Wilson Creek, Washington
Encyclopedia
Wilson Creek is a town in Grant County, Washington, United States
. The population was 227 at the 2000 census.
Indians roamed the area around Crab
and Wilson Creek in search of food during the summer months. John Marlin and the Urquhart Brothers settled the area in the 1870s. Lt. Tom Symons established a military road from Fort Walla Walla
to camp Chelan West of town in 1879. The railroad came in 1892. Wilson Creek became a division point with an eleven stall roundhouse
. Zack Finney started the first school in 1892. Wilson Creek's school opened in 1894. The immigrant train came through in 1901. Also during that year the town was platted. Finally the town was incorporated in 1903. Crab Lake was drained in 1909.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 1.0 square miles (2.6 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 227 people, 96 households, and 60 families residing in the town. The population density
was 229.7 people per square mile (88.5/km²). There were 108 housing units at an average density of 109.3 per square mile (42.1/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 93.39% White, 1.32% Native American, 0.88% Asian, 0.88% from other races
, and 3.52% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.64% of the population.
There were 96 households out of which 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.1% were married couples
living together, 5.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.5% were non-families. 29.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the town the population was spread out with 25.6% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 25.6% from 45 to 64, and 20.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 99.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $23,750, and the median income for a family was $24,375. Males had a median income of $31,667 versus $11,250 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $11,464. About 21.6% of families and 27.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 47.2% of those under the age of eighteen and 4.7% of those sixty five or over.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 227 at the 2000 census.
History
Wilson Creek was officially incorporated on May 8, 1903. The community has solid ties to the local agricultural economy that dominates the region.Indians roamed the area around Crab
Crab Creek
Crab Creek is a stream in the U.S. state of Washington. Named for the presence of crayfish, it is one of the few perennial streams in the Columbia Basin of central Washington, flowing from the northeastern Columbia River Plateau, roughly east of Reardan, west-southwest to empty into the Columbia...
and Wilson Creek in search of food during the summer months. John Marlin and the Urquhart Brothers settled the area in the 1870s. Lt. Tom Symons established a military road from Fort Walla Walla
Fort Walla Walla
Fort Walla Walla is a fort located in Walla Walla, Washington. It was established in 1858. Today, the complex contains a park, a museum, and a hospital.Fort Walla Walla should be distinguished from Fort Nez Percés or Old Fort Walla Walla ....
to camp Chelan West of town in 1879. The railroad came in 1892. Wilson Creek became a division point with an eleven stall roundhouse
Roundhouse
A roundhouse is a building used by railroads for servicing locomotives. Roundhouses are large, circular or semicircular structures that were traditionally located surrounding or adjacent to turntables...
. Zack Finney started the first school in 1892. Wilson Creek's school opened in 1894. The immigrant train came through in 1901. Also during that year the town was platted. Finally the town was incorporated in 1903. Crab Lake was drained in 1909.
Geography
Wilson Creek is located at 47°25′25"N 119°7′21"W (47.423499, -119.122397). A major creek in the area with the same name flows nearby. Also located close to the town of Wilson Creek is Billy Clapp Lake and the Pinto Dam, both of which are part of the extensive Columbia Basin Irrigation Project.According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 1.0 square miles (2.6 km²), all of it land.
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 227 people, 96 households, and 60 families residing in the town. 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 229.7 people per square mile (88.5/km²). There were 108 housing units at an average density of 109.3 per square mile (42.1/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 93.39% White, 1.32% Native American, 0.88% Asian, 0.88% 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 3.52% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.64% of the population.
There were 96 households out of which 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.1% 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, 5.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.5% were non-families. 29.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the town the population was spread out with 25.6% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 25.6% from 45 to 64, and 20.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 99.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $23,750, and the median income for a family was $24,375. Males had a median income of $31,667 versus $11,250 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 town was $11,464. About 21.6% of families and 27.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 47.2% of those under the age of eighteen and 4.7% of those sixty five or over.