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Tillamook County, Oregon

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Tillamook County is one of the 36 counties in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2020 census, the population was 27,390.[1] The county seat is Tillamook.[2] The county is named for the Tillamook or Killamook people, a Native American tribe who were living in the area in the early 19th century at the time of European American settlement. The county is located within Northwest Oregon.

Tillamook County
County
Tillamook County Courthouse in Tillamook
Tillamook County Courthouse in Tillamook
Map of Oregon highlighting Tillamook County
Location within the U.S. state of Oregon
Map of the United States highlighting Oregon
Oregon's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 45°28′N 123°42′W / 45.46°N 123.7°W / 45.46; -123.7
Country United States
State Oregon
FoundedDecember 15, 1853
Named forTillamook people
SeatTillamook
Largest cityTillamook
Area
 • Total1,333 sq mi (3,450 km2)
 • Land1,103 sq mi (2,860 km2)
 • Water230 sq mi (600 km2)  17%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total27,390
 • Estimate 
(2023)
27,417 Increase
 • Density23/sq mi (9/km2)
Congressional district1st
Websitewww.co.tillamook.or.us

History

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The Tillamook were the southernmost branch of the Coast Salish. They were separated from their more northern kinsmen by tribes speaking the Chinookian languages. The name Tillamook is of Chinook origin (a trade pidgin, which had developed along the lower Columbia.) According to Frank Boas,[3] "It [Tillamook] means the people of Nekelim. The latter name means the place of Elim, or in the Cathlamet dialect, the place of Kelim. The initial t of Tillamook is the plural article, the terminal ook the Chinook plural ending —uks." Since there was one village in the area of Nehalem bay; the area was referred to as Nekelim (Ne Elim=singular). There were at least four villages on the south Tillamook bay according to Lewis and Clark; the south bay was called "T-Elim-ook" (the plural of Elim), meaning many villages of Elim. The Chinook word for water was "chuck" and the Salish word for wetland is "naslex". The popular translation of Tillamook as meaning "land of many waters" seems to be 20th-century fabrication used in the tourist industry.

Tillamook County, the 12th county in Oregon to be organized, was established on December 15, 1853, when the Territorial Legislature approved an act to create the new county out of an area previously included in Clatsop, Yamhill and Polk counties.[4] Boundary changes were enacted with Clatsop County (1855, 1870, and 1893), Lincoln County in 1893, Washington County (1893, 1898), and Yamhill County (1887).

The Coast Range behind Tillamook was the scene of a repeated series of forest fires called the Tillamook Burn between 1933 and 1951. In 1948, a state ballot approved the sale of bonds to buy the burned-over areas and have the state rehabilitate the lands. The state lands were renamed the Tillamook State Forest by governor Tom McCall on July 18, 1973. By the end of the 20th century, the replanted growth was considered mature enough to be commercially harvested.

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The Tillamook airbase for blimps was commissioned on December 1, 1942, as U.S. Naval Air Station Tillamook. The two wooden hangars used to house these airships were decommissioned after World War II and deeded to Tillamook County. One of the hangars (Hangar B) is a national historic landmark and the location of the Tillamook Air Museum. The other hangar, (Hangar A) burned down in 1992.

The U.S. Mount Hebo Air Force Station was a Cold War air defense installation from 1956 to 1980. Located south of Tillamook, at the top of 3,154-foot (961 m) high Mount Hebo, Air Force radars operated by the 689th Radar Squadron and the 14th Missile Warning Squadron were essential parts of the nation's integrated air defenses. The large radomes protecting the radars from adverse weather effects could be seen silhouetted against the sky from most of Tillamook County.

Development along U.S. Route 101 to the north of Tillamook during the last part of the 20th century has blocked part of the flood plain of the Wilson River, contributing to repeated winter flooding in the city. Until the late 1950s there was a dredge used by the city to keep the slough's deeper.

Geography

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Map of Tillamook County
 
Beach at Oceanside and Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,333 square miles (3,450 km2), of which 1,103 square miles (2,860 km2) is land and 230 square miles (600 km2) (17%) is water.[5] At 3,706 feet (1,130 m) in elevation, Rogers Peak is the highest point in the county and the highest in the Northern Oregon Coast Range.[6]

The county has been called "a natural cow pasture" by Sunset Magazine".[7]

Adjacent counties

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National protected areas

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
186095—
1870408329.5%
1880970137.7%
18902,932202.3%
19004,47152.5%
19106,26640.1%
19208,81040.6%
193011,82434.2%
194012,2633.7%
195018,60651.7%
196018,9551.9%
197017,930−5.4%
198021,16418.0%
199021,5701.9%
200024,26212.5%
201025,2504.1%
202027,3908.5%
2023 (est.)27,417[8]0.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790–1960[10] 1900–1990[11]
1990–2000[12] 2010–2020[1]

2020 census

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As of the 2020 census, there were 27,390 people residing in the county.[1]

2010 census

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As of the census of 2010, there were 25,250 people, 10,834 households and 6,930 families residing in the county.[13] The population density was 22.9 inhabitants per square mile (8.8/km2). There were 18,359 housing units at an average density of 16.7 units per square mile (6.4 units/km2).[14] The racial makeup of the county was 91.5% white, 1.0% American Indian, 0.9% Asian, 0.3% black or African American, 0.2% Pacific islander, 3.6% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 9.0% of the population.[13] In terms of ancestry, 26.9% were German, 17.2% were English, 12.1% were Irish, and 5.2% were American.[15]

Of the 10,834 households, 23.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.6% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 36.0% were non-families, and 29.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.79. The median age was 47.5 years.[13]

The median income for a household in the county was $39,412 and the median income for a family was $50,779. Males had a median income of $39,019 versus $32,688 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,824. About 12.8% of families and 16.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.8% of those under age 18 and 10.2% of those age 65 or over.[16]

2000 census

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As of the census of 2000, there were 24,262 people, 10,200 households and 6,793 families residing in the county. The population density was 22 people per square mile (8.5 people/km2). There were 15,906 housing units at an average density of 14 units per square mile (5.4/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 93.86% White, 0.22% Black or African American, 1.19% Native American, 0.65% Asian, 0.21% Pacific Islander, 1.89% from other races, and 1.98% from two or more races. 5.13% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 20.1% were of German, 13.3% English, 10.7% American and 8.6% Irish ancestry.

There were 10,200 households, out of which 24.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.8% were married couples living together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.4% were non-families. 27.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.82.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.2% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 23.5% from 25 to 44, 28% from 45 to 64, and 19.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 100.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.1 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,269, and the median income for a family was $40,197. Males had a median income of $31,509 versus $21,555 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,052. About 8.1% of families and 11.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.4% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

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Agriculture

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Dairy farming is one of the county's largest agricultural occupations. The Tillamook Cheese Factory is the county's largest business and the largest private employer. Tillamook dairy products are available throughout the Western United States and the rest of the country.

Timber

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Tillamook State Forest

The state of Oregon owns 44% of the land inside the county boundaries, mostly as part of the Tillamook State Forest. The State Forest was created as a result of the 355,000-acre (144,000 ha) Tillamook Burn. The reforested burn is rapidly maturing, and there is local expectation that it will assist in the recovery of the local timber industry. Three lumber mills currently operate in Tillamook County—one at Garibaldi, one in Tillamook, and one south of Tillamook at the former Naval Air Station.

Tourism

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The county's scenic coastline, which includes four bays, nine rivers and the Pacific Ocean, helps draw visitors to the county for outdoor recreation, agritourism, and cultural experiences. U.S. Route 101, travels the length of the Oregon Coast, and brings many travelers through the county by car, recreational vehicle and bike. The coast also provides locations for vacation homes for inhabitants of nearby Portland and the Willamette Valley. According to the 2015 Dean Runyan Travel Impacts study, tourism brings $229.4 million in visitor spending to Tillamook County.

Fishing

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Fishing is a very important part of the economy. Oysters are farmed in the bay and keep the bay fairly clean. Sport fishing makes up most of the rest. With nine rivers, salmon is the biggest with nearly recovered runs as salmon had to be given away to the food bank. Tillamook County is the first in the continental United States to be declared ready for a tsunami. This designation was given by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration after the county paid $15,000 for 27 warning sirens and an emergency radio system. In 2012, county leaders voted to deactivate most of the sirens, in favor of more modern methods. With effort from local residents, the communities of Garibaldi and Rockaway Beach retained their sirens, which will be activated locally.[17]

Politics

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In its early history, Tillamook was a powerfully Republican county. It voted for the Republican presidential candidate in every election from Oregon statehood until 1928, even supporting William Howard Taft in 1912, when the party was divided.[18] Since Franklin Roosevelt became the first Democrat to carry the county in 1932, Tillamook has been a bellwether county in most Presidential elections, although it did vote for losing Democrats in 1968, 1980 and 1988. Tillamook County has remained quite competitive over the last half century. Since 1968, no candidate has received over 55 percent of the vote, with the highest being Michael Dukakis in 1988. From 1992 until 2016 it voted for the winning presidential candidate; that streak ended in 2020 with its vote for Donald Trump (however, Trump won the county with a reduced margin from 2016).[19]

Tillamook County is also a relatively swingy county at the local level, generally following its federal trends of voting predominantly Democratic, with some exceptions. In recent years, it has swung back to Republicans, with John Kitzhaber being the last Democrat to win it in 2014.

United States presidential election results for Tillamook County, Oregon[20][21]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 8,354 49.47% 8,066 47.76% 468 2.77%
2016 6,538 47.37% 5,768 41.79% 1,497 10.85%
2012 5,684 45.40% 6,293 50.27% 542 4.33%
2008 5,757 43.30% 7,072 53.18% 468 3.52%
2004 7,003 50.20% 6,750 48.38% 198 1.42%
2000 5,775 46.66% 5,762 46.56% 839 6.78%
1996 3,884 34.27% 5,775 50.96% 1,673 14.76%
1992 3,359 29.25% 5,040 43.89% 3,085 26.86%
1988 4,297 42.67% 5,529 54.91% 244 2.42%
1984 5,267 51.10% 4,988 48.39% 53 0.51%
1980 4,123 41.63% 4,521 45.65% 1,259 12.71%
1976 4,033 45.48% 4,456 50.25% 378 4.26%
1972 4,120 51.22% 3,544 44.06% 380 4.72%
1968 3,261 44.73% 3,609 49.50% 421 5.77%
1964 2,318 30.61% 5,246 69.27% 9 0.12%
1960 3,935 48.92% 4,098 50.94% 11 0.14%
1956 4,306 53.89% 3,684 46.11% 0 0.00%
1952 4,931 58.97% 3,401 40.67% 30 0.36%
1948 2,952 46.96% 3,128 49.76% 206 3.28%
1944 2,477 47.76% 2,634 50.79% 75 1.45%
1940 2,516 47.13% 2,786 52.19% 36 0.67%
1936 1,380 30.11% 2,781 60.68% 422 9.21%
1932 1,722 36.21% 2,726 57.33% 307 6.46%
1928 2,570 66.75% 1,204 31.27% 76 1.97%
1924 2,201 59.18% 795 21.38% 723 19.44%
1920 1,664 60.80% 828 30.25% 245 8.95%
1916 1,547 53.86% 1,175 40.91% 150 5.22%
1912 496 33.56% 411 27.81% 571 38.63%
1908 641 60.13% 253 23.73% 172 16.14%
1904 729 69.49% 136 12.96% 184 17.54%

Transportation

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Communities

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Cities

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Census-designated places

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Other unincorporated communities

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Notable people

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Tillamook County served as the setting for the fictional town of Elk Cove in the 1987 comedy film Overboard starring Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell.

Todd Snider released Tillamook County Jail on his 2004 album East Nashville Skyline.

Tillamook County is the location of the fictional town of Arcadia Bay in the 2015 video game Life is Strange and its 2017 prequel Before the Storm.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Boas, Frank (January–March 1898). "Traditions of the Tillamook Indians". The Journal of American Folklore. 11 (40): 23–38. doi:10.2307/533608. JSTOR 533608.
  4. ^ "Oregon Secretary of State". sos.oregon.gov. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  5. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  6. ^ "Rogers Peak - Peakbagger.com". www.peakbagger.com. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  7. ^ Holt, Emmerson (1913). Field, Charles K. (ed.). "Letting Down the Bars into Tillamook County, Oregon". Sunset: The Pacific Monthly. Vol. 31. Passenger Department, Southern Pacific Co. p. 572. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  8. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  9. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  10. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  11. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  12. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 26, 2015. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  13. ^ a b c "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  14. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  15. ^ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  16. ^ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  17. ^ "Oregon County Phases Out Tsunami Warning Sirens". OPB.org. December 27, 2012. Archived from the original on June 27, 2020. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  18. ^ Menendez, Albert J.; The Geography of Presidential Elections in the United States, 1868-2004, pp. 284-285 ISBN 0786422173
  19. ^ "Pivot Counties in Oregon", ballotpedia.org, retrieved September 19, 2024
  20. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  21. ^ The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 369 votes, while Socialist Eugene Debs received 157 votes, Prohibition candidate Eugene Chafin received 45 votes.
  22. ^ Schoenfeld, Bruce (June–July 2014). "In Praise of the American Beach Town". National Geographic Traveller.
  23. ^ Forest Grove grave draws 'Little House' lovers
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45°28′N 123°42′W / 45.46°N 123.70°W / 45.46; -123.70

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