Chelan County, Washington

Chelan County is a county in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, its population was 79,074. The county seat and largest city is Wenatchee. The county was created out of Okanogan and Kittitas Counties on March 13, 1899. It derives its name from a Chelan Indian word meaning "deep water," likely a reference to 55 mi-long Lake Chelan, which reaches a maximum depth of 1,486 ft.

Chelan County is part of the Wenatchee, Washington, Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2994 sqmi, of which 2921 sqmi is land and 73 sqmi (2.5%) is water. It is the third-largest county in Washington by area.

Geographic features

 * Bonanza Peak, highest point in Chelan County
 * Cascade Mountains
 * Chelan Mountains
 * Chelan River
 * Chiwaukum Mountains
 * Columbia River
 * Entiat Mountains
 * Entiat River
 * Lake Chelan
 * Lake Wenatchee
 * Stuart Range
 * The Enchantments
 * Wenatchee Mountains
 * Wenatchee River
 * Columbia River Basalt

Major highways

 * US 2.svg U.S. Route 2
 * US 97.svg U.S. Route 97

Adjacent counties

 * Okanogan County - northeast
 * Douglas County - east
 * Kittitas County - south
 * King County - southwest
 * Snohomish County - west
 * Skagit County - northwest

National protected areas

 * Lake Chelan National Recreation Area
 * North Cascades National Park (part)
 * Wenatchee National Forest (part)
 * Alpine Lakes Wilderness

2000 census
As of the 2000 census, there were 66,616 people, 25,021 households, and 17,364 families living in the county. The population density was 23 /mi2. There were 30,407 housing units at an average density of 10 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 83.63% White, 0.26% Black or African American, 0.99% Native American, 0.68% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 12.19% from other races, and 2.14% from two or more races. 19.26% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 16.9% were of German, 11.2% English, 9.3% United States or American and 7.1% Irish ancestry. 80.9% spoke English and 18.1% Spanish as their first language.

There were 25,021 households, out of which 34.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.40% were married couples living together, 8.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.60% were non-families. 25.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.14.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 28.00% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 27.20% from 25 to 44, 22.70% from 45 to 64, and 13.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,316, and the median income for a family was $46,293. Males had a median income of $35,065 versus $25,838 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,273. About 8.80% of families and 12.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.00% of those under age 18 and 7.40% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 72,453 people, 27,827 households, and 18,795 families living in the county. The population density was 24.8 PD/sqmi. There were 35,465 housing units at an average density of 12.1 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 79.3% white, 1.0% American Indian, 0.8% Asian, 0.3% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 15.7% from other races, and 2.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 25.8% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 17.6% were German, 15.0% were American, 11.3% were English, and 8.3% were Irish.

Of the 27,827 households, 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.7% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.5% were non-families, and 26.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.10. The median age was 39.3 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $48,674 and the median income for a family was $57,856. Males had a median income of $41,076 versus $34,261 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,378. About 8.2% of families and 11.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.8% of those under age 18 and 9.0% of those age 65 or over.

Cities

 * Cashmere
 * Chelan
 * Entiat
 * Leavenworth
 * Wenatchee (county seat)

Census-designated places

 * Chelan Falls
 * Manson
 * South Wenatchee
 * Sunnyslope

Unincorporated communities

 * Ardenvoir
 * Coles Corner
 * Dryden
 * Holden Village
 * Lucerne
 * Malaga
 * Merritt
 * Monitor
 * Peshastin
 * Plain
 * Stehekin
 * Telma
 * Wenatchee Heights
 * West Wenatchee
 * Winton

Ghost towns

 * Blewett
 * Trinity

Politics
Chelan County is part of the 8th Congressional District federally, represented by Democrat Kim Schrier. Formerly a Republican Party stronghold, it has narrowed up considerably in recent years, with Donald Trump only carrying the county by around 8 points over Joe Biden in 2020.