Lyle, Washington
Encyclopedia
Lyle is a census-designated place
(CDP) in Klickitat County, Washington, United States
. The population was 530 at the 2000 census.
. After initially farming on the opposite shore (the Oregon side) for a few years, Lyle moved to the north bank of the Columbia
.
A post office was soon established with Lyle as the first postmaster, and mail delivered by steamer from the opposite shore.
Steamboat
operation lasted until the North shore railroad was completed.
When the Spokane, Portland and Seattle Railway
came to town in 1907, its line passed somewhat north of the town. The present townsite was plotted in 1909, and the older townsite became known as 'downtown'.
Residential areas flank downtown and extend east and west. Newer residences have sprung up on the northern hill overlooking downtown, with row upon row of homes on terraces. Less than 30 years ago, there were fewer than half a dozen homes on the entire hill. Now there are dozens, all seemingly vying for the best view of the Columbia River. Prices for hillside property are high for such a small town, and are based primarily on the view.
Although Lyle is 70+ miles east of Portland/Vancouver, it can be considered a bedroom community. The ease of freeway transportation on the "Oregon side" makes the commute a mere 60 minutes.
Because Lyle has no grade school, children of grade-school age are transported by bus to a school in Dallesport, an even smaller burg a few miles east of Lyle. The area's middle school and high school, which incorporate students from Dallesport and Murdoch (also just east of Lyle) lie at the northernmost part of town, high on the hill overlooking Lyle. The student body is small and combines with nearby towns to make up teams for some sports.
Although tiny, somewhat rustic, and usually quiet, Lyle has attracted some attention because it lies very near several popular windsurfing beaches, including Doug's Beach. The area is also home to six boutique wineries: Cor Cellars, Domaine Pouillon, Jacob Williams Winery, Klickitat Canyon Winery, Memaloose, and Syncline.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the CDP has a total area of 3.4 square miles (8.8 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 530 people, 221 households, and 152 families residing in the CDP. The population density
was 156.5 people per square mile (60.4/km²). There were 260 housing units at an average density of 76.8/sq mi (29.6/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 87.55% White, 1.89% Native American, 0.94% Asian, 0.38% Pacific Islander, 4.91% from other races
, and 4.34% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.55% of the population.
There were 221 households out of which 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.6% were married couples
living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.8% were non-families. 25.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.76.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 26.8% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 25.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 100.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.0 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $33,438, and the median income for a family was $40,083. Males had a median income of $37,292 versus $25,500 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $17,355. About 8.1% of families and 11.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.2% of those under age 18 and 20.6% of those age 65 or over.
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 Klickitat County, Washington, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 530 at the 2000 census.
History
Established around 1859, the original name of the community was Klickitat Landing. The first European settler was Egbert French, who arrived from Ohio. In 1866 French sold his holdings to James O. Lyle from The Dalles, Oregon, and moved to White BluffsWhite Bluffs, Washington
White Bluffs was an agricultural town in Benton County, Washington, United States. It was evacuated in 1943 along with the town of Hanford to make room for the nuclear production facility known as the Hanford Site....
. After initially farming on the opposite shore (the Oregon side) for a few years, Lyle moved to the north bank of the Columbia
Columbia 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...
.
A post office was soon established with Lyle as the first postmaster, and mail delivered by steamer from the opposite shore.
Steamboat
Steamboat
A steamboat or steamship, sometimes called a steamer, is a ship in which the primary method of propulsion is steam power, typically driving propellers or paddlewheels...
operation lasted until the North shore railroad was completed.
When the Spokane, Portland and Seattle Railway
Spokane, Portland and Seattle Railway
The Spokane, Portland and Seattle Railway was a United States-based railroad incorporated in 1905. It was a joint venture by the Great Northern Railway and the Northern Pacific Railway to build a railroad along the north bank of the Columbia River....
came to town in 1907, its line passed somewhat north of the town. The present townsite was plotted in 1909, and the older townsite became known as 'downtown'.
Lyle Today
Lyle has two main areas: that part which is built on the north banks of the Columbia River, including the "downtown," and that part which is built on the hills above the river. The downtown area has one grocery store (which is a super-sized quick-mart), two churches, a tavern, a restaurant/cafe, a gas station and vehicle repair shop, a second-hand store, an espresso stand, and a hotel. Other small businesses come and go, and all are located in the downtown area.Residential areas flank downtown and extend east and west. Newer residences have sprung up on the northern hill overlooking downtown, with row upon row of homes on terraces. Less than 30 years ago, there were fewer than half a dozen homes on the entire hill. Now there are dozens, all seemingly vying for the best view of the Columbia River. Prices for hillside property are high for such a small town, and are based primarily on the view.
Although Lyle is 70+ miles east of Portland/Vancouver, it can be considered a bedroom community. The ease of freeway transportation on the "Oregon side" makes the commute a mere 60 minutes.
Because Lyle has no grade school, children of grade-school age are transported by bus to a school in Dallesport, an even smaller burg a few miles east of Lyle. The area's middle school and high school, which incorporate students from Dallesport and Murdoch (also just east of Lyle) lie at the northernmost part of town, high on the hill overlooking Lyle. The student body is small and combines with nearby towns to make up teams for some sports.
Although tiny, somewhat rustic, and usually quiet, Lyle has attracted some attention because it lies very near several popular windsurfing beaches, including Doug's Beach. The area is also home to six boutique wineries: Cor Cellars, Domaine Pouillon, Jacob Williams Winery, Klickitat Canyon Winery, Memaloose, and Syncline.
Geography
Lyle is located at 45°41′45"N 121°16′56"W (45.695845, -121.282279).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 3.4 square miles (8.8 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 530 people, 221 households, and 152 families residing in the CDP. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 156.5 people per square mile (60.4/km²). There were 260 housing units at an average density of 76.8/sq mi (29.6/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 87.55% White, 1.89% Native American, 0.94% Asian, 0.38% Pacific Islander, 4.91% from other races
Race (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 4.34% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.55% of the population.
There were 221 households out of which 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.6% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.8% were non-families. 25.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.76.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 26.8% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 25.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 100.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.0 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $33,438, and the median income for a family was $40,083. Males had a median income of $37,292 versus $25,500 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 $17,355. About 8.1% of families and 11.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.2% of those under age 18 and 20.6% of those age 65 or over.