Mossyrock, Washington

Mossyrock is a city in Lewis County, Washington, United States. The population was 768 at the 2020 census.

History
The city began as a trading post named Mossy Rock in 1852, after a 200 ft high moss-covered rock at the east end of Klickitat Prairie. The Indian name for the area of Mossyrock was Coulph.

Mossyrock was officially incorporated on January 2, 1948.

The city council, in late 2020, voted to disregard requirements for restaurants as set forth by state laws that were introduced due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The council admitted that it could not supersede state authority. Dining establishments in Mossyrock continued to follow Covid-19 guidelines.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.68 sqmi, all of it land.

2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 759 people, 272 households, and 196 families living in the city. The population density was 1116.2 PD/sqmi. There were 302 housing units at an average density of 444.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 71.0% White, 0.1% African American, 0.8% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 25.4% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 30.8% of the population.

There were 272 households, of which 41.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.3% were married couples living together, 16.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 8.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 27.9% were non-families. 22.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.79 and the average family size was 3.24.

The median age in the city was 32.9 years. 30% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.4% were from 25 to 44; 21.2% were from 45 to 64; and 12.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 51.5% male and 48.5% female.

2000 census
As of the 2000 census, there were 486 people, 187 households, and 115 families living in the city. The population density was 1,112.5 people per square mile (426.5/km2). There were 215 housing units at an average density of 492.2 per square mile (188.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 90.3% White, 0.2% African American, 1.9% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 3.5% from other races, and 3.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.8% of the population.

There were 187 households, out of which 30.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.3% were married couples living together, 13.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.5% were non-families. 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.20.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 29.6% under the age of 18, 11.3% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 19.3% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,750, and the median income for a family was $33,542. Males had a median income of $30,938 versus $16,250 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,216. About 18.6% of families and 19.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.9% of those under age 18 and 18.2% of those age 65 or over.

Festivals and events
The city hosts an annual, three-day Blueberry Festival the first weekend of August, honoring the local blueberry farming economy. Begun in 2006, the event's large turnout requires the entirety of Klickitat Prairie Park, with pie eating contests, farm tours, car shows and musical performances. The Mossyrock Area Action League, who oversee and schedule the festival, gear activities toward family-friendly fare, including attention towards children's games and crafts.

Politics
Mossyrock is recognized as being majority Republican and conservative.

The Libertarian Party received a vote in the 2020 election and there was one vote for a write-in candidate.

Infrastructure
Mossyrock is among 8 locations that are part of an EV installation project on the White Pass Scenic Byway. The program will stretch from the White Pass Ski Area to Chehalis and is run in partnership with Lewis County PUD, Twin Transit, state government agencies, and local community efforts. The venture began in 2023 from two grants totaling over $1.8 million.

Notable people

 * Eli Kulp, chef
 * Harry R. Truman, casualty of the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens