Washington County, Idaho
Encyclopedia
Washington County is a county
in the U.S. state
of Idaho
. Established in 1879 when Idaho was a territory
, it was named after U.S. president George Washington
. As of the 2000 Census, the county had a population of 9,977; it is estimated to have risen to 10,147 by 2007. The county seat
is Weiser
.
Washington County is home to the Idaho ground squirrel
.
of 2000, there were 9,977 people, 3,762 households, and 2,738 families residing in the county. The population density
was 7 people per square mile (3/km²). There were 4,138 housing units at an average density of 3 per square mile (1/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 87.61% White
, 1.03% Asian
, 0.66% Native American
, 0.10% Black
or African American
, 0.07% Pacific Islander
, 8.17% from other races
, and 2.36% from two or more races. 13.75% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 15.7% were of German
, 14.3% English
, 10.1% American
and 7.7% Irish
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 3,762 households out of which 32.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.7% were married couples
living together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.2% were non-families. 23.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.30% 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 3.10.
In the county the population was spread out with 27.4% under the age of 18, 7.20% from 18 to 24, 23.4% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 17.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 95.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.0 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $30,625, and the median income for a family was $35,542. Males had a median income of $27,222 versus $18,053 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $15,464. About 10.00% of families and 13.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.60% of those under age 18 and 9.90% of those age 65 or over.
431 Weiser District includes:
432 Cambridge Joint District includes:
433 Midvale District includes:
County (United States)
In the United States, a county is a geographic subdivision of a state , usually assigned some governmental authority. The term "county" is used in 48 of the 50 states; Louisiana is divided into parishes and Alaska into boroughs. Parishes and boroughs are called "county-equivalents" by the U.S...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Idaho
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
. Established in 1879 when Idaho was a territory
Idaho Territory
The Territory of Idaho was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 4, 1863, until July 3, 1890, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Idaho.-1860s:...
, it was named after U.S. president George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
. As of the 2000 Census, the county had a population of 9,977; it is estimated to have risen to 10,147 by 2007. The county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Weiser
Weiser, Idaho
Weiser is a city in the rural western part of the U.S. state of Idaho and the county seat of Washington County. With its mild climate, the city supports farm, orchard, and livestock endeavors in the vicinity. The city sits at the confluence of the Weiser River with the great Snake River, which...
.
Washington County is home to the Idaho ground squirrel
Idaho Ground Squirrel
The Idaho ground squirrel is a species of the largest genus of ground squirrels. There are two subspecies, both in Idaho. They are also known as Idaho Spotted Ground Squirrel.-Description:...
.
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 1473.54 square miles (3,816.5 km²), of which 1456.32 square miles (3,771.9 km²) (or 98.83%) is land and 17.23 square miles (44.6 km²) (or 1.17%) is water.Adjacent counties
- Adams CountyAdams County, IdahoAdams County is a rural county located in the state of Idaho. As of the 2010 census the county had a population of 3,976. The county seat and largest city is Council.Adams County was established in 1911 and was named in honor of President John Adams...
- north - Gem CountyGem County, IdahoGem County is a county in the U.S. state of Idaho. The population was 15,181 at the 2000 census; it was estimated at 16,496 in 2007. The county seat is Emmett.Gem County is home to the Idaho ground squirrel....
- east - Payette CountyPayette County, IdahoPayette County is a county located in the U.S. state of Idaho. The county was established in 1917, and at the 2000 Census the county had a population of 20,578 . The county seat is Payette....
- south - Malheur CountyMalheur County, OregonMalheur County is a county located in the southeast corner of the U.S. state of Oregon. It is included in the eight-county definition of Eastern Oregon. Most of the county observes the Mountain Time Zone, although the southern quarter of the county observes the Pacific Time Zone along with the...
, OregonOregonOregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
- southwest - Baker CountyBaker County, OregonBaker County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. It is included in the 8 county definition of Eastern Oregon. It is named for Edward Dickinson Baker, a senator from Oregon who was killed at Ball's Bluff, a battle of the Civil War in Virginia in 1861. It was split from the eastern part...
, OregonOregonOregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
- west
National protected areas
- Boise National ForestBoise National ForestThe Boise National Forest is a US national forest located north and east of the city of Boise, Idaho. It is about 2,612,000 acres in size, ranging in elevation from 2,600 to 9,800 feet . The mountainous landscape developed through uplifting, faulting, and stream cutting...
(part) - Deer Flat National Wildlife RefugeDeer Flat National Wildlife RefugeThe Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge is an important breeding area for mammals, birds, and other animals. The National Wildlife Refuge is located on land surrounding Lake Lowell, just outside Nampa, Idaho...
(part) - Payette National ForestPayette National ForestThe Payette National Forest, is a U.S. National Forest located in central western Idaho, in parts of Valley, Idaho, Adams, and Washington counties. The land area consists of approximately 2.3 million acres of federally managed lands...
(part)
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 9,977 people, 3,762 households, and 2,738 families residing in the county. 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 7 people per square mile (3/km²). There were 4,138 housing units at an average density of 3 per square mile (1/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 87.61% White
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...
, 1.03% Asian
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...
, 0.66% Native American
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...
, 0.10% Black
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...
or African American
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...
, 0.07% Pacific Islander
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...
, 8.17% 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 2.36% from two or more races. 13.75% of the population were Hispanic
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...
or Latino
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...
of any race. 15.7% 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....
, 14.3% 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...
, 10.1% American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and 7.7% 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...
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 3,762 households out of which 32.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.7% 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, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.2% were non-families. 23.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.30% 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 3.10.
In the county the population was spread out with 27.4% under the age of 18, 7.20% from 18 to 24, 23.4% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 17.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 95.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.0 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $30,625, and the median income for a family was $35,542. Males had a median income of $27,222 versus $18,053 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 county was $15,464. About 10.00% of families and 13.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.60% of those under age 18 and 9.90% of those age 65 or over.
Education
The county is served by three school districts:- 431 Weiser District
- 432 Cambridge Joint District
- 433 Midvale District.
431 Weiser District includes:
- Weiser High School
- Weiser Middle School
- Park Intermediate School
- Pioneer Primary School.
432 Cambridge Joint District includes:
- Cambridge Junior-Senior High School
- Cambridge Elementary School
433 Midvale District includes:
- Midvale Elementary School
- Midvale Junior High School
- Midvale Senior High School.
Cities and towns
- CambridgeCambridge, IdahoCambridge is a city in Washington County, Idaho, United States. The population was 360 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Cambridge is located at ....
- MidvaleMidvale, IdahoMidvale is a city in Washington County, Idaho, United States. The population was 176 at the 2000 census.Midvale is the hometown of former U.S. Senator, Larry Craig.-History:...
- WeiserWeiser, IdahoWeiser is a city in the rural western part of the U.S. state of Idaho and the county seat of Washington County. With its mild climate, the city supports farm, orchard, and livestock endeavors in the vicinity. The city sits at the confluence of the Weiser River with the great Snake River, which...