Chinook, Washington
Encyclopedia
Chinook is a census-designated place
(CDP) in Pacific County, Washington, United States
. The population was 457 at the 2000 census and increased to 466 at the 2010 census.
Chinook was once a wealthy town based on the salmon harvest. There was no road connection to Ilwaco until 1891, when the bridge was completed across the Chinook River. Later, the Ilwaco Railway and Navigation Company
built a narrow gauge railroad from Megler
to Ilwaco, passing down the main street of Chinook. The railroad was dismantled in 1931.
, the CDP has a total area of 1.0 square miles (2.6 km²), all of it land. The town is located just north of the Columbia River.
of 2000, there were 457 people, 210 households, and 137 families residing in the CDP. The population density
was 446.8 people per square mile (173.0/km²). There were 263 housing units at an average density of 257.1/sq mi (99.6/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 96.50% White, 0.88% Native American, 0.66% Asian, 0.22% from other races
, and 1.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.97% of the population. 21.2% were of German
, 14.9% Irish
, 9.1% Europe
an, 7.7% French
, 7.4% American
, 6.9% English
, 6.9% Swedish and 6.1% French Canadian
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 210 households out of which 20.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.7% were married couples
living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.3% were non-families. 31.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.71.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 19.3% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 20.6% from 25 to 44, 32.6% from 45 to 64, and 23.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females there were 95.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.2 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $30,417, and the median income for a family was $40,000. Males had a median income of $40,568 versus $20,625 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $17,198. About 13.2% of families and 18.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 40.8% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.
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...
(CDP) in Pacific County, Washington, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 457 at the 2000 census and increased to 466 at the 2010 census.
History
Chinook was the site of the first court in Pacific County in 1853, as well as the county's first salmon cannery in 1870.Chinook was once a wealthy town based on the salmon harvest. There was no road connection to Ilwaco until 1891, when the bridge was completed across the Chinook River. Later, the Ilwaco Railway and Navigation Company
Ilwaco Railway and Navigation Company
The Ilwaco Railway and Navigation Company operated a narrow gauge railroad ran for over forty years from the bar of the Columbia River up the Long Beach Peninsula to Nahcotta, Washington, on Willapa Bay. The line ran entirely in Pacific County, Washington, and had no connection to any outside rail...
built a narrow gauge railroad from Megler
Megler, Washington
Megler is a small community located in Pacific County in the U.S. state of Washington. Named for legislator Joseph G. Megler, the community is located at the mouth of the Columbia River on the north shore of the river...
to Ilwaco, passing down the main street of Chinook. The railroad was dismantled in 1931.
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 1.0 square miles (2.6 km²), all of it land. The town is located just north of the Columbia River.
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 457 people, 210 households, and 137 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 446.8 people per square mile (173.0/km²). There were 263 housing units at an average density of 257.1/sq mi (99.6/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 96.50% White, 0.88% Native American, 0.66% Asian, 0.22% 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...
, and 1.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.97% of the population. 21.2% were of German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
, 14.9% Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
, 9.1% Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an, 7.7% French
French people
The French are a nation that share a common French culture and speak the French language as a mother tongue. Historically, the French population are descended from peoples of Celtic, Latin and Germanic origin, and are today a mixture of several ethnic groups...
, 7.4% American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, 6.9% English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
, 6.9% Swedish and 6.1% French Canadian
French Canadian
French Canadian or Francophone Canadian, , generally refers to the descendents of French colonists who arrived in New France in the 17th and 18th centuries...
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 210 households out of which 20.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.7% 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, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.3% were non-families. 31.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.71.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 19.3% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 20.6% from 25 to 44, 32.6% from 45 to 64, and 23.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females there were 95.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.2 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $30,417, and the median income for a family was $40,000. Males had a median income of $40,568 versus $20,625 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 $17,198. About 13.2% of families and 18.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 40.8% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.