Desert Aire, Washington
Encyclopedia
Desert Aire is a census-designated place
(CDP) in Grant County, Washington, United States. Desert Aire's elevation is 560 ft (170.7 m) The population was 1,124 at the 2000 census.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the CDP has a total area of 6.0 square miles (15.5 km²), of which, 3.3 square miles (8.5 km²) of it is land and 2.7 square miles (7.0 km²) of it (45.39%) is water.
near the Priest Rapids Dam
for some $1,000,000. They developed a planned Community of some 1600 homes centered around a Golf Course and Marina. In 1994 the Grant County Airport District was formed and now maintains the small public-use airstrip in the community.
The area is sometimes referred to as 'The Palm Springs of Washington', a moniker also proclaimed by a billboard at the entrance to the community.
Average temperatures in July are a maximum of 91 and a minimum of 64. In January, the average maximum is 40 and the minimum is 26. Rainfall averages only 7 inches (177.8 mm) per year and the average snowfall is 6 inches (152.4 mm).
, and 3.56% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 46.89% of the population.
There were 371 households out of which 35.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.4% were married couples living together, 4.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.2% were non-families. 16.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.03 and the average family size was 3.35.
In the CDP the age distribution of the population shows 31.2% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 107.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 112.4 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $35,719, and the median income for a family was $36,971. Males had a median income of $25,417 versus $20,188 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $18,719. About 4.9% of families and 6.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.1% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.
references Desert Aire in the title of the song "Incident at Desert Aire". The lyrics, however, make no mention of the place.
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
(CDP) in Grant County, Washington, United States. Desert Aire's elevation is 560 ft (170.7 m) The population was 1,124 at the 2000 census.
Geography
Desert Aire is located at 46°41′6"N 119°55′29"W (46.685121, -119.924811).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the CDP has a total area of 6.0 square miles (15.5 km²), of which, 3.3 square miles (8.5 km²) of it is land and 2.7 square miles (7.0 km²) of it (45.39%) is water.
History
In the early 1970s, a group of investors led by Harry Davidson, of Harry Davidson, Inc., bought 3200 acres (12.9 km²) of land along the Columbia RiverColumbia River
The Columbia River is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. The river rises in the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia, Canada, flows northwest and then south into the U.S. state of Washington, then turns west to form most of the border between Washington and the state...
near the Priest Rapids Dam
Priest Rapids Dam
Priest Rapids Dam is a hydroelectric, concrete gravity dam; located on the Columbia River, between the Yakima Firing Range and the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, and bridges Yakima County and Grant County, in the U.S. state of Washington. The dam is 24 miles south of the town of Vantage, and 47 miles...
for some $1,000,000. They developed a planned Community of some 1600 homes centered around a Golf Course and Marina. In 1994 the Grant County Airport District was formed and now maintains the small public-use airstrip in the community.
The area is sometimes referred to as 'The Palm Springs of Washington', a moniker also proclaimed by a billboard at the entrance to the community.
Climate
Desert Aire has some of the hottest temperatures in Washington during the summer and is one of the driest places in the state, being located in the rain shadow of the Cascades.Average temperatures in July are a maximum of 91 and a minimum of 64. In January, the average maximum is 40 and the minimum is 26. Rainfall averages only 7 inches (177.8 mm) per year and the average snowfall is 6 inches (152.4 mm).
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,124 people, 371 households, and 296 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 344.0 people per square mile (132.7/km²). There were 723 housing units at an average density of 221.3/sq mi (85.4/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 64.50% White, 0.18% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.62% Asian, 30.96% from other racesRace (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 3.56% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 46.89% of the population.
There were 371 households out of which 35.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.4% were married couples living together, 4.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.2% were non-families. 16.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.03 and the average family size was 3.35.
In the CDP the age distribution of the population shows 31.2% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 107.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 112.4 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $35,719, and the median income for a family was $36,971. Males had a median income of $25,417 versus $20,188 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the CDP was $18,719. About 4.9% of families and 6.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.1% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.
Media portrayal
The band the Dark FantasticThe Dark Fantastic
The Dark Fantastic was an American band from Seattle, Washington, formed in 1997. They began as a solo project of Mark Pickerel while he was still a member of Truly. Following the disbanding of Truly, Pickerel turned his project into a band, enlisting guitarist Jesse Roberts and bassist Mike Elkins...
references Desert Aire in the title of the song "Incident at Desert Aire". The lyrics, however, make no mention of the place.