Map of Whitman County, Washington

Whitman County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, the population was 47,973. The county seat is Colfax, and its largest city is Pullman.

The county was formed from Stevens County in 1871. It is named after Marcus Whitman, a Presbyterian missionary who, with his wife Narcissa, was killed in 1847 by members of the Cayuse tribe.

Whitman County comprises the Pullman, Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Whitman County overview:
Name:	Whitman County
FIPS code:	53-075
State:	Washington
Founded:	November 29, 1871
Named for:	Marcus Whitman
Seat:	Colfax
Largest city:	Pullman
Total Area:	2,178 sq mi (5,640 km²)
Land Area:	2,159 sq mi (5,590 km²)
Total Population:	47,973
Population Density:	22/sq mi (8/km²)

Whitman County location map. Where is Whitman County?

Whitman County location on the U.S. Map. Where is Whitman County. — Location of Whitman County in the the United States.

Whitman County location on the Washington map. Where is Whitman County. — Location of Whitman County in Washington.

History

The area delineated by the future Washington state boundary began to be colonized at the start of the nineteenth century, both by Americans and Canadians. However, the majority of Canadian exploration and interest in the land was due to the fur trade, whereas American settlers were principally seeking land for agriculture and cattle raising. The Treaty of 1818 provided for dual control of this area by US and Canadian government officials. During this period, the future Washington Territory was divided into two administrative zones: Clark County and Lewis County (made official in 1845).

The dual-control concept was unwieldy and led to continual argument, and occasional conflict. The status of the Washington area was settled in 1846, when the Oregon Treaty ceded the land south of North latitude 49 degrees to American control.

In 1854, Skamania County was split from the original Clark County. Also in 1854, Walla Walla County was split from the new Skamania County. In 1863, Stevens County was split from Walla Walla County, and in 1871, a portion of Stevens County was set off to form Whitman County. The 1871 shape of Whitman County was considerably larger than its present boundary, as Adams, Franklin, and Lincoln counties were sectioned off from Whitman County in 1883. After that, Whitman County retained its shape, including through the period after Washington became the 42nd state of the Union in 1889.

Whitman County Road Map

Whitman CountyStreet Map. — Street map of Whitman County, Washington. Source: OpenStreetMap (OSM)

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,178 square miles (5,640 km), of which 2,159 square miles (5,590 km) is land and 19 square miles (49 km) (0.9%) is water. Whitman County is part of the Palouse, a wide and rolling prairie-like region of the middle Columbia basin.

Rivers

Snake River
Palouse River
- Latah Creek
- Union Flat Creek
- Rock Creek
- Pine Creek

Lakes and reservoirs

Lake Herbert G. West, formed from Lower Monumental Dam
Lake Bryan, named for Dr. Enoch A. Bryan, behind the Little Goose Dam
Lower Granite Lake, behind the Lower Granite Dam
Rock Lake

Summits and peaks

Tekoa Mountain (elevation: 4009′)
Kamiak Butte (elevation: 3641′)
Steptoe Butte (elevation: 3612′)
Bald Butte (elevation: 3369)

Notable parks

Steptoe Butte State Park
Kamiak Butte County Park
Palouse Falls State Park
Central Ferry State Park
Boyer Park and Marina
Wawawai County Park

Adjacent counties

Spokane County – north
Benewah County, Idaho – northeast
Latah County, Idaho – east
Nez Perce County, Idaho – southeast
Asotin County – south/southeast
Garfield County – south
Columbia County – south
Franklin County – southwest
Adams County – west
Lincoln County – northwest

Major highways

U.S. Route 195
State Route 23
State Route 26
State Route 27
State Route 127
State Route 270
State Route 271
State Route 272

Airports

Pullman–Moscow Regional Airport: Airport with GA operations and a few airline flights with Alaska Airlines
Port of Whitman Business Air Center Airport: Small GA Airport in Colfax