Asotin /əˈstən/ ə-SOH-tən; is the county seat of the county of the same name, in the state of Washington, United States.[4] The population of the city was 1,204 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Lewiston, ID-WA Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Asotin, Washington
Asotin viewed from the elevated land to the south. Land across the river is in Idaho.
Asotin viewed from the elevated land to the south. Land across the river is in Idaho.
Location of Asotin, Washington
Location of Asotin, Washington
Coordinates: 46°20′20″N 117°2′47″W / 46.33889°N 117.04639°W / 46.33889; -117.04639
CountryUnited States
StateWashington
CountyAsotin
Area
 • Total
1.33 sq mi (3.44 km2)
 • Land1.14 sq mi (2.96 km2)
 • Water0.18 sq mi (0.48 km2)
Elevation
801 ft (244 m)
Population
 • Total
1,204
 • Density910/sq mi (350/km2)
Time zoneUTC-8 (Pacific (PST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP code
99402
Area code509
FIPS code53-03075
GNIS feature ID1503074[3]
Websitecityofasotin.org

History

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The name Asotin is derived from a Nez Perce language term meaning "eel creek."[5][6] It was founded in 1878 by Alexander Sumpster. A river ferry stop at Asotin was set up by 1881.[5]

In 1931, Herbert Niccolls Jr., a 12-year-old, was convicted of the murder of the Asotin County sheriff.[7]

Geography

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Asotin is located south of Clarkston, on the west bank of the Snake River. The elevation is 801 feet (244 m) above sea level.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.19 square miles (3.08 km2), of which, 1.05 square miles (2.72 km2) is land and 0.14 square miles (0.36 km2) is water.[8]

Climate

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This region experiences very warm and dry summers, with no average monthly temperatures above 71.6 °F (22.0 °C). According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Asotin has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, abbreviated "Csb" on climate maps.[9]

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1890200
1900470135.0%
191082074.5%
19208523.9%
1930697−18.2%
1940686−1.6%
19507407.9%
19607450.7%
1970637−14.5%
198094348.0%
19909814.0%
20001,09511.6%
20101,25114.2%
20201,204−3.8%
source:[10]
U.S. Decennial Census[11][12]

2010 census

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As of the 2010 census,[2] there were 1,251 people, 500 households, and 352 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,191.4 inhabitants per square mile (460.0/km2). There were 537 housing units at an average density of 511.4 units per square mile (197.5 units/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 93.5% White, 1.0% African American, 1.5% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 1.0% Pacific Islander, 0.2% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 2.2% of the population.

There were 500 households, of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.6% were married couples living together, 13.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 29.6% were non-families. 24.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.93.

The median age in the city was 41 years. 25.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.8% were from 25 to 44; 27.8% were from 45 to 64; and 17.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.8% male and 53.2% female.

2000 census

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As of the census of 2000, there were 1,095 people, 419 households, and 321 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,040.1 inhabitants per square mile (401.6/km2). There were 440 housing units at an average density of 418.0 units per square mile (161.4 units/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.08% White, 0.18% African American, 1.00% Native American, 0.37% Asian, 0.18% from other races, and 1.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.55% of the population.

There were 419 households, out of which 38.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.9% were married couples living together, 18.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.2% were non-families. 19.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the city, the age distribution of the population shows 29.3% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $35,083, and the median income for a family was $37,115. Males had a median income of $34,844 versus $21,063 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,257. About 16.4% of families and 19.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.2% of those under age 18 and 6.8% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

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References

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  1. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  2. ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
  3. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  5. ^ a b Majors, Harry M. (1975). Exploring Washington. Van Winkle Publishing Co. p. 142. ISBN 978-0-918664-00-6.
  6. ^ Shreve, George (April 8, 1980). "Asotin was always small, but not always peaceful". Lewiston Morning Tribune. p. 2B.
  7. ^ Dougherty, Phil (February 4, 2006). "Twelve-year-old Herbert Niccolls Jr. shoots and kills Asotin County Sheriff John Wormell on August 5, 1931". HistoryLink.org. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  8. ^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
  9. ^ Climate Summary for Asotin, Washington
  10. ^ Moffatt, Riley. Population History of Western U.S. Cities & Towns, 1850–1990. Lanham: Scarecrow, 1996, 313.
  11. ^ United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing". Retrieved October 5, 2013.
  12. ^ United States Census Bureau. "Asotin city, Washington". Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  13. ^ "Kenneth W. Ford" (PDF). worldforestry.org. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
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