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Clallam County, Washington

Coordinates: 48°6′45″N 123°26′27″W / 48.11250°N 123.44083°W / 48.11250; -123.44083
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Clallam County
County
Clallam County Courthouse
Clallam County Courthouse
Flag of Clallam County
Flag
Official seal of Clallam County
Seal
Map of Washington highlighting Clallam County
Location within the U.S. state of Washington
Map of the United States highlighting Washington
Washington's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 48°06′39″N 123°53′23″W / 48.11083°N 123.88972°W / 48.11083; -123.88972
Country United States
State Washington
FoundedApril 26, 1854
SeatPort Angeles
Largest cityPort Angeles
Area
 • Total2,671 sq mi (6,920 km2)
 • Land1,738 sq mi (4,500 km2)
 • Water932 sq mi (2,410 km2)  35%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total77,155
 • Estimate 
(2023)
77,616 Increase
 • Density44.4/sq mi (17.1/km2)
Time zoneUTC−8 (Pacific)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−7 (PDT)
Congressional district6th
Websiteclallamcountywa.gov

Clallam County is a county in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, the population was 77,155,[1] with an estimated population of 77,616 in 2023. The county seat and largest city is Port Angeles; the county as a whole comprises the Port Angeles, WA Micropolitan Statistical Area.[2] The name is a Klallam word for "the strong people". The county was formed on April 26, 1854.[3] Located on the Olympic Peninsula, it is south from the Strait of Juan de Fuca, which forms the Canada–US border, as British Columbia's Vancouver Island is across the strait.

Clallam County was a bellwether, voting for the winning candidate in every presidential election from 1980 to 2020, holding the longest record for predicting official presidential election winners in the entire country.[4] It has also voted the winning candidate in every election since 1920 except for 1968, 1976, and 2024.[5][6]

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,671 square miles (6,920 km2), of which 1,738 square miles (4,500 km2) is land and 932 square miles (2,410 km2) (35%) is water.[7]

Located in Clallam County is Cape Alava, the westernmost point in both Washington and the contiguous United States, with a longitude of 124 degrees, 43 minutes and 59 seconds West (−124.733). Near Cape Alava is Ozette, the westernmost town in the contiguous United States. Clallam County also contains the west-northwesternmost, northwesternmost, and north-northwesternmost points in the contiguous United States.[8]

Geographic features

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Adjacent counties

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National protected areas

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1860149—
1870408173.8%
188063856.4%
18902,771334.3%
19005,603102.2%
19106,75520.6%
192011,36868.3%
193020,44979.9%
194021,8486.8%
195026,39620.8%
196030,02213.7%
197034,77015.8%
198051,64848.5%
199056,4649.3%
200064,52514.3%
201071,40410.7%
202077,1558.1%
2023 (est.)77,616[9]0.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]
1790–1960[11] 1900–1990[12]
1990–2000[13] 2010–2020[1]
Sol Duc River
Lake Crescent

2010 census

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As of the 2010 census, there were 71,404 people, 31,329 households, and 19,713 families living in the county.[14] The population density was 41.1 inhabitants per square mile (15.9/km2). There were 35,582 housing units at an average density of 20.5 units per square mile (7.9 units/km2).[15] The racial makeup of the county was 87.0% white, 5.1% American Indian, 1.4% Asian, 0.8% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 1.8% from other races, and 3.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 5.1% of the population.[14] In terms of ancestry, 21.4% were German, 16.4% were English, 12.6% were Irish, 6.5% were Norwegian, and 5.2% were American.[16]

Of the 31,329 households, 22.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.4% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 37.1% were non-families, and 30.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.70. The median age was 49.0 years.[14]

The median income for a household in the county was $44,398 and the median income for a family was $54,837. Males had a median income of $44,609 versus $32,125 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,449. About 9.5% of families and 14.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.4% of those under age 18 and 6.0% of those age 65 or over.[17]

2000 census

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As of the 2000 census,[18] there were 64,525 people, 27,164 households, and 18,064 families living in the county. The population density was 37 people per square mile (14 people/km2). There were 30,683 housing units at an average density of 18 units per square mile (6.9 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 89.12% White, 0.84% Black or African American, 5.12% Native American, 1.13% Asian, 0.16% Pacific Islander, 1.18% from other races, and 2.44% from two or more races. 3.41% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 17.2% were of German, 13.1% English, 9.3% Irish, 8.3% United States or American and 6.0% Norwegian ancestry. 95% spoke English and 3.2% Spanish as their first language.

There were 27,164 households, out of which 25.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.90% were married couples living together, 9.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.50% were non-families. 28.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.78.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.00% under the age of 18, 7.10% from 18 to 24, 22.80% from 25 to 44, 26.90% from 45 to 64, and 21.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 98.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,449, and the median income for a family was $44,381. Males had a median income of $35,452 versus $24,628 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,517. About 8.90% of families and 12.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.10% of those under age 18 and 6.80% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

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Modern Clallam County is generally regarded as a competitive area politically. In the 2020 presidential election, Democrat Joe Biden won with 50.2% of the vote versus 46.9% of the vote for Republican Donald Trump. In the 2016 presidential election, Republican Donald Trump won with 46.7% of the vote, compared to 44.0% of the vote for Democrat Hillary Clinton. In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama narrowly won with 48.4% of the vote, compared to 48.0% of the vote for Republican Mitt Romney. In the 2008 presidential election, Barack Obama won the county with 50.6% of the vote, compared to 47.3% for candidate Republican John McCain.

Clallam County was a bellwether, holding the longest record, until 2024, for predicting official presidential election winners in the entire country.[5] In every election since 1920, except for 1968, 1976, and 2024, it has voted for the presidential election winner.

It voted the winning candidate in every presidential election from 1980 to 2020, the longest streak of any county in the country before ending its streak in 2024.[19][5] Clallam County also voted for Bob Ferguson in the 2024 Washington gubernatorial election for the first time since the 2000 Washington gubernatorial election, despite Ferguson underperforming Kamala Harris, indicating a potential leftward shift in the county.[6]

Democratic candidates are generally most successful in the county seat and largest city, Port Angeles, which casts a significant number of votes. The city of Sequim and its general vicinity (excepting newer developments such as Bell Hill which tend to be Republican) is generally considered a battleground area. The Forks area is generally Republican, with the exception of American Indian areas. The Makah tribe areas around Neah Bay are some of the most Democratic areas in the state. Otherwise, with the exception of a few locations (such as Blyn and Jamestown near Sequim), unincorporated Clallam County has a strong Republican lean.

United States presidential election results for Clallam County, Washington[20][21]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 20,833 44.62% 24,367 52.19% 1,487 3.19%
2020 23,062 46.81% 24,721 50.18% 1,481 3.01%
2016 18,794 46.37% 17,677 43.61% 4,062 10.02%
2012 18,437 48.03% 18,580 48.40% 1,368 3.56%
2008 18,199 47.25% 19,470 50.55% 851 2.21%
2004 18,871 51.33% 17,049 46.37% 846 2.30%
2000 16,251 50.42% 13,779 42.75% 2,202 6.83%
1996 12,432 42.12% 12,585 42.64% 4,499 15.24%
1992 9,765 34.06% 10,820 37.74% 8,088 28.21%
1988 11,200 49.14% 11,123 48.80% 471 2.07%
1984 13,605 57.32% 9,701 40.87% 429 1.81%
1980 11,515 51.65% 8,029 36.01% 2,752 12.34%
1976 9,132 49.67% 8,268 44.97% 986 5.36%
1972 9,372 58.25% 5,620 34.93% 1,097 6.82%
1968 5,921 41.60% 7,030 49.39% 1,283 9.01%
1964 4,175 31.03% 9,265 68.86% 15 0.11%
1960 6,227 47.61% 6,801 52.00% 52 0.40%
1956 6,852 54.82% 5,632 45.06% 16 0.13%
1952 6,442 53.96% 5,390 45.15% 106 0.89%
1948 4,178 41.38% 5,412 53.60% 507 5.02%
1944 3,551 39.23% 5,441 60.11% 59 0.65%
1940 3,555 36.91% 5,966 61.95% 110 1.14%
1936 2,404 28.56% 5,586 66.36% 428 5.08%
1932 1,870 24.81% 3,954 52.46% 1,713 22.73%
1928 3,319 65.53% 1,705 33.66% 41 0.81%
1924 2,129 52.07% 283 6.92% 1,677 41.01%
1920 1,775 53.76% 489 14.81% 1,038 31.44%
1916 1,475 45.23% 1,339 41.06% 447 13.71%
1912 727 28.67% 464 18.30% 1,345 53.04%
1908 938 59.59% 428 27.19% 208 13.21%
1904 903 68.15% 273 20.60% 149 11.25%
1900 723 60.45% 407 34.03% 66 5.52%
1896 559 43.43% 717 55.71% 11 0.85%
1892 518 38.20% 448 33.04% 390 28.76%

Transportation

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US Route 101 at the interchange with Washington State Route 117

Clallam Transit operates bus service between and within the towns of the county and to destinations outside Clallam County.

Major highways

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Airports

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The following public use airports are located in the county:[22]

Communities

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Crossroads in Port Angeles, Strait of Juan de Fuca and Vancouver Island in the background

Cities

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Census-designated places

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Unincorporated communities

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The popular Twilight Saga novels and film series are set in Clallam County. The main storyline is set in Forks; however, the characters also visit neighboring Port Angeles.

The rural-comedy film series Ma and Pa Kettle (1949–1957) is set in a fictionalized Cape Flattery.

A popular YouTube series following the restoration of the historic sailing vessel Tally Ho took place in Sequim from 2017 to 2021 and often visited other places in Clallam County.[23] The county had demanded that donations and work on the project be stopped, citing lack of permits and an unwillingness to issue those permits.[24] In July 2021, Goolden's Sampson Boat Company and Tally Ho relocated to the nearby Port of Port Townsend, Washington, boatyard to complete the restoration there.[25]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "What does Clallam County know? Voters just chose a winner for the tenth straight election". kitsapsun.com. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  4. ^ a b c "Clallam County continues its streak of picking every presidential winner since 1980". king5.com. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  5. ^ a b Smith, Helen (November 6, 2024). "Clallam County voted for losing presidential candidate for first time in 40 years". KING-TV.
  6. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
  7. ^ "16 Extreme Compass Points". Del Leu. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  8. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  9. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  10. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  11. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  12. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 26, 2015. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  13. ^ a b c "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 1, 2016.
  14. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 1, 2016.
  15. ^ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 1, 2016.
  16. ^ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 1, 2016.
  17. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  18. ^ "What does Clallam County know? Voters just chose a winner for the tenth straight election". kitsapsun.com. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  19. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
  20. ^ The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 686 votes, while Socialist candidate Eugene Debs received 610 votes, Prohibition candidate Eugene Chafin received 36 votes, and Socialist Labor candidate Arthur Reimer received 13 votes.
  21. ^ "Clallam County Public and Private Airports". www.tollfreeairline.com. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  22. ^ "One man's mission to save a historic ship built a digital community". High Country News – Know the West. September 25, 2019. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  23. ^ "Boat restoration project may be asked to move". Peninsula Daily News. March 2, 2021. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  24. ^ "Check out the latest KPTZ radio Working Waterfront interview!". Port of Port Townsend. July 16, 2021. Archived from the original on July 19, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
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48°6′45″N 123°26′27″W / 48.11250°N 123.44083°W / 48.11250; -123.44083

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