Ferry County

Ferry County is a county located in the North-Eastern part of Washington. Ferry County covers an area of 2,257 square miles of land and water and has a population of 7,226 people. There are 3.4 people per square mile. Ferry is the fourth-least populated county in Washington. 

The county’s zip codes are 99166, 99160, 99150, 99146, 99140, 99138, 99121, 99118, and 99107. 

Major Towns and Cities 

Republic 

 It is the largest city in the state and is also the county seat. It stands at an elevation of 2500 feet and is situated close to the headwaters of the Sanpoil River.  

Republic has a population of 1,066 people and is a fun-filled city with many outdoor recreational activities including boating, and fishing in the nearby Curlew Lake. Ferry is also close to Colville National Forest, which is complete with hiking trails. 

Spokane 

Spokane is found in the southeastern part of Ferry County and is the highest populated city in eastern Washington. The Spokane River cuts across the city.  

Spokane city is full of adventurous activities such as fishing, canoeing, rafting, running, hiking, and rock climbing. It is also ideal for outdoor enthusiasts with at least four ski resorts. 

Other towns and cities in the county include: 

• Pine Grove
• Orient
• Malo
• Laurier
• Keller
• Inchelium
• Danville
• Curlew Lake
• Curlew
• Boyds
• Barstow
• Barney’s Junction

Ferry County is associated with ranching, lumbering, and gold mining. Most towns in the county reflect these economic activities in their cowboy-style neighborliness and architecture. Ferry, like the rest of Washington, is rural and western. It has many restaurants, gas stations, inns and motels, grocery and convenience stores. 

Ferry County Geographic Information 

Ferry County borders Canada along the 49th parallel. It also shares boundaries with other several counties, which include:  

• Okanogan County (Omak & Okanogan) – western side
• Lincoln County (Davenport) -southwestern side
• Stevens County (Spokane) -eastern side
• British Columbia (Grand Forks)- northern side

The topography is diverse in the county and varies from that of close counties. For example, Copper Butte in the Kettle Mountain Range has 7140 feet, while Keller has an elevation ranging from 1,250 feet. 

Ferry has 52 sq miles of rivers, lakes, creeks, and streams. The Kettle River Range flows through the county, cutting the county into North and South. It offers a lot of wildlife and images. The rivers provide fascinating scenery to enjoy. You can view the Ferry county map and the Ferry County lines here. 

The Climate in Ferry County, Washington 

On average, Ferry County, Washington receives 17 inches of rain per year compared to the national median of 38 inches of rain annually. 

Ferry County, on average, experiences 43 inches of snow yearly, while the national median is 28m inches per year.  

There are 174 sunny days yearly in Ferry County compared to the national average of 205 sunny days.   

In total, Ferry County receives an average of 95 days of measurable precipitation.    

Visit the Ferry County Rail Trail  

Set between the communities of Danville and Republic near the Canadian border, the Ferry County Rail Trail follows the former corridor of the Great Northern Railway. The rail trail is 25-mile long and is open for non-motorized multiple-use, such as horseback riding, walking, and mountain biking.  

The trail is groomed for cross-country snowshoeing and skiing in winter. When you visit, you will enjoy scenic views along the Kettle River and Curlew Lake. There is also a short tunnel that cuts into the rocky hillside, and there are two former railroad bridges. 

The trail comprises two sections that have an improved surface. One is a 3.1 section between the tunnel and the town of Curlew, while the second is a 5.5-mile section along Curlew Lake. The sections are suitable for wheelchairs, inline skates, and biking. They are similar to pavements and have a surface of finely crushed stone that is hard-packed. 

You can link to the 5.5 miles long Golden Tiger Pathway heading southwest into Republic from the trail’s southern end. However, the pathway is only permissible to non-motorized users and ATVs.  

Unpaved parking lots are available at several points along the trail, including North Curlew, Kiwanis Road, Blacks Beach Road, Miyoko Point Road, and Herron Creek Road. 

Economic Growth 

For years, the economy of Ferry County has been static. Negative employment growth and a slow population growth reflect this state of the economy. The county suffers minimal private land for expansion and limited transportation.   

A gold mine close to Republic was the county’s main employer; however, it closed in 2018. The closure led to a loss of jobs and a myriad of indirect effects on local businesses and institutions. Currently, the county’s economy is sustained by residents working in other counties, especially in local mines but continue to reside in Ferry County.  

Presently, the unemployment rate stands at 9.8%, much higher than the national average of 6.0%.   

The job market has also decreased by -2.2% in the past year, and it is predicted to be 11.3% in the next ten years. This percentage is still low compared to the country’s average of 33.5%. 

Ferry County Offices 

Ferry County has several county offices. The county offices include the offices of the County judge, Commissioners’s Court, County Clerk, County Treasurer, and Sheriff. The Ferry County judge is Judge Thomas Brown. You may reach him at (509) 775-5225 ext. 2504 or FAX: (509) 775-5221.   

Ferry County clerk is Jean Booher. Her office handles all Ferry County public records in the county, including Military Discharges, Payroll, Marriage Licenses, Voter Registrar, Judgments, Liens, Mortgages, Property Records, Probate Deeds, Birth, and Death Records.  You may reach her by phone at (509) 775-5225 ext. 2505. Her office is open from seven-thirty am to six pm from Monday to Thursday, and it’s available at noon and on Fridays.  

The treasurer of Ferry County is called Shannon Jensen. You can reach her by office phone (509) 775-5225 ext. 2503. The office hours are Monday through Thursday from seven-thirty to six pm.  

The Ferry County Sheriff is Ray Maycumber. You can reach his department via phone on (509) 775-3132, (509), 775-3133, (509) 775-3136, or Fax (509) 775-1076.  

You may find Ferry county offices’ plus other offices’ details on Ferry County’s website.  

Ferry County Offices by Type