Jefferson County is a county located in the state of Washington. As of 2000, the population is 25,953. The county seat is at Port Townsend. It is named after Thomas Jefferson.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 5,655 km² (2,184 mi²). 4,699 km² (1,814 mi²) of it is land and 956 km² (369 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 16.91% water.

Geographic features

• Mount Olympus, Washington
• Olympic Mountains
• Pacific Ocean
• Puget Sound
• Strait of Juan de Fuca

Major highways

• United States Highway 101

Adjacent counties

• Island County, Washington - northeast
• Kitsap County, Washington - southeast
• Mason County, Washington - south/southeast
• Grays Harbor County, Washington - south/southwest
• Clallam County, Washington - northwest

Also shares northern border with Canada.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 25,953 people, 11,645 households, and 7,580 families residing in the county. The population density is 6/km² (14/mi²). There are 14,144 housing units at an average density of 3/km² (8/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 92.17% White, 0.42% Black or African American, 2.31% Native American, 1.19% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 0.76% from other races, and 3.02% from two or more races. 2.06% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 11,645 households out of which 23.20% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.60% are married couples living together, 8.20% have a female householder with no husband present, and 34.90% are non-families. 28.50% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.70% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.21 and the average family size is 2.67.

In the county, the population is spread out with 19.80% under the age of 18, 5.00% from 18 to 24, 21.60% from 25 to 44, 32.50% from 45 to 64, and 21.10% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 47 years. For every 100 females there are 95.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 94.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $37,869, and the median income for a family is $45,415. Males have a median income of $37,210 versus $25,831 for females. The per capita income for the county is $22,211. 11.30% of the population and 7.20% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 16.60% of those under the age of 18 and 6.00% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.