Selah, Washington
Encyclopedia
Selah is a city in Yakima County, Washington
, United States. The population was 7,147 at the 2010 census.
apple processor co-operative (established in 1960) has its headquarters and two processing plants in Selah. Also in 2004 the Yakama Tribe
bought the old Hi-Country juicing plant and currently produces store brand apple juice and other beverages. In addition a number of fruit companies have warehouses there, due to the proximity of fruit orchards in the nearby Wenas Valley and access to regional railroad and roadway systems for shipment to markets. Selah and the Wenas Valley increasingly serve as a "bedroom community" of the larger city of Yakima
to the south. Because of the nearby orchards and juice processing plants, Selah is often referred to as "The Apple Juice Capital of the World"
The Washington State Audubon Society each Memorial Day weekend holds a campout some 22 miles north of Selah at the Hazel Wolf Bird Sanctuary in the upper Wenas Valley. The upper valley also holds Wenas Lake, an irrigation reservoir famed among anglers. Wenas Creek flows from the reservoir through the agricultural lower Wenas Valley. This is where the Wenas Creek Mammoth
was found. The creek is a tributary of the Yakima River
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 4.4 square miles (11.5 km²), of which, 4.4 square miles (11.3 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.2 km²) of it (1.35%) is water.
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,314 people, 2,269 households, and 1,688 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,444.2 people per square mile (557.5/km²). There were 2,408 housing units at an average density of 551.1 per square mile (212.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 88.42% White, 0.60% African American, 1.22% Native American, 0.82% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 6.40% from other races
, and 2.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.05% of the population.
There were 2,269 households out of which 44.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.4% were married couples living together, 14.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.6% were non-families. 21.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.16.
In the city the age distribution of the population shows 31.7% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 31.6% from 25 to 44, 18.7% from 45 to 64, and 8.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 96.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $42,386, and the median income for a family was $49,477. Males had a median income of $39,241 versus $28,067 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $18,595. About 9.0% of families and 10.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.4% of those under age 18 and 5.1% of those age 65 or over.
Lince, Robert S. The Selah Story. Selah, Washington: Selah Valley Optimist Printing, 1984.
Yakima County, Washington
Yakima County is the second largest county by area in the U.S. state of Washington. It is named after the Yakama tribe of Native Americans. In the 2010 census, its population was 243,231...
, United States. The population was 7,147 at the 2010 census.
History
Selah was officially incorporated on April 3, 1919. The government is a Strong Mayor/Council form. The Tree TopTree Top, Inc.
Tree Top, Inc. was the first grower-owned fruit processing cooperative in the United States. 1,300 apple and pear growers in Washington, Idaho, and Oregon own the cooperative, with the majority of the growers from Washington.-History:...
apple processor co-operative (established in 1960) has its headquarters and two processing plants in Selah. Also in 2004 the Yakama Tribe
Yakama
The Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, or simply Yakama Nation , is a Native American group with nearly 10,000 enrolled members, living in Washington. Their reservation, along the Yakima River, covers an area of approximately 1.2 million acres...
bought the old Hi-Country juicing plant and currently produces store brand apple juice and other beverages. In addition a number of fruit companies have warehouses there, due to the proximity of fruit orchards in the nearby Wenas Valley and access to regional railroad and roadway systems for shipment to markets. Selah and the Wenas Valley increasingly serve as a "bedroom community" of the larger city of Yakima
Yakima, Washington
Yakima is an American city southeast of Mount Rainier National Park and the county seat of Yakima County, Washington, United States, and the eighth largest city by population in the state itself. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 91,196 and a metropolitan population of...
to the south. Because of the nearby orchards and juice processing plants, Selah is often referred to as "The Apple Juice Capital of the World"
The Washington State Audubon Society each Memorial Day weekend holds a campout some 22 miles north of Selah at the Hazel Wolf Bird Sanctuary in the upper Wenas Valley. The upper valley also holds Wenas Lake, an irrigation reservoir famed among anglers. Wenas Creek flows from the reservoir through the agricultural lower Wenas Valley. This is where the Wenas Creek Mammoth
Wenas Creek Mammoth
The Wenas Creek mammoth is a mammoth discovered in Wenas Creek Valley near Selah, Washington. It was excavated by school students in 2005/2006. 37 metres of trench was excavated. The site was located about 400 metres above sea level...
was found. The creek is a tributary of the Yakima River
Yakima River
The Yakima River is a tributary of the Columbia River in south central and eastern Washington State, named for the indigenous Yakama people. The length of the river from headwaters to mouth is , with an average drop of .-Course:...
.
Recreation Opportunities
Selah has a plethora of opportunities in the city or within easy driving distance. There are several parks in the city that all hold a separate purpose; some are for picnics, some are for regional baseball and softball games others for children's play, and others can be used for basketball. Just out of town is the Yakima River Canyon which has several hiking and biking trails. In the summer the canyon is an excellent place to have a calm river float and enjoy the opportunity to see wildlife that includes big horn sheep and deer.Geography
Selah is located at 46°39′8"N 120°32′6"W (46.652109, -120.535134).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 4.4 square miles (11.5 km²), of which, 4.4 square miles (11.3 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.2 km²) of it (1.35%) is water.
Demographics
As of the census of 2010, there were 7,147 people and 2,759 households in Selah. Among those who identified as having one race, the population was 79.5% White, 0.3% African American, 1% American Indian and Alaskan Native, 0.6% Asian, 0.2% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, and 1 individual identifying as "some other race." There were 138 individuals (1.9% of the population) identifying as having "two or more races."As of the census of 2000, there were 5,314 people, 2,269 households, and 1,688 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,444.2 people per square mile (557.5/km²). There were 2,408 housing units at an average density of 551.1 per square mile (212.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 88.42% White, 0.60% African American, 1.22% Native American, 0.82% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 6.40% 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 2.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.05% of the population.
There were 2,269 households out of which 44.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.4% were married couples living together, 14.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.6% were non-families. 21.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.16.
In the city the age distribution of the population shows 31.7% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 31.6% from 25 to 44, 18.7% from 45 to 64, and 8.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 96.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $42,386, and the median income for a family was $49,477. Males had a median income of $39,241 versus $28,067 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 $18,595. About 9.0% of families and 10.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.4% of those under age 18 and 5.1% of those age 65 or over.
Further reading
Selah, WA is home to Tree Top inc., a orchardist's cooperative company that produces Apple Juice, apple sauce and fresh sliced apples. Tree Top is the world's largest apple and pear processor and was the first grower-owned fruit processing cooperative in the United States. 1,300 apple and pear growers in Washington, Idaho, and Oregon own the cooperative, with the majority of the growers from Washington. Tree Top founder Bill Charbonneau developed the first clear apple juice process that was ever used. This process was developed in the 1950s. Because of the facility loaction and the amount of juice produced annually, Selah, Washington is known as "The Apple Juice Capital of the World"Lince, Robert S. The Selah Story. Selah, Washington: Selah Valley Optimist Printing, 1984.