Stevens Stevens

Stevens County

Updated on: December 24, 2021
State
Washington
County Seat:
Colville
Year Organized:
1854
Total Square Miles:
2540.75
Population:
44730 (2017)
Persons/Square Mile:
18

County structure

Government Type:
County
Authority:
Dillon's Rule
Legislative Body:
Board of Commissioners
Size of Legislative Body:
3

Demographics

2018 Population:
44730
25 to 64 Years of Age:
48.58%
65 Years of Age and Older:
23.29%

Economy, 2018

Gross Domestic Product (GDP):
$1.1 B
Labor Force:
18,379
Unemployment Rate:
7.10%

County Contact

215 S Oak Street
County Courthouse
Colville, WA, 99114-2862

http://www.co.stevens.wa.us/

Stevens County, WA sits in the northeast section of Washington and is adjacent to both Canada and Spokane COUNTY. A large portion of the County hosts the Spokane Indian Reservation, which takes 240 square miles. The biggest town in the County is Colville.  

The population of the County also averages at over 40,000. Most of these people reside in the unincorporated areas of the County. The largest county and county seat of Stevens County is Colville. The County also started in 1863 and got its name from Isaac Stevens, the first well-known governor. 

Access to Public Records 

Everyone is free to access the public records in Stevens County based on the Public Records Act (the “Act”), RCW 42.56. Public agencies have to prepare concise public records and avail them on the online portal of Stevens county. 

Part of this process also involves maintaining and detailing each public record. While anyone can access the records, there are some costs involved with specialized records access. The Public record has up to three days to provide the records upon completing a successful request.  

Users of the database also have the responsibility of contacting the department when they notice any inconsistent data. Regardless, the public records department works to update the data a few times every day. 

Stevens County Departments 

Below is a comprehensive list of Stevens County Departments: 

The Assessor 

The assessor has to evaluate the value of property in the County and ensure that the process involves using ethical measures. The assessor also must assess properties at least each year and perform a physical inspection after six years. The County has an Inspection Area Map which one can use to learn more details about the process. 

GIS and Mapping Services  

Stevens County has the GIS framework, which it uses to conduct mapping, and assessment procedures. The process includes resources such as the GIS to develop tax parcels and other layers to help with property processing. The 911 department also relies on data from the GIS department to respond to emergencies that occur in the County.  

Sheriff Department  

The Sheriff’s department in Stevens county has the mandate of safeguarding the lives and welfare of its constituents. An essential part of this process involves using ethical, honest, and professional measures. There are five police departments in Stevens County, which include: 

  • Chewelah Police Department – 301 East Clay Avenue Chewelah, WA.
  • Colville Police Department- 147 East Astor Avenue Colville, WA.
  • Kettle Falls Police Department – 415 Larch Street Kettle Falls, WA.
  • Springdale Police Department – 206 North 2nd Street Springdale, WA.
  • Washington State Patrol – Colville – 751 South Main Street Colville, WA.

Treasurer 

The treasurer department features Leslie Valz as the head of the department. The department has the mandate of storing and accounting for all assets that the county government owns. The treasurer also works in cooperation with the various other financial departments in the County. 

Their role is to ensure the county coffers are safe from illegal access and misuse. The treasury department also has a role to play in approving specific major tenders and initiatives in the County. 

The Department of Public Works 

The department of public works is one of the largest departments in STEVENS County. Although the daily operations of the County are several, they primarily work on County Road Systems. The County functions under the RCW 36.82.070, which oversees various procedures relating to roadworks projects. 

The public works departments also have the mandate of providing services to the unincorporated sections of the County. These can include the maintenance and creation of public road facilities. Or, the mandate can also include the management of solid waste and landfill facilities in the County. 

NEWACS 

The NEWACS department is special to Stevens County and focuses on a unique role. The role involves providing mental health and substance abuse services to the residents of Stevens County. The department offers both inpatient and outpatient services for people with such health issues. The NEWACS department also offers customized treatment to individuals as part of ensuring excellent outcomes. 

Cities and Towns  

The Stevens County map contains a few towns, and the guide below provides a quick rundown on them: 

Colville 

Colville is the largest mountain town in America. Most of the residents of the town mainly engage in timer or farm-based activities. The town is the county seat of Stevens County, and it sits half a mile away from the Colville River. 

The city also sits on the junction of Highway 395, which moves from Mexico to Canada. Colville residents use the slogan to refer to the town as the “City of Proud Heritage.” Various other industries exist in the area, including manufacturing, timber, and agriculture.  

Kettle Falls  

 Kettle Falls is a city in Stevens county that gets its name from the Kettle falls from the area close within. The city also exists on the Colville River, which sits a few miles upstream from the Columbia River’s tributary.  

The town is also famous in Stevens county for having some of the best outdoor terrains for activities such as trekking and camping. Most of the town’s residents are also in the timber and farming industry. 

Chewelah 

Chewelah is a city in the USA, which sits over 40 miles north of Spokane. The town experiences a moderate climate, which makes it perfect for farming and ranching activities. Chewelah is also famous among tourists for having one of the country’s best skiing and golfing locations. The town is also a significant route from Canada and is touted by many as the ideal place to visit during vacations. 

Towns 

Below is a basic description of the three towns in Stevens County: 

  • Marcus Town, which gets its name from Marcus Oppenheimer, who arrived in the area back in the 1860s. Marcus Town also covers 0.24 square miles and was initially based in a submerged land area.
  • Northport has a population of up to 300 individuals and started in 1892 thanks to the efforts of Daniel Corbin.
  • Springdale, which initially went by the name Squire City. The present site of the town was originally a wilderness area.