Stevens County, Washington

Stevens County, Washington
County
Stevens County Courthouse in Colville
Location within the U.S. state of Washington
Coordinates: 48°24′N 117°51′W / 48.4°N 117.85°W / 48.4; -117.85
Country United States
State Washington
FoundedJanuary 20, 1863
Named afterIsaac Stevens
SeatColville
Largest cityColville
Area
 • Total
2,541 sq mi (6,580 km2)
 • Land2,478 sq mi (6,420 km2)
 • Water63 sq mi (160 km2)  2.5%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
46,445
 • Estimate 
(2024)
49,015
 • Density18/sq mi (6.9/km2)
Time zoneUTC−8 (Pacific)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−7 (PDT)
Congressional district5th
Websitestevenscountywa.gov

Stevens County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington along the Canada–US border. At the 2020 census, its population was 46,445.[1] As of July 2023, the population was estimated to be 48,837. The county seat and largest city is Colville, and the largest CDP is Suncrest.[2] The county was created in 1863[3] and named after Isaac Stevens, the first governor of Washington Territory.

Stevens County is included in the Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA Metropolitan Statistical Area. Most of the Spokane Indian Reservation is within the borders of the county.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,541 square miles (6,580 km2), of which 2,478 square miles (6,420 km2) is land and 63 square miles (160 km2) (2.5%) is water.[4]

Geographic features

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1860996—
1870734−26.3%
18801,24569.6%
18904,341248.7%
190010,543142.9%
191025,297139.9%
192021,605−14.6%
193018,550−14.1%
194019,2753.9%
195018,580−3.6%
196017,884−3.7%
197017,405−2.7%
198028,97966.5%
199030,9486.8%
200040,06629.5%
201043,5318.6%
202046,4456.7%
2024 (est.)49,015[5] 5.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8]
1990–2000[9] 2010–2020[1]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 46,445.[10] Of the residents, 21.2% were under the age of 18 and 24.5% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 48.3 years. For every 100 females there were 100.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 99.8 males. 10.9% of residents lived in urban areas and 89.1% lived in rural areas.[11]

Stevens County, Washington – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2000[12] Pop 2010[13] Pop 2020[14] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 35,718 38,261 38,722 89.15% 87.89% 83.37%
Black or African American alone (NH) 107 145 141 0.27% 0.33% 0.30%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 2,163 2,275 2,558 5.40% 5.23% 5.51%
Asian alone (NH) 193 234 280 0.48% 0.54% 0.60%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 56 62 84 0.14% 0.14% 0.18%
Other race alone (NH) 86 73 288 0.21% 0.17% 0.62%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) 1,004 1,296 2,687 2.51% 2.98% 5.79%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 739 1,185 1,685 1.84% 2.72% 3.63%
Total 40,066 43,531 46,445 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

The racial makeup of the county was 84.6% White, 0.3% Black or African American, 5.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% Asian, 0.2% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.3% from some other race, and 7.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 3.6% of the population.[15]

There were 18,805 households in the county, of which 25.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 21.5% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 26.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[10]

There were 22,242 housing units, of which 15.5% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 79.0% were owner-occupied and 21.0% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 4.0%.[10]

2010 census

As of the 2010 census,[16] the population density was 17.6 people per square mile (6.8 people/km2). There were 21,156 housing units at an average density of 8.5 units per square mile (3.3 units/km2).[17] The racial makeup of the county was 88.9% White, 0.6% Black or African American, 1.5% Native American, 1.5% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 3.5% from other races, 3.7% two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.7% of the population.[16] In terms of ancestry, 24.6% were German, 14.2% were Irish, 13.7% were English, 6.4% were Norwegian, and 6.1% were American.[18]

Of the households, 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.3% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.9% were non-families, and 24.6% of households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.95. The median age was 45.0 years.[16]

The median household income was $42,845 and the median family income was $51,544. Males had a median income of $46,721 versus $33,651 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,773. About 11.0% of families and 15.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.1% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over.[19]

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 40,066 people, 15,017 households, and 11,022 families in the county. The population density was 16 people per square mile (6.2 people/km2). There were 17,599 housing units at an average density of 7 units per square mile (2.7 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 90.05% White, 0.28% Black or African American, 5.66% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 0.16% Pacific Islander, 0.68% from other races, and 2.70% from two or more races. 1.84%.[20] were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 20.6% were of German, 18.9% United States or American, 10.0% English, 7.9% Irish and 5.0% Norwegian ancestry.

Of the 15,017 households 34.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.40% were married couples living together, 8.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.60% were non-families. 22.00% of households were one person and 8.80% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.08.

The age distribution was 28.70% under the age of 18, 6.40% from 18 to 24, 24.90% from 25 to 44, 27.10% from 45 to 64, and 12.90% 65 or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 99.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.60 males.

The median household income was $34,673 and the median family income was $40,250. Males had a median income of $35,256 versus $23,679 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,895. About 11.50% of families and 15.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.80% of those under age 18 and 11.90% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Towns

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Politics

Like many counties in Eastern Washington, Stevens County is solidly Republican and has voted for every Republican presidential nominee since Richard Nixon in 1968. In 2024, the county was one of only two in Washington State, along with neighboring Lincoln County, to give all ten statewide Republican candidates over 70% of the vote.

United States presidential election results for Stevens County, Washington[21][22][23][24]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1892 622 37.31% 501 30.05% 544 32.63%
1896 433 18.08% 1,926 80.42% 36 1.50%
1900 1,121 39.95% 1,612 57.45% 73 2.60%
1904 2,369 63.31% 872 23.30% 501 13.39%
1908 2,546 52.13% 1,564 32.02% 774 15.85%
1912 810 13.50% 1,979 32.98% 3,212 53.52%
1916 2,684 40.32% 3,184 47.84% 788 11.84%
1920 3,282 55.68% 1,452 24.64% 1,160 19.68%
1924 2,909 48.94% 685 11.52% 2,350 39.54%
1928 3,813 63.05% 2,147 35.50% 88 1.46%
1932 2,247 32.13% 4,262 60.94% 485 6.93%
1936 1,981 28.57% 4,536 65.41% 418 6.03%
1940 3,238 39.45% 4,904 59.75% 66 0.80%
1944 3,151 43.98% 3,951 55.14% 63 0.88%
1948 2,977 40.05% 4,205 56.56% 252 3.39%
1952 4,458 56.54% 3,355 42.55% 72 0.91%
1956 4,499 54.06% 3,808 45.76% 15 0.18%
1960 4,076 51.24% 3,861 48.54% 18 0.23%
1964 3,302 43.57% 4,266 56.29% 10 0.13%
1968 3,435 46.77% 2,948 40.14% 962 13.10%
1972 4,839 61.26% 2,390 30.26% 670 8.48%
1976 4,719 51.81% 3,824 41.98% 566 6.21%
1980 7,094 61.53% 3,584 31.08% 852 7.39%
1984 8,211 64.29% 4,304 33.70% 256 2.00%
1988 6,576 54.97% 5,068 42.37% 318 2.66%
1992 5,706 38.59% 4,960 33.54% 4,121 27.87%
1996 7,524 46.96% 5,591 34.90% 2,907 18.14%
2000 11,299 62.78% 5,560 30.89% 1,140 6.33%
2004 13,015 63.99% 6,822 33.54% 503 2.47%
2008 13,132 58.78% 8,499 38.04% 710 3.18%
2012 13,691 61.78% 7,762 35.03% 708 3.19%
2016 15,161 64.80% 5,767 24.65% 2,467 10.54%
2020 19,808 69.67% 7,839 27.57% 783 2.75%
2024 19,895 70.43% 7,492 26.52% 859 3.04%

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved July 16, 2015.
  4. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
  5. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  6. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  7. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  8. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 26, 2015. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  9. ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
  10. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
  11. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Stevens County, Washington". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2026.
  12. ^ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Stevens County, Washington". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2026.
  13. ^ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Stevens County, Washington". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2026.
  14. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
  15. ^ a b c "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 6, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  16. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 6, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  17. ^ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 6, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  18. ^ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 6, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  19. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  20. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  21. ^ The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 1,971 votes, while Socialist candidate Eugene Debs received 988 votes, Prohibition candidate Eugene Chafin received 227 votes, and Socialist Labor candidate Arthur Reimer received 26 votes.
  22. ^ Reed, Sam (November 4, 2008). "President/Vice President - County Results". Secretary of State of Washington. Archived from the original on June 28, 2025. Retrieved August 9, 2025.
  23. ^ Reed, Sam (November 6, 2012). "President/Vice President - County Results". Secretary of State of Washington. Archived from the original on June 28, 2025. Retrieved August 9, 2025.

Further reading

48°24′N 117°51′W / 48.40°N 117.85°W / 48.40; -117.85

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