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Whitman County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. It is named after Marcus Whitman, a Presbyterian missionary who, with his wife Narcissa, was killed in 1847 by members of the Cayuse tribe of Native Americans. As of 2000, the population was 40,740, of which approx. 25,000 live in Pullman. The county seat is at Colfax. Its largest city is Pullman, home to Washington State University and to Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories.
Whitman County was formed out of Stevens County on November 29, 1871.*
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Agriculture
According to Heart of Washington, Whitman County produces more barley, wheat, dry peas and lentils than any other county in the United States.
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Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 5,640 km² (2,178 mi²). 5,593 km² (2,159 mi²) of it is land and 47 km² (18 mi²) of it (0.84%) is water. It is part of the Palouse, a wide and rolling prairie-like region of the middle Columbia basin.
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Geographic features
Rivers
Lakes and reseviors
Rock Lake (Location: 47°11'03"N 117°40'55"W Elevation: 1729)
Summits and peaks
Steptoe Butte (47°01'56"N 117°17'49"W Elevation: 3612; highest point)
Bald Butte (46°38'00"N 117°05'16"W Elevation: 3369)
Notable parks
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Major highways
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Census-recognized communities
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Other communities
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Demographics
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As of the census² of 2000, there were 40,740 people, 15,257 households, and 8,055 families residing in the county. The population density was 7/km² (19/mi²). There were 16,676 housing units at an average density of 3/km² (8/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 88.07% White, 1.53% Black or African American, 0.73% Native American, 5.55% Asian, 0.27% Pacific Islander, 1.22% from other races, and 2.63% from two or more races. 2.99% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 15,257 households out of which 24.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.20% were married couples living together, 6.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 47.20% were non-families. 29.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the county, the population was spread out with 18.10% under the age of 18, 32.60% from 18 to 24, 24.00% from 25 to 44, 16.00% from 45 to 64, and 9.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 25 years. For every 100 females there were 102.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $28,584, and the median income for a family was $44,830. Males had a median income of $33,381 versus $27,046 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,298. About 11.00% of families and 25.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.50% of those under age 18 and 5.50% of those age 65 or over.
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Adjacent counties
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