Bickleton, Washington
Encyclopedia
Bickleton is a census-designated place
in Klickitat County, Washington, United States
. Bickleton was first settled in 1879 by Charles N. Bickle. The population was 88 at the 2010 census.
, the CDP has a total area of 12.9 square miles (33.4 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 113 people, 49 households, and 31 families residing in the CDP. The population density
was 8.8 people per square mile (3.4/km²). There were 65 housing units at an average density of 5.0/sq mi (1.9/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 92.92% White, 2.65% Native American, 2.65% Pacific Islander, 1.77% from other races
. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.19% of the population.
There were 49 households out of which 26.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.1% were married couples
living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.7% were non-families. 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.87.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 25.7% under the age of 18, 3.5% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 29.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 91.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.9 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $34,500, and the median income for a family was $48,125. Males had a median income of $42,500 versus $0 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $17,580. There were 20.0% of families and 20.2% of the population living below the poverty line, including 36.1% of under eighteens and none of those over 64.
is still used by regulars.
The town also features a restored 1905 Herschell-Spillman carousel
.
capital of the world. In the 1950s Jess and Elva Brinkerhoff were picnicking in this small town after coming from nearby Richland
and put a can in a tree for some birds. It became a local fad and now there are thousands of birdhouses purposely built to house bluebirds.
Both the Mountain Bluebird
and the Western Bluebird
nest in Bickleton. Maintaining the houses by cleaning old nests is a major task for the local residents. It is funded by profits from bluebird souvenir
s sold to tourists at Whitmore's Whoop-n-Holler Ranch Museum.
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
in Klickitat County, Washington, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Bickleton was first settled in 1879 by Charles N. Bickle. The population was 88 at the 2010 census.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the CDP has a total area of 12.9 square miles (33.4 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 113 people, 49 households, and 31 families residing in the CDP. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 8.8 people per square mile (3.4/km²). There were 65 housing units at an average density of 5.0/sq mi (1.9/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 92.92% White, 2.65% Native American, 2.65% Pacific Islander, 1.77% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.19% of the population.
There were 49 households out of which 26.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.1% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.7% were non-families. 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.87.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 25.7% under the age of 18, 3.5% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 29.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 91.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.9 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $34,500, and the median income for a family was $48,125. Males had a median income of $42,500 versus $0 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the CDP was $17,580. There were 20.0% of families and 20.2% of the population living below the poverty line, including 36.1% of under eighteens and none of those over 64.
Tourism
The town does not have a gas station but does have a tavern, the Bluebird Inn. Opened in 1882, it is billed as the oldest functioning tavern in the state and the original pool table, a 1903 BrunswickBrunswick Corporation
The Brunswick Corporation , formerly known as the Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company, is a United States-based corporation that has been involved in manufacturing a wide variety of products since 1845. Brunswick's global headquarters is in the northern Chicago suburb of Lake Forest, Illinois...
is still used by regulars.
The town also features a restored 1905 Herschell-Spillman carousel
Carousel
A carousel , or merry-go-round, is an amusement ride consisting of a rotating circular platform with seats for riders...
.
Bluebirds
Bickleton is known as the bluebirdBluebird
The bluebirds are a group of medium-sized, mostly insectivorous or omnivorous birds in the genus Sialia of the thrush family . Bluebirds are one of the few thrush genera in the Americas. They have blue, or blue and red, plumage...
capital of the world. In the 1950s Jess and Elva Brinkerhoff were picnicking in this small town after coming from nearby Richland
Richland, Washington
Richland is a city in Benton County in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Washington, at the confluence of the Yakima and the Columbia Rivers. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 48,058. April 1, 2011 estimates from the Washington State Office of Financial Management put the...
and put a can in a tree for some birds. It became a local fad and now there are thousands of birdhouses purposely built to house bluebirds.
Both the Mountain Bluebird
Mountain Bluebird
The Mountain Bluebird is a medium-sized bird weighing about 2-5 ounces, with a length from 15–20 cm . They have light underbellies and black eyes. Adult males have thin bills are bright turquoise-blue and somewhat lighter beneath. Adult females have duller blue wings and tail, grey breast,...
and the Western Bluebird
Western Bluebird
The Western Bluebird is a small thrush, approximately to in length.Adult males are bright blue on top and on the throat with an orange breast and sides, a brownish patch on back, and a gray belly and undertail coverts. Adult females have a duller blue body, wings, and tail than the male, a gray...
nest in Bickleton. Maintaining the houses by cleaning old nests is a major task for the local residents. It is funded by profits from bluebird souvenir
Souvenir
A souvenir , memento, keepsake or token of remembrance is an object a person acquires for the memories the owner associates with it. The term souvenir brings to mind the mass-produced kitsch that is the main commodity of souvenir and gift shops in many tourist traps around the world...
s sold to tourists at Whitmore's Whoop-n-Holler Ranch Museum.