Chelan County, Washington

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

• U.S. Route 2
• U.S. Route 97
• U.S. Route 97 Alternate

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

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 79,074. Of the residents, 22.3% were under the age of 18 and 20.6% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 41.0 years. For every 100 females there were 99.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 97.6 males. 66.4% of residents lived in urban areas and 33.6% lived in rural areas.^[11][12]

The racial makeup of the county was 69.9% White, 0.4% Black or African American, 1.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% Asian, 16.8% from some other race, and 10.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 28.0% of the population.^[16]

There were 30,296 households in the county, of which 29.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 24.1% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 26.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.^[12]

There were 37,267 housing units, of which 18.7% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 65.0% were owner-occupied and 35.0% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.5%.^[12]

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 72,453 people, 27,827 households, and 18,795 families living in the county.^[17] The population density was 24.8 inhabitants per square mile (9.6/km²). There were 35,465 housing units at an average density of 12.1 units per square mile (4.7 units/km²).^[18] 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.^[17] In terms of ancestry, 17.6% were German, 15.0% were American, 11.3% were English, and 8.3% were Irish.^[19]

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.^[17]

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.^[20]

2000 census

As of the 2000 census,^[21] there were 66,616 people, 25,021 households, and 17,364 families living in the county. The population density was 23 people per square mile (8.9 people/km²). There were 30,407 housing units at an average density of 10 units per square mile (3.9 units/km²). 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.

Cities

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Ghost towns

• Blewett
• Moore
• Trinity
• Winesap