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1870 Census: Population tops 1,100 in Seattle and 2,100 in King County in 1870.

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In 1870, the U.S. Federal Census counts a population of 2,120 in King County. Of the 22 counties in the territory, King County ranks fourth. The official population of the one-year-old incorporated town of Seattle totals 1,107, including a white population of 1,094 and an African American (called "colored") population of 13. The Seattle count does not include 32 Chinese, 11 Indians, and 1 Kanaka (Hawaiian) included in the King County totals. These additions give the recently incorporated town a total population of 1,151. In 1870, Seattle is the third largest town in Washington Territory.

Following is a summary of 1870 population of the largest counties and towns in Washington Territory.

• Walla Walla 5,300
• Clarke 3,081
• Thurston 2,246
• King 2,120
• Pierce 1,409
• Jefferson 1,268
• Lewis 888
• Kitsap 866
• Pacific 738
• Stevens 734

The largest towns in Washington Territory in 1870 were:

• Walla Walla 1,394
• Olympia 1,203
• Seattle 1,151
• Port Townsend 593
• Port Gamble 326
• Steilacoom 314

Sources:
Population Abstract of the United States ed. by John L. Andriot (McLean, Virginia: Andriot Associates, 1983), 841, 844; U. S. Census, Department of Interior, The Statistics of the Population of the United States ... compiled from the original returns of the Ninth Census, (June 1, 1870)... (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1872), 71, 283; King County Censuses: 1870 U.S. Census and 1871 Territorial Census for King County, Washington Territory ed. by Marjorie Rhodes, (Seattle: Marjorie Rhodes, 1993), 7-46.

By Greg Lange, January 01, 1999

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