Quincy, Washington

File:Quincymuseum.jpg

Quincy lies atop a part of the Columbia River Basalt Group which is overlain by Pleistocene outburst flood deposits. The Missoula Floods had one of their outlets at Trinidad, close to Quincy and another near Ancient Lakes, which includes the Ancient Lakes of the Columbia Valley AVA. Glacial erratics carried from as far away as Montana can be found nearby. The area also has an abundance of rimrock.

Quincy was founded as a railroad camp during construction of the Great Northern Railway in 1892, and was incorporated on March 27, 1907. It was named after Quincy, Illinois.{{cite web|url=http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=24964|title=Profile for Quincy, Washington|publisher=ePodunk|access-date=May 28, 2010}}

{{See also|Columbia Basin Reclamation Project#History}}

The arrival of the water from the Grand Coulee Dam in 1952 changed the town.{{Citation needed|date=October 2020}}

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|5.04|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which, {{convert|4.96|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.08|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.{{cite web |title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=December 19, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112090031/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=January 12, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}

Quincy has a cold desert climate (BSk) according to the Köppen climate classification system.

{{Weather box

|location = Quincy, Washington, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1941–present

|single line = Yes

|Jan record high F = 63

|Feb record high F = 73

|Mar record high F = 79

|Apr record high F = 92

|May record high F = 99

|Jun record high F = 106

|Jul record high F = 109

|Aug record high F = 107

|Sep record high F = 100

|Oct record high F = 89

|Nov record high F = 75

|Dec record high F = 70

|Jan avg record high F = 50.1

|Feb avg record high F = 54.8

|Mar avg record high F = 67.2

|Apr avg record high F = 76.1

|May avg record high F = 87.0

|Jun avg record high F = 91.4

|Jul avg record high F = 97.6

|Aug avg record high F = 96.6

|Sep avg record high F = 89.4

|Oct avg record high F = 76.9

|Nov avg record high F = 61.4

|Dec avg record high F = 50.3

|year avg record high F = 98.9

|Jan high F = 35.8

|Feb high F = 43.2

|Mar high F = 55.0

|Apr high F = 63.6

|May high F = 72.1

|Jun high F = 78.7

|Jul high F = 86.7

|Aug high F = 85.8

|Sep high F = 77.3

|Oct high F = 62.7

|Nov high F = 46.0

|Dec high F = 33.8

|year high F =

|Jan mean F = 29.4

|Feb mean F = 34.8

|Mar mean F = 43.7

|Apr mean F = 51.0

|May mean F = 59.3

|Jun mean F = 65.8

|Jul mean F = 72.4

|Aug mean F = 71.4

|Sep mean F = 63.1

|Oct mean F = 50.5

|Nov mean F = 37.8

|Dec mean F = 27.6

|year mean F =

|Jan low F = 23.0

|Feb low F = 26.4

|Mar low F = 32.4

|Apr low F = 38.4

|May low F = 46.4

|Jun low F = 52.9

|Jul low F = 58.2

|Aug low F = 57.0

|Sep low F = 48.8

|Oct low F = 38.3

|Nov low F = 29.6

|Dec low F = 21.4

|year low F =

|Jan avg record low F = 8.4

|Feb avg record low F = 13.8

|Mar avg record low F = 21.1

|Apr avg record low F = 27.9

|May avg record low F = 34.5

|Jun avg record low F = 43.6

|Jul avg record low F = 48.4

|Aug avg record low F = 47.3

|Sep avg record low F = 38.2

|Oct avg record low F = 25.1

|Nov avg record low F = 14.4

|Dec avg record low F = 8.5

|year avg record low F = 2.3

|Jan record low F = -29

|Feb record low F = -25

|Mar record low F = 0

|Apr record low F = 17

|May record low F = 23

|Jun record low F = 33

|Jul record low F = 36

|Aug record low F = 37

|Sep record low F = 26

|Oct record low F = 9

|Nov record low F = -15

|Dec record low F = -19

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation inch = 1.00

|Feb precipitation inch = 0.65

|Mar precipitation inch = 0.64

|Apr precipitation inch = 0.53

|May precipitation inch = 0.72

|Jun precipitation inch = 0.48

|Jul precipitation inch = 0.23

|Aug precipitation inch = 0.21

|Sep precipitation inch = 0.37

|Oct precipitation inch = 0.53

|Nov precipitation inch = 1.13

|Dec precipitation inch = 1.37

|year precipitation inch =

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in

|Jan precipitation days = 6.8

|Feb precipitation days = 5.0

|Mar precipitation days = 4.5

|Apr precipitation days = 4.2

|May precipitation days = 4.1

|Jun precipitation days = 3.7

|Jul precipitation days = 1.2

|Aug precipitation days = 1.4

|Sep precipitation days = 2.2

|Oct precipitation days = 4.1

|Nov precipitation days = 7.7

|Dec precipitation days = 8.0

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|source 1 = NOAA

{{cite web

|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly&stations=USC00456880&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL

|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Quincy 1 S, WA

|access-date = March 31, 2025

}}

|source 2 = National Weather Service

{{cite web

|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=otx

|publisher = National Weather Service

|title = NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Spokane

|access-date = March 31, 2025

}}

}}

{{US Census population

|1910= 264

|1920= 285

|1930= 266

|1940= 318

|1950= 804

|1960= 3269

|1970= 3237

|1980= 3525

|1990= 3738

|2000= 5044

|2010= 6750

|2020= 7543

|estyear=2021

|estimate=8053

|estref={{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |date=June 22, 2022|title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2021|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=June 22, 2022}}

|align-fn=center

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|author=United States Census Bureau|author-link=United States Census Bureau|access-date=October 2, 2013|df=mdy-all}}
2020 Census

}}

File:Quincy Lake 1971.JPG.]]

As of the 2010 census,{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=December 19, 2012}} there were 6,750 people, 1,915 households, and 1,541 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1360.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 2,020 housing units at an average density of {{convert|407.3|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 54.9% White, 0.4% African American, 0.9% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 40.6% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 74.3% of the population.

There were 1,915 households, of which 55.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.2% were married couples living together, 16.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 9.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 19.5% were non-families. 15.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.51 and the average family size was 3.87.

The median age in the city was 26.2 years. 36.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 11.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.9% were from 25 to 44; 16.6% were from 45 to 64; and 8.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.7% male and 49.3% female.

As of the 2000 census, there were 5,044 people, 1,470 households, and 1,176 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,252.8 people per square mile (869.4/km²). There were 1,552 housing units at an average density of 693.2 per square mile (267.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 75.1% White, 12.3% African American, 0.9% Native American, 3.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 5.5% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.5% of the population.

There were 1,470 households, out of which 50.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.0% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.0% were non-families. 17.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.38 and the average family size was 3.79.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 36.0% under the age of 18, 10.6% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 16.1% from 45 to 64, and 9.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27 years. For every 100 females, there were 106.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $32,181, and the median income for a family was $31,847. Males had a median income of $27,813 versus $18,750 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,649. About 18.4% of families and 20.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.5% of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those age 65 or over.

Quincy has long had an agricultural economy, which was enhanced by irrigation made possible with the Grand Coulee Dam. Major crops include potatoes, wheat, and timothy grass. Orchards and vineyards are also displacing lower-value crops in the Quincy Valley.

An investigation into the dumping of toxic waste onto farmland and its relabeling as fertilizer in Quincy was the subject of the 2001 book Fateful Harvest.

Technology companies such as Microsoft, Yahoo!, Dell and Intuit have located large data centers within the Quincy area since 2007.{{cite news |last=Stewart |first=Ashley |date=November 11, 2015 |title=This tiny town in Central Washington is home to some of the biggest tech companies. Here's why |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/techflash/2015/11/this-tiny-town-in-central-washington-is-home-to.html |newspaper=Puget Sound Business Journal |access-date=November 11, 2015}} Microsoft's Columbia Data Center, built starting in 2006 and expanded several times, is said to be the world's largest data center.{{citation|title=Microsoft expanding data center at the Port of Quincy|publisher=Port of Quincy|date=August 25, 2015|url=http://www.portofquincy.org/2015/08/25/microsoft-expanding-data-center-at-the-port-of-quincy/}} The centers, attracted to the area because of its abundant and cheap hydroelectricity, have been criticized for dodging fines from the Grant County Public Utility District for overusing electricity and for creating air pollution through their diesel backup generators.{{cite news |last=Glanz |first=James |date=September 23, 2012 |title=Data Barns in a Farm Town, Gobbling Power and Flexing Muscle |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/24/technology/data-centers-in-rural-washington-state-gobble-power.html |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=November 11, 2015}}

The data centers are incentivized by tax credits offered by the state of Washington to stimulate economic development in the city. Two additional electrical substations are being built to handle expected demand from current and future companies.{{cite news |last=Stewart |first=Ashley |date=June 15, 2016 |title=Microsoft's LinkedIn acquisition could have big benefits for a tiny Washington town |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/techflash/2016/06/microsofts-linkedin-acquisition-could-have-big.html |newspaper=Puget Sound Business Journal |access-date=June 16, 2016}}

Although George is the closest town to the Gorge Amphitheatre, Quincy is the closest town that offers services such as motels and a full grocery store. Quincy sees an uptick in population during concerts.

The semi-arid climate allows Quincy to go for weeks or months without rain during the summer. This makes nearby water recreation such as Crescent Bar a major draw. Quincy is the closest town with services to Crescent Bar. The Quincy area offers boating, water skiing, hunting, fishing, and snow skiing during parts of the year.

Every 2nd Saturday in September, Quincy celebrates Farmer-Consumer Awareness Day. For a month beforehand, the roads leading to town are decorated with signs showing local crops and products made with them. On the day of the celebration, floats created by local schools and farm equipment parade through town. Free agricultural and geology tours are offered, as well as a produce sale, tractor pull, Farm-to-Market fun run, and many other activities.

Quincy has several parks including an aqua park with a waterslide with 2 water fed half tubes, heated pools, and special areas for kids. The park is also home to a large field with a baseball diamond, playground, picnic area, and small skate-park.

• Colleen Atwood, costume designer
• Alex Ybarra, State Representative

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite news |last=Burrows |first=Peter |url=http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/06_24/b3988087.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060613133339/http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/06_24/b3988087.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 13, 2006 |title=Servers As High As An Elephant's Eye |work=Bloomberg Businessweek |date=June 12, 2006 |access-date=January 4, 2013}}
• {{cite news |last=Harden |first=Blaine |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/08/AR2006070800973.html |title=Tech Firms Go Mining for Megawatts |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=July 9, 2006 |access-date=January 4, 2013}}

• {{Official website|http://quincywashington.us/}}

{{Grant County, Washington}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Cities in Grant County, Washington

Category:Cities in Washington (state)