Clallam County, Washington


Clallam County is a county in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2010 census, the population was 71,404. The county seat and largest city is Port Angeles. The name is a Klallam word for "the strong people". The county was formed on April 26, 1854. 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 comprises the Port Angeles, WA Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which is land and is water.
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. Near Cape Alava is Ozette, the westernmost town in the contiguous United States.

Geographic features

Adjacent counties

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, 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. There were 30,683 housing units at an average density of 18 per square mile. 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.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 71,404 people, 31,329 households, and 19,713 families living in the county. The population density was. There were 35,582 housing units at an average density of. 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. 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.
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.
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.

Politics

Modern Clallam County is generally regarded as a competitive area politically. In the 2016 presidential election, Donald Trump won with 46.7% of the vote, compared to 44.0% of the vote for Hillary Clinton. In the 2012 presidential election, Barack Obama narrowly won with 48.4% of the vote, compared to 48.0% of the vote for Mitt Romney. In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama won the county with 50.5% of the vote, compared to 47.2% for Republican candidate John McCain. However, Republican George W. Bush carried Clallam twice, defeating John Kerry by 51.3% to 46.3% in 2004, and Al Gore by 50.4% to 42.7% in 2000. Clallam County is a bellwether, voting for the nationwide winning candidate in all but two elections since 1920, and every presidential election from 1980 onward.
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 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, unincorporated Clallam County has a strong Republican lean.

Transportation

Major highways

The following public use airports are located in the county:

Cities

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 is set in a fictionalized Cape Flattery.