Methow, Washington
Census-designated place in the United States in Okanogan County Β· Not an incorporated municipality
About Methow
Methow ( MET-how), is an unincorporated community in Okanogan County, Washington, United States. The community had a population of 246 at the 2020 census.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How Methow is governed
Methow appears to be an unincorporated community or a census-designated place, so it may have no city government of its own β services usually come from Okanogan County and its elected officials. The chart below is a generic template; readers can correct it if Methow does have local officials.
Form of government not yet listed.
0 of 14 positions listed. Gray dashed boxes are placeholders waiting for a name.
Residents of Methow
Registered voters elect the officials below.
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Mayor
Executive
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The city's chief elected official. Presides over the executive branch, proposes the budget and represents the city.
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City Manager / Administrator
Executive
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The professional administrator who runs day-to-day operations (in some cities appointed by the council instead of the mayor).
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Police Chief
Administration & departments
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Leads the police department.
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Fire Chief
Administration & departments
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Leads the fire and emergency services department.
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Public Works Director
Administration & departments
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Streets, water, sewer, and city buildings.
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Finance Director
Administration & departments
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The budget, taxes, and city accounts.
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Planning & Zoning Director
Administration & departments
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Land use, zoning, building permits.
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Parks & Recreation Director
Administration & departments
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Parks, programs, and public facilities.
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City Council
Legislative
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The elected body that passes ordinances, sets the tax rate and approves the budget.
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City Clerk
Administration & departments
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Keeps the official records, runs meeting agendas and, often, local elections.
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City Attorney
Administration & departments
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The city's lawyer; advises officials and prosecutes ordinance violations.
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Boards & Commissions
Legislative
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Citizen advisory bodies, such as planning, zoning appeals and library boards.
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Municipal Court
Judicial
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Hears traffic, ordinance and other minor cases.
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Municipal Judge
Judicial
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Presides over the municipal court.
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Population over time
From 262 in 2000 to 92 in 2020 (β64.9%).
Show the numbers
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 92 |
| 2010 | 68 |
| 2000 | 262 |
History
Methow was founded in 1899 by W.A. Bolinger when he moved his store from the former mining boom-town at Squaw Creek (approx. 4 miles south). It is named after the Methow people, an Interior Salish people who lived in the area. The name "Methow" itself comes from the Okanogan placename /mΙtxΚ·ΓΊ/, meaning "sunflower (seeds)". The unincorporated community has its own community center, post office, fire station, church, water system, and two parks. The Methow Store, originally built by W.A. Bolinger, was closed for decades, but reopened in 2024. The town's restaurant is currently closed. The town is one of the principal starting points for rafting along the Methow River.
The original Methow Store can be seen just off Washington State Route 153. Directly across the street sits a large historic stone house and homestead that the Bolinger family built. This small town is also home to two old single-room schoolhouses. One of these schoolhouses sits just north of the Methow Store. The other schoolhouse is now used as a community center. The Methow Church was formed over a century ago. Methow's population has stayed consistent for the past several decades at about two hundred fifty people. The population of the surrounding area, the Methow Valley, has grown significantly over the past two decades.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.