Sedro-Woolley, Washington
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Sedro-Woolley is a city located in Skagit County, Washington. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 8,658.
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History
Officially incorporated on December 19, 1898, Sedro-Woolley was formed from two neighboring rival towns known as Sedro and Woolley.
The area formerly known as Sedro was first settled in 1884 by Mortimer Cook. He bought and cleared 34 acres along the Skagit River, near what is now Riverfront Park. He ran a general store there, opened a shingle mill and was the town's first postmaster.
Cook originally intended to name his town "Bug" due to the notable presence of mosquitos, however his wife protested, so he opted for "Cedra", the Spanish word for cedar, which then proceeded to become the town's official name. However, in an amusing fluke in local history, the correct spelling and pronunciation of this word was lost in the process and somehow became "Sedro".
The area that became known as Woolley (just north of Sedro) was first settled in 1890 by Philip A. Woolley. The town of Woolley included a coal processing plant employing approximately 2000 people.
On May 15, 1922, a large circus elephant known as Tusko escaped from the Al G. Barnes Circus, which at was at that time making one of its stops in Sedro-Woolley. The elephant stomped his way through the little logging town and right into local history, demolishing fences, trees, telephone poles, and a Model T along the way.
Geography
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Location of Sedro-Woolley, Washington
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.8 km² (3.4 mi²). 8.8 km² (3.4 mi²) of it is land and 0.29% is water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 8,658 people, 3,205 households, and 2,176 families residing in the city. The population density is 983.2/km² (2,547.7/mi²). There are 3,334 housing units at an average density of 378.6/km² (981.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 91.97% White, 0.25% African American, 1.59% Native American, 0.81% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 3.25% from other races, and 2.00% from two or more races. 7.23% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 3,205 households out of which 37.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.8% are married couples living together, 13.5% have a female householder with no husband present, and 32.1% are non-families. 25.9% of all households are made up of individuals and 12.6% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.62 and the average family size is 3.14.
In the city the population is spread out with 28.8% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 18.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 33 years. For every 100 females there are 90.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 84.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $37,914, and the median income for a family is $40,918. Males have a median income of $35,215 versus $23,636 for females. The per capita income for the city is $16,517. 11.3% of the population and 10.7% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 12.9% of those under the age of 18 and 16.1% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.