College Place, Washington

College Place, Washington
City
Location of College Place, Washington
Coordinates: 46°2′42″N 118°22′57″W
Country	United States
State	Washington
County	Walla Walla
Government
• Type	Mayor–council
• Mayor	Norma Hernandez
• City Administrator	Mike Rizzitiello
Area
• Total	3.00 sq mi (7.76 km2)
• Land	3.00 sq mi (7.76 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation	794 ft (242 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	9,902
• Density	3,108.78/sq mi (1,200.42/km2)
Time zone	UTC-8 (Pacific (PST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP code	99324
Area code	509
FIPS code	53-13855
GNIS feature ID	1512107
Website	cpwa.us

College Place is a city in Walla Walla County, Washington, United States. It neighbors the larger city of Walla Walla, and had a population of 9,902 at the 2020 census.

College Place is the home of Walla Walla University (formerly Walla Walla College, thus the city's name), a Seventh-day Adventist operated liberal arts university. Due to the primarily Adventist population, most downtown College Place businesses close on Friday evening, reopening in most cases on Saturday night, or Sunday morning. College Avenue is the main street running north to south from Heritage Road (formerly US Route 12) to the Milton-Freewater Highway (WA Route 125).

History

Martin Field, to the west of town, was an air training base during World War II. It is now a private airfield.

College Place was officially incorporated on January 19, 1946.

Geography

College Place is located at 46°2′42″N 118°22′57″W (46.045127, -118.382425).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.66 square miles (6.89 km²), all of it land.

Climate

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, College Place has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, abbreviated "Csa" on climate maps.

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1940	1,272		—
1950	3,174		149.5%
1960	4,031		27.0%
1970	4,510		11.9%
1980	5,771		28.0%
1990	6,308		9.3%
2000	7,818		23.9%
2010	8,765		12.1%
2020	9,902		13.0%
U.S. Decennial Census

2010 census

At the 2010 census there were 8,765 people in 3,523 households, including 2,096 families, in the city. The population density was 3,295.1 inhabitants per square mile (1,272.2/km²). There were 3,764 housing units at an average density of 1,415.0 per square mile (546.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 85.7% White, 1.6% African American, 0.7% Native American, 1.9% Asian, 0.3% Pacific Islander, 6.8% from other races, and 3.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 18.5%.

Of the 3,523 households 24.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.4% were married couples living together, 11.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.5% were non-families. 32.0% of households were one person and 13.2% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.85.

The median age was 32.8 years. 18.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 20.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.9% were from 25 to 44; 21% were from 45 to 64; and 18% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.1% male and 51.9% female.

2000 census

At the 2000 census, there were 7,818 people in 2,909 households, including 1,870 families, in the city. The population density was 3,232.2 people per square mile (1,247.3/km²). There were 3,134 housing units at an average density of 1,295.7 per square mile (500.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 86.83% White, 1.55% African American, 0.46% Native American, 1.75% Asian, 0.52% Pacific Islander, 6.28% from other races, and 2.61% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.74% of the population.

Of the 2,909 households 28.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.5% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.7% were non-families. 29.4% of households were one person and 11.9% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.93.

The age distribution was 21.1% under the age of 18, 21.4% from 18 to 24, 23.2% from 25 to 44, 16.6% from 45 to 64, and 17.7% 65 or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.8 males.

The median household income was $30,330 and the median family income was $40,833. Males had a median income of $34,167 versus $25,871 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,493. About 11.3% of families and 16.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.8% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Most of College Place is in the College Place School District; a small portion of the city's east side is served by Walla Walla Public Schools.

Notable people

• Dr. Charles E. Woodworth - ARS Researcher, Major
• Kenneth Rooks 2023 National Champion in the 3000 meters steeplechase