| County: | Pacific County |
| State: | Washington |
| Founded Year: | 1851 |
| Founded Date: | February 4 |
| Seat Wl: | South Bend |
| Largest City Wl: | Raymond |
| Area Total Sq Mi: | 1223 |
| Area Land Sq Mi: | 933 |
| Area Water Sq Mi: | 291 |
| Area Percentage: | 24% |
| Population As Of: | 2020 |
| Population Total: | 23365 |
| Pop Est As Of: | 2022 |
| Population Est: | 24113 |
| Density Sq Mi: | 19 |
| Time Zone: | Pacific |
| Web: | www.co.pacific.wa.us |
| Ex Image: | File:Pacific_County_Courthouse_2020.jpg |
| Ex Image Cap: | Pacific County Courthouse, South Bend |
| District: | 3rd |
Pacific County is a county in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, the population was 23,365.[1] Its county seat is South Bend,[2] and its largest city is Raymond. The county was formed by the government of Oregon Territory in February 1851[3] and is named for the Pacific Ocean.
Pacific County is centered on Willapa Bay, a region that provides twenty-five percent of the United States oyster harvest,[4] although forestry, fishing, and tourism are also significant elements of the county's economy.
The area that is now Pacific County was part of Oregon Territory in the first part of the nineteenth century. On December 19, 1845, the Provisional Government of Oregon created two counties (Vancouver and Clark) in its northern portion (which is now the state of Washington). In 1849, the name of Vancouver County was changed to Lewis County, and on February 4, 1851, a portion of Lewis County was partitioned off to become Pacific County. The county's boundaries have not changed since its creation. The unincorporated community of Oysterville, established in 1852, was the first county seat. The county records were stolen from Oysterville and ferried across Willapa Harbor by residents of South Bend, resulting in that town becoming the new county seat in 1893.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has an area of, of which is land and (24%) is water.[5]
As of the 2010 census, there were 20,920 people, 9,499 households, and 5,707 families living in the county.[6] The population density was . There were 15,547 housing units at an average density of .[7] The racial makeup of the county was 87.4% white, 2.3% American Indian, 2.0% Asian, 0.4% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 4.4% from other races, and 3.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 8.0% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 23.4% were German, 13.8% were English, 11.9% were Irish, 7.6% were American, 6.2% were Norwegian, and 5.8% were Swedish.[8]
Of the 9,499 households, 20.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.6% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 39.9% were non-families, and 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.72. The median age was 50.8 years.
The median income for a household in the county was $39,642 and the median income for a family was $51,450. Males had a median income of $44,775 versus $34,538 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,326. About 12.4% of families and 16.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.4% of those under age 18 and 9.9% of those age 65 or over.[9]
As of the 2000 census, there were 20,984 people, 9,096 households, and 5,885 families living in the county. The population density was 22/mi2. There were 13,991 housing units at an average density of 15/mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 90.54% White, 0.20% Black or African American, 2.44% Native American, 2.08% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 1.83% from other races, and 2.82% from two or more races. 5.01% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 18.0% were of German, 10.8% English, 8.8% Irish and 8.6% United States or American ancestry.
There were 9,096 households, out of which 23.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.10% were married couples living together, 7.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.30% were non-families. 29.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.77.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.40% under the age of 18, 6.00% from 18 to 24, 21.20% from 25 to 44, 28.90% from 45 to 64, and 22.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females there were 98.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $31,209, and the median income for a family was $39,302. Males had a median income of $33,892 versus $22,982 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,322. About 9.10% of families and 14.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.70% of those under age 18 and 8.10% of those age 65 or over.
Pacific County, along with neighboring Grays Harbor County, were among the most consistently Democratic counties in the nation. In 2016 and 2020 however, the county, like Grays Harbor County, broke its long streak of backing the Democratic candidate for president, voting for the Republican candidate.