Click Image to Enlarge
Washington Counties
There are thity-nine counties in the state of Washington. Washington was carved out of the western part of Washington Territory and admitted to the Union as the 42nd state in 1889. The first counties were created from unorganized territory in 1845.Pacific County, Washington
Pacific County Education, Geography, and History
Pacific County is a county located in the state of Washington. Based on the 2010 census, the population was 20,920. Its county seat is South Bend, and its largest city is Raymond. The county was formed by the government of Oregon Territory on February 4, 1851 and is named for the Pacific Ocean.
Etymology - Origin of Pacific County Name
The Pacific Ocean.
Demographics:
County QuickFacts: CensusBureau Quick Facts
Pacific County History
Pacific County was created 4 February 1851 from Lewis County. Pacific County, named after the Pacific Ocean, is perched at the southwestern corner of Washington state. The unincorporated community of Oysterville, established in 1852, was the original county seat until the late 19th century when it changed to South Bend.
The ocean forms its western border and the north shore of the Columbia River and Wahkiakum County form its southern border. Grays Harbor County lies to the north and Lewis County to the east. A distinctive geographical feature is the 30-mile-long Long Beach Peninsula, which meets the ocean on its western side and shelters Willapa Bay on its eastern side. In 1851 Pacific County was the third county created in what would become Washington Territory. The economic base of the area's indigenous Chinook and Lower Chehalis peoples as well as of early-arriving settlers was oystering, especially in Shoalwater (later Willapa) Bay, and fishing. Soon lumber became a predominant early industry, followed by cranberry farming, dairy farming, and later, vacationing and tourism. Pacific County's area is nearly 1,000 square miles and the 2005 population was about 21,000 people. The county's four incorporated cities are Raymond, South Bend, Long Beach, and Ilwaco. Of the 39 Washington counties, Pacific County ranks 28th in population and 30th in land area.
Geography: Land and Water
As reported by the Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,224 square miles (3,169 km2), of which, 933
square miles (2,416 km2) of it is land and 291 square miles (752 km2) of it (23.74%) is water.
Neighboring Counties
Bordering counties are as follows:
- Grays Harbor County, Washington - north
- Lewis County, Washington - east
- Wahkiakum County, Washington - southeast
- Clatsop County, Oregon - south
Education
Click Image to Enlarge
