Washington County, Oregon
Washington County | |
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From top, left to right: Washington County courthouse, Meier Road Barn, a canola field in rural Washington County | |
UTC−7 (PDT) | |
Congressional districts | 1st, 6th |
Website | www |
Washington County is one of
Major roads include sections of
History
The
The construction of Canyon Road to Beaverton helped Portland to consolidate its position as the primary port of Oregon, and defeat the rival efforts of settlements such as Oregon City and Milwaukie.
In November 2004, the County and the City of Beaverton agreed to a plan where the city would annex both unincorporated residential neighborhoods as well as high-value areas of land. This would result with Cedar Hills, Garden Home, Raleigh Hills, West Slope being incorporated by 2010, and the communities of Aloha, Bethany, and Cedar Mill at some point after that.
Those plans have since been put on hold after Beaverton attempted to annex Nike, Inc.'s World Headquarters, which would have increased Nike's taxes substantially. Nike successfully lobbied the legislature for a law that would prohibit their annexation for 99 years. Since that decision, annexation plans have been halted, and Washington County started urban planning to provide city-level services to the unincorporated urban areas in the county.[7]
Geography
According to the
Most of the county is in the Tualatin Valley, formed by the Tualatin Mountains to the east and north, the Chehalem Mountains to the south, and the Northern Oregon Coast Range to the west and north. The Tualatin River, located almost entirely within the county, flows through the Tualatin Plains. The northern and western portions of the county are forested, while the remainder of the county includes urban areas, agricultural lands, and floodplains.[10]
Waterways
The Tualatin River is the main river in Washington County. Henry Hagg Lake, southwest of Forest Grove, is the largest lake. The Willamette River lies to the east, the Columbia River to the northeast, and the Pacific Ocean to the west of the county.
Adjacent counties
- Clatsop County - northwest
- Columbia County - north
- Multnomah County - east
- Clackamas County - southeast
- Yamhill County - south
- Tillamook County - west
Major highways
- Interstate 5(freeway)
- Interstate 205(freeway)
- U.S. Route 26(freeway for part)
- Oregon Route 6
- Oregon Route 8
- Oregon Route 10
- Oregon Route 47
- Oregon Route 99W
- Oregon Route 210
- Oregon Route 217 (freeway)
- Oregon Route 219
National protected areas
Demographics
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1850 | 2,652 | — | |
1860 | 2,801 | 5.6% | |
1870 | 4,261 | 52.1% | |
1880 | 7,082 | 66.2% | |
1890 | 11,972 | 69.0% | |
1900 | 14,467 | 20.8% | |
1910 | 21,522 | 48.8% | |
1920 | 26,376 | 22.6% | |
1930 | 30,275 | 14.8% | |
1940 | 39,194 | 29.5% | |
1950 | 61,269 | 56.3% | |
1960 | 92,237 | 50.5% | |
1970 | 157,920 | 71.2% | |
1980 | 245,808 | 55.7% | |
1990 | 311,554 | 26.7% | |
2000 | 445,342 | 42.9% | |
2010 | 529,710 | 18.9% | |
2020 | 600,372 | 13.3% | |
2023 (est.) | 598,865 | [11] | −0.3% |
U.S. Decennial Census[12] 1790–1960[13] 1900–1990[14] 1990–2000[15] 2010–2020[1] |
2010 census
As of the
Of the 200,934 households, 36.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.2% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.2% were non-families, and 25.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.14. The median age was 35.3 years.[16]
The median income for a household in the county was $62,574 and the median income for a family was $76,778. Males had a median income of $54,417 versus $40,254 for females. The per capita income for the county was $30,522. About 6.7% of families and 9.5% of the population were below the
2000 census
As of the
There were 169,162 households, out of which 35.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.50% were married couples living together, 9.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.60% were non-families. 24.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.14.
The county population contained 26.90% under the age of 18, 9.30% from 18 to 24, 34.10% from 25 to 44, 20.90% from 45 to 64, and 8.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $52,122, and the median income for a family was $61,499. Males had a median income of $43,304 versus $31,074 for females. The
Government
The county is governed by an elected board of five commissioners. The county is divided into four commissioner districts. One commissioner sits for each district, and the fifth commissioner is at-large and is the chair of the board.[20]
Politics
Like all of the Yankee-influenced Willamette Valley and Oregon Coast, Washington County was in its pre-Depression history strongly Republican. After Oregon achieved statehood in 1859, Washington County voted for the Republican presidential nominee in every presidential election from 1860 to 1928, except in the 1912 presidential election when the county supported Progressive Party candidate and former Republican president Theodore Roosevelt.[21] In 1932, Franklin D. Roosevelt became the first Democrat to carry the Washington County vote, and he repeated this in 1936 and 1940. Between 1944 and 1988, Washington County was never won by a Democrat except in Lyndon B. Johnson's 1964 landslide. As late as 1976, Washington County was the second-most Republican county in the state of Oregon behind remote Malheur,[22] with Gerald Ford's 17,529 vote victory in the county being decisive in carrying the state of Oregon for him during that year's presidential election.
Since the 1990s, the increasing drift of the Republican Party nationally towards the South and evangelicalism, along with urbanization, has resulted in a strong shift of Washington County towards the Democratic Party. No Republican presidential candidate has carried Washington County since George H. W. Bush did so in 1988, and in three of the past four presidential elections, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Joe Biden have carried the county by over twenty percentage points. The last Republican to win a statewide election in Washington County was Gordon H. Smith in the 2002 Senate contest. In the 2008 Senatorial election, Democrat Jeff Merkley won 48.8 percent of the county's vote (111,367) while Republican incumbent Smith won 46.5 percent (106,114),[23] but no subsequent Republican Senate candidate has won 40 percent of the county's vote. In the 2020 presidential election, Biden hit 65.5% of the county's vote, the highest ever for a Democratic presidential nominee.
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2020 | 99,073 | 30.93% | 209,940 | 65.54% | 11,313 | 3.53% |
2016 | 83,197 | 30.90% | 153,251 | 56.92% | 32,784 | 12.18% |
2012 | 93,974 | 39.65% | 135,291 | 57.08% | 7,758 | 3.27% |
2008 | 89,185 | 37.69% | 141,544 | 59.82% | 5,903 | 2.49% |
2004 | 107,223 | 46.36% | 121,140 | 52.37% | 2,945 | 1.27% |
2000 | 86,091 | 46.29% | 90,662 | 48.75% | 9,221 | 4.96% |
1996 | 65,221 | 40.83% | 76,619 | 47.96% | 17,915 | 11.21% |
1992 | 57,146 | 34.18% | 67,528 | 40.39% | 42,521 | 25.43% |
1988 | 67,018 | 51.87% | 59,837 | 46.31% | 2,356 | 1.82% |
1984 | 75,877 | 62.76% | 44,602 | 36.89% | 417 | 0.34% |
1980 | 57,165 | 51.34% | 37,915 | 34.05% | 16,275 | 14.62% |
1976 | 52,376 | 57.80% | 34,847 | 38.46% | 3,388 | 3.74% |
1972 | 43,958 | 58.43% | 27,890 | 37.07% | 3,390 | 4.51% |
1968 | 34,105 | 56.99% | 22,943 | 38.34% | 2,794 | 4.67% |
1964 | 20,813 | 41.48% | 29,081 | 57.95% | 287 | 0.57% |
1960 | 25,415 | 58.85% | 17,736 | 41.07% | 35 | 0.08% |
1956 | 22,001 | 61.07% | 14,027 | 38.93% | 0 | 0.00% |
1952 | 20,250 | 64.11% | 11,191 | 35.43% | 143 | 0.45% |
1948 | 11,455 | 53.06% | 9,424 | 43.65% | 710 | 3.29% |
1944 | 9,362 | 50.13% | 9,110 | 48.78% | 205 | 1.10% |
1940 | 8,367 | 48.92% | 8,626 | 50.44% | 110 | 0.64% |
1936 | 4,148 | 30.47% | 8,641 | 63.48% | 823 | 6.05% |
1932 | 4,201 | 36.30% | 6,824 | 58.96% | 548 | 4.74% |
1928 | 6,162 | 62.37% | 3,544 | 35.87% | 173 | 1.75% |
1924 | 4,203 | 45.98% | 2,103 | 23.01% | 2,835 | 31.01% |
1920 | 4,947 | 64.74% | 2,262 | 29.60% | 432 | 5.65% |
1916 | 4,888 | 56.16% | 3,363 | 38.64% | 452 | 5.19% |
1912 | 1,261 | 27.07% | 1,429 | 30.67% | 1,969 | 42.26% |
1908 | 2,319 | 61.96% | 1,153 | 30.80% | 271 | 7.24% |
1904 | 2,296 | 73.19% | 492 | 15.68% | 349 | 11.13% |
1900 | 1,655 | 56.14% | 1,114 | 37.79% | 179 | 6.07% |
1896 | 2,082 | 56.15% | 1,566 | 42.23% | 60 | 1.62% |
1892 | 1,587 | 53.27% | 293 | 9.84% | 1,099 | 36.89% |
1888 | 1,249 | 57.93% | 838 | 38.87% | 69 | 3.20% |
1884 | 946 | 51.22% | 766 | 41.47% | 135 | 7.31% |
1880 | 880 | 58.86% | 578 | 38.66% | 37 | 2.47% |
Statewide elections
Year | Democratic | Republican | Third parties
|
---|---|---|---|
2022 | 55.08% 140,946 | 35.59% 91,068 | 9.33% 23,868 |
2018 | 55.49% 137,886 | 39.15% 97,286 | 5.36% 13,307 |
2014 | 51.45% 98,203 | 42.69% 81,484 | 5.57% 10,600 |
2010 | 49.62% 92,811 | 48.08% 89,926 | 2.30% 4,296 |
2006 | 59.09% 51,195 | 38.98% 33,777 | 1.93% 1,674 |
2002 | 64.92% 60,095 | 34.40% 31,844 | 0.68% 633 |
1998 | 66.83% 50,325 | 33.14% 24,956 | 0.03% 23 |
1994 | 57.68% 45,261 | 42.32% 33,210 | 0.00% 1 |
Economy
Washington County is centered on a fertile plain that attracted farmers before the first wagon trains. In 1997, orchards covered 8,403 acres (34.01 km2) of the county's lands and 1,163 acres (4.71 km2) were devoted to vineyards.[citation needed] Agriculture is still a major industry in Washington County, as are lumber, manufacturing, and food processing.
The development of a large electronics industry during the 1980s and 1990s is the dominating factor of the county economy, and contributing to the creation of Oregon's
Nike, one of two Fortune 500 corporations based in Oregon, has its headquarters in Washington County. Until it was acquired by IBM, Sequent Computer Systems was headquartered near Nike. Other companies with headquarters in Washington County include optical instruments manufacturer Leupold & Stevens, Columbia Sportswear, and Reser's Fine Foods.
Communities
Cities
City | 1990 population | 2000 population | 2010 population | 2020 population | Incorporated | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Banks | 563 | 1,286 | 1,777 | 1,837 | 1921 | |
Beaverton | 53,310 | 76,129 | 89,803 | 97,494 | 1893 | |
Cornelius | 6,148 | 9,652 | 11,869 | 12,694 | 1893 | |
Durham | 748 | 1,382 | 1,351 | 1,944 | 1966 | |
Forest Grove | 13,559 | 17,708 | 21,083 | 26,225 | 1872 | |
Gaston | 563 | 600 | 637 | 676 | 1914 | |
Hillsboro | 37,520 | 70,187 | 91,611 | 106,447 | 1876 | County seat |
King City | 2,060 | 1,949 | 3,111 | 5,184 | 1966 | |
Lake Oswego
|
30,576 | 35,278 | 36,619 | 40,731 | 1910 | Small portion, most in Clackamas County[28] |
North Plains | 972 | 1,605 | 1,947 | 3,441 | 1963 | |
Portland | 437,319 | 529,121 | 583,776 | 652,503 | 1851 | Small portion, most in Multnomah County[29] |
Rivergrove | 294 | 324 | 289 | 545 | 1971 | Small portion, most in Clackamas County |
Sherwood | 3,093 | 11,791 | 18,194 | 20,450 | 1893 | |
Tigard | 29,344 | 41,223 | 48,035 | 54,539 | 1961 | |
Tualatin | 15,013 | 22,791 | 26,054 | 27,942 | 1913 | |
Wilsonville | 7,106 | 13,991 | 19,509 | 26,664 | 1969 | Small portion, most in Clackamas County[30] |
Census-designated places
Unincorporated communities
- Bacona
- Balm Grove
- Blooming
- Bonita
- Bonny Slope
- Bradley Corner
- Buckheaven
- Buxton
- Carnation
- Chehalem
- Dixie
- Elmonica
- Farmington
- Gales Creek
- Glencoe
- Glenwood
- Hayward
- Hazeldale
- Hillside
- Huber
- Kansas City
- Kinton
- Laurel
- Laurelwood
- Manning
- Middleton
- Midway
- Mountaindale
- Mulloy
- Norwood
- Orenco
- Patton
- Progress
- Reedville
- Roy
- Scholls
- Six Corners
- Somerset West
- Tanasbourne
- Thatcher
- Timber
- Tobias
- Verboort
- Watts
- West Union
- Wilkesboro
- Witch Hazel
Helvetia
Helvetia is a small
in the 19th century.The
The Holcomb Creek Trestle, the longest wooden railroad bridge currently in use in the United States, is located in the Helvetia area.
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Washington County, Oregon
- Washington County Museum
- L. L. "Stub" Stewart State Park
- Ki-a-Kuts Falls
- Washington County Jail
- Washington County Courthouse
References
- ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
- ^ Proehl, Risa S. (March 2009). "2008 Oregon Population Report" (PDF). Population Research Center. Portland State University. p. 7. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 3, 2016. Retrieved May 5, 2009.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ "Incorporation dates". The Hillsboro Argus. October 19, 1976. pp. Communities, p. 21.
- ^ "Oregon Secretary of State: Washington County History". sos.oregon.gov. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
- ^ "County welcomes Area 93 in new year". Hillsboro Tribune. January 10, 2014. Archived from the original on January 16, 2014. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
- ^ "Appellate court rejects Beaverton annexation". The Oregonian. June 16, 2006.
- ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
- ^ "South Saddle Mountain - Peakbagger.com". www.peakbagger.com. Archived from the original on April 1, 2018. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
- ^ ""Washington County OR" (Google Maps - accessed October 19, 2019)".
- ^ "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. 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 "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.
- ^ "Selected Social Characteristics in the US – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Washington County, Oregon". www.co.washington.or.us. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
- ISBN 0786422173.
- ^ David Leip. "1976 Presidential General Election Data Graphs – Oregon by County". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
- ^ David Leip. "2008 Senatorial General Election Results – Oregon". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
- ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
- ^ "Intel in Oregon". Intel. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
- ^ "Oregon's largest private employer, Intel, announces plans to expand in Europe". opb. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
- ^ "Key Industries | City of Hillsboro, OR". www.hillsboro-oregon.gov. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
- ^ City of Lake Oswego Archived September 23, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "PortlandOnline".
- ^ City of Wilsonville Archived June 9, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "TVFR's Service Area Map". TVFR. Retrieved July 17, 2019.