Editing Dayton, Washington

{{Redirect|Dayton, WA|the place in Western Australia|Dayton, Western Australia}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Dayton
| official_name      = Dayton, Washington
| settlement_type    = [[City]]
| motto              = 
| image_skyline      = Historic Courthouse Dayton Washington.JPG
| imagesize          = 250px
| image_caption      = Columbia County Courthouse in Dayton
| image_map          = Columbia_County_Washington_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Dayton_Highlighted.svg
| mapsize            = 250px
| map_caption        = Location of Dayton, Washington
<!-- Location -->
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = United States
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Washington (state)|Washington]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Washington|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Columbia County, Washington|Columbia]]
<!-- Government -->
|government_footnotes = 
| government_type    = 
| leader_title       = 
| leader_name        = 
| established_title  = 
| established_date   = 
<!-- Area -->
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_53.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 7, 2020}}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = 3.73
| area_land_km2      = 3.73
| area_water_km2     = 0.00
| area_total_sq_mi   = 1.44
| area_land_sq_mi    = 1.44
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.00
<!-- Population -->
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
| population_total   = 2448
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_density_sq_mi = auto
<!-- General information -->
| timezone           = [[Pacific Time Zone|Pacific (PST)]]
| utc_offset         = &minus;8
| timezone_DST       = PDT
| utc_offset_DST     = &minus;7
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft       = 1618
| coordinates        = {{coord|46|18|59|N|117|59|35|W|type:city_region:US-WA|display=it}}<ref name=gnis/>
<!-- Area/postal codes and others -->
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code        = 99328
| area_code          = [[Area code 509|509]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 53-16970
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 2410301<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2410301}}</ref>
| website            = [http://www.daytonwa.com/ City of Dayton]
| footnotes          = 
}}

'''Dayton''' is a city in and the [[county seat]] of [[Columbia County, Washington|Columbia County]], Washington, United States.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=2011-06-07 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=2011-05-31 }}</ref> The population was 2,448 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].

==History==
[[Image:Dayton-Historic-Depot.jpg|thumb|Historic railway depot in Dayton]]
Dayton was founded in the 1860s. A town site plat was filed by Jesse N. and Elizabeth Day on November 23, 1871. The city was officially incorporated on November 10, 1881, and was named for Jesse Day.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ | title=The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States | publisher=Govt. Print. Off. | author=Gannett, Henry | year=1905 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ/page/n100 101]}}</ref>

Dayton has the oldest train depot in Washington state, dating from 1881, and the oldest continuously used courthouse, operating since 1887. The historic community of Baileysburg was situated about one mile southeast of Dayton, at the junction of North Touchet and South Touchet Roads.{{citation needed|date=August 2023}}

In the 1980s and 1990s, the town underwent a $3 million restoration program, repairing the historic depot and historic courthouse, adding pedestrian amenities to Main Street, and creating a [[National Historic Landmark District|National Historic District]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Mapes |first=Lynda V. |date=August 11, 2005 |title=Painted ladies of Columbia County |page=G7 |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/outdoors/2002432510_nwwdayton11.html |work=[[The Seattle Times]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090210070155/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/outdoors/2002432510_nwwdayton11.html |archive-date=February 10, 2009 |access-date=June 3, 2017}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], Dayton has a total area of {{convert|1.43|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, all of it land.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web |title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2012-12-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702145235/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=2012-07-02 }}</ref> The [[Touchet River]] runs through the city.

Dayton has a [[Mediterranean climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Csb'') with hot summers (though nights are pleasantly cool) and chilly, though not severe, winters with only very moderate snowfall. Dayton's winter climate is somewhat milder than most of [[eastern Washington]]. Precipitation is moderate for most of the year except for a dry period between July and September, at which time major [[wildfire]]s are very common in the region due to the hot days and very low humidity.

{{Weather box
 | width       = auto
 | collapsed   = yes
 | single line = yes
 | location    = Dayton, Washington (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present)
 | Jan record high F  = 70
 | Feb record high F  = 74
 | Mar record high F  = 84
 | Apr record high F  = 93
 | May record high F  = 101
 | Jun record high F  = 111
 | Jul record high F  = 109
 | Aug record high F  = 114
 | Sep record high F  = 105
 | Oct record high F  = 92
 | Nov record high F  = 80
 | Dec record high F  = 69
 | year record high F = 
 | Jan high F = 41.5
 | Feb high F = 46.2
 | Mar high F = 53.9
 | Apr high F = 61.1
 | May high F = 69.9
 | Jun high F = 76.8
 | Jul high F = 87.6
 | Aug high F = 86.7
 | Sep high F = 77.2
 | Oct high F = 62.9
 | Nov high F = 49.3
 | Dec high F = 40.7
 | year high F = 62.8
 | Jan mean F = 34.0
 | Feb mean F = 37.2
 | Mar mean F = 43.4
 | Apr mean F = 49.4
 | May mean F = 57.2
 | Jun mean F = 63.4
 | Jul mean F = 71.3
 | Aug mean F = 70.5
 | Sep mean F = 62.2
 | Oct mean F = 50.4
 | Nov mean F = 40.2
 | Dec mean F = 33.6
 | year mean F = 51.1
 | Jan low F = 26.4
 | Feb low F = 28.2
 | Mar low F = 33.0
 | Apr low F = 37.8
 | May low F = 44.5
 | Jun low F = 49.9
 | Jul low F = 54.9
 | Aug low F = 54.2
 | Sep low F = 47.2
 | Oct low F = 38.0
 | Nov low F = 31.0
 | Dec low F = 26.5
 | year low F = 39.3
 | Jan record low F  = -22
 | Feb record low F  = -22
 | Mar record low F  = 2
 | Apr record low F  = 12
 | May record low F  = 18
 | Jun record low F  = 22
 | Jul record low F  = 30
 | Aug record low F  = 28
 | Sep record low F  = 18
 | Oct record low F  = 7
 | Nov record low F  = -10
 | Dec record low F  = -25
 | year record low F = 
 | precipitation colour   = green
 | Jan precipitation inch = 2.08
 | Feb precipitation inch = 1.72
 | Mar precipitation inch = 2.24
 | Apr precipitation inch = 1.86
 | May precipitation inch = 1.80
 | Jun precipitation inch = 1.24
 | Jul precipitation inch = 0.39
 | Aug precipitation inch = 0.45
 | Sep precipitation inch = 0.73
 | Oct precipitation inch = 1.54
 | Nov precipitation inch = 2.43
 | Dec precipitation inch = 2.31
 | year precipitation inch = 18.79
 | unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
 | Jan precipitation days  = 13.5
 | Feb precipitation days  = 12.0
 | Mar precipitation days  = 13.1
 | Apr precipitation days  = 11.6
 | May precipitation days  = 9.8
 | Jun precipitation days  = 7.4
 | Jul precipitation days  = 3.1
 | Aug precipitation days  = 3.0
 | Sep precipitation days  = 5.1
 | Oct precipitation days  = 9.9
 | Nov precipitation days  = 14.1
 | Dec precipitation days  = 14.3
 | year precipitation days = 116.9
 | Jan snow inch = 6.3
 | Feb snow inch = 1.9
 | Mar snow inch = 1.0
 | Apr snow inch = 0.1
 | May snow inch = 0.0
 | Jun snow inch = 0.0
 | Jul snow inch = 0.0
 | Aug snow inch = 0.0
 | Sep snow inch = 0.0
 | Oct snow inch = 0.1
 | Nov snow inch = 1.2
 | Dec snow inch = 5.2
 | year snow inch = 15.8
 | unit snow days = 0.1 in
 | Jan snow days  = 3.4
 | Feb snow days  = 2.4
 | Mar snow days  = 0.9
 | Apr snow days  = 0.1
 | May snow days  = 0.0
 | Jun snow days  = 0.0
 | Jul snow days  = 0.0
 | Aug snow days  = 0.0
 | Sep snow days  = 0.0
 | Oct snow days  = 0.1
 | Nov snow days  = 1.0
 | Dec snow days  = 3.6
 | year snow days = 11.5
 | source = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]]<ref name="NOWData">{{cite web
|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=pdt
|title = NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|access-date = December 11, 2023}}</ref><ref name="NCEI">{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00452030&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|title = Summary of Monthly Normals 1991-2020
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|access-date = December 11, 2023}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
[[File:Dayton City Hall.jpg|thumb|Dayton City Hall]]
{{US Census population
| 1880 = 996
| 1890 = 1880
| 1900 = 2216
| 1910 = 2389
| 1920 = 2695
| 1930 = 2528
| 1940 = 3026
| 1950 = 2979
| 1960 = 2913
| 1970 = 2596
| 1980 = 2565
| 1990 = 2468
| 2000 = 2655
| 2010 = 2526
| 2020 = 2448
| align-fn = center
| footnote = U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|author=United States Census Bureau|author-link=United States Census Bureau|access-date=October 3, 2013}}</ref><br>2020 Census<ref name="2020 Census">{{cite web |date=May 2023 |title=Census Bureau profile: Dayton, Washington |url=https://data.census.gov/all?q=Dayton%20city,%20Washington |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=May 14, 2024}}</ref>
}}

===2010 census===
At the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]] there were 2,526 people, 1,082 households, and 670 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|1766.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 1,200 housing units at an average density of {{convert|839.2|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2010 census|racial makeup]] of the city was 91.6% White, 0.4% African American, 1.9% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.6% Pacific Islander, 1.8% from other races, and 3.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.1%.<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2012-12-19}}</ref>

Of the 1,082 households 25.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.0% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.1% were non-families. 33.1% of households were one person and 15.8% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.85.

The median age was 46.3 years. 21.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.1% were from 25 to 44; 30% were from 45 to 64; and 22.2% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.0% male and 51.0% female.

===2000 census===
At the [[2000 United States Census|2000 census]], there were 2,655 people, 1,081 households, and 695 families living in the city. The population density was 1,803.0 people per square mile (697.3/km{{sup|2}}). There were 1,181 housing units at an average density of 802.0 per square mile (310.2/km{{sup|2}}). The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2010 census|racial makeup]] of the city was 92.58% White, 0.30% African American, 1.05% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 3.54% from other races, and 2.00% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.17% of the population.

Of the 1,081 households 30.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.4% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.7% were non-families. 31.9% of households were one person and 15.4% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 3.02.

The age distribution was 25.8% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 23.1% from 25 to 44, 24.5% from 45 to 64, and 18.9% 65 or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.1 males.

The median household income was $31,409 and the median family income  was $40,714. Males had a median income of $31,395 versus $21,339 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,925. About 10.3% of families and 13.3% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 17.0% of those under age 18 and 9.6% of those age 65 or over.

==Education==
The city's public school system is managed by the Dayton School District, which covers the vast majority of Columbia County.<ref>{{cite map|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st53_wa/schooldistrict_maps/c53013_columbia/DC20SD_C53013.pdf|title=2020 Census – School District Reference Map: Columbia County, WA|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=2023-08-14}}</ref>

A library within the city is operated by the Columbia County Rural Library District. People living in Dayton are in the library's taxation base, but not in the library's voting base; the voting area for the library only consists of [[unincorporated areas]].<ref name=Gutman>{{cite news |last=Gutman |first=David |date=August 13, 2023 |title=Book battles are raging nationwide. A WA library could be nation's first to close |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/book-battles-are-raging-nationwide-a-wa-library-could-be-nations-first-to-close/ |work=[[The Seattle Times]] |accessdate=August 14, 2023}}</ref> The library was established in 1919 as a small reading room while a women's civics club fundraised for a permanent building. The raised funds were transferred to the Dayton city government in 1935 and used to construct a [[public library]] in 1937 using [[New Deal]] funding; the building was later expanded in 1947.<ref>{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Kate |date=July 2, 2023 |title=Dayton Memorial Library through the years |url=https://www.union-bulletin.com/dayton-memorial-library-through-the-years/article_fc369be2-16d4-11ee-abce-13b1da709f1d.html |work=[[Walla Walla Union-Bulletin]] |accessdate=August 14, 2023}}</ref>

It is the only [[public library]] in Columbia County. A ballot measure submitted in 2023 proposed to close the rural library district, and therefore the library itself, entirely due to the placement and availability of children's books on racial issues and [[LGBT]] topics; amid then-ongoing [[2021–2023 book banning in the United States|book banning efforts in the United States]], the library would have been the first one nationwide to close over such a dispute if it succeeded, according to the [[American Library Association]]. The library collection would be received by the [[Washington State Library]] if the rural library district was dissolved.<ref name=Gutman/> The initiative was ruled unconstitutional in September 2023 by the Columbia County Superior Court due to its exclusion of voters in incorporated areas; the ruling blocked the initiative from appearing on the November 2023 ballot.<ref>{{cite news |last=Gutman |first=David |date=September 20, 2023 |title=Embattled WA library wins lawsuit, won't shut down after book-ban fight |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/embattled-wa-library-wins-lawsuit-wont-shut-down-after-fight-over-books/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=September 20, 2023}}</ref>

==Notable residents==
*[[Dmitri Borgmann]], writer
*[[Frank Finkel]], claimed lone survivor of the [[Battle of the Little Bighorn]]
*[[Frederick Gilbreath]], United States Army General
*[[Robert Shields (diarist)|Robert Shields]], diarist
*[[Jim Watkins (businessman)|Jim Watkins]], businessman

==See also==
*[[National Register of Historic Places listings in Columbia County, Washington]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://historicdayton.com Dayton Chamber of Commerce]
* [https://ccrld.org/ Columbia County Library]
* [https://flickr.com/search/?ss=2&ct=6&q=dayton%2C+wa&m=text Pictures of Dayton and Columbia County]

{{Columbia County, Washington}}
{{Washington (state) county seats}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Cities in Columbia County, Washington]]
[[Category:County seats in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:1871 establishments in Washington Territory]]

[[bg:Дейтън]]