Kettle Falls, Washington
Encyclopedia
Kettle Falls is a city in Stevens County, Washington, United States, named for the nearby Kettle Falls
on the Columbia River
, an ancient and important fishing site for Native Americans
. The population of the city was 1,595 at the 2010 census a 4.5% increase over the 2000 census.
in 1940, city planners relocated the town at a community called Meyers Falls, near the railroad lines, helping to ensure its success as a trans-shipment point for the logging, agriculture, and paper industries. This is its present location, eight miles northwest of Colville
and roughly 80 miles northwest of Spokane
. It is 30 miles south of the Canadian border at Laurier
and adjacent to Lake Roosevelt, the reservoir of the Columbia River
. According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 0.9 square miles (2.4 km²), all of it land.
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,527 people, 632 households, and 398 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,631.1 people per square mile (627.2/km²). There were 686 housing units at an average density of 732.8 per square mile (281.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 91.29% White, 0.07% African American, 3.86% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.65% from other races
, and 3.86% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.75% of the population.
There were 632 households out of which 33.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.2% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.0% were non-families. 31.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.05.
In the city the age distribution of the population shows 29.4% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 95.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $27,031, and the median income for a family was $34,375. Males had a median income of $33,750 versus $23,750 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $13,614. About 15.1% of families and 21.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.0% of those under age 18 and 12.9% of those age 65 or over.
Kettle Falls
Kettle Falls was an ancient and important salmon fishing site on the upper reaches of the Columbia River, in what is today the U.S. state of Washington, near the Canadian border...
on the Columbia River
Columbia River
The Columbia River is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. The river rises in the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia, Canada, flows northwest and then south into the U.S. state of Washington, then turns west to form most of the border between Washington and the state...
, an ancient and important fishing site for Native Americans
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
. The population of the city was 1,595 at the 2010 census a 4.5% increase over the 2000 census.
Geography
The original Kettle Falls was officially incorporated on December 17, 1891 on the bank of the Columbia. After it was flooded by the Grand Coulee DamGrand Coulee Dam
Grand Coulee Dam is a gravity dam on the Columbia River in the U.S. state of Washington built to produce hydroelectric power and provide irrigation. It was constructed between 1933 and 1942, originally with two power plants. A third power station was completed in 1974 to increase its energy...
in 1940, city planners relocated the town at a community called Meyers Falls, near the railroad lines, helping to ensure its success as a trans-shipment point for the logging, agriculture, and paper industries. This is its present location, eight miles northwest of Colville
Colville, Washington
Colville is a city in Stevens County, Washington, United States. The population was 4,673 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Stevens County.- History :...
and roughly 80 miles northwest of Spokane
Spokane, Washington
Spokane is a city located in the Northwestern United States in the state of Washington. It is the largest city of Spokane County of which it is also the county seat, and the metropolitan center of the Inland Northwest region...
. It is 30 miles south of the Canadian border at Laurier
Laurier, Washington
Laurier, Washington is a small town in Ferry County, Washington state that neighbors the Canadian border. The nearest school district is Orient School District. According to the 2010 Census, there was one person residing at this location.-References:...
and adjacent to Lake Roosevelt, the reservoir of the Columbia River
Columbia River
The Columbia River is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. The river rises in the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia, Canada, flows northwest and then south into the U.S. state of Washington, then turns west to form most of the border between Washington and the state...
. According to the United States Census Bureau
United 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 city has a total area of 0.9 square miles (2.4 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
The City conducts an internal census each Spring, using utility demographic data. The population in Spring 2004 was 1,591 people. In the Spring of 2006 the population was listed at 1,620.As of the census of 2000, there were 1,527 people, 632 households, and 398 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,631.1 people per square mile (627.2/km²). There were 686 housing units at an average density of 732.8 per square mile (281.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 91.29% White, 0.07% African American, 3.86% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.65% 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 3.86% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.75% of the population.
There were 632 households out of which 33.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.2% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.0% were non-families. 31.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.05.
In the city the age distribution of the population shows 29.4% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 95.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $27,031, and the median income for a family was $34,375. Males had a median income of $33,750 versus $23,750 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 city was $13,614. About 15.1% of families and 21.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.0% of those under age 18 and 12.9% of those age 65 or over.
Notable residents
- Carolyn Suzanne SappCarolyn Suzanne SappCarolyn Suzanne Sapp is Miss America 1992 and the former Miss Hawaii 1991. She is a graduate of Hawaii Pacific University, which also sponsored her entry pageant into the Miss Hawaii contest...
, Miss AmericaMiss AmericaThe Miss America pageant is a long-standing competition which awards scholarships to young women from the 50 states plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands...
1992 and Miss HawaiiMiss HawaiiThe Miss Hawaii competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Hawaii in the Miss America pageant. Hawaii has twice won the Miss America title.- Winners :- External links :*...
1991. - James DarlingJames DarlingJames Jackson Darling James Jackson Darling James Jackson Darling (born December 29, 1974 in Denver, Colorado, is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was originally drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 1997 NFL Draft. He played college...
, NFLNational Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
Football player. 1997 to 2006. - Kevin OwensKevin OwensKevin Owens is a professional basketball player who is currently a free agent. He played for BC Kalev/Cramo in Estonia in 2010. In 2009 Owens played with Sigal Prishtina of the Kosovo Super League...
, A.K.A. K.O. The Juggernaut BAMF 1994 to present
Reservoirs
- Boise Cascade Mill Waste Pond
- Blue Gulch Reservoir
- Franklin D. Roosevelt LakeFranklin D. Roosevelt LakeFranklin D. Roosevelt Lake is the reservoir created in 1941 by the impoundment of the Columbia River by the Grand Coulee Dam in Washington state. It is named for Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was President during the construction of the dam...
Schools
- Kettle Falls School District
- Kettle Falls Elementary School (Grades K-4, enrollment 279 in October 2003, located at 48°36'27"N, 118°03'05"W)
- Kettle Falls Middle School
- Kettle Falls High School
External links
- Official City of Kettle Falls website
- Stevens County Heritage From the Libraries of Stevens County. Includes a collection of materials depicting early Kettle Falls and Meyers Falls.