Editing Neah Bay, Washington

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name = Neah Bay, Washington
|settlement_type = [[Census-designated place|CDP]]
|image_skyline =
|imagesize =
|image_caption =
|image_map = Clallam_County_Washington_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Neah_Bay_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize = 250px
|map_caption = Location of Neah Bay, Washington
|pushpin_map = Washington
|pushpin_relief = yes
<!-- 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 = [[Clallam County, Washington|Clallam]]
<!-- Government -->
|government_footnotes =
|government_type =
|established_title =
|established_date =
<!-- Area -->
|unit_pref = Imperial
|area_footnotes =
|area_total_km2 = 6.1
|area_land_km2 = 6.1
|area_water_km2 = 0.0
|area_total_sq_mi = 2.4
|area_land_sq_mi = 2.4
|area_water_sq_mi = 0.0
<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
|population_footnotes = <ref name=2020Census />
|population_total = 935
|population_density_km2 = 129.7
|population_density_sq_mi = 335.8
<!-- General information -->
|timezone = [[Pacific Time Zone|Pacific (PST)]]
|utc_offset = -8
|timezone_DST = PDT
|utc_offset_DST = -7
|elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_ft = 210
|coordinates = {{coord|48|21|56|N|124|37|20|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}<ref name=gnis/>
<!-- Area/postal codes and others -->
|postal_code_type = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code = 98357
|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 = 53-48295<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
|blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info = 2408908<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2408908}}</ref>
|footnotes =
}}

'''Neah Bay''' is a [[census-designated place]] (CDP) on the [[Makah Reservation]] in [[Clallam County, Washington]], United States. The population was 935 at the [[2020 United States Census|2020 census]]. It is across the [[Canada–United States border|Canada–US border]] from [[British Columbia]]. Europeans originally called it "Scarborough Harbour" in honor of Captain James Scarborough of the [[Hudson's Bay Company]]. It was changed to Neah in 1847 by Captain [[Henry Kellett]]. Kellett spelled it "Neeah Bay". The name "Neah" refers to the [[Makah people|Makah]] Chief Dee-ah, pronounced Neah in the [[Klallam language]]. During the summer months, Neah Bay is a popular fishing area for sports fishermen. Another attraction is the [[Makah Museum]], which houses  artifacts from a Makah village partly buried by a mudslide around 1750. Many people also visit to hike the Cape Trail or camp at Hobuck Beach. An emergency response tug is stationed at Neah Bay which has saved 41 vessels since its introduction in 1999.

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], Neah Bay has a total area of {{cvt|2.4|sqmi}}, all of it land. The community is approximately {{cvt|118|mi}} west-northwest of [[Seattle]].

===Climate===
Neah Bay has an [[oceanic climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''Cfb''), common in the small coastal cities of [[Washington (state)|Washington]].  Generally speaking, temperatures have little annual fluctuation being strongly influenced by the [[Pacific Ocean]], with the warm currents and patterns of the west as well as the mountains to the east that shape an extremely light climate, even between places in close conditions. Its climate is similar to southern [[New Zealand]], but with cool summers to cold and rarely warm as it is most common in these places.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/|title=Travel Weather Averages (Weatherbase)|website=Weatherbase|access-date=2018-12-23}}</ref> To the west of the [[Olympic Mountains]], Neah Bay has an often rainy climate and usually in larger numbers than the [[Gulf Coast of the United States|Gulf Coast]], the wettest place in the [[Eastern United States|eastern US]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www-das.uwyo.edu/~geerts/cwx/notes/chap17/rain_usa.html|title=Rainfall and rainfall changes in the USA|website=www-das.uwyo.edu|access-date=2018-12-23}}</ref> Although it is a pretty damp city, its average amount of snow falling is only slightly higher than [[Norfolk, Virginia|Norfolk]], [[Virginia|VA]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weatherall.php3?s=233854&cityname=Neah-Bay-Washington-United-States-of-America&units=metric|title=Neah Bay, Washington Travel Weather Averages (Weatherbase)|website=Weatherbase|access-date=2018-12-23}}</ref> [[Sunshine duration|Sunshine hours]] are typical for an often hazy [[temperate climate]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8f/Sunshine.png|title=Sunshine Hours - USA|accessdate=Mar 22, 2023}}</ref>   Climate data is taken from a weather station on nearby [[Tatoosh Island]] that operated until 1966.

{{Weather box|width = auto
|location = Tatoosh, Washington
|single line = Y
|collapsed = Y
|Jan record high F = 64
|Feb record high F = 64
|Mar record high F = 67
|Apr record high F = 75
|May record high F = 81
|Jun record high F = 82
|Jul record high F = 80
|Aug record high F = 78
|Sep record high F = 80
|Oct record high F = 77
|Nov record high F = 68
|Dec record high F = 61
|year record high F= 82
|Jan high F = 45.3
|Feb high F = 46.8
|Mar high F = 48.0
|Apr high F = 51.5
|May high F = 55.0
|Jun high F = 57.7
|Jul high F = 59.5
|Aug high F = 59.8
|Sep high F = 59.1
|Oct high F = 55.8
|Nov high F = 50.7
|Dec high F = 47.5
|year high F= 53.1
|Jan mean F= 42.0
|Feb mean F= 43.2
|Mar mean F= 44.1
|Apr mean F= 47.3
|May mean F= 50.8
|Jun mean F= 53.7
|Jul mean F= 55.5
|Aug mean F= 55.8
|Sep mean F= 54.7
|Oct mean F= 51.9
|Nov mean F= 47.2
|Dec mean F= 44.2

|Jan low F = 38.7
|Feb low F = 39.6
|Mar low F = 40.2
|Apr low F = 43.2
|May low F = 46.7
|Jun low F = 49.8
|Jul low F = 51.5
|Aug low F = 51.8
|Sep low F = 50.3
|Oct low F = 48.0
|Nov low F = 43.6
|Dec low F = 40.9
|year low F= 45.4
|Jan record low F = 14
|Feb record low F = 20
|Mar record low F = 25
|Apr record low F = 33
|May record low F = 37
|Jun record low F = 43
|Jul record low F = 45
|Aug record low F = 45
|Sep record low F = 43
|Oct record low F = 33
|Nov record low F = 19
|Dec record low F = 14
|year record low F= 14
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 15.01
|Feb precipitation inch =  12.11
|Mar precipitation inch =  10.21
|Apr precipitation inch =  6.86
|May precipitation inch =  4.03
|Jun precipitation inch =  3.02
|Jul precipitation inch =  2.36
|Aug precipitation inch =  2.29
|Sep precipitation inch =  4.27
|Oct precipitation inch =  10.30
|Nov precipitation inch = 14.10
|Dec precipitation inch = 16.02
|year precipitation inch= 
|snow colour = green
|Jan snow inch = 3.5
|Feb snow inch = 1.6
|Mar snow inch = 1.7
|Apr snow inch = 0
|May snow inch = 0
|Jun snow inch = 0
|Jul snow inch = 0
|Aug snow inch = 0
|Sep snow inch = 0
|Oct snow inch = 0
|Nov snow inch = 0.4
|Dec snow inch = 1.6
|year snow inch= 8.8
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 22
|Feb precipitation days = 19
|Mar precipitation days = 20
|Apr precipitation days = 17
|May precipitation days = 13
|Jun precipitation days = 13
|Jul precipitation days = 11
|Aug precipitation days = 12
|Sep precipitation days = 11
|Oct precipitation days = 17
|Nov precipitation days = 21
|Dec precipitation days = 24
|year precipitation days=199
|source 1 = WRCC (normals 1931-1966)<ref name = WRCC >
{{cite web
  |url = http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?wa8332
  |title = General Climate Summary Tables
  |publisher= Western Regional Climate Center
  |accessdate = November 25, 2012
}}</ref>
|date= November 2012
}}

== Panorama ==
{{wide image|Neah Bay Makah Marina pano.jpg|600px|Panoramic view of the Makah Marina at Neah Bay}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|2010= 865
|2020= 935
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2016}}</ref><ref name=2020Census>{{cite web|url=https://data.census.gov/all?q=Neah+Bay+CDP,+Washington|title=2020 Census Data|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 21, 2023}}</ref>
}}

As of the census<ref name="GR2" /> of 2010, there were 865 people, 282 households, and 181 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 335.8 people per square mile (129.9/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 322 housing units at an average density of 136.2/sq&nbsp;mi (52.7/km<sup>2</sup>). The racial makeup of the CDP was 12.1% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.2% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 77.1% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], .7% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 9.7% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 5.42% of the population.

There were 282 households, out of which 37.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.2% were married couples living together, 17.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.8% were non-families. 31.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.38.

In the CDP, the age distribution of the population shows 34.0% under the age of 18, 12.5% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 5.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females, there were 123.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 128.8 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $21,635, and the median income for a family was $24,583. Males had a median income of $28,750 versus $27,917 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the CDP was $11,338. About 26.3% of families and 29.9% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 32.6% of those under age 18 and 32.6% of those age 65 or over.

==History==
[[File:A Gatherer of Faggots at Neah Bay.jpg|thumb|upright|Photograph of a [[Makah people|Makah]] woman carrying wood along Neah Bay in 1908 by [[Asahel Curtis]]]]
The name "Neah" refers to the [[Makah people|Makah]] Chief Dee-ah, pronounced Neah in the [[Klallam language]]. The town is named for the water body Neah Bay, which acquired its name in the early 19th century. A number of names were used for the bay before it was established as Neah Bay. In August 1788 Captain [[Charles Duncan (captain)|Charles Duncan]], a British trader, charted a bay at the location of Neah Bay, but did not give it a name. In 1790 [[Manuel Quimper]] took possession of the bay for Spain and named it "Bahía de Núñez Gaona" in honor of [[Alonso Núñez de Haro y Peralta]], viceroy of [[New Spain]]. In 1792 [[Salvador Fidalgo]] began to build a Spanish fort on Neah Bay, but the project failed within the year and the cannon and supplies were transported to the more northerly colony of [[Santa Cruz de Nuca]]. While Fidalgo was working on the fort [[George Vancouver]] charted but did not stop at the bay. American traders called Neah Bay "Poverty Cove". In 1841 the [[United States Exploring Expedition]] under [[Charles Wilkes]] mapped the region and named Neah Bay "Scarborough Harbour" in honor of Captain James Scarborough of the [[Hudson's Bay Company]], who had provided assistance to the expedition. The Wilkes map contained the first use of the word "Neah", but for the bay's island, now called [[Waadah Island]]. The bay was first called Neah in 1847 by Captain [[Henry Kellett]] during his reorganization of the British Admiralty charts. Kellett spelled it "Neeah Bay".<ref>{{cite journal |last= Meany |first= Edmond S. |author-link= Edmond S. Meany |year= 1921 |title= Origin of Washington Geographic Names |journal= The Pacific Northwest Quarterly |volume= X-XI |pages= 279–280 |publisher= Washington University State Historical Society |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=m3BbU-rG1dwC |access-date=2009-06-11}}</ref>
[[File:Indian Whalers Stripping Their Prey at Neah Bay - 1910.jpg|thumb|Indian [[Whaling|whalers]] stripping their prey at Neah Bay - 1910]]

In 1929, the [[Neah Bay Dock Company]], a subsidiary of the [[Puget Sound Navigation Company]], owned a wharf and a hotel at Neah Bay.<ref>Kline and Bayless, ''Ferryboats –  A Legend on Puget Sound'', at page182.</ref>

In 2020, due to the [[coronavirus pandemic|COVID-19 pandemic]], Neah Bay and the Makah Reservation were closed to anyone who was not a Makah tribal member. The tribal council decided to reopen the reservation on 15 March 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://makah.com/|title=Neah Bay, Washington: Welcome|website=Makah Tribe|accessdate=Mar 22, 2023}}</ref>

== Economy ==
The local economy is sustained mostly by fishing and tourism. During the summer Neah Bay is a popular fishing area for sports fishermen. Any visitor to the Makah land must buy a recreational permit for US$20.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.makah.com/permits.htm |title=Permits |access-date=2007-01-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061211131511/http://www.makah.com/permits.htm |archive-date=2006-12-11 |url-status=dead }}</ref>  The permit is good for the calendar year.

Fishing for bottom fish, such as ling cod, kelp greenling, black rockfish (sea bass), china rockfish, yellow eye and canary rockfish, among others. Ling cod fishing is good in spring and summer, while [[salmon]] fishing is good during summer runs.  However, Neah Bay is mostly known for the best [[halibut]] fishing in the lower 48 states.  The United States halibut season generally lasts a handful of days in May and June, ending when a seasonal quota is attained.  When the United States halibut season is closed, some fishermen obtain Canadian fishing licenses and launch from Neah Bay, running approximately {{convert|10|mi|km|0}} to the portion of Swiftsure Bank that lies in Canadian waters.

Popular spots for halibut include "The Garbage Dump", located just inside the [[Strait of Juan de Fuca]], and Swiftsure Bank&nbsp;— a few miles out into the open ocean.  Larger boats (including many of the commercial charter boats available) often travel {{convert|30|nmi|km|-1}} or more into the open ocean, to such places as Blue Dot and 72-Square.

==Arts and culture==
Neah Bay's significant attraction is the [[Makah Museum]]. It houses and interprets artifacts from a Makah village partly buried by a mudslide around 1750<ref>[http://daphne.palomar.edu/ais130/site_2.htm ''Prehistoric Cultures of North Americas''. Crouthamel, American Indian Studies/Anthropology, Palomar College]</ref> at [[Ozette Indian Village Archeological Site|Ozette]], providing a snapshot of pre-contact tribal life. The museum includes a replica [[longhouse]], [[canoe]]s, basketry and whaling and fishing gear. Many people visit Neah Bay to hike the Cape Trail or camp at Hobuck Beach. While camping, tourists spend time surfing and fishing.

== Coast Guard ==
The [[United States Coast Guard]] maintains a base in Neah Bay on the [[Makah Reservation|Makah Indian reservation]]. The base is maintained for search and rescue, environmental protection and maritime law enforcement operations.

The [[United States Coast Guard Cutter|Coast Guard cutter]] stationed in [[Cleveland, Ohio]] is named the ''Neah Bay'' (WTGB-105).

===Response tug===
In order to prevent disabled ships and barges from grounding and causing possible oil spills in the western Strait of Juan de Fuca or off the outer coast, the state funded an emergency response tug stationed at Neah Bay. It has saved 41 vessels since its introduction in 1999.<ref>[http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/spills/response_tug/tugresponsemainpage.htm]{{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120126163358/http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/spills/response_tug/tugresponsemainpage.htm|date=2012-01-26|publisher=Washington State Department of Ecology|accessdate=February 10, 2009}}</ref>

== Notable residents ==
*[[Edward Eugene Claplanhoo]] — former chairman of the Makah Tribal Council<ref name=voicevalley>{{cite news |first=Cary |last=Collins |title=Edward Claplanhoo's Lifetime of Service |url=http://www.voiceofthevalley.com/community_news/news/article_f68fa3ea-a42a-11e3-89e3-001a4bcf6878.html |website=www.voiceofthevalley.com |date=2014-03-04 |access-date=2014-03-16 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140316115843/http://www.voiceofthevalley.com/community_news/news/article_f68fa3ea-a42a-11e3-89e3-001a4bcf6878.html |archive-date=2014-03-16 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*[[Peter DePoe]] — drummer for [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] rock group [[Redbone (band)|Redbone]].
*[[Bob Greene (Makah)|Bob Greene]]&nbsp;— second-to-last surviving Makah veteran of World War II.<ref name=pdn>{{cite news |first=Rob|last=Ollikainen|title=Makah elder, fluent native speaker and World War II veteran, dies at 92|url= http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20100627/news/306279991/makah-elder-fluent-native-speaker-and-world-war-ii-veteran-dies-at|work=[[Peninsula Daily News]]|date=2010-06-27 |access-date=2010-07-06}}</ref>
*[[Ben Johnson (chairman)|Ben Johnson]], former chairman and member of the [[Makah|Makah Tribal Council]] (1998–2000, 2001–2007).<ref name=pdn2>{{cite news|first=Rob|last=Ollikainen |title=Former Makah tribal chairman dead at 74 |url=http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20140404/NEWS/304049978/former-makah-tribal-chairman-dead-at-74 |work=[[Peninsula Daily News]] |date=2014-04-03 |access-date=2014-05-17}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{reflist}}

==References==
* Kline, Mary S., and Bayless, G.A., ''Ferryboats: A Legend on Puget Sound'', Bayless Books, Seattle, Washington 1983 {{ISBN|0-914515-00-4}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://www.espn.com/outdoors/fishing/news/story?page=f_map_06_WA_halibut Neah Bay Halibut Fishing]
* [http://content.lib.washington.edu/cmpweb/index.html University of Washington Libraries Digital Collections – The Pacific Northwest Olympic Peninsula Community Museum] A web-based museum showcasing aspects of the rich history and culture of Washington State's Olympic Peninsula communities.  Features cultural exhibits, curriculum packets and a searchable archive of over 12,000 items that includes historical photographs, audio recordings, videos, maps, diaries, reports and other documents.
* [http://content.lib.washington.edu/cmpweb/exhibits/makah/index.html Makah Cultural and Research Center Online Museum Exhibit] History and culture of the Makah tribe.

{{Clallam County, Washington}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Bays of Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Census-designated places in Clallam County, Washington]]
[[Category:Census-designated places in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Bodies of water of Clallam County, Washington]]
[[Category:Makah]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Washington (state) placenames of Native American origin]]