Omak, Washington
Encyclopedia
Omak is the largest city
in Okanogan County, Washington, United States
. The population was 4,721 at the 2010 census. It is just south of the Canadian border
where more populated cities are located (Kelowna
, Penticton, and Kamloops).
It has a small commuter airport (KOMK) with one paved runway of 4667 ft (1,423 m) in length.
Since 1933, Omak has hosted the World Famous Omak Stampede, with the Suicide Race
added in 1935.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 2.9 square miles (7.6 km2), of which, 2.9 square miles (7.4 km2) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.2 km2) of it (2.38%) is water.
Omak is located in the Mid-Valley area of the Okanogan Valley at the foot of the Okanogan Highlands. Approximately a quarter of the incorporated part of Omak lies in the Colville Indian Reservation
. The Okanogan River meanders through the city of Omak on its way to the Columbia River.
As of the census
of 2000, there were 4,721 people, 1,861 households, and 1,220 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,646.0 people per square mile (635.1/km2). There were 2,016 housing units at an average density of 702.9 per square mile (271.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 69.52% White, 0.17% African American, 15.21% Native American, 0.91% Asian, 0.15% Pacific Islander, 10.02% from other races
, and 4.02% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13.01% of the population.
There were 1,861 households out of which 32.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.8% were married couples
living together, 15.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.4% were non-families. 29.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.99.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.7% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 93.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $24,089, and the median income for a family was $31,052. Males had a median income of $26,228 versus $23,674 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $13,472. About 20.0% of families and 25.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.0% of those under age 18 and 10.1% of those age 65 or over.
Omak has one Sister City
, according to the Washington State Lt. Governor's list of Washington Sister Cities:
Summerland, British Columbia
, Canada
City
A city is a relatively large and permanent settlement. Although there is no agreement on how a city is distinguished from a town within general English language meanings, many cities have a particular administrative, legal, or historical status based on local law.For example, in the U.S...
in Okanogan 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 4,721 at the 2010 census. It is just south of the Canadian border
Border
Borders define geographic boundaries of political entities or legal jurisdictions, such as governments, sovereign states, federated states and other subnational entities. Some borders—such as a state's internal administrative borders, or inter-state borders within the Schengen Area—are open and...
where more populated cities are located (Kelowna
Kelowna
Kelowna is a city on Okanagan Lake in the Okanagan Valley, in the southern interior of British Columbia, Canada. Its name derives from a Okanagan language term for "grizzly bear"...
, Penticton, and Kamloops).
It has a small commuter airport (KOMK) with one paved runway of 4667 ft (1,423 m) in length.
History
The town of Omak was platted in 1907, and officially incorporated on February 11, 1911. Shortly after being formed, the city of Omak waged a battle trying to get the county seat to be located there, but it lost to the nearby community of Okanogan.Since 1933, Omak has hosted the World Famous Omak Stampede, with the Suicide Race
Suicide Race
The Suicide Race, also promoted as the World Famous Suicide Race, is a horse race held every year, during the second week of August, in Omak, Washington as a part of the Omak Stampede, a rodeo. Held for more than 70 years, the race is known for the portion of the race where horses and riders run...
added in 1935.
Geography
Omak is located at 48.410554°N 119.524649°W (48.410554, -119.524649).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 city has a total area of 2.9 square miles (7.6 km2), of which, 2.9 square miles (7.4 km2) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.2 km2) of it (2.38%) is water.
Omak is located in the Mid-Valley area of the Okanogan Valley at the foot of the Okanogan Highlands. Approximately a quarter of the incorporated part of Omak lies in the Colville Indian Reservation
Colville Indian Reservation
The Colville Indian Reservation is an Indian reservation in the north-central part of the U.S. state of Washington, inhabited and managed by the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, which is recognized by the United States of America as an American Indian Tribe...
. The Okanogan River meanders through the city of Omak on its way to the Columbia River.
Demographics
Census
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 4,721 people, 1,861 households, and 1,220 families residing in the city. 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 1,646.0 people per square mile (635.1/km2). There were 2,016 housing units at an average density of 702.9 per square mile (271.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 69.52% White, 0.17% African American, 15.21% Native American, 0.91% Asian, 0.15% Pacific Islander, 10.02% 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 4.02% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13.01% of the population.
There were 1,861 households out of which 32.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.8% 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, 15.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.4% were non-families. 29.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.99.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.7% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 93.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $24,089, and the median income for a family was $31,052. Males had a median income of $26,228 versus $23,674 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 city was $13,472. About 20.0% of families and 25.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.0% of those under age 18 and 10.1% of those age 65 or over.
Sister city
Town twinning
Twin towns and sister cities are two of many terms used to describe the cooperative agreements between towns, cities, and even counties in geographically and politically distinct areas to promote cultural and commercial ties.- Terminology :...
, according to the Washington State Lt. Governor's list of Washington Sister Cities:
Summerland, British Columbia
Summerland, British Columbia
Summerland is a community on the west side of Okanagan Lake in the interior of British Columbia, Canada. The district is between Peachland to the north and Penticton to the south...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...