,974 | 59.62% | 18 | 0.54% |
1936 | 811 | 25.89% | 2,000 | 63.86% | 321 | 10.25% |
1932 | 772 | 29.11% | 1,790 | 67.50% | 90 | 3.39% |
1928 | 1,326 | 56.86% | 935 | 40.09% | 71 | 3.04% |
1924 | 1,253 | 46.29% | 973 | 35.94% | 481 | 17.77% |
1920 | 1,612 | 60.28% | 896 | 33.51% | 166 | 6.21% |
1916 | 1,198 | 35.75% | 1,960 | 58.49% | 193 | 5.76% |
1912 | 353 | 19.27% | 610 | 33.30% | 869 | 47.43% |
1908 | 905 | 58.69% | 506 | 32.81% | 131 | 8.50% |
1904 | 714 | 64.32% | 255 | 22.97% | 141 | 12.70% |
Economy
The principal industries in Wallowa County are agriculture, ranching, lumber, and tourism.[citation needed] Since 1985, three bronze foundries and a number of related businesses specializing in statue-making have opened in Joseph and Enterprise, helping to stabilize the local economy.[citation needed] The Forest Service is the largest landlord in the county, owning 56% of the land.[citation needed]
Transportation
Major highways
- – Oregon Route 3 – north to Washington, becomes Route 129
- – Oregon Route 82 – west to La Grande, the junction with Interstate 84
Railroads
- Eagle Cap Excursion Train (part)
Notable people
|
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Wallowa County, Oregon
- Oregon portal
- Pacific Northwest portal
Notes
References
- ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ ISBN 0-87595-073-6.
- ^ "Chief Joseph". Online Highways LLC. 2010. Retrieved March 5, 2010.
- ^ Nokes, R. Gregory. 2009. Massacred for Gold. Corvallis, Oregon: Oregon State University Press.
- ^ "Taste of Joseph". Wallowa County Chieftain. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
- ^ Wallowa County Courthouse, National Register of Historic Places Inventory—Nomination Form, National Park Service, United States Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C., May 18, 2000.
- ^ Historic Wallowa County Courthouse Archived October 29, 2013, at the Wayback Machine, Wallowa County, www.co.wallowa.or.us, Enterprise, Oregon, 2009.
- ^ The Wallowa County Courthouse, City of Enterprise, enterpriseoregon.org, Enterprise Oregon, July 29, 2012.
- ^ "Kriegers won't sell land to government". La Grande observer. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
- ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
- ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
- ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
- ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
- ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 19, 2015. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
- ^ "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.
- ^ a b c "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.
- ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "The Voter's Self Defense System".
- ^ "Board of Commissioners". Archived from the original on February 7, 2012. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ a b "Hayward, Roberts win Wallowa County Commission positions". lagrandeobserver.com. November 5, 2008. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
- ^ "Races set in Wallowa County". The Observer. September 7, 2010. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
- ^ "2008 Presidential General Election Results - Wallowa County, OR". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 21, 2009.
- ^ "Wallowa County, Oregon detailed profile - houses, real estate, cost of living, wages, work, agriculture, ancestries, and more".
- ^ "Oregon Elections Division Voter Registration by County". Archived from the original on July 23, 2019. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
- ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
- ^ Finn, Robin (October 25, 2012). "Margaret Osborne duPont, Tennis Champion, Dies at 94". The New York Times. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
External links
Media related to Wallowa County, Oregon at Wikimedia Commons