Clearwater County, Idaho
Encyclopedia
Clearwater County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Idaho
. Established in 1911, the county was named after the Clearwater River
. As of the 2000 Census the county had a population of 8,930 (2005 estimate: 8,373). The county seat
is Orofino
.
The county is home to North Fork of the Clearwater River
, and a small portion of the South Fork and the main Clearwater. The Clearwater River and Lolo Pass, in the southeast corner of the county, were made famous by the exploration of Lewis and Clark in the early 19th century. Following an arduous trek through the Bitterroot Mountains, suffering through a mid-September snowstorm and near starvation, the Corps of Discovery expedition camped with the Nez Perce tribe on the Weippe Prairie
outside of present-day Weippe
in 1805. With the assistance of the Nez Perce, the expedition recuperated and constructed burned-out canoes at Canoe Camp in October 1805 and then paddled down the Clearwater, Snake
, and Columbia
rivers, meeting the Pacific Ocean
a month later at present-day Astoria
, Oregon
.
Elias D. Pierce and Wilbur F. Bassett made the first discovery of gold
in Idaho, on Orofino Creek (Canal Gulch) in 1860, 1 miles (2 km) north of present-day Pierce
. Also in the county are the Dworshak Reservoir, Dworshak State Park, Dworshak National Fish Hatchery
, and the Dworshak Dam
, third highest dam in the U.S.
The modest Bald Mountain
ski area is located between Orofino
and Pierce
.
, a wide and rolling prairie-like region of the middle Columbia basin
.
operates the Idaho Correctional Institution-Orofino in Orofino
.
of 2000, there were 8,930 people, 3,456 households, and 2,481 families residing in the county. The population density
was 3.6 people per square mile (1.5/km²). There were 4,144 housing units at an average density of 2 per square mile (1/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 94.82% White
, 0.15% Black
or African American
, 2.03% Native American
, 0.37% Asian
, 0.06% Pacific Islander
, 0.63% from other races
, and 1.96% from two or more races. 1.85% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 24.0% were of German
, 14.0% English
, 11.7% Irish
and 10.5% American
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 3,456 households out of which 28.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.50% were married couples
living together, 6.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.20% were non-families. 24.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.84.
In the county the population was spread out with 23.00% under the age of 18, 5.90% from 18 to 24, 26.30% from 25 to 44, 29.20% from 45 to 64, and 15.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 113.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 115.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $
32,071, and the median income for a family was $37,259. Males had a median income of $31,426 versus $21,694 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $15,463. About 9.70% of families and 13.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.90% of those under age 18 and 8.20% of those age 65 or over.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Idaho
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
. Established in 1911, the county was named after the Clearwater River
Clearwater River (Idaho)
The Clearwater River is a river in north central Idaho, which flows westward from the Bitterroot Mountains along the Idaho-Montana border, and joins the Snake River at Lewiston. In October 1805, the Lewis and Clark Expedition descended the Clearwater River in dugout canoes, putting in at "Canoe...
. As of the 2000 Census the county had a population of 8,930 (2005 estimate: 8,373). The county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Orofino
Orofino, Idaho
Orofino is a city in Clearwater County, Idaho, along Orofino Creek and the north bank of the Clearwater River. The population was 3,247 at the 2000 census, and the city is the county seat of Clearwater County...
.
The county is home to North Fork of the Clearwater River
Clearwater River (Idaho)
The Clearwater River is a river in north central Idaho, which flows westward from the Bitterroot Mountains along the Idaho-Montana border, and joins the Snake River at Lewiston. In October 1805, the Lewis and Clark Expedition descended the Clearwater River in dugout canoes, putting in at "Canoe...
, and a small portion of the South Fork and the main Clearwater. The Clearwater River and Lolo Pass, in the southeast corner of the county, were made famous by the exploration of Lewis and Clark in the early 19th century. Following an arduous trek through the Bitterroot Mountains, suffering through a mid-September snowstorm and near starvation, the Corps of Discovery expedition camped with the Nez Perce tribe on the Weippe Prairie
Weippe Prairie
Weippe Prairie is a "beautiful upland prairie field of about nine by twenty miles of open farmland bordered by pine forests" at 3,000 feet elevation in Clearwater County, Idaho, at Weippe, Idaho. Camas flowers grow well there, and attracted native gatherers of the camas roots...
outside of present-day Weippe
Weippe, Idaho
Weippe is a city in Clearwater County, Idaho, United States. The population was 416 at the 2000 census. Near present-day Weippe, the Lewis and Clark expedition met with the Nez Percé.-Geography:Weippe is located at ....
in 1805. With the assistance of the Nez Perce, the expedition recuperated and constructed burned-out canoes at Canoe Camp in October 1805 and then paddled down the Clearwater, Snake
Snake River
The Snake is a major river of the greater Pacific Northwest in the United States. At long, it is the largest tributary of the Columbia River, the largest North American river that empties into the Pacific Ocean...
, and Columbia
Columbia River
The Columbia River is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. The river rises in the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia, Canada, flows northwest and then south into the U.S. state of Washington, then turns west to form most of the border between Washington and the state...
rivers, meeting the Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
a month later at present-day Astoria
Astoria, Oregon
Astoria is the county seat of Clatsop County, Oregon, United States. Situated near the mouth of the Columbia River, the city was named after the American investor John Jacob Astor. His American Fur Company founded Fort Astoria at the site in 1811...
, Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
.
Elias D. Pierce and Wilbur F. Bassett made the first discovery of gold
Gold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...
in Idaho, on Orofino Creek (Canal Gulch) in 1860, 1 miles (2 km) north of present-day Pierce
Pierce, Idaho
Pierce is a city in Clearwater County, Idaho. Elias D. Pierce and Wilbur F. Bassett made the first discovery of gold in Idaho , on Orofino Creek in 1860, a mile north of Pierce....
. Also in the county are the Dworshak Reservoir, Dworshak State Park, Dworshak National Fish Hatchery
Dworshak National Fish Hatchery
Dworshak National Fish Hatchery is a "mitigation" hatchery located on the Clearwater River within the Nez Perce Reservation near Orofino, in north-central Idaho. It was constructed in 1969 by the Army Corps of Engineers, and is presently co-managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Nez...
, and the Dworshak Dam
Dworshak Dam
Dworshak Dam is a hydroelectric, concrete gravity dam in Clearwater County, Idaho, United States on the North Fork Clearwater River. The dam is located northwest of the city of Orofino, and east of Lewiston. The dam is the highest straight-axis concrete dam in the Western Hemisphere and the 22nd...
, third highest dam in the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
The modest Bald Mountain
Bald Mountain Ski Area
Bald Mountain Ski Area is a modest ski area in north central Idaho, located northwest of Pierce in Clearwater County. First opened in 1959 for employees of the Potlatch Corporation in the village of Headquarters; it was opened to the public in the 1970s. The summit elevation is 4400 feet above...
ski area is located between Orofino
Orofino, Idaho
Orofino is a city in Clearwater County, Idaho, along Orofino Creek and the north bank of the Clearwater River. The population was 3,247 at the 2000 census, and the city is the county seat of Clearwater County...
and Pierce
Pierce, Idaho
Pierce is a city in Clearwater County, Idaho. Elias D. Pierce and Wilbur F. Bassett made the first discovery of gold in Idaho , on Orofino Creek in 1860, a mile north of Pierce....
.
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 2488.1 square miles (6,444.1 km²), of which 2461.4 square miles (6,375 km²) (or 98.93%) is land and 26.7 square miles (69.2 km²) (or 1.07%) is water. It is part of the PalousePalouse
The Palouse is a region of the northwestern United States, encompassing parts of southeastern Washington, north central Idaho and, in some definitions, extending south into northeast Oregon. It is a major agricultural area, primarily producing wheat and legumes...
, a wide and rolling prairie-like region of the middle Columbia basin
Columbia River
The Columbia River is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. The river rises in the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia, Canada, flows northwest and then south into the U.S. state of Washington, then turns west to form most of the border between Washington and the state...
.
Adjacent counties
- Shoshone CountyShoshone County, IdahoShoshone County is a county located in the U.S. state of Idaho. The county was established in 1864, named for the Native American Shoshone tribe. The population was 12,765 at the 2010 census. Shoshone County is commonly referred to as the Silver Valley, due to its century-old mining history...
, IdahoIdahoIdaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
- (north) - Latah CountyLatah County, IdahoLatah County is a county located in the north central region of the U.S. state of Idaho. The population was 37,244 at the 2010 census. The county seat and largest city is Moscow, which is the home of the University of Idaho, the state's flagship and land-grant university...
, IdahoIdahoIdaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
- (west 1) - Nez Perce CountyNez Perce County, IdahoNez Perce County [Eng. pron. Nezz Purse] is a county located in the U.S. state of Idaho. The population was 39,265 at the 2010 Census. The county seat is Lewiston. The county is named for the Nez Percé tribe....
, IdahoIdahoIdaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
- (west 2) - Lewis CountyLewis County, IdahoLewis County is a county located in the U.S. state of Idaho. Established in 1911, it was named after the explorer Meriwether Lewis. The population was 3,821 at the 2010 census. The county seat is Nezperce, and Kamiah is the county's largest city.-Geography:...
, IdahoIdahoIdaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
- (southwest) - Idaho CountyIdaho County, IdahoIdaho County is a county located in the U.S. state of Idaho. As of the 2010 Census the county had a population of 16,267. The county seat is Grangeville...
, IdahoIdahoIdaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
- (south) - Missoula CountyMissoula County, Montana-National protected areas:*Bitterroot National Forest *Flathead National Forest *Lolo National Forest *Rattlesnake National Recreation Area-Demographics:...
, MontanaMontanaMontana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
- (east) - Mineral CountyMineral County, Montana-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 3,884 people, 1,584 households, and 1,067 families residing in the county. The population density was 3 people per square mile . There were 1,961 housing units at an average density of 2 per square mile...
, MontanaMontanaMontana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
- (east)
Cities and towns
- Elk RiverElk River, IdahoElk River is a city in Clearwater County, Idaho, United States. The population was 156 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Elk River is located at ....
- OrofinoOrofino, IdahoOrofino is a city in Clearwater County, Idaho, along Orofino Creek and the north bank of the Clearwater River. The population was 3,247 at the 2000 census, and the city is the county seat of Clearwater County...
- PiercePierce, IdahoPierce is a city in Clearwater County, Idaho. Elias D. Pierce and Wilbur F. Bassett made the first discovery of gold in Idaho , on Orofino Creek in 1860, a mile north of Pierce....
- WeippeWeippe, IdahoWeippe is a city in Clearwater County, Idaho, United States. The population was 416 at the 2000 census. Near present-day Weippe, the Lewis and Clark expedition met with the Nez Percé.-Geography:Weippe is located at ....
National protected areas
- Caribou-Targhee National ForestCaribou-Targhee National ForestCaribou-Targhee National Forest is located in the states of Idaho and Wyoming, with a small section in Utah in the United States. The forest is broken into several separate sections and extends over . To the east the forest borders Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park and...
(part) - Nez Perce National Historical ParkNez Perce National Historical ParkThe Nez Perce National Historical Park is a United States National Historical Park comprising 38 sites located throughout the states of Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington which are the traditional aboriginal lands of the Nez Perce. The sites commemorate the history, culture, and stories of the...
(part) - St. Joe National ForestSt. Joe National ForestThe St. Joe National Forest is a U.S. National Forest located in the Idaho panhandle and is one of three forests that are aggregated into the Idaho Panhandle National Forest . In descending order of land area St. Joe National Forest is located in parts of Shoshone, Latah, Clearwater, and Benewah...
(part)
Highways
- US-12U.S. Route 12 in IdahoUS Route 12 is a state highway in north central Idaho. It extends from the Washington state line in Lewiston east to the Montana state line at Lolo Pass, generally along the route of the Lewis and Clark expedition, and is known as the Northwest Passage Scenic Byway -Route description:US 12 enters...
- SH-7Idaho State Highway 7Idaho State Highway 7 is a state highway in Clearwater County, Idaho running from the Lewis County line through Orofino. It is long and runs north-south.-Route description:...
- SH-8Idaho State Highway 8State Highway 8 is an Idaho state highway in Latah and Clearwater counties, running from the Washington state line in Moscow to Elk River. It is in length, and runs primarily east–west.-Route description:...
- SH-11Idaho State Highway 11State Highway 11 is a state highway in northern Idaho. It runs from U.S. Route 12 near Greer, north to Headquarters.-Route description:...
Government and infrastructure
The Idaho Department of CorrectionIdaho Department of Correction
The Idaho Department of Corrections mission is to Protect Idaho through Safety, Accountability, Partnerships and Opportunities for Offender Change. IDOC is responsible for the incarceration and community supervision of felony offenders in Idaho. The department operates eight prisons, five...
operates the Idaho Correctional Institution-Orofino in Orofino
Orofino, Idaho
Orofino is a city in Clearwater County, Idaho, along Orofino Creek and the north bank of the Clearwater River. The population was 3,247 at the 2000 census, and the city is the county seat of Clearwater County...
.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 8,930 people, 3,456 households, and 2,481 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 3.6 people per square mile (1.5/km²). There were 4,144 housing units at an average density of 2 per square mile (1/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 94.82% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.15% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 2.03% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.37% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.06% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.63% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.96% from two or more races. 1.85% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race. 24.0% were of German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
, 14.0% English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
, 11.7% Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
and 10.5% American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 3,456 households out of which 28.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.50% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 6.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.20% were non-families. 24.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.84.
In the county the population was spread out with 23.00% under the age of 18, 5.90% from 18 to 24, 26.30% from 25 to 44, 29.20% from 45 to 64, and 15.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 113.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 115.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
32,071, and the median income for a family was $37,259. Males had a median income of $31,426 versus $21,694 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $15,463. About 9.70% of families and 13.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.90% of those under age 18 and 8.20% of those age 65 or over.
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Clearwater County, IdahoNational Register of Historic Places listings in Clearwater County, IdahoThis is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Clearwater County, Idaho.This is intended to be a complete list of the properties and districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Clearwater County, Idaho, United States...
External links
- Clearwater County - official site
- Clearwater Museum - official site
- Idaho History.net - Pierce
- Idaho Mining.org - history