Editing Chelan County, Washington

{{Short description|County in Washington, United States}}
{{Redirect|Chelan County|the US Navy ship|USS Chelan County}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county             = Chelan County
 | state              = Washington
 | ex image           = Chelan County Courthouse 02.jpg
 | ex image size      = 300px
 | ex image cap       = Chelan County Courthouse
 | flag               = 
 | seal               = ChelanCountyLogo.png
 | coordinates        = {{Coord|47|51|40|N|120|37|09|W|region:US-WA_type:county|display=inline}}
 | founded year       = 1899
 | founded date       = March 13
 | named for          = 
 | seat wl            = Wenatchee
 | largest city wl    = Wenatchee
 | area_total_sq_mi   = 2994
 | area_land_sq_mi    = 2921
 | area_water_sq_mi   = 73
 | area percentage    = 2.5%
 | population_total   = 79074
 | population_as_of   = 2020
 | population_est     = 81228 {{increase}}
 | pop_est_as_of      = 2024
 | density_sq_mi      = 26
 | time zone          = Pacific
 | district           = 8th
 | website            = {{URL|https://www.co.chelan.wa.us/|co.chelan.wa.us}}
}}

'''Chelan County''' ({{IPAc-en|ʃ|ə|ˈ|l|æ|n}}, {{respell|shə-LAN}}) is a [[List of counties in Washington|county]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Washington (state)|Washington]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], its population was 79,074.<ref name="QF">{{Cite web |title=State & County QuickFacts |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/chelancountywashington/PST045223 |access-date=November 10, 2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> The [[county seat]] and largest city is [[Wenatchee, Washington|Wenatchee]].<ref name="GR6">{{Cite web |title=Find a County |url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011 |access-date=June 7, 2011 |publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> The county was created out of [[Okanogan County, Washington|Okanogan]] and [[Kittitas County, Washington|Kittitas]] Counties on March 13, 1899.<ref name="historylink">{{Cite web |date=March 6, 2003 |title=Milestones for Washington State History &mdash; Part 2: 1851 to 1900 |url=http://www.historylink.org/essays/output.cfm?file_id=5380 |publisher=[[HistoryLink.org]]}}</ref><ref name="mccormick">{{Cite web |last=McCormick |first=Ida Skarson |year=1999 |title=Links to Okanogan County, Washington |url=http://www.rootsweb.com/~waokanog/links.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060505112744/http://www.rootsweb.com/~waokanog/links.htm |archive-date=May 5, 2006}}</ref> It derives its name from a [[Chelan people|Chelan]] [[Native Americans in the United States|Indian]] word meaning "deep water," likely a reference to {{convert|55|mi|km|adj=on}}-long [[Lake Chelan]], which reaches a maximum depth of {{convert|1,486|ft|m}}.

Chelan County is part of the Wenatchee, Washington, [[Wenatchee–East Wenatchee metropolitan area|Metropolitan Statistical Area]].

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|2994|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|2921|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|73|sqmi}} (2.5%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{Cite web |date=August 22, 2012 |title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files |url=http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_53.txt |access-date=July 4, 2015 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> It is the third-largest county in Washington by area.

===Geographic features===
*[[Bonanza Peak (Washington)|Bonanza Peak]], highest point in Chelan County
*[[Cascade Range|Cascade Mountains]]
*[[Chelan Mountains]]
*[[Chelan River]]
*[[Chiwaukum Mountains]]
*[[Columbia River]]
*[[Entiat Mountains]]
*[[Entiat River]]
*[[Lake Chelan]]
*[[Lake Wenatchee]]
*[[Stuart Range]]
*[[The Enchantments]]
*[[Wenatchee Mountains]]
*[[Wenatchee River]]
*[[Columbia River Basalt]]

===Major highways===
*[[File:US 2.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 2 in Washington|U.S. Route 2]]
*[[File:US 97.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 97 in Washington|U.S. Route 97]]
*[[File:US 97 Alternate (Washington).svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 97 Alternate]]

===Adjacent counties===
*[[Okanogan County, Washington|Okanogan County]] - northeast
*[[Douglas County, Washington|Douglas County]] - east
*[[Kittitas County, Washington|Kittitas County]] - south
*[[King County, Washington|King County]] - southwest
*[[Snohomish County, Washington|Snohomish County]] - west
*[[Skagit County, Washington|Skagit County]] - northwest

===National protected areas===
* [[Lake Chelan National Recreation Area]]
* [[North Cascades National Park]] (part)
* [[Wenatchee National Forest]] (part)
* [[Alpine Lakes Wilderness]]

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1900= 3931
|1910= 15104
|1920= 20906
|1930= 31634
|1940= 34412
|1950= 39301
|1960= 40744
|1970= 41355
|1980= 45061
|1990= 52250
|2000= 66616
|2010= 72453
|2020= 79074
|estyear=2024
|estimate=81228
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2024">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html|title=County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 17, 2025}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. Decennial Census |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |access-date=January 7, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref><br />1790–1960<ref>{{Cite web |title=Historical Census Browser |url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120811110448/http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/ |archive-date=August 11, 2012 |access-date=January 7, 2014 |publisher=University of Virginia Library}}</ref> 1900–1990<ref>{{Cite web |title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/wa190090.txt |access-date=January 7, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref><br />1990–2000<ref>{{Cite web |title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226035610/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=February 26, 2015 |access-date=January 7, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 2010–2020<ref name="QF" />
}}

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], there were 72,453 people, 27,827 households, and 18,795 families living in the county.<ref name="census-dp1">{{Cite web |title=DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US53007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213030334/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US53007 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=March 1, 2016 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> The population density was {{convert|24.8|PD/sqmi}}. There were 35,465 housing units at an average density of {{convert|12.1|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}.<ref name="census-density">{{Cite web |title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US53007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213192226/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US53007 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=March 1, 2016 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 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.<ref name="census-dp1" /> In terms of ancestry, 17.6% were [[Germans|German]], 15.0% were [[Americans|American]], 11.3% were [[English people|English]], and 8.3% were [[Irish people|Irish]].<ref name="census-dp2">{{Cite web |title=DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US53007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213011409/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US53007 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=March 1, 2016 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>

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.<ref name="census-dp1" />

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.<ref name="census-dp3">{{Cite web |title=DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US53007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213011407/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US53007 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=March 1, 2016 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>

===2000 census===
As of the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]],<ref name="GR8">{{Cite web |title=U.S. Census website |url=https://www.census.gov |access-date=May 14, 2011 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> there were 66,616 people, 25,021 households, and 17,364 families living in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|23|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people|}}. There were 30,407 housing units at an average density of {{convert|10|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 83.63% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 0.26% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.99% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.68% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.12% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 12.19% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 2.14% from two or more races. 19.26% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race. 16.9% were of [[German people|German]], 11.2% [[English people|English]], 9.3% [[United States]] or American and 7.1% [[Irish American|Irish]] ancestry. 80.9% spoke [[English language|English]] and 18.1% [[Spanish language|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 [[Marriage|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==
[[File:9th Street (Alpen Strasse) in Leavenworth, Washington - 2019.jpg|thumb|A street in [[Leavenworth, Washington]]|alt=]]

===Cities===
{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
*[[Cashmere, Washington|Cashmere]]
*[[Chelan, Washington|Chelan]]
*[[Entiat, Washington|Entiat]]
*[[Leavenworth, Washington|Leavenworth]]
*[[Wenatchee, Washington|Wenatchee]] (county seat){{div col end}}

===Census-designated places===
{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
*[[Chelan Falls, Washington|Chelan Falls]]
*[[Manson, Washington|Manson]]
*[[South Wenatchee, Washington|South Wenatchee]]
*[[Sunnyslope, Washington|Sunnyslope]]
{{div col end}}

===Unincorporated communities===
{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
*[[Ardenvoir, Washington|Ardenvoir]]
*[[Coles Corner, Washington|Coles Corner]]
*[[Dryden, Washington|Dryden]]
*[[Holden Village, Washington|Holden Village]]
*[[Lucerne, Washington|Lucerne]]
*[[Malaga, Washington|Malaga]]
*[[Merritt, Washington|Merritt]]
*[[Monitor, Washington|Monitor]]
*[[Peshastin, Washington|Peshastin]]
*[[Plain, Washington|Plain]]
*[[Stehekin, Washington|Stehekin]]
*[[Telma, Washington|Telma]]
*[[Wenatchee Heights, Washington|Wenatchee Heights]]
*[[West Wenatchee, Washington|West Wenatchee]]
*[[Winton, Washington|Winton]]
{{div col end}}

===Ghost towns===
*[[Blewett, Washington|Blewett]]
* Trinity

==Politics==
Chelan County is part of the [[Washington's 8th congressional district|8th Congressional District]] federally, represented by [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] [[Kim Schrier]]. Formerly a [[Republican Party (United States)|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.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 3, 2020 |title=Presidential Election Results: Biden Wins |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/11/03/us/elections/results-president.html |access-date=November 26, 2020 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>{{PresHead|place=Chelan County, Washington|whig=no|source1=<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leip |first=David |title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections |url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS |access-date=April 5, 2018 |website=uselectionatlas.org}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|22,363|18,397|1,431|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|22,746|19,349|1,211|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|18,114|13,032|3,287|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|18,402|13,112|974|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|17,605|13,781|777|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|18,482|10,471|477|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|16,980|8,412|1,184|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|12,363|8,595|2,912|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|10,716|7,860|4,900|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|11,601|8,183|281|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|13,667|6,978|349|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|11,299|6,483|2,068|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|10,492|7,623|577|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|10,470|5,889|1,054|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|9,093|6,787|1,350|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|7,406|10,295|121|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|9,854|8,177|183|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|10,405|7,600|117|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|11,164|6,867|53|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|7,392|7,702|257|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|7,081|6,557|75|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1940|Republican|8,019|7,181|73|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|4,975|8,030|481|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|5,584|7,316|959|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|7,672|2,239|43|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|4,543|995|2,639|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|3,885|1,540|1,210|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1916|Republican|3,011|2,747|563|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1912|Progressive|970|1,331|2,849|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|1,639|871|235|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|1,248|372|109|Washington}}
{{PresFoot|1900|Republican|577|573|28|Washington}}

==See also==
* [[Chelan County Public Utility District]]
* [[Indian Pass, Washington]]
* [[Lake Chelan AVA]]
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Chelan County, Washington]]
* [[USS Chelan County (LST-542)|USS ''Chelan County'' (LST-542)]]
* [[Wenatchee Valley College]]
* [[Wenatchee School District]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
*{{Cite book |title=An illustrated history of Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan and Chelan counties, State of Washington |publisher=Western Historical Pub. Co. |year=1904}}[http://www.secstate.wa.gov/history/publications_detail.aspx?p=83 Available online through the Washington State Library's Classics in Washington History collection]

==External links==
* [https://www.co.chelan.wa.us/ Chelan County – official website]
* [http://www.chelandem.org/ Chelan County Emergency Management] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121120083922/http://www.chelandem.org/ |date=November 20, 2012}}
* [http://www.ccpd.com/ Port of Chelan County]
** [https://web.archive.org/web/20081122040926/http://dnn.ccpd.com/PortProjects/EconomicDevelopmentClusters/CleanTechnology/tabid/385/Default.aspx Port of Chelan County´s clean technology cluster]

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Chelan County, Washington
|North     = 
|Northeast = [[Okanogan County, Washington|Okanogan County]]
|East      = [[Douglas County, Washington|Douglas County]]
|Southeast = 
|South     = [[Kittitas County, Washington|Kittitas County]]
|Southwest = [[King County, Washington|King County]]
|West      = [[Snohomish County, Washington|Snohomish County]]
|Northwest = [[Skagit County, Washington|Skagit County]]
}}

{{Chelan County, Washington}}
{{Washington}}

{{coord|47.88|-120.64|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-WA_source:UScensus1990}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Chelan County, Washington| ]]
[[Category:1899 establishments in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1899]]
[[Category:Wenatchee–East Wenatchee metropolitan area]]
[[Category:North Cascades of Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Eastern Washington]]
[[Category:Washington (state) placenames of Native American origin]]