Pomeroy, Washington

{{short description|City in Washington, United States}} {{Use American English|date=June 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}} {{Infobox settlement |official_name = Pomeroy, Washington |settlement_type = City |nickname = |motto =  |image_skyline = {{multiple image|border=infobox |total_width=300 |caption_align=center |perrow=1/2 |image1=Pomeroy, Washington (32566226388).jpg |alt1=Downtown Pomeroy in 2018 |caption1=Downtown Pomeroy in 2018 |image2=City Hall - Pomeroy Washington.jpg |alt2=Pomeroy City Hall |caption2=Pomeroy City Hall |image3=Garfield County Courthouse, Pomeroy, Washington (51288476571).jpg |alt3=Garfield County Courthouse |caption3=Garfield County Courthouse}} |imagesize = |image_caption = |image_flag = |image_seal = |image_blank_emblem = |blank_emblem_type =  |image_map = {{maplink | frame = yes | plain = yes | frame-align = center | frame-width = 280 | frame-height = 280 | title = Pomeroy | switch = Pomeroy;Garfield County;Washington;the United States | frame-coord = SWITCH: {{coord|qid=Q1148057}}### {{coord|qid=Q695782}}### {{coord|qid=Q1223}}### {{coord|qid=Q30}} | id2 = SWITCH:Q1508096;Q695782;Q1223;Q30 | zoom = SWITCH:12;8;5;2 | type = SWITCH:shape;shape;point;point | marker = city | stroke-width = 3 | stroke-color = #B00000 | fill = #808080 | type2 = shape-inverse | stroke-width2 = 2 | stroke-color2 = #5f5f5f | stroke-opacity2 = SWITCH:0;1;1;1 | fill2 = #000000 | fill-opacity2 = SWITCH:0;0.5;0.5;0.5 }} | map_caption = Interactive location map of Pomeroy  |subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = United States |subdivision_type1 = State |subdivision_name1 = Washington |subdivision_type2 = County |subdivision_name2 = Garfield  |government_footnotes = |government_type = |leader_title = Mayor |leader_name = Jack Peasley |leader_title1 = |leader_name1 = |established_title = Founded |established_date = May 28, 1878 |established_title1 = Incorporated |established_date1 = February 3, 1886  |unit_pref = Imperial |area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2025">{{cite web|title=2025 U.S. Gazetteer Files |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2025_Gazetteer/2025_gaz_place_53.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=November 5, 2025}}</ref> |area_magnitude = |area_total_km2 = 4.601 |area_land_km2 = 4.601 |area_water_km2 = 0.000 |area_total_sq_mi = 1.776 |area_land_sq_mi = 1.776 |area_water_sq_mi = 0.000 |area_water_percent = 0.0  |population_as_of = 2020 |population_est = 1471 |pop_est_as_of = 2024 |pop_est_footnotes = <ref name="USCensusEst2024"/> |population_footnotes = <ref name="2020 Census (City)"/> |population_total = 1389 |population_density_km2 = auto |population_density_sq_mi = auto  |timezone = Pacific (PST) |utc_offset = −8 |timezone_DST = PDT |utc_offset_DST = −7 |elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/> |elevation_m = 570 |elevation_ft = 1870 |coordinates = {{Coord|46.473760|-117.596541|region:US-WA_type:city|display=inline,title}} |postal_code_type = ZIP Code |postal_code = 99347 |area_code = 509 |blank_name = FIPS code |blank_info = 53-55120 |blank1_name = GNIS feature ID |blank1_info = 2411453<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2411453}}</ref> |website = {{URL|https://www.cityofpomeroy1.com/|cityofpomeroy1.com}} |footnotes = }}

'''Pomeroy''' is the county seat of Garfield County, Washington, United States and the only incorporated city in the county.<ref name="NACo">{{cite web|title=Find a County |url=https://ce.naco.org/?find=true |publisher=National Association of Counties |access-date=November 5, 2025}}</ref> The population was 1,389 at the 2020 census,<ref name="2020 Census (City)">{{cite web|title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Pomeroy_city,_Washington?g=160XX00US5355120 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=November 5, 2025}}</ref> and was estimated at 1,471 in 2024.<ref name="USCensusEst2024"/>

==History== The Nez Perce trail existed in the area before history was recorded, and the first written record of caucasians passing through the area were Lewis and Clark in 1805. Captain Benjamin Bonneville also passed through the future site of the town while he was surveying for the US government in 1834. In 1860, an Irish settler named Parson Quinn settled just east of present-day Pomeroy, and lived there for the next 40 years. Rancher Joseph M. Pomeroy purchased the land in 1864,<ref name="historylink.org">{{Cite web|title=Garfield County -- Thumbnail History |url=http://historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=7728 |quote="On May 13, 1884, the United States House of Representatives passed a bill that cured the defects in the county-seat bill. The United States Senate approved the measure, making Pomeroy the legal county seat in Garfield County once and for all. Garfield County is the only county in Washington state to have had its county seat declared by an act of the United States Congress. "}}</ref> and platted the town's site in May 1878.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pomeroy |work=Washington Place Names database |publisher=Tacoma Public Library |url=http://search.tpl.lib.wa.us/wanames/ |access-date=March 6, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090309023858/http://search.tpl.lib.wa.us/wanames/ |archive-date=March 9, 2009}}</ref><ref name=pomcent>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SHxfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3i8MAAAAIBAJ&pg=5349%2C970291 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |last=Tussing |first=Annette |title=A big birthday for Pomeroy: town will be 100 Tuesday |date=December 6, 1964 |page=1, section 2}}</ref>

Pomeroy was officially incorporated on February 3, 1886. The town has been the seat of Garfield County since 1882, despite fierce competition in the 1880s with neighboring towns Pataha and Asotin. The county was split in October 1883, and the city of Asotin was named the county seat of the new Asotin County, Washington, leaving the debate about Pomeroy's status as county seat for Garfield County to continue.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Milestones for Washington State History — Part 2: 1851 to 1900 |url=https://www.historylink.org/File/5380}}</ref> The debate continued through both houses of the Washington Territorial Legislature in for the remainder of 1883 to Governor William A. Newell of the Washington Territory, and eventually reached the United States Congress in 1884.<ref name="historylink.org"/>

Despite a city ordinance which mandated fire-proof materials for downtown buildings after fires in 1890 and 1898, on July 18, 1900 a blaze destroyed half of the small town's business district. The recovery took two years as the destroyed buildings were rebuilt using brick which led to a building boom for the small community.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=7694|title = Fire destroys nearly half the business district of downtown Pomeroy on July 18, 1900}}</ref> In 1912, the city voted to outlaw the manufacture or sale of alcohol. The prohibition quickly led to rampant bootlegging and corruption which lasted until the 21st Amendment passed in 1933.<ref>E. V. Kuykendall, The History of Garfield County (Fairfield, Washington: Ye Galleon Press, 1984), 86–88.</ref>

thumb|The Catholic Church in Pomeroy, Washington, United States.

On August 21, 2003, following efforts by the Pomeroy Historic Committee, a 10-block section of the Downtown Pomeroy Historic District was placed on the National Historic Register.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.historicpomeroy.com/nomination/certificate.htm|title=Pomeroy Downtown National Historic District|publisher=Historic Pomeroy|access-date=December 21, 2024}}</ref>

==Geography== According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|1.776|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, all land.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2025"/>

U.S. Route 12 in Washington serves as the primary highway through town, connecting Pomeroy with the Lewiston–Clarkston metropolitan area (to the east) and the Tri-Cities metro area/Walla Walla area (to the west). The city is 1,857 ft above sea level in the very hilly region between the Blue Mountains (to the south) and the Palouse region (to the north). The primary highway through town passes over Alpowa Summit (2,785 ft) only a few miles east of town.

==Climate== Pomeroy, as is typical for this region, has a borderline Mediterranean/continental Mediterranean climate (Köppen ''Csb''/''Dsb'') with dry summers featuring warm to hot afternoons and cool to warm mornings, and chilly, cool, or cold and snowy, if not severe, and wetter winters. {{Weather box |width = auto |single line = yes |collapsed = Y |location = Pomeroy, Washington (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1891–2020) |Jan record high F = 67 |Feb record high F = 71 |Mar record high F = 80 |Apr record high F = 98 |May record high F = 101 |Jun record high F = 102 |Jul record high F = 112 |Aug record high F = 109 |Sep record high F = 102 |Oct record high F = 93 |Nov record high F = 78 |Dec record high F = 72 |year record high F = |Jan avg record high F = 58.2 |Feb avg record high F = 59.3 |Mar avg record high F = 67.6 |Apr avg record high F = 75.8 |May avg record high F = 83.2 |Jun avg record high F = 91.4 |Jul avg record high F = 98.4 |Aug avg record high F = 99.1 |Sep avg record high F = 91.3 |Oct avg record high F = 79.9 |Nov avg record high F = 64.7 |Dec avg record high F = 57.7 |year avg record high F = 100.2 |Jan high F = 40.4 |Feb high F = 44.5 |Mar high F = 52.0 |Apr high F = 58.6 |May high F = 67.3 |Jun high F = 74.4 |Jul high F = 85.1 |Aug high F = 85.1 |Sep high F = 75.4 |Oct high F = 60.9 |Nov high F = 47.7 |Dec high F = 39.5 |year high F = 60.9 |Jan mean F = 33.8 |Feb mean F = 36.4 |Mar mean F = 42.3 |Apr mean F = 47.9 |May mean F = 55.6 |Jun mean F = 61.5 |Jul mean F = 69.0 |Aug mean F = 69.0 |Sep mean F = 60.3 |Oct mean F = 48.9 |Nov mean F = 39.6 |Dec mean F = 32.9 |year mean F = 49.8 |Jan low F = 27.1 |Feb low F = 28.3 |Mar low F = 32.6 |Apr low F = 37.3 |May low F = 43.9 |Jun low F = 48.5 |Jul low F = 52.9 |Aug low F = 52.8 |Sep low F = 45.2 |Oct low F = 37.0 |Nov low F = 31.5 |Dec low F = 26.3 |year low F = 38.6 |Jan avg record low F = 9.2 |Feb avg record low F = 13.7 |Mar avg record low F = 19.4 |Apr avg record low F = 25.6 |May avg record low F = 29.9 |Jun avg record low F = 37.6 |Jul avg record low F = 42.5 |Aug avg record low F = 40.9 |Sep avg record low F = 32.6 |Oct avg record low F = 21.5 |Nov avg record low F = 15.3 |Dec avg record low F = 18.0 |year avg record low F = 0.9 |Jan record low F = -22 |Feb record low F = -17 |Mar record low F = 6 |Apr record low F = 11 |May record low F = 20 |Jun record low F = 30 |Jul record low F = 35 |Aug record low F = 33 |Sep record low F = 24 |Oct record low F = 5 |Nov record low F = -13 |Dec record low F = -27 |year record low F = |precipitation colour = green |Jan precipitation inch = 2.04 |Feb precipitation inch = 1.62 |Mar precipitation inch = 2.08 |Apr precipitation inch = 1.67 |May precipitation inch = 1.60 |Jun precipitation inch = 1.15 |Jul precipitation inch = 0.46 |Aug precipitation inch = 0.53 |Sep precipitation inch = 0.58 |Oct precipitation inch = 1.31 |Nov precipitation inch = 2.32 |Dec precipitation inch = 2.27 |year precipitation inch = |unit precipitation days = 0.01 in |Jan precipitation days = 12.2 |Feb precipitation days = 10.4 |Mar precipitation days = 11.5 |Apr precipitation days = 9.7 |May precipitation days = 9.2 |Jun precipitation days = 6.7 |Jul precipitation days = 3.0 |Aug precipitation days = 3.2 |Sep precipitation days = 3.7 |Oct precipitation days = 7.3 |Nov precipitation days = 12.6 |Dec precipitation days = 12.0 |Jan snow inch = 2.2 |Feb snow inch = 1.2 |Mar snow inch = 0.8 |Apr snow inch = 0.1 |May snow inch = 0.0 |Jun snow inch = 0.0 |Jul snow inch = 0.0 |Aug snow inch = 0.0 |Sep snow inch = 0.0 |Oct snow inch = 0.0 |Nov snow inch = 0.5 |Dec snow inch = 3.6 |year snow inch = |unit snow days = 0.1 in |Jan snow days = 1.2 |Feb snow days = 0.7 |Mar snow days = 0.5 |Apr snow days = 0.0 |May snow days = 0.0 |Jun snow days = 0.0 |Jul snow days = 0.0 |Aug snow days = 0.0 |Sep snow days = 0.0 |Oct snow days = 0.0 |Nov snow days = 0.7 |Dec snow days = 1.6 |source 1 = NOAA<ref name=NOAA>{{cite web|title=U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Pomeroy, WA |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00456610&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date=October 8, 2023}}</ref> |source 2 = National Weather Service<ref name=NOWData>{{cite web|title=NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Spokane |url=https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=otx |publisher=National Weather Service |access-date=October 8, 2023}}</ref> }}

==Demographics== {{US Census population |1890= 661 |1900= 953 |1910= 1605 |1920= 1804 |1930= 1600 |1940= 1723 |1950= 1775 |1960= 1677 |1970= 1823 |1980= 1716 |1990= 1393 |2000= 1517 |2010= 1425 |2020= 1389 |estyear=2024 |estimate=1471 |estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2024">{{cite web|title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2024 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=November 5, 2025}}</ref> |align-fn=center |footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|title=Decennial Census of Population and Housing |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |publisher=United States Census Bureau |website=www.census.gov |access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref> 2020 Census<ref name="2020 Census (City)"/> | align = right }}

===2020 census===

As of the 2020 census, Pomeroy had a population of 1,389. The median age was 51.1 years. 19.9% of residents were under the age of 18 and 29.5% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 98.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 97.5 males age 18 and over.<ref name="Census2020DP">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dp?get=NAME%2CDP1_0021P%2CDP1_0024P%2CDP1_0025C%2CDP1_0049C%2CDP1_0045C%2CDP1_0069C%2CDP1_0073C%2CDP1_0125P%2CDP1_0126P%2CDP1_0129P%2CDP1_0133P%2CDP1_0137P%2CDP1_0138P%2CDP1_0139P%2CDP1_0141P%2CDP1_0142P%2CDP1_0143P%2CDP1_0145P%2CDP1_0146P%2CDP1_0147C%2CDP1_0148C%2CDP1_0149C%2CDP1_0156C%2CDP1_0157C%2CDP1_0158C%2CDP1_0159P%2CDP1_0160P&for=place%3A55120&in=state%3A53|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=February 22, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref><ref name="Census2020PL"/>

0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.<ref name="Census2020DHC">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dhc?get=NAME%2CP2_002N%2CP2_003N&for=place%3A55120&in=state%3A53|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2023|access-date=February 22, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>

There were 601 households in Pomeroy, of which 25.3% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 49.1% were married-couple households, 18.6% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 24.5% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 30.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

There were 713 housing units, of which 15.7% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.3% and the rental vacancy rate was 16.9%.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

{| class="wikitable" |+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census<ref name="Census2020PL">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME%2CP1_001N%2CP1_003N%2CP1_004N%2CP1_005N%2CP1_006N%2CP1_007N%2CP1_008N%2CP1_009N%2CP2_001N%2CP2_002N%2CH1_001N%2CH1_002N&for=place%3A55120&in=state%3A53|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=February 22, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref> ! Race !! Number !! Percent |- | White || 1,262 || 90.9% |- | Black or African American || 7 || 0.5% |- | American Indian and Alaska Native || 14 || 1.0% |- | Asian || 5 || 0.4% |- | Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 0 || 0.0% |- | Some other race || 16 || 1.2% |- | Two or more races || 85 || 6.1% |- | ''Hispanic or Latino (of any race)'' || 83 || 6.0% |}

===2010 census=== As of the 2010 census, there were 1,425 people, 642 households, and 401 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|800.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 723 housing units at an average density of {{convert|406.2|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 94.9% White, 0.3% Native American, 1.3% Asian, 1.3% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.2% of the population.

There were 642 households, of which 25.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.8% were married couples living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.5% were non-families. 34.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.16 and the average family size was 2.74.

The median age in the city was 50 years. 19.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 18.6% were from 25 to 44; 32.5% were from 45 to 64; and 24.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.5% male and 52.5% female.

===2000 census=== As of the 2000 census, there were 1,517 people, 645 households, and 408 families residing in the city. The population density was 852.2 people per square mile (329.1/km2). There were 740 housing units at an average density of 415.7 per square mile (160.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.37% White, 0.53% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 1.52% from other races, and 1.12% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.24% of the population.

There were 645 households, out of which 25.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.0% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.7% were non-families. 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the city, the age distribution of the population shows 25.5% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 20.1% from 25 to 44, 23.5% from 45 to 64, and 25.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,958, and the median income for a family was $38,750. Males had a median income of $32,500 versus $21,118 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,782. About 11.7% of families and 15.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.9% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over.

==Arts and culture== Annual events hosted by the Pomeroy Chamber of Commerce include the Pioneer Day and Tumbleweed Festival held the second weekend in June, the Garfield County Fair in September, and the Starlight Parade and Festival of Trees which begins after Thanksgiving.<ref>{{cite web|last=Pomeroy Chamber of Commerce|title=Events|url=https://www.pomeroychamberofcommerce.com/events|publisher=Pomeroy Chamber of Commerce|access-date=December 21, 2024}}</ref>

thumb|right|Pomeroy Junior/Senior High School, 2016 ==Education== Students in Pomeroy are part of Pomeroy School District 110 and complete their secondary public school education at Pomeroy Junior/Senior High School.<ref>[http://www.psd.wednet.edu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=135&Itemid=136 "Pomeroy Jr/Sr High,"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407103219/http://www.psd.wednet.edu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=135&Itemid=136 |date=April 7, 2014 }} Pomeroy School District, www.psd.wednet.edu/</ref>

==Notable people== * Samuel G. Cosgrove (1847–1909), 6th governor of Washington<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nga.org/cms/home/governors/past-governors-bios/page_washington/col2-content/main-content-list/title_cosgrove_samuel.html|title= Washington Governor Samuel G. Cosgrove|publisher= National Governors Association |access-date= October 10, 2012}}</ref> * Mary Dye - Politician. Member of Washington House of Representatives.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/156728/mary-dye |title=Mary Dye's Biography |publisher=Vote Smart |accessdate=September 27, 2021}}</ref> * Elgin V. Kuykendall (1870–1958), attorney, judge, and member of the Washington State Senate<ref>W.D. Lyman, [https://archive.org/details/lymanshistoryofo02lyma ''Lyman's History of Old Walla Walla County, Embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin Counties.''] Chicago: S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1918; vol. 2, pp. 132–136.</ref> * Michael P. Malone (1940–1999), historian and president of Montana State University

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * [https://web.archive.org/web/20050217135437/http://hometown.aol.com/Gibson0817/pomeroy.htm AOL Hometown - Pomeroy history] * [http://www.pomeroy.lib.wa.us/ Denny Ashby Library] * [http://www.washingtonruralheritage.org/cdm/landingpage/collection/pomeroy Garfield County Heritage.] Digitized resources from the Denny Ashby Library, Eastern Washington Agricultural Museum, and Garfield County Museum * [http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=9578 History of Pomeroy] at HistoryLink * [http://www.historicpomeroy.com/ Pomeroy Historic Preservation Committee]

Category:Cities in Garfield County, Washington Category:Cities in Washington (state) Category:County seats in Washington (state) Category:1886 establishments in Washington Territory Category:Populated places in the United States established in 1886