87-720: The Mount Baker gold rush (1897 to mid 1920s) occurred in Whatcom County , Washington , United States , upon the discovery of the Lone Jack Mine . The Mount Baker area was flooded with prospectors which led to the staking of many claims both patented and unpatented. The most notable mines staked soon after the Lone Jack are the Boundary Red Mountain Mine , Garget Mine (a.k.a. Gold Run Mine), Gold Basin Mine, Silver Tip Mine, and
174-561: A branch line to connect with the Northern Pacific Railroad and approved a harbor-dredging operation to promote Olympia as a trade hub as the area fell behind Seattle and Tacoma in population growth. The 150-foot (46 m) Thurston County Courthouse was completed in 1892 and was purchased by the state government in 1901 for use as the state capitol building to replace a temporary wooden structure built in 1856. The modern Washington State Capitol commenced construction in 1923 and
261-439: A county charter approved in 1978; it acts as a county constitution. Whatcom County is one of seven Washington counties to use the home rule charter provision of state law. Local government is split between the county, incorporated cities and towns, and special-purpose districts. These local governments are established and operate according to state law, and operate independently from the county government. The charter establishes
348-528: A court commissioner, and a support staff. The superior court is a court of general jurisdiction. Superior court hears civil cases exceeding $ 75,000 or requesting non-monetary remedies. Superior court hears all juvenile criminal cases and all adult felony cases. Superior court also hears appeals from district court and municipal courts. Superior court staff include three judges, three full-time court commissioners, two part-time court commissioners, and support staff. District and superior court judges are elected by
435-429: A family was $ 71,833. Males had a median income of $ 53,679 versus $ 41,248 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 29,707. About 7.1% of families and 10.3% of the population were below the poverty line , including 13.0% of those under age 18 and 5.9% of those age 65 or over. As of the 2000 census , there were 207,355 people, 81,625 households and 54,933 families living in the county. The population density
522-418: A household in the county was $ 40,005, and for a family was $ 49,325. Males had a median income of $ 37,589 versus $ 26,193 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 20,025. About 7.80% of families and 14.20% of the population were below the poverty line , including 14.20% of those under age 18 and 8.30% of those age 65 or over. The Whatcom County government is a municipal corporation operating under
609-549: A large agricultural industry that dates back to the late 19th century, when communities transitioned from logging after the removal of forests in the Nooksack Valley. The county produces 60–80 million lb (27–36 million kg) of raspberries annually, which constitutes 99 percent of Washington's crop and typically around 85 percent of the entire U.S. raspberry harvest. The local dairy and egg industries also contribute to $ 200 million in annual sales;
696-461: A passenger terminal, and an air traffic control tower . The airport and two other sites in Thurston County were among candidates considered by a state legislative commission for a new passenger airport to relieve crowding at Seattle–Tacoma International Airport , the main passenger airport in the region. Thurston County has two major hospitals that have a combined 500-bed capacity. The largest
783-535: A pilot project in 1964 and made into a permanent intercounty rural library district in 1968. The county had previously been served by the South Puget Sound Regional Library, which was contracted to operate libraries in the cities of Lacey, Olympia, and Yelm. These cities were later annexed directly into the Timberland system by the 1980s. The oldest public library in the county was opened in 1896 by
870-421: A portion of the new county was partitioned off to form Island County . The Washington Territory was formed as a separate governing entity in 1853. In 1854, that legislature carved several counties out of the existing counties, including Whatcom County on March 9, 1854, with area taken from Island County. The original county boundary was reduced in 1873 by the formation of San Juan County , and again in 1883 by
957-504: A presidential election. One member is elected from each of the five districts; two members are elected at-large , which favors candidates who can command a majority of voters. The county council also serves as the county board of health. The executive branch consists of six elected officials, a county executive , and five department heads. The county executive is similar to a mayor or governor. The assessor, auditor, prosecuting attorney, sheriff , and treasurer are elected independently from
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#17328514372291044-551: A public liberal arts college in western Olympia, opened in 1972. According to the United States Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 774 square miles (2,000 km ), of which 722 square miles (1,870 km ) is land and 52 square miles (130 km ) (6.7%) is water. Major watersheds: Black River, Budd/Deschutes, Chehalis River , Eld Inlet, Henderson Inlet , Nisqually River , Skookumchuck River , Totten Inlet and West Capitol Forest. The habitat for
1131-422: A regional fire authority provide fire prevention, fire fighting, and emergency medical services. Each fire district is governed by an elected board of commissioners. Most districts have three commissioners. Fire districts receive most of their revenue from property taxes. All of the fire districts and the regional fire authority have volunteer or paid-call firefighters and emergency medical technicians (EMTs), as does
1218-686: A sawmill, and a military fort were established on Bellingham Bay in the 1850s. Logging was the principal economic activity at first, and agriculture developed as land was cleared by logging activity. Canneries, both of fish and crops, shipped the county's products far and wide. Pacific American Fisheries organized in 1899 in Fairhaven, and became the world's largest canning operation, employing over 5,500 residents. Smaller canneries at Semiahmoo also produced 2,000 cases of canned salmon daily. The Fairhaven Shipyard constructed fleets of fishing ships, and also produced freighters during World War I. Whatcom County has
1305-465: A short-term increase in the county's population, which briefly swelled to over 10,000 before the bubble burst. In 1857 the federal government began the field work necessary to establish the national border between the United States and Canada, which had been agreed on as the forty-ninth parallel in this area, and which would also mark the north line of Whatcom County. As the work moved east, several of
1392-515: A waterfall. Whatcom County has a diversified economy with a significant agricultural base, including approximately 60% of the nation's annual production of raspberries . The Whatcom County area has had known human habitation for at least twelve millennia. At least three aboriginal tribes have been identified in the area: Lummi (San Juan Islands, between Point Whitehorn and Chuckanut Bay), Nooksack (between Lynden and Maple Falls) and Semiahmoo (the northern portion, near Blaine). This area
1479-504: A year-to-year population increase of 2.24 percent. The county also had the highest population of middle class households among metropolitan areas in the U.S. according to a 2024 Pew Research study, which determined that 66 percent of households had adults with an annual income near double the national median household income. Thurston County is also part of the Seattle – Tacoma , WA Combined Statistical Area , which includes most of
1566-500: Is Providence St. Peter Hospital north of Lacey, which has 390 beds and is operated by Providence Health & Services . It was founded in 1887 at a location in Olympia and moved to its current campus near Lacey in 1971. The Capital Medical Center in Olympia, operated by MultiCare Health since 2021, has 107 beds and an off-campus emergency room in Lacey. It was built in 1985 to address
1653-602: Is a college supported by the Lummi Nation and serves the Native American community. Northwest Indian College is located on the Lummi Nation (Lummi Reservation), about five miles (8 km) west of Bellingham. 48°50′N 121°54′W / 48.83°N 121.90°W / 48.83; -121.90 Thurston County, Washington Thurston County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington . As of
1740-502: Is a court of limited jurisdiction that handles civil and criminal cases. Criminal cases are limited to adults charged with misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor offenses. State law specifies what cases are in the district court's jurisdiction. The district court operates a small claims court to resolve civil cases involving monetary damages not exceeding $ 5,000. No attorneys are permitted to appear in small claims court. Cases are heard using less formal procedures. The district court has two judges,
1827-529: Is a non-profit online news organization that was founded in 2020. Thurston County is part of the Timberland Regional Library , a public library system that serves five counties in southwestern Washington and is headquartered in Tumwater. It has seven locations in the county and a dedicated bookmobile service. Thurston County is a founding member of the Timberland system, which was established as
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#17328514372291914-462: Is governed by a five-member board of county commissioners who are elected to four-year terms from proportional districts. The board of commissioners was enlarged from three members to five members in November 2023 following the approval of a ballot measure to expand the board that passed a year prior. The head of the Thurston County government's administration is the county manager , who is appointed by
2001-402: Is governed by an elected board of commissioners. Most districts have three commissioners. Fire districts receive most of their revenue from property taxes. All of the fire districts and the regional fire authority have volunteer or paid-call firefighters and emergency medical technicians (EMTs). The City of Olympia is an all-career department. Fire District 3 only allows volunteers to live within
2088-801: Is home to several rail trails , including the Chehalis Western Trail , which is the longest in the county, the Karen Fraser Woodland Trail , and the Yelm-Rainier-Tenino Trail . Olympia was a major source of indie music in the late 20th century and home to various grunge , punk , and indie rock bands in the 1980s and 1990s. Indie label K Records and the Evergreen State College's radio station KAOS , both founded by musician Calvin Johnson , brought many groups into
2175-652: Is in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia . At some periods in the past, one of the Fraser River 's distributaries may have entered Bellingham Bay near Bellingham at or near the modern-day mouth of the Nooksack River . The remainder of Whatcom County is in the Cascade Range , including Mount Baker . In their foothills is Lake Whatcom , which is drained by Whatcom Creek into Bellingham Bay . A small part of
2262-574: Is located on the Lummi Nation (Lummi Reservation) west of Bellingham. Bellingham Technical College is a public technical and vocational college located in Bellingham. Trinity Western University (TWU) is a private, Christian university based in Langley, BC , about 25 miles (40 km) north of Bellingham. TWU operates a branch campus in Bellingham, offering undergraduate courses and supports TWU's bachelor's degree completion program. Northwest Indian College
2349-673: Is named after Samuel R. Thurston , the Oregon Territory 's first delegate to Congress . Thurston County comprises the Olympia– Tumwater , WA Metropolitan Statistical Area and is included in the Seattle – Tacoma , WA Combined Statistical Area . The southern end of Puget Sound is the homeland of several indigenous Coast Salish groups, including the Nisqually , Squaxin , and Upper Chehalis . Archeological remains at Tumwater Falls date back to 2,500 to 3,000 years before present ;
2436-526: Is operated by Amtrak , which has two routes that serve Centennial Station in southern Lacey, which opened in 1993 and is primarily run by volunteers. The Cascades has several daily trips to Seattle, Portland, and Vancouver ; the Coast Starlight has one daily train that runs between Seattle, Sacramento , the San Francisco Bay Area , and Los Angeles . These routes run on tracks owned by
2523-595: Is published weekly in Yelm and has been a sister publication of The Chronicle of Centralia since 1994. Tenino had several competing newspapers during the 1910s that were succeeded by the Tenino Independent , which has been published weekly since 1922. An alt weekly , the Weekly Volcano was published in Olympia from 2001 to 2013; it was later revived in 2023. The Journal of Olympia, Lacey & Tumwater (JOLT)
2610-700: Is responsible for maintaining the county jail , providing security at the Whatcom County Superior Court, serving civil processes, coordinating emergency management among the county's emergency services, and maintaining law and order in rural areas. The first sheriff was Ellis "Yankee" Barnes who was sworn into office in 1854, during a period in which the border between the United States and British Columbia along Whatcom County had not been fully delineated. That year, Barnes seized and auctioned 34 rams that belonged to Canadian farmer Charles Griffin for Griffin's failure to pay United States taxes. The event
2697-489: Is split between two U.S. congressional districts , which each elect a member to the United States House of Representatives : the 3rd district , generally south of State Route 507 ; and the 10th district , which includes the urban areas of Olympia, Lacey, and Tumwater, as well as Yelm. Until the creation of the 10th district following the 2010 U.S. census, Olympia and Lacey were in separate congressional districts. At
Mount Baker gold rush - Misplaced Pages Continue
2784-509: Is the town of Bucoda , which has 620 residents. Over 145,000 people live in the unincorporated areas of the county, which are primarily concentrated between Olympia and Lacey. The entire county is designated as part of the Olympia–Lacey–Tumwater Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), which only includes Thurston County. The MSA was among the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the U.S. in the 2010s, with
2871-482: The 2000 census , there were 166,814 people, 64,446 households, and 41,116 families resided in the county. The population density was 79 people per square mile (31 people/km ). The 73,893 housing units averaged 35 units per square mile (14 units/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 88.41% White, 0.69% Black or African American, 2.82% Native American, 2.78% Asian, 0.14% Pacific Islander, 2.49% from other races, and 2.66% from two or more races. About 5.21% of
2958-517: The 2010 census , there were 201,140 people, 80,370 households, and 48,862 families resided in the county. The population density was 95.5 people per square mile (36.9 people/km ). The 90,665 housing units averaged 43.0 units per square mile (16.6 units/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 85.4% White, 3.5% Asian, 2.8% American Indian, 1.0% Black or African American, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 3.3% from other races, and 3.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 7.8% of
3045-555: The 2020 census , its population was 294,793. The county seat and largest city is Olympia , the state capital . Thurston County was created out of Lewis County by the government of Oregon Territory on January 12, 1852. At that time, it covered all of the Puget Sound region and the Olympic Peninsula . On December 22 of the same year, Pierce , King , Island , and Jefferson counties were split off from Thurston County. It
3132-620: The 2020 census , the county's population was 226,847. The county was created from Island County by the Washington Territorial Legislature in March 1854. It originally included the territory of present-day San Juan and Skagit counties, which were later independently organized after additional settlement. Its name derives from the Lummi word Xwotʼqom , also spelled [x̣ʷátqʷəm], perhaps meaning 'noisy' or 'noisy water' and referring to
3219-448: The 35th district encompasses western and central Thurston County. Special-purpose districts include cemetery, fire, hospital, library, school, and water and sewer districts. Each special district is governed by officials elected by voters within that jurisdiction. Seven fire districts, three city fire departments, and two regional fire authorities provide fire prevention, fire fighting, and emergency medical services. Each fire district
3306-682: The BNSF Railway , which primarily operates freight trains through the county on the Seattle Subdivision . Several branch railroads also pass through Thurston County, including the Puget Sound and Pacific Railroad and two lines owned by the Port of Olympia that were leased to Tacoma Rail until 2016. The county has one public airport, Olympia Regional Airport , which is owned by the Port of Olympia and used for general aviation , business flights, air ambulances , and government use. It has two runways,
3393-831: The Golden Paintbrush (Castilleja levisecta) runs through the county. The plant was placed on the Endangered Species list in 1997 but due to conservation efforts the 12 in (30 cm) tall prairie flower was delisted in 2023. Wildlife and land preserves in South Thurston County include the Black River Habitat Management Area, the Glacial Heritage Preserve, and the Scatter Creek Wildlife Area . Thurston County has
3480-547: The Lower Mainland (the Metro Vancouver and Fraser Valley Regional Districts ) of British Columbia to the north, Okanogan County to the east, Skagit County to the south, San Juan County across Rosario Strait to the southwest, and the Strait of Georgia to the west. Its county seat and largest population center is the coastal city of Bellingham , comprising the Bellingham, WA Metropolitan Statistical Area , and as of
3567-611: The Provisional Government of Oregon had been established, although at first there were questions as to its authority and extent. During its existence, that provisional government formed the area north of the Columbia River first into the Washington Territory, and then (December 19, 1845) into two vast counties: Clark and Lewis. In 1852, a portion of Lewis County was partitioned off to form Thurston County , and in 1853
Mount Baker gold rush - Misplaced Pages Continue
3654-693: The Sound Transit system. All routes in the Intercity Transit system have been fare-free since 2020; the agency is funded by a local sales tax within its service area , which was formed in 1980. Rural Transit is operated by the Thurston Regional Planning Council between communities south of Olympia and Tumwater. It is also fare-free and connects with Lewis County Transit in Centralia. Passenger rail service through Thurston County
3741-623: The Woman's Club of Olympia , who donated their collection of 900 books to the city government in 1909. A permanent Carnegie library in Olympia was opened in 1914 with 1,500 books and was used by the city and Timberland until a new library building opened in 1978. Thurston County is bisected by Interstate 5 , the major north–south freeway on the U.S. West Coast that connects Washington, Oregon , and California . The freeway travels through Grand Mound, Tumwater, Olympia, and Lacey and continues south to Portland, Oregon , and north to Tacoma and Seattle. It
3828-415: The 1860s and settled into the modern boundaries by 1873. An attempt to move the county seat from Olympia to Tumwater or West Olympia was defeated by voters in 1861. Olympia was retained as capital of Washington after it was granted statehood in 1889; the city did not win a majority in the first referendum after Ellensburg and North Yakima , but defeated both in a second vote. Local residents built
3915-568: The British and American governments. Permanent European (and later American) settlement of modern-day Thurston County began with the arrival of a pioneer party led by Michael Simmons and George Bush in 1845. Several families settled near Tumwater Falls at a site they named "New Market", which became the first European settlement in Western Washington . The area north of the Columbia River
4002-574: The City of Lacey city limits. Thurston County Fire Districts are: Thurston County leans Democratic. The county has voted for the Democratic presidential candidate since 1988 and the candidates have consistently received a majority of the vote in the county. Several school districts provide K–12 education in Thurston County, including those that overlap with other counties: Thurston County also has three post-secondary educational institutions: The county
4089-570: The City of Lynden Fire Department. The City of Bellingham is an all-career department. Some of the districts also have full-time firefighter/EMTs. All fire districts use 9-1-1 for emergency calls. Whatcom County has one 9-1-1 call center located in Bellingham. Fire/EMS calls are processed and dispatched at a second public safety answering point called Prospect, located at a fire station in Bellingham. Additional dispatching locations provide backup capacity to answer emergency calls. Whatcom County Fire Districts are: The Whatcom County Sheriff's Office
4176-458: The Evergreen Mine. This article about mining is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This Washington -related article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Whatcom County Whatcom County ( / ˈ w ɒ t k ə m / , / ˈ hw ɒ t k ə m / ) is a county located in the northwestern corner of the U.S. state of Washington , bordered by
4263-515: The Nisqually River to Yelm, where it intersects State Route 507 . The county has two public transportation providers and connections to other systems that serve neighboring counties. Intercity Transit has 18 routes that serve the cities and urban growth areas of Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, and Yelm. In addition to local service, the agency operates The One, a rapid bus service in Olympia and Lacey, and express buses to Lakewood that connect with
4350-451: The Olympia area. The first section of Interstate 5 built in Thurston County was the 6.5-mile (10.5 km) Olympia Freeway, which opened in December 1958 to bypass the city's downtown. Other sections opened over the following decade, extending access through Lacey and Tumwater, where it destroyed portions of the historic downtown; a proposal to build the freeway further away from Olympia
4437-628: The Puget Sound region. As of the 2020 census , there were 294,793 people, 115,397 households, and 76,717 families living in the county. The population density was 408.0 inhabitants per square mile (157.5/km ). There were 121,438 housing units at an average density of 168.1 inhabitants per square mile (64.9/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 73.2% White , 3.2% African American , 1.5% Native American , 5.9% Asian , 1.1% Pacific Islander , 3.5% from some other races and 11.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 9.8% of
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#17328514372294524-589: The Waldorf School. Whatcom County hosts five institutions of higher education. Western Washington University (Western) is the third-largest public university in Washington. Western offers bachelor's and master's degrees through seven colleges and enrolls more than 15,000 students. Whatcom Community College is a public community college offering academic certificate programs and associate degrees. Two universities and two colleges are located in Bellingham. One college
4611-407: The age of 18 living with them, 49.9% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.3% were non-families, and 25.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.95. The median age was 38.5 years. The median income for a household in the county was $ 60,930 and the median income for
4698-539: The age of 18 living with them, 53.10% were married couples living together, 10.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.70% were non-families. 25.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.99. Age distribution was 25.30% under the age of 18, 9.30% from 18 to 24, 29.30% from 25 to 44, 24.60% from 45 to 64, and 11.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age
4785-660: The area around the falls included a settlement with several longhouses . The first European exhibition to the southern Puget Sound was conducted by Peter Puget and Joseph Whidbey on the British-led Vancouver Expedition in May 1792. The Hudson's Bay Company established a trading post at Fort Nisqually in 1833 on the east side of the Nisqually Delta while the Oregon Country was under joint administration by
4872-450: The board of commissioners. Since 2024, the county manager has been Leonard Hernandez, who was previously the CEO of San Bernardino County, California . Thurston County has used its commissioner–manager form of government since it was formed in 1852. An attempt to adopt a home rule charter with an elected county executive and seven-member county council was rejected by voters in 1979. The county
4959-463: The county are geared to cross-border shopping and recreation. According to the United States Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 2,503 square miles (6,480 km ), of which 2,107 square miles (5,460 km ) is land and 397 square miles (1,030 km ), or 16%, is covered by water. Western Whatcom County is part of the Fraser Lowland , the plain of the Fraser River , most of which
5046-451: The county executive and council. These six officials serve four-year terms. The county council establishes various departments by ordinance. The county council or county executive appoint department heads. These departments include administrative services, health, medical examiner, planning and development services, parks and recreation, and public works. The judicial branch consists of a district court and superior court. The district court
5133-430: The county had an estimated 48,964 dairy cows in 2007. Cross-border activity is also a significant driver of the economy. Whatcom County residents are served by public and private schools, providing preschool, primary (K-5), and secondary (6–12) education. Public schools are operated by eight school districts. Each school district is an independent local government managed by an elected school board. Seven districts serve
5220-600: The county south of the Chehalis River was ceded to Lewis County in February 1853, a month before Washington Territory was created with its capital in Olympia. Sawamish County (now Mason County) was created in March 1854 from the northwestern portions of Thurston County and Chehalis County (now Grays Harbor County) was established a month later from the remaining western half of Thurston County. Several exchanges of land between Thurston and neighboring counties were made during
5307-430: The county voters for a term of four years. Court commissioners are appointed by elected judges; commissioners have powers and responsibilities equal to elected judges. Whatcom County has been largely Democratic in presidential elections since 1988. Since 2004, the Democratic presidential candidates have received the majority of the county's vote. In the 2020 election, Joe Biden handily won the county with just over 60% of
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#17328514372295394-429: The county was 82.4% white, 5.2% Asian, 2.7% black or African American, 1.4% American Indian, 0.8% Pacific islander, 2.2% from other races, and 5.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 7.1% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 21.2% were German , 13.4% were English , 13.2% were Irish , 5.0% were Norwegian , and 4.7% were American . Of the 100,650 households, 31.7% had children under
5481-623: The county, Point Roberts , about 5 square miles (13 km ), is an extension of the Tsawwassen Peninsula, which is bisected by the Canada–US border along the 49th parallel. The highest point in the county is the peak of the active volcano Mount Baker at 10,778 feet (3,285 m) above sea level. The lowest points are at sea level along the Salish Sea , an arm of the Pacific Ocean. As of
5568-614: The county. Earlier newspapers included The Columbian , founded in 1852, and The Washington Standard , which was published weekly from 1860 to 1921. As the state capital, Olympia formerly had bureaus for newspapers across the state, including the two dailies in Seattle, and several reporters from the Associated Press . By 2021, the Olympia bureaus had shrunk to only six reporters. The county also has several weekly and online news publications. The Nisqually Valley News , founded in 1922,
5655-498: The formation of Skagit County . In 1855 the settlers erected a blockhouse west of Whatcom Creek, to protect against forays from the aboriginal inhabitants who were attempting to defend their homelands. That year the Treaty of Point Elliott was signed, which assigned the Lummi and Semiahmoo peoples a greatly-restricted reserved area. The short-lived Fraser Canyon Gold Rush (1857–58) caused
5742-465: The mainstream and wider success. The newspaper of record for Thurston County is The Olympian , a newspaper based in Olympia that is owned by the McClatchy Company and publishes three print editions per week. As of 2022 , it has a circulation of 17,401. The Olympian was founded in 1891 and merged with several local newspapers in the early 20th century to become the sole daily newspaper in
5829-550: The population was Hispanic or Latino of any race. Of people of European ancestry, 15.5% identified as German , 9.2% as English , 8.2% as Dutch , 7.9% as Irish , 7.0% as Norwegian , and 6.6% as United States or American ancestry. Of the 64,446 households, 30.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.20% were married couples living together, 8.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.20% were not families. About 25.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.40% had someone living alone who
5916-427: The population. 20.5% of residents were under the age of 18, 5.1% were under 5 years of age, and 19.3% were 65 and older. As of the 2010 census , there were 252,264 people, 100,650 households, and 66,161 families living in the county. The population density was 349.4 inhabitants per square mile (134.9/km ). There were 108,182 housing units at an average density of 149.8 per square mile (57.8/km ). The racial makeup of
6003-452: The population. In terms of ancestry, 20.8% were German, 12.8% were Irish, 12.6% were English, 8.0% were Dutch, 6.9% were Norwegian, and 4.4% were American . Of the 80,370 households, 28.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.0% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 39.2% were not families, and 27.8% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size
6090-456: The sixth-largest population among Washington's counties and is among the fastest-growing in the state. From 2010 to 2020, the county's population became more ethnically diverse, with the number of residents who identify as Hispanic or Latino increasing by 63.2%. The county's largest city is Lacey, which has an estimated population of over 60,000 and surpassed Olympia's population in the early 2020s. The smallest incorporated place in Thurston County
6177-403: The state level, Thurston County is part of five legislative districts that each elect a state senator and two state representatives. The 2nd district encompasses the rural southeast of the county; the 19th district includes Grand Mound and the southwest corner of the county; the 20th district includes an area east of Grand Mound; the 22nd district includes Olympia, Lacey, and Tumwater; and
6264-400: The structure of Whatcom County government. The Whatcom County Council holds legislative powers granted to counties. The council consists of seven members elected for a term of four years. Council members are elected at the general election in November of odd-numbered years. Three council members are elected one year before a presidential election; four council members are elected one year after
6351-419: The vote, as did Kamala Harris four years later. Incorporated cities and towns provide municipal services. Each city or town has an elected council and mayor. Special-purpose districts include cemetery, fire, hospital, library, school, and water and sewer districts. Each special district is governed by officials elected by voters within that jurisdiction. Eleven fire districts, two city fire departments, and
6438-555: The western portion of Whatcom County. One district serves the southeast corner of Whatcom County. The remaining portion of the county is national forest or national park land, which has no permanent residents. These districts (including any with any portion in the county, even if the schools are not in the county) are: Numerous private schools operate in Whatcom County, including Assumption Catholic School, St. Paul's Academy, Lynden Christian Schools, Bellingham Christian Schools, and
6525-565: The workers chose to remain in the area as settlers. Whatcom County's northern border is the Canada–US border with the Canadian province of British Columbia . Adjoining the county on the north (from west to east) are the Metro Vancouver suburbs of Delta , Surrey , Langley , the central Fraser Valley city of Abbotsford and the rural Fraser Valley Regional District . The border crossing points are (from west to east): Several shopping malls and other services in Bellingham and elsewhere in
6612-448: Was 2.43, and the average family size was 2.97. The median age was 36.6 years. The median income for a household in the county was $ 49,031 and for a family was $ 64,586. Males had a median income of $ 47,109 versus $ 34,690 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 25,407. About 7.8% of families and 15.0% of the population were below the poverty line , including 14.9% of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over. As of
6699-623: Was 285 people per square mile (110 people/km ). There were 86,652 housing units at an average density of 119 units per square mile (46 units/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 85.66% White , 2.35% Black or African American , 1.52% Native American , 4.41% Asian , 0.52% Pacific Islander , 1.69% from other races , and 3.85% from two or more races. 4.53% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 17.1% were of German , 10.2% English , 9.8% Irish , 6.9% United States or American and 5.5% Norwegian ancestry. There were 81,625 households, of which 33.00% had children under
6786-501: Was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.70 males. The median household income was $ 46,975, and the median family income was $ 55,027. Males had a median income of $ 40,521 versus $ 30,368 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 22,415. About 5.80% of families and 8.80% of the population were below the poverty line , including 9.80% of those under age 18 and 5.00% of those age 65 or over. Thurston County
6873-457: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.03. In the county, the population was distributed as 24.10% under the age of 18, 14.20% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 22.50% from 45 to 64, and 11.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.00 males. The median income for
6960-412: Was completed in 1928 alongside a campus of government buildings and monuments. Thurston County remained predominantly dependent on the logging industry until the state government became the county's largest employment sector in the 1950s. Several state government agencies had attempted to move their offices to Seattle until a 1954 Washington Supreme Court ruling mandated that their headquarters remain in
7047-617: Was constructed in the 1950s and 1960s to replace U.S. Route 99 , the original north–south highway in Western Washington. Interstate 5 intersects several other highways within Thurston County that provide connections to other areas of Washington state. These include U.S. Route 12 , which travels west from Grand Mound to Aberdeen ; U.S. Route 101 , which encircles most of the Olympic Peninsula and provides access to Aberdeen via State Route 8 ; and State Route 510 , which travels along
7134-561: Was created on January 12, 1852, by the Oregon Territorial Legislature and Olympia was designated as its seat . It included the entire Olympic Peninsula and Puget Sound region up to the northern border with British North America and went as far east as the Cascade Mountains . On December 22, the northern areas of Thurston County were divided to form Island , Jefferson , King , and Pierce counties. A portion of
7221-629: Was one of several provocations that led to the Pig War between the United States and the United Kingdom. In 1863 James Kavanaugh served as sheriff. Kavanaugh, who married Princess Tol Sol of the Swinomish tribe, had previously served as the first United States Marshal in the Pacific Northwest . In 2005 the sheriff's office reported 80 deputies and 53 corrections officers on staff. Coal mines,
7308-572: Was originally under the jurisdiction of the Vancouver District (later renamed Clark County) until 1845, when Lewis County was created from the area west of the Cowlitz River . The entire region was ceded to the United States with the signing of the Oregon Treaty in 1846 and organized into Oregon Territory two years later. A petition by 54 residents of Olympia and surrounding communities
7395-453: Was part of the Oregon Country at the start of the nineteenth century, inhabited both by fur prospectors from Canada and Americans seeking land for agricultural and mineral-extraction opportunities. Unable to resolve which country should control this vast area, the Treaty of 1818 provided for joint control. In 1827 the Hudson's Bay Company established Fort Langley near present Lynden. By 1843,
7482-509: Was rejected to preserve rural areas. The completion of Interstate 5 enabled the growth of bedroom communities around Thurston County, which saw its population rapidly increase from the 1950s to 1970s. The first suburban shopping center in the county, the South Sound Center in Lacey, opened in October 1966; it was followed by Lacey's incorporation as a city. The Evergreen State College ,
7569-491: Was submitted to the Oregon Territorial Legislature in December 1851 to create a new county from Lewis County. The proposed name of Simmons County, named for Michael Simmons, was changed to Thurston County by the legislature at the suggestion of Asa Lovejoy to honor Samuel Thurston , the first delegate to the U.S. Congress from Oregon Territory. Thurston himself had never visited the area. Thurston County
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