Spokane County /

Spokane County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington, named after the Spokane tribe. As of the 2010 census the population was 471,221, making it the fourth most populous county in Washington state. The largest city and county seat is Spokane, the second largest city in the state, behind Seattle. Spokane County was formed on January 29, 1858. It was annexed by Stevens County on January 19, 1864, and re-created on October 30, 1879. Spokane County is governed by a partisan Board of County Commissioners, one from each of three districts. They run in a partisan primary election within their own district, then compete countywide in the general election. Other elected officials include the Sheriff, Auditor (who is also responsible for elections), Assessor, Treasurer, and Prosecutor, which are also partisan offices. Spokane County has an appointed Medical Examiner. Here is a link to election results since 2000. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,781 square miles (4,610 km), of which 1,764 square miles (4,570 km) is land and 17 square miles (44 km) (0.96%) is water. The lowest point in the county is the Spokane River behind Long Lake Dam