Asotin County, Washington

Asotin County, Washington
County
Asotin County Courthouse
Asotin County Courthouse
Map of Washington highlighting Asotin County
Location within the U.S. state of Washington
Coordinates: 46°11′N 117°11′W / 46.18°N 117.19°W / 46.18; -117.19
Country United States
State Washington
FoundedOctober 27, 1883
Named forAsotin Creek
SeatAsotin
Largest cityClarkston
Area
 • Total
641 sq mi (1,660 km2)
 • Land636 sq mi (1,650 km2)
 • Water4.4 sq mi (11 km2)  0.7%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
22,285
 • Estimate 
(2025)
22,545 Increase
 • Density35/sq mi (14/km2)
Time zoneUTC−8 (Pacific)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−7 (PDT)
Congressional district5th
Websitewww.asotincountywa.gov

Asotin County (/əˈsoʊtən/) is a county in the far southeastern corner of the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, the population was 22,285. The county seat is at Asotin, and its largest city is Clarkston. The county was created out of Garfield County in 1883 and derives its name from a Nez Perce word meaning "Eel Creek." Asotin County is part of the Lewiston–Clarkston metropolitan area, which includes Nez Perce County, Idaho, and Asotin County. The county is also the easternmost in the state of Washington.

History

Modern-day Asotin County lies within the historic territory of the indigenous Nez Perce people; the county derives its name from Has-shu-tin, a creek with abundant eels. The area was visited by the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1805 and 1806; they were followed by American and Canadian fur traders and survey expeditions led by Benjamin Bonneville. The region was assigned to Skamania County in March 1854 as part of the organization of Washington Territory; later that year, it became part of Walla Walla County. Columbia County was split from the county in 1875 and portion further to create Garfield County in 1881. The southeastern portion of Garfield County was partitioned in 1883 to form Asotin County, which has remained unchanged since.

The city of Asotin, the county seat

The county was originally part of the Nez Perce Indian Reservation, which was later moved to Idaho. In 1862, Bob Bracken became the first permanent European settler of what would become Asotin County. The first settlement, Anatone, was founded in 1877 and followed within five years by other settlements along the Snake River. Assotin City was platted in 1880 and followed a year later by Asotin to the north; they were merged in 1886 after the northern settlement had overtaken Assotin City. The town of Clarkston, originally known as Lewiston and later Concord, grew rapidly after the opening of a bridge over the Snake River in 1899.

The county seat remains Asotin despite several attempts to move the county government to the larger city of Clarkston.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has an area of 641 square miles (1,660 km2), of which 636 square miles (1,650 km2) is land and 4.4 square miles (11 km2) (0.7%) is water. It is the fifth-smallest county in Washington by area. It is part of the Palouse, a wide and rolling prairie-like region of the middle Columbia basin.

Geographic features

Major highways

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Communities

Cities

Extinct towns

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18901,580—
19003,366113.0%
19105,83173.2%
19206,53912.1%
19308,13624.4%
19408,3652.8%
195010,87830.0%
196012,90918.7%
197013,7996.9%
198016,82321.9%
199017,6054.6%
200020,55116.7%
201021,6235.2%
202022,2853.1%
2025 (est.)22,545 Increase1.2%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790–1960 1900–1990
1990–2000 2010–2020

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 22,285. Of the residents, 20.4% were under the age of 18 and 24.1% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 45.3 years, and for every 100 females there were 94.9 males and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 93.0 males. Of residents, 92.7% lived in urban areas and 7.3% lived in rural areas.

Asotin 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 Pop 2010 Pop 2020 % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 19,426 20,026 19,473 94.53% 92.61% 87.38%
Black or African American alone (NH) 34 89 113 0.17% 0.41% 0.51%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 245 272 262 1.19% 1.26% 1.18%
Asian alone (NH) 103 114 206 0.50% 0.53% 0.92%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 5 36 34 0.02% 0.17% 0.15%
Other race alone (NH) 17 12 88 0.08% 0.06% 0.39%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) 320 431 1,194 1.56% 1.99% 5.36%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 401 643 915 1.95% 2.97% 4.11%
Total 20,551 21,623 22,285 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

The racial makeup of the county was 89.1% White, 0.5% Black or African American, 1.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% Asian, 1.3% from some other race, and 6.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 4.1% of the population.

There were 9,349 households in the county, of which 26.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 27.7% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 29.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 10,034 housing units, of which 6.8% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 68.4% were owner-occupied and 31.6% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.6%.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 21,623 people, 9,236 households, and 5,914 families living in the county. The population density was 34.0 inhabitants per square mile (13.1/km2). There were 9,872 housing units at an average density of 15.5 units per square mile (6.0 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 94.3% white, 1.4% American Indian, 0.5% Asian, 0.4% black or African American, 0.2% Pacific islander, 0.8% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.0% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 32.4% were German, 14.8% were Irish, 13.7% were English, 7.5% were American, and 6.2% were Norwegian.

Of the 9,236 households, 27.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.5% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 36.0% were non-families, and 29.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.83. The median age was 43.5 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $41,665 and the median income for a family was $52,250. Males had a median income of $39,633 versus $28,475 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,731. About 9.9% of families and 13.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.1% of those under age 18 and 6.7% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 20,551 people, 8,364 households, and 5,654 families living in the county. The population density was 32 inhabitants per square mile (12/km2). There were 9,111 housing units at an average density of 14 units per square mile (5.4 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.62% White, 0.19% Black or African American, 1.27% Native American, 0.51% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.63% from other races, and 1.77% from two or more races. 1.95% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 25.9% were of German, 12.4% English, 11.9% Irish and 11.0% United States or American ancestry. 97.9% spoke English and 1.6% Spanish as their first language.

There were 8,364 households, out of which 31.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.40% were married couples living together, 11.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.40% were non-families. 27.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.50% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 26.10% from 25 to 44, 24.00% from 45 to 64, and 16.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,524, and the median income for a family was $40,592. Males had a median income of $35,810 versus $22,218 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,748. About 11.60% of families and 15.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.70% of those under age 18 and 6.70% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

United States presidential election results for Asotin County, Washington
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
1892 194 52.57% 143 38.75% 32 8.67%
1896 214 43.94% 269 55.24% 4 0.82%
1900 398 52.37% 328 43.16% 34 4.47%
1904 747 72.59% 227 22.06% 55 5.34%
1908 648 59.61% 365 33.58% 74 6.81%
1912 579 31.38% 551 29.86% 715 38.75%
1916 1,004 42.94% 1,136 48.59% 198 8.47%
1920 1,210 64.84% 497 26.63% 159 8.52%
1924 1,094 46.51% 508 21.60% 750 31.89%
1928 1,812 69.37% 776 29.71% 24 0.92%
1932 960 31.45% 1,994 65.33% 98 3.21%
1936 916 26.60% 2,261 65.67% 266 7.73%
1940 1,483 41.07% 2,107 58.35% 21 0.58%
1944 1,367 41.80% 1,888 57.74% 15 0.46%
1948 1,384 38.63% 2,054 57.33% 145 4.05%
1952 2,722 55.62% 2,160 44.14% 12 0.25%
1956 2,608 50.15% 2,586 49.73% 6 0.12%
1960 2,640 46.00% 3,093 53.89% 6 0.10%
1964 1,777 32.69% 3,657 67.27% 2 0.04%
1968 2,307 42.45% 2,693 49.56% 434 7.99%
1972 2,911 50.36% 2,559 44.27% 310 5.36%
1976 2,752 47.22% 2,898 49.73% 178 3.05%
1980 3,275 49.18% 2,724 40.91% 660 9.91%
1984 3,876 55.21% 3,042 43.33% 103 1.47%
1988 2,874 45.02% 3,422 53.60% 88 1.38%
1992 2,425 31.92% 3,239 42.64% 1,932 25.43%
1996 2,860 39.12% 3,349 45.81% 1,102 15.07%
2000 4,909 61.48% 2,736 34.26% 340 4.26%
2004 5,320 60.55% 3,319 37.78% 147 1.67%
2008 5,451 55.74% 4,139 42.32% 190 1.94%
2012 5,654 57.11% 4,003 40.43% 244 2.46%
2016 5,741 57.56% 3,134 31.42% 1,099 11.02%
2020 7,319 61.24% 4,250 35.56% 382 3.20%
2024 7,004 61.07% 4,082 35.59% 382 3.33%

Generally, Asotin County is considered a staunchly Republican area, although it has been known to vote for Democrats, especially on the state level. Currently the county is represented at the county commission level by two Republicans and one Independent.

In the 2004 Presidential election slightly over 60 percent of the vote went to Republican George W. Bush. It was one of 11 of Washington's 39 counties where Bush received a lower percentage of the vote in 2004 than in 2000. Conversely, even though nearly 60 percent of voters selected the Democratic governor Gary Locke in 2000, in 2004 the Democratic gubernatorial nominee Christine Gregoire received only 41 percent of the vote.

In 2004, 27% of presidential votes were cast from incorporated Clarkston, while 61% was from unincorporated suburbs of Clarkston (34% from Clarkston Heights, 12% from West Clarkston, 9% from South Clarkston, and 6% from Swallows Nest). An additional 6% was cast from the incorporated city of Asotin, with rural areas around Asotin accounting for 4% of the vote and areas around the unincorporated community of Anatone making up 2% of the vote.

By and large, the most competitive areas are Clarkston and its suburbs. Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry won two precincts in 2004, one each in Clarkston and West Clarkston. Bush received 54 percent of the vote in West Clarkston, 55 in Clarkston, and 57 percent in South Clarkston. However, he received larger victories of 64 percent in Clarkston Heights and 67 percent in Swallows Nest. Areas around both Asotin and Anatone delivered 2-to-1 victories, with the lone exception of one of the two incorporated Asotin precincts.

Infrastructure

Transportation

U.S. Route 12 and State Route 129 are the main highways of Asotin County and provide connections to neighboring areas. U.S. Route 12 runs east–west across southern Washington and crosses the Snake River from Clarkston into Lewiston, Idaho; State Route 129 runs north–south from Wallowa County, Oregon, and through Asotin to Clarkston.

Public transportation within the county is provided by the Asotin County Public Transportation Benefit Area (also called the Asotin County PTBA), which has six routes that primarily serve Clarkston and Asotin. The system extends into Lewiston for some trips and has connections with the Garfield County Transportation Authority. The public transportation benefit area was founded in 2003 and is funded by a 0.2 percent sales tax within Asotin County that was approved by voters in 2004. It initially contracted out operations to the Lewiston-based Valley Transit system until January 2010, when the PTBA wished to expand its system and the city government took over Valley Transit. The Asotin County PTBA carried over 55,000 passenger trips on its buses and paratransit vehicles.

See also

Footnotes

  1. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ "Milestones for Washington State History — Part 2: 1851 to 1900". HistoryLink.org. March 6, 2003.
  4. ↑ "Washington: Individual County Chronologies". The Newberry Library. 2007. Retrieved November 1, 2026.
  5. ↑ Dougherty, Phil (August 26, 2006). "Bracken, Robert (1841?-1906)". HistoryLink. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  6. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
  7. ↑ Shaver, Frederic; Steele, Richard; Rose, Arthur (1906). An illustrated history of southeastern Washington, including Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Washington. pp. 695–696.
  8. ↑ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2025". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 10, 2026.
  9. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  12. ↑ "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.
  13. 1 2 3 4 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 2025-12-07.
  14. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved 2025-12-07.
  15. ↑ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Asotin County, Washington". United States Census Bureau.
  16. ↑ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Asotin County, Washington". United States Census Bureau.
  17. ↑ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Asotin County, Washington". United States Census Bureau.
  18. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 2025-12-07.
  19. 1 2 3 "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 1, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  20. ↑ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 1, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  21. ↑ "Selected Social Characteristics in the United States – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 1, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  22. ↑ "Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 1, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  23. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
  24. ↑ The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 513 votes, while Socialist candidate Eugene Debs received 133 votes, Prohibition candidate Eugene Chafin received 66 votes, and Socialist Labor candidate Arthur Reimer received 3 votes.
  25. ↑ 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.
  26. ↑ Washington State Department of Transportation (2014). Washington State Highways, 2014–2015 (PDF) (Map). 1:842,000. Olympia: Washington State Department of Transportation. Retrieved November 1, 2026 – via WSDOT Library Digital Collections.
  27. 1 2 Public Transportation Division (December 2025). Summary of Public Transportation, Calendar year 2024 (PDF) (Report). Washington State Department of Transportation. pp. 70–72. Retrieved November 1, 2026.
  28. ↑ "Accountability Audit Report: Asotin County Public Transportation Benefit Area". Office of the Washington State Auditor. May 1, 2025. p. 7. Retrieved November 1, 2026.
  29. ↑ Macz, Brandon (October 8, 2009). "Public transportation funding on ballot". The Lewiston Tribune. p. C5. Retrieved November 1, 2026.
  30. ↑ Macz, Brandon (December 18, 2009). "New public transit system ready to roll in valley". The Lewiston Tribune. p. C3. Retrieved November 1, 2026.

Further reading

46°11′N 117°11′W / 46.18°N 117.19°W / 46.18; -117.19