Washington State is often referred to as “The Evergreen State” due to its abundant evergreen forests, however, the nickname has never been formally adopted by the state legislature.[1] The state of Washington has a total area of approximately 71,362 square miles (184,827 square kilometers).[2] As of 2023, the estimated population of Washington is approximately 7.81 million.[3]
Washington’s economy ranks 8th in size among states and Washington, DC.[4] The state’s economy grew 3.7% in 2016, nearly two and a half times the national rate. The state’s unemployment rate was 4% in February 2023.[4] Washington leads the nation in apple production, accounting for over 70 percent of all apples in the U.S.[5] Other top agricultural products are dairy, cattle and calves, wheat, and potatoes.[5] In terms of exports, civilian aircraft including engines and parts, soya beans, wheat, and miscellaneous petroleum oils are among the top products.[6]
Washington is home to beautiful national parks: North Cascades National Park, Mount Rainier National Park, and Olympic National Park. Other notable attractions include the San Juan Islands, Snoqualmie Falls, Lake Chelan, Columbia River Gorge, Mount Baker, and charming towns like Leavenworth. The state also boasts scenic locations like Paradise at Mt. Rainier, Tolmie Peak, Ruby Beach, and the Hoh Rain Forest.
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History of Washington StateHistory of Washington State
The first recorded European landing on the Washington coast was by Spanish explorers Bruno Heceta and Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra in 1775.[7] They claimed the Pacific Northwest for Spain. In 1792, Spanish Navy Lieutenant Salvador Fidalgo established the first permanent European settlement in the present state of Washington, at Neah Bay.[8]
Washington became the 42nd state of the United States on November 11, 1889.[9]
During the American Civil War, Washington Territory was remote from the main battlefields. The territory raised a small number of volunteers for the Union Army, who maintained defensive positions against possible foreign naval or land attacks.[10]
The arrival of transcontinental railroads in the Pacific Northwest during the 1880s marked a key turning point in the region’s history.[11] The dense forests and rich coal reserves used to power the Industrial Revolution gave the state’s economy a boost virtually overnight.[12] Early in the 20th century, Washington workers began organizing unions to demand better pay and working conditions.[13]
By the end of the 20th century, the Seattle area had become a center of medical and technical progress, home to a growing biotechnology industry, and famous as the hometown of Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft.[14] For much of the 20th century, Washington was also known as the place where the Boeing Company built sleek, fast airplanes.[15]
Demographics of Washington StateDemographics of Washington State
The demographic distribution of the [state] population is as follows:[16]
- White: 71.74%
- Asian: 8.96%
- Two or more races: 8.61%
- Other race: 4.97%
- Black or African American: 3.85%
- Native American: 1.19%
- Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0.67%
Most common surnames in Washington StateMost common surnames in Washington State
The demographic distribution of Washington State surnames is as follows:[17]
| Surname | Incedence | Frequency | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson | 57,427 | 1:132 | |||
| Anderson | 37,691 | 1:202 | |||
| Brown | 33,604 | 1:226 | |||
| Miller | 31,277 | 1:243 | |||
| Williams | 30,021 | 1:253 | |||
| Jones | 29,211 | 1:260 | |||
| Davis | 25,675 | 1:296 | |||
| Nelson | 22,060 | 1:345 | |||
| Lee | 22,052 | 1:345 | |||
| Thompson | 19,528 | 1:389 |
Researching family history in Washington StateResearching family history in Washington State
The National Archives at Seattle maintains a collection of valuable federal records from Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington State. The Washington State Archive - Digital Archives has the most extensive collection of its state records of any state in the United States with millions of searchable records. The Washington State Archives has additional records. The Washington State Historical Society Library has additional valuable records. The Washington State Library has a wide range of important genealogical records. There are also additional local and county libraries through out the state.[18]
Washington State county listWashington State county list
Washington State has 39 counties.
| Adams | Asotin | Benton | Chelan |
| Clallam | Clark | Columbia | Cowlitz |
| Douglas | Ferry | Franklin | Garfield |
| Grant | Grays Harbor | Island | Jefferson |
| King | Kitsap | Kittitas | Klickitat |
| Lewis | Lincoln | Mason | Okanogan |
| Pacific | Pend Oreille | Pierce | San Juan |
| Skagit | Skamania | Snohomish | Spokane |
| Stevens | Thurston | Wahkiakum | Walla Walla |
| Whatcom | Whitman | Yakima |
See alsoSee also
Explore more about Washington StateExplore more about Washington State
MyHeritage.com has 30 collections of genealogically valuable records from Washington State, including Washington Marriages, Washington Newspapers, 1855-2009, Washington, Death Certificates, 1907-1960, Seattle, Washington Passenger Lists, 1890-1957. There a many other important records that can be found in the Washington State Collection Catalog.
References
- ↑ Washington State Nickname | The Evergreen State
- ↑ How Big Is Washington? See Its Size in Miles, Acres, and How It Compares to Other States
- ↑ Washington State Nickname | The Evergreen State
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Economy of Washington Statistics and Data Trends: GDP ranking, unemployment rate, and economic growth | USAFacts
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Washington's Top 10 Ag Products (Infographic)
- ↑ Washington State's Top Exports 2023
- ↑ Milestones for Washington State History -- Part 1: Prehistory to 1850
- ↑ Spanish and British Explorations of the Pacific Northwest and the Nootka Sound Controversy, 1774-1789
- ↑ Washington is admitted as the 42nd state to the United States of America
- ↑ Civil War and Washington Territory
- ↑ Center for the Study of the Pacific Northwest
- ↑ Washington's Economic History: From humble beginnings to global impact
- ↑ Reform and the Pacific Northwest, 1880-1920 Center for the Study of the Pacific Northwest
- ↑ 1.3: Washington – Cultural and Economic Change
- ↑ Lesson 3: Washington – Cultural & Economic Change
- ↑ Washington Population 2024 (Demographics, Maps, Graphs)
- ↑ Most Common Surnames in Washington, With Meanings
- ↑ Directory of Public Libraries in Washington