Editing Gold Bar, Washington

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Gold Bar, Washington
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|nickname                 = 
|motto                    = 
|image_skyline            = Gold_Bar_Welcome_Sign.png
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = Welcome sign on [[U.S. Route 2 in Washington|U.S. Route 2]]
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               = 
|image_map                = Snohomish_County_Washington_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Gold_Bar_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location of Gold Bar, Washington
|image_map1               = 
|mapsize1                 = 
|map_caption1             = 
|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        = [[Snohomish County, Washington|Snohomish]]
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = [[Mayor–council government|Mayor–council]]
|leader_title             = Mayor
|leader_name              = Steven Yarbrough
|leader_title1            = 
|leader_name1             = 
|established_title        = [[Municipal incorporation|Incorporated]]
|established_date         = September 16, 1910
|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_magnitude           = 
|area_total_km2           = 2.74
|area_land_km2            = 2.74
|area_water_km2           = 0.00
|area_total_sq_mi         = 1.06
|area_land_sq_mi          = 1.06
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.00
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_est           = 2398
|pop_est_as_of            = 2022
|pop_est_footnotes        = <ref name="Census-Estimate2022">{{cite web |date=May 2023 |title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places in Washington: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |publisher=United States Census Bureau |accessdate=March 22, 2024}}</ref>
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
|population_total         = 2403
|population_density_km2   = 857.19
|population_density_sq_mi = 2220.96
|timezone                 = [[Pacific Time Zone|Pacific (PST)]]
|utc_offset               = −8
|timezone_DST             = PDT
|utc_offset_DST           = −7
|elevation_footnotes      = 
|elevation_m              = 63
|elevation_ft             = 207
|coordinates              = {{coord|47|51|15|N|121|41|36|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP Code]]
|postal_code              = 98251
|area_code                = [[Area code 360|360]] 
|area_code_type           = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 53-27365
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 1520077<ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=October 25, 2007}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|https://cityofgoldbar.us/|cityofgoldbar.us}}
|footnotes                = 
}}

'''Gold Bar''' is a city in [[Snohomish County, Washington|Snohomish County]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]], United States. It is located on the [[Skykomish River]] between [[Sultan, Washington|Sultan]] and [[Index, Washington|Index]], connected by [[U.S. Route 2 in Washington|U.S. Route 2]]. The population was 2,403 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref name="2020 Census (City)">{{cite web|title=2020 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US5327365 |work=American FactFinder |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=May 20, 2022}}</ref>

==History==
The [[Skykomish people]] have lived in the area around what is now Gold Bar long before the arrival of American settlers. The Skykomish had a community at the present site of Gold Bar. The village was populated by 40 families, roughly equating to 240 people. The community was large, stretching to the [[Wallace River]], and had many houses, including the largest [[potlatch]] house on the Skykomish River. The village was used as a base camp for travelers coming to the area to hunt in the Sultan Basin.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Hollenbeck |first1=Jan L. |last2=Moss |first2=Madonna |year=1987 |title=A Cultural Resource Overview: Prehistory, Ethnography and History: Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest |publisher=[[United States Forest Service]] |pages=161–164 |oclc=892024380 |url=https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/005998596 |via=[[HathiTrust]] |access-date=January 5, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dailey |first=Tom |title=Village Descriptions -- Snohomish-Everett |url=http://coastsalishmap.org/Village_Descriptions_Snohomish-Everett.htm#36 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030213065344/http://coastsalishmap.org/Village_Descriptions_Snohomish-Everett.htm#36 |archive-date=2003-02-13 |access-date=October 16, 2023 |website=Coast Salish Map}}</ref>

The modern settlement of Gold Bar started as a prospectors camp in 1869, named by a miner who found traces of gold on a river gravel bar.<ref>{{cite book |last=Phillips |first=James W. |year=1971 |title=Washington State Place Names |page=[https://archive.org/details/washingtonstatep00phil/page/55 55] |publisher=[[University of Washington Press]] |isbn=0-295-95158-3 |oclc=1052713900 |url=https://archive.org/details/washingtonstatep00phil |url-access=registration |via=[[The Internet Archive]] |access-date=November 18, 2019}}</ref> After Gold Bar became a construction camp for the [[Great Northern Railway (U.S.)|Great Northern Railway]], anti-Chinese sentiment was inflamed by a shooting fray started by disreputable camp followers. To save the lives of the threatened Chinese, construction engineer Eduard Bauer slipped them out of camp in hastily constructed coffins. Gold Bar was officially incorporated on September 16, 1910. The 1940 population was 307.<ref>''Washington - A guide to the Evergreen State'', WPA American Guide Series, Washington State Historical Society, 1941</ref>

In 2012, the city government considered disincorporation to avoid bankruptcy due to low [[sales tax]] revenue and high expenses attributed to filling [[public records]] requests and fighting lawsuits from an activist.<ref>{{cite news |last=Harish |first=Alon |date=July 13, 2012 |title=Gold Bar, Wash., Broke and Divided, May Disappear From Map |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Business/gold-bar-wash-broke-divided-faces-disincorporation/story?id=16775858 |publisher=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |accessdate=April 14, 2021}}</ref> The city council voted against disincorporation and placed a [[property tax]] levy on the ballot,<ref>{{cite news |last=Myers |first=Laura L. |date=July 17, 2012 |title=Lawsuit-plagued Washington town mulls tax increase, not dissolution |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSL2E8IHGP220120718 |publisher=[[Reuters]] |accessdate=September 30, 2012}}</ref> which was rejected by voters in November 2012.<ref>{{cite news |last=Heffter |first=Emily |date=November 19, 2012 |title=Hard-hit Gold Bar may be at the end of the road |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/hard-hit-gold-bar-may-be-at-the-end-of-the-road/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=April 14, 2021}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|1.03|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, all of it land.<ref name="Census-Gazetteer">{{cite web |title=2018 U.S. Gazetteer Files |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2018_Gazetteer/2018_gaz_place_53.txt |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=February 16, 2020}}</ref> The city center is bordered to the south by the [[Skykomish River]] and to the north by the Wallace River.

Gold Bar is adjacent to [[Wallace Falls State Park]], located {{convert|2|mi|km}} northeast.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lee |first=Jessica |date=April 24, 2018 |title=Body of woman recovered from water at Snohomish County's Wallace Falls State Park |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/body-of-woman-recovered-from-water-at-snohomish-countys-wallace-falls-state-park/ |work=[[The Seattle Times]] |access-date=May 27, 2018}}</ref>

===Climate===
The climate in this area has mild differences between highs and lows, and there is adequate rainfall year-round. According to the [[Köppen Climate Classification]] system, Gold Bar has a [[marine west coast climate]], abbreviated "Cfb" on climate maps.<ref>[http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=909354&cityname=Gold+Bar%2C+Washington%2C+United+States+of+America&units= Climate Summary for Gold Bar, Washington]</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1920= 353
|1930= 304
|1940= 307
|1950= 305
|1960= 315
|1970= 504
|1980= 794
|1990= 1078
|2000= 2014
|2010= 2075
|2020= 2403
|estyear=2022
|estimate=2398
|estref=<ref name="Census-Estimate2022"/>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web |title=Decennial Census of Population and Housing|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 26, 2013}}</ref><br>2020 Census<ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
}}

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], there were 2,075 people, 782 households, and 519 families living in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|2014.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 837 housing units at an average density of {{convert|812.6|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|racial makeup]] of the city was 85.1% White, 0.6% African American, 0.7% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 0.7% Pacific Islander, 7.0% from other races, and 4.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.1% of the population.

There were 782 households, of which 37.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.1% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 7.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.6% were non-families. 27.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.20.

The median age in the city was 36.6 years. 26.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 29.1% were from 25 to 44; 28.8% were from 45 to 64; and 7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 52.8% male and 47.2% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]], there were 2,014 people, 705 households, and 525 families living in the city. The population density was 1,887.2 people per square mile (726.7/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 769 housing units at an average density of 720.6 per square mile (277.5/km<sup>2</sup>). The racial makeup of the city was 91.56% White, 0.40% African American, 0.70% Native American, 1.29% Asian, 0.40% Pacific Islander, 1.39% from other races, and 4.27% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.28% of the population.<ref name="Census2000">{{cite web |year=2000 |title=Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: Gold Bar city, Washington |url=https://www.psrc.org/sites/default/files/goldbar.pdf |publisher=United States Census Bureau |via=Puget Sound Regional Council |access-date=May 26, 2020}}</ref>

There were 705 households, out of which 44.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.7% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.5% were non-families. 18.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.86 and the average family size was 3.30.<ref name="Census2000"/>

In the city, the age distribution of the population shows 33.5% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 35.2% from 25 to 44, 17.3% from 45 to 64, and 6.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 108.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.9 males.<ref name="Census2000"/>

The median income for a household in the city was $45,714, and the median income for a family was $48,152. Males had a median income of $40,250 versus $25,815 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $18,712. About 5.6% of families and 7.1% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 11.3% of those under age 18 and 2.4% of those age 65 or over.<ref name="Census2000"/>

==Attractions==
Gold Bar is known as a white-water rafting destination for those seeking to float the [[Skykomish River]].
One of the most popular low elevation hikes in the metro Seattle area, the trail to Wallace Falls, is located on the north margin of the city. More than 160,000 people visit Wallace Falls State Park annually.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://wallacefalls.org/ |title=Friends of Wallace State Falls Park |access-date=February 9, 2014}}</ref>

Gold Bar hosts the Gold Dust days every fourth weekend in July. It is a street fair with vendors selling wares, local music, and food. Traditionally, there is also a car show that takes place on the Saturday of the weekend.

==Government==

Gold Bar is a noncharter code city with a [[mayor–council government]].<ref name="MuniCode">{{cite web |title=Title 1 – General Provisions |url=https://library.municode.com/wa/gold_bar/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT1GEPR_CH1.01COAD |work=Gold Bar Code of Ordinances |via=[[Municipal Code Corporation|Municode]] |accessdate=March 12, 2022}}</ref> The city's residents elect a [[mayor]] and five members to the [[city council]], all serving four-year terms from [[at-large]] seats.<ref>{{cite web |title=City Council |url=https://cityofgoldbar.us/city-government/city-council/ |publisher=City of Gold Bar |accessdate=March 12, 2022}}</ref> The city council serves as the legislative body, while the mayor is empowered to cast [[casting vote|tiebreaking vote]]s in addition to their normal duties as the administrator of the city government.<ref name="MuniCode"/><ref>{{cite web |title=City Government |url=https://cityofgoldbar.us/city-government/ |publisher=City of Gold Bar |accessdate=March 12, 2022}}</ref> Since 2022, the city's mayor has been former councilmember Steve Yarbrough.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mayor of Gold Bar |url=https://cityofgoldbar.us/city-government/office-mayor/ |publisher=City of Gold Bar |accessdate=March 22, 2024}}</ref>

The city was annexed into the [[Sno-Isle Libraries]] system in 1997, becoming the second-to-last municipality in Snohomish County to join.<ref>{{cite news |last=Brooks |first=Diane |date=August 9, 2006 |title=No library cards?! Families' petition spurs Sept. 19 vote |page=H3 |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=20060809&slug=woodway09n |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=March 12, 2022}}</ref> Gold Bar's [[volunteer fire department]] provides fire protection services for a {{convert|36|acre|ha|adj=mid}} area. It is also contracted by [[King County, Washington|King County]] to provide [[paramedic]] services in [[Skykomish, Washington|Skykomish]] and on the U.S. Route 2 corridor between Gold Bar and Stevens Pass.<ref>{{cite news |date=April 6, 2020 |title=Gold Bar remains one of few all-volunteer fire stations |url=https://dispatchnews.com/news/2020/apr/06/gold-bar-remains-one-of-few-all-volunteer-fire-sta/ |work=[[Eatonville Dispatch]] |accessdate=April 13, 2025}}</ref>

At the federal level, Gold Bar is part of the [[Washington's 8th congressional district|8th congressional district]], which encompasses the eastern portions of the Snohomish, [[King County, Washington|King]], and [[Pierce County, Washington|Pierce]] counties as well as the entirety of [[Chelan County, Washington|Chelan]] and [[Kittitas County, Washington|Kittitas]] counties.<ref>{{cite map |author=Census Bureau Geography Division |year=2023 |title=118th Congress of the United States: Washington – Congressional District 8 |scale=1:368,000 |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/cong_dist/cd118/cd_based/ST53/CD118_WA08.pdf |publisher=United States Census Bureau |accessdate=January 16, 2024}}</ref> It was part of the [[Washington's 1st congressional district|1st congressional district]] until 2022, when the 8th district was extended into Snohomish County.<ref>{{cite news |last=Cornfield |first=Jerry |date=October 25, 2022 |title=Snohomish County in middle of key battle for control of U.S. House |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/snohomish-county-in-middle-of-key-battle-for-control-of-u-s-house/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=January 16, 2024}}</ref> At the state level, the city is part of the [[Washington's 12th legislative district|12th legislative district]], which also crosses the Cascade Mountains and includes [[Skykomish, Washington|Skykomish]], part of [[Snoqualmie, Washington|Snoqualmie]], and most of Chelan County outside of [[Wenatchee, Washington|Wenatchee]].<ref>{{cite map |date=July 2024 |title=Washington State Legislative & Congressional District Map |url=https://www.sos.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2024-07/Road%20Map_01.pdf |at=[https://www.sos.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2024-07/Road%20Map%20Inset_01.pdf Puget Sound inset] |publisher=[[Washington State Redistricting Commission]] |accessdate=October 24, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Cornfield |first=Jerry |date=November 24, 2021 |title=Proposed political map links cities from Monroe to Wenatchee |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/proposed-political-map-links-cities-from-monroe-to-wenatchee/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=January 16, 2024}}</ref> Gold Bar was previously part of the [[Washington's 39th legislative district|39th legislative district]] until it was moved into the cross-mountain district as part of a redistricting compromise in 2022.<ref>{{cite news |last=Cornfield |first=Jerry |date=December 3, 2021 |title=State Supreme Court declines to draw new redistricting plan |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/state-supreme-court-declines-to-draw-new-redistricting-plan/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=January 16, 2024}}</ref> The city also lies within the [[Snohomish County Council]]'s 5th district, which includes the Skykomish Valley, Snohomish, and [[Lake Stevens, Washington|Lake Stevens]].<ref>{{cite map |date=May 12, 2022 |title=Snohomish County: County Council Districts |url=https://snohomishcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/99589/County-Council-Districts-PDF |publisher=Snohomish County Elections |accessdate=January 16, 2024}}</ref>

==In popular culture==
Gold Bar, along with neighboring Sultan and Index, was a filming location for the 2016 film ''[[Captain Fantastic (film)|Captain Fantastic]]''.<ref>{{cite news |date=July 26, 2014 |title=Sultan is scene of shooting for new Hollywood movie |url=http://skyvalleychronicle.com/SULTAN/SULTAN-IS-SCENE-OF-SHOOTING-FOR-NEW-HOLLYWOOD-MOVIE-1807323 |work=Sky Valley Chronicle |access-date=May 27, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Kahn |first=Dean |date=July 19, 2016 |title=Whatcom County has scenic role in new film, 'Captain Fantastic' |url=http://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/local/article90399087.html |work=[[The Bellingham Herald]] |access-date=May 27, 2018}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://cityofgoldbar.us/ City website]

{{Snohomish County, Washington}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Cities in Snohomish County, Washington]]