Chelan County, Washington


Chelan County is a county in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, its population was 79,074. The county seat and largest city is Wenatchee. The county was created out of Okanogan and Kittitas Counties on March 13, 1899. It derives its name from a Chelan Indian word meaning "deep water," likely a reference to -long Lake Chelan, which reaches a maximum depth of.
Chelan County is part of the Wenatchee, Washington, [Wenatchee–East Wenatchee, Washington|Wenatchee metropolitan area|Metropolitan Statistical Area].
WWW co.chelan.wa.us

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which is land and is water. It is the third-largest county in Washington by area.

Geographic features

Major highways

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 79,074. Of the residents, 22.3% were under the age of 18 and 20.6% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 41.0 years. For every 100 females there were 99.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 97.6 males. 66.4% of residents lived in urban areas and 33.6% lived in rural areas.
Race / Ethnicity Pop 2000Pop 2010% 2000% 2010
[Non-Hispanic or Race (United States Census)|Latino whites|White] alone 51,59051,20252,09377.44%70.67%65.88%
Black or African American alone 1111772530.17%0.24%0.32%
Native American or Alaska Native alone 5525144080.83%0.71%0.52%
Asian alone 4415707870.66%0.79%1.00%
Pacific Islander alone 66891090.10%0.12%0.14%
Other race alone 93763810.14%0.10%0.48%
Mixed race or Multiracial 9321,1122,9391.40%1.53%3.72%
Hispanic or Latino 12,83118,71322,10419.26%25.83%27.95%
Total66,61672,45379,074100.00%100.00%100.00%

The racial makeup of the county was 69.9% White, 0.4% Black or African American, 1.0% [Native Americans in the United States|American Native Americans in the United States|Indian and Alaska Native], 1.0% Asian, 16.8% from some other race, and 10.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 28.0% of the population.
There were 30,296 households in the county, of which 29.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 24.1% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 26.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 37,267 housing units, of which 18.7% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 65.0% were owner-occupied and 35.0% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.5%.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 72,453 people, 27,827 households, and 18,795 families living in the county. The population density was. There were 35,465 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the county was 79.3% white, 1.0% American Indian, 0.8% Asian, 0.3% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 15.7% from other races, and 2.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 25.8% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 17.6% were German, 15.0% were American, 11.3% were English, and 8.3% were Irish.
Of the 27,827 households, 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.7% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.5% were non-families, and 26.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.10. The median age was 39.3 years.
The median income for a household in the county was $48,674 and the median income for a family was $57,856. Males had a median income of $41,076 versus $34,261 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,378. About 8.2% of families and 11.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.8% of those under age 18 and 9.0% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 66,616 people, 25,021 households, and 17,364 families living in the county. The population density was. There were 30,407 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the county was 83.63% White, 0.26% Black or African American, 0.99% Native American, 0.68% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 12.19% from other races, and 2.14% from two or more races. 19.26% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 16.9% were of German, 11.2% English, 9.3% United States or American and 7.1% Irish ancestry. 80.9% spoke English and 18.1% Spanish as their first language.
There were 25,021 households, out of which 34.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.40% were married couples living together, 8.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.60% were non-families. 25.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.14.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 28.00% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 27.20% from 25 to 44, 22.70% from 45 to 64, and 13.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $37,316, and the median income for a family was $46,293. Males had a median income of $35,065 versus $25,838 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,273. About 8.80% of families and 12.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.00% of those under age 18 and 7.40% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Ghost towns

Politics

Chelan County is part of the 8th Congressional District federally, represented by Democrat Kim Schrier. Formerly a Republican Party stronghold, it has narrowed up considerably in recent years, with Donald Trump only carrying the county by around 8 points over Joe Biden in 2020.