Grant County, Washington

Grant County, Washington
County	Grant County
State	Washington
Founded year	1909
Founded date	February 24
Seat	Ephrata
Largest city	Moses Lake
Area total sq mi	2,791
Area land sq mi	2,680
Area water sq mi	111
Area percentage	4.0%
Census estimate yr	2023
Pop	102,600
Density sq mi	38
Time zone	Pacific
Web	www.grantcountywa.gov
District	4th

Grant County, Washington is a county located in the central part of the state, notable for its vast agricultural output and major public works projects. It was created in 1909 from the southern part of Douglas County and named for President Ulysses S. Grant. The county seat is Ephrata, while its most populous city is Moses Lake, a hub for industry and transportation.

History

The area has been inhabited for millennia by indigenous peoples, including the Moses-Columbia and the Wanapum. The Lewis and Clark Expedition passed through the region in 1805. Settlement accelerated following the passage of the Homestead Acts and the arrival of the Great Northern Railway. The county's modern development was fundamentally shaped by the federal Columbia Basin Project, authorized by the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1945, which transformed the arid landscape into fertile farmland using irrigation from the Grand Coulee Dam. Key historical events include the establishment of the Larson Air Force Base and the subsequent growth of the Port of Moses Lake.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,791 square miles, of which 2,680 square miles is land and 111 square miles is water. It is characterized by the semi-arid landscape of the Columbia Plateau, featuring the expansive Moses Lake and the dramatic geological formations of the Grand Coulee and the Frenchman Hills. Major waterways include the Columbia River, which forms part of its western border, and the Crab Creek. The county contains parts of the Saddle Mountains and the Hanford Reach National Monument, the last free-flowing stretch of the Columbia.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 99,123, with a 2023 estimate of 102,600. The racial makeup is diverse, with a significant Hispanic or Latino population. The largest city, Moses Lake, is home to nearly half the county's residents. Other incorporated communities include Ephrata, Quincy, Soap Lake, and Warden. Population growth has been driven by the agricultural and industrial sectors, with notable communities of migrant workers contributing to the cultural landscape.

Economy

The economy is heavily based on agriculture, with the county consistently ranking among the nation's top producers of potatoes, apples, alfalfa, and onions. Major agricultural operations are supported by irrigation from the Columbia Basin Project. Significant industrial and technological sectors have developed, anchored by the Grant County International Airport (formerly Larson Air Force Base), which hosts companies like Boeing for flight testing and serves as a global logistics hub for Amazon Air. The REC Silicon plant in Moses Lake is a key producer of polysilicon for the solar industry. Energy production from hydroelectricity and wind farms on the Wild Horse Wind and Solar Project is also economically important.

Government and politics

Grant County operates under a commission–manager government with a three-member Board of County Commissioners. The county is part of Washington's 4th congressional district, represented in the U.S. House by Dan Newhouse. It is a reliably Republican stronghold in presidential and most statewide elections. Key county offices include the Sheriff's Office and the Grant County Public Utility District, which manages electricity distribution and fiber-optic infrastructure. The county is also within the jurisdiction of the Washington State Department of Ecology for water resource matters.

Education

Primary and secondary education is provided by several school districts, including the Moses Lake School District, Ephrata School District, and Quincy School District. Higher education is served by Big Bend Community College in Moses Lake, which offers vocational and transfer programs. The county is also part of the service area for Central Washington University in Ellensburg and Washington State University in Pullman. Specialized training is available through the Grant County Skills Center and programs linked to the aerospace and agriculture industries.

Category:Grant County, Washington Category:Washington (state) counties Category:1909 establishments in Washington (state)