Wahkiakum Wahkiakum

Wahkiakum County

Updated on: December 24, 2021
State
Washington
County Seat:
Cathlamet
Year Organized:
1854
Total Square Miles:
287.181
Population:
4264 (2017)
Persons/Square Mile:
15

County structure

Government Type:
County
Authority:
Dillon's Rule
Legislative Body:
Board of Commissioners
Size of Legislative Body:
3

Demographics

2018 Population:
4264
25 to 64 Years of Age:
44.44%
65 Years of Age and Older:
32.17%

Economy, 2018

Gross Domestic Product (GDP):
$104.6 M
Labor Force:
1,317
Unemployment Rate:
6.50%

County Contact

PO BOX 586
County Courthouse
Cathlamet, WA, 98612-0586

http://www.co.wahkiakum.wa.us

Wakkiakum County (wuh-Ki-uh-kuhm), is the 2nd smallest county in Washington. The County started in 1854 and got its name from the Kathalamet Village, which sits in the northern sections of Columbia Rivier.  

The village’s name also comes from the Chief Wakaiyam’s village, whose grave is in Cathlamet. The term Wahkiakum refers to “tall timber,” which comes from the Chinook dialect. 

Furthermore, recent reports have also shown that the County has the second-lowest population level in Washington. The county seat for Wahkiakum County is Cathalemt, and it came from Cowlitz County. One of the main modes of transport would be the County Ferry, which moves through the Columbia River. 

The Board of County Commissioners has the role of creating policies. It contains three elected members who oversee the creation of laws in the country. The commissioners also work as the legislative body for the County and collaborate with various state entities. These include local, state, and federal agencies to safeguard the welfare of Wahkiakum County residents. 

Cities in Wahkiakum County 

The only City in this County is Cathlamet. There are no other incorporated cities in Wahkiakum County map. The City also serves as the county seat for the County, and below is its description: 

Cathlamet – County Seat 

The county seat for Wahkiakum County is Cathlamet, which gets comes from the Chinook dialect. The term originated from the Chinook term known as “calamet,” which refers to a stone. The tribe got the name because of their history of living alongside a rocky river bed. 

The most famous moment in the discovery was in 1805 when Lewis & Clark discovered local Indian tribes. James Birnie of Hudson Bay is also renowned for camping in the area and naming it Birnie’s Retreat. However, the name of the area reverted to Cathlamet in 1851.   

Cathlamet also ranks high up among the biggest villages in the Columbia River. The first people to arrive at the area were Lt. W.R. Broughton and his platoon on an exploration mission.  

Wahkiakum County Departments 

District Court 

The district court in Wahkiakum is responsible for handling traffic and criminal charges from the different law enforcement agencies in the area. These can include the County Prosecutor, Department of Natural Resources, State Patrol, and various others.  

The head of the District Court is a judge, and this position is eligible for elections after four years. Aside from overseeing court courses, the District Court is also responsible for handling marriage ceremonies. While the District Court Judge handles most criminal cases, the state sometimes hires a Pro-Tem to help with this process. 

Public Health & Human Services 

The Public Health and Human Services department has the mandate of providing services in various aspects, including social and public health. The department also works hard to safeguard the welfare of Wahkhiakum and its environment. Part of this department’s mandate has involved helping to manage the effects of the Covid 19 pandemic. 

Assessor 

The assessor serves the role of outlining the value of all personal and taxable property that exists in Wahkiakum county. Plus, he is also responsible for the equitable management of tax obligations for property owners in the state. The assessor also has to collaborate with various other financial departments as part of serving this role.  

Auditor 

The auditor has the role of reviewing and verifying financial records n the state. The auditor has to oversee the spending and expenses that each department or entity in the state maintains. Part of this role involves serving integrity, professionalism, and ethics.  

Building & Planning 

The building and planning department handles all construction-related projects that occur in the County. It includes providing building permits, GIS map content, general construction planning, and various other services. The department also focuses on setting standards that each building or property in the County has to respect. 

Superior Court Clerk’s Office 

The Superior Court Clerk’s office is also another major department in the state. The Clerk of the Court is the head of this department and has the mandate of safeguarding court records. The Clerk has to ensure the records are concise and free from malicious access. Moreover, the Clerk’s department also collects funds for court operations, trust accounts, and various other expenses. 

Treasurer 

The Treasurer’s office functions as the financial manager of junior taxing and special purpose districts in the County. The Treasurer also has to serve financial tasks on behalf of various entities the County owns. These include fire, school, and cemetery districts. The treasure also has to manage multiple financial details, including disburses, receipts, and various other financial records. 

Boards & Committees 

There are various boards and committees in Wahkiakum county including: 

  • The Local Emergency Planning Committee serves the role of planning to manage and address any emergency issues in the state.
  • The marine resources committee safeguard the welfare of marine ecosystems and environments.
  • The noxious weed control board works to control the spread of harmful weeds across the County.
  • The planning commission features nine members who plan and manage the activities of the state. 

Sheriffs Department 

The sheriff’s department in Wahkhiakum has the mandate of serving the Wahkiakum county lines with ethics. The Sheriffs responsibility also involves n protecting the county’s residents from any form of crime. The sheriff’s department also has to collaborate with the community to foster a safe and ethical place to live. 

The detail of the Wahkiakum sheriff include: 

Wahkikum Public Records  

The public records in Wakhiakum are available through an online platform, and users have first to submit a request for approval. Any person who wants to access the records also has to ensure they will use the content ethically.  

Failing to do so makes the individual eligible for persecution by the state. The Public records department also has up to 5 days to respond to the requests. The response should include any of the below: 

  1. Access to the record.
  2. Approval of the receipt and provisioning of a suitable time estate required for responses.
  3. A denial of the request, with an accompanying reason for the request denial.