Tekoa (/ˈtikoʊ/ TEE-koh) is a rural city in Whitman County, Washington, United States. The population was 817 at the 2020 census.[3]
Tekoa, Washington | |
|---|---|
| City of Tekoa | |
.jpg) | |
 Location of Tekoa, Washington | |
| Coordinates: 47°13′29″N 117°4′25″W / 47.22472°N 117.07361°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | Whitman |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.23 sq mi (3.18 km2) |
| • Land | 1.23 sq mi (3.18 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 2,533 ft (772 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 817 |
| • Density | 660/sq mi (260/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP code | 99033 |
| Area code | 509 |
| FIPS code | 53-70560 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1508933[2] |
| Website | www.tekoawa.com |
Based on per capita income, one of the more reliable measures of affluence, Tekoa ranks 420th of 522 areas in the state of Washington to be ranked.
The city is centered in the rolling fields of the Palouse region and served by State Route 27. It features the landmark Milwaukee Road trestle, which now carries the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail, and the historic Empire Theatre, an Art Deco theater built in 1940 that was later restored.[4]
Every June, the town of Tekoa holds their annual celebration, the Slippery Gulch Festival, featuring a parade, egg toss, and fireworks.
History
editThis section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (November 2017) |
The area that includes the present-day Town of Tekoa was settled by the Coeur d'Alene people. In 1886, David A. Huffman and George T. Huffman settled there. The townsite was platted in 1888 and was named after the Biblical town.[5]
Tekoa was incorporated in 1889 with just under 300 people at the base of Tekoa Mountain (elevation 2,490 feet), on the extreme eastern end of the Palouse, and to the west of the Benewah Range of Idaho. In 1908 the railroad trestle above the town was built. By 1910 the population had grown to 1,694. Over the next 60 years, Tekoa began a population decline as mechanized farming reduced the need for workers, and railway was abandoned. By 1990 the town had fewer than 750 residents, but during the 1990s the population rose to 826 at the 2000 census.
Geography
editTekoa is located at 47°13′29″N 117°4′25″W / 47.22472°N 117.07361°W (47.224704, -117.073607).[6] The zip code is 99033.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.14 square miles (2.95 km2), all of it land.[7]
Tekoa is located at the confluence where Little Hangman Creek enters Latah Creek.[8]
Climate
editThis region experiences warm (but not hot) and dry summers, with no average monthly temperatures above 71.6 °F. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Tekoa has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, abbreviated "Csb" on climate maps.[9]
Demographics
edit| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1890 | 301 | — | |
| 1900 | 717 | 138.2% | |
| 1910 | 1,694 | 136.3% | |
| 1920 | 1,520 | −10.3% | |
| 1930 | 1,408 | −7.4% | |
| 1940 | 1,383 | −1.8% | |
| 1950 | 1,189 | −14.0% | |
| 1960 | 911 | −23.4% | |
| 1970 | 808 | −11.3% | |
| 1980 | 854 | 5.7% | |
| 1990 | 750 | −12.2% | |
| 2000 | 826 | 10.1% | |
| 2010 | 778 | −5.8% | |
| 2020 | 817 | 5.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[10] | |||
2010 census
editAt the 2010 census,[11] the city population comprised 778 persons, 307 households, and 191 families. The population density was 682.5 inhabitants per square mile (263.5/km2). There were 360 housing units at an average density of 315.8 per square mile (121.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 92.0% White, 0.1% African American, 3.3% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 2.3% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.8% of the population.
Of the 307 households 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.5% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.8% were non-families. 32.9% of households were one person and 16.3% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 3.03.
The median age was 44.4 years. 25.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.7% were from 25 to 44; 25.9% were from 45 to 64; and 23% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.0% male and 53.0% female.
2000 census
editAt the 2000 census, there were 826 people in 318 households, including 220 families, in the city. The population density was 727.2 people per square mile (279.8/km2). There were 363 housing units at an average density of 319.6 per square mile (122.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 93.46% White, 0.36% African American, 2.18% Native American, 0.85% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 0.12% from other races, and 2.91% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.57% of the population.
Of the 318 households 30.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.3% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.8% were non-families. 29.2% of households were one person and 15.1% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the city the age distribution of the population shows 27.7% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 20.5% from 25 to 44, 24.7% from 45 to 64, and 22.8% 65 or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 84.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.6 males.
The median household income was $30,833 and the median family income was $36,771. Males had a median income of $32,014 versus $19,307 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,344. About 13.2% of families and 14.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.5% of those under age 18 and 10.1% of those age 65 or over.
Notable people
edit- Mildred Bailey, popular 1930s jazz singer, was born in Tekoa.
- Oliver L. Barrett (1892–1943), sculptor and educator[12]
- Al Rinker, singer, brother of Bailey and former partner of Bing Crosby in the Rhythm Boys, was also born in Tekoa.
- Susannah Scaroni, Paralympic athlete.[13][14]
References
edit- ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
- ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "Census Bureau profile: Tekoa, Washington". United States Census Bureau. May 2023. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
- ^ "Palouse Scenic Byway". scenicwa.com. Scenic Washington. Retrieved August 18, 2022.
- ^ Majors, Harry M. (1975). Exploring Washington. Van Winkle Publishing Co. p. 112. ISBN 978-0-918664-00-6.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 2, 2012. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
- ^ "Tekoa Quadrangle" (Topographical Map). usgs.gov. U.S. Geological Survey. 2020. Retrieved August 18, 2022.
- ^ Climate Summary for Tekoa, Washington
- ^ United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing". Retrieved October 3, 2013.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
- ^ Turley, Gladys (August 9, 1943). "Oliver Laurence Barrett". The Register–Guard. p. 3. Retrieved October 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Here are the Washington athletes competing at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris". king5.com. August 21, 2024. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
- ^ McCord, Madison (August 31, 2024). "Tekoa native Susannah Scaroni wins third Paralympic medal with silver in 5,000-meters". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
