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( ) is a small coastal city in Lincoln County, Oregon, United States. According to
, the name comes from the Siletz language, and means "at the foot of the mountain". There is a range of differing etymologies, however. As of the 2000 census, the city's population was 617. In 2007,
magazine named Yachats one of the "Ten Coolest Small Towns of the U.S.A." Also, Yachats was chosen among the top 10 U.S. up-and-coming vacation destinations by VirtualTourist.com.
Archeological studies have shown that the Yachats area has been inhabited for at least 1500 years. Remains of a pit house in Yachats have been radiocarbon dated at approximately 570 A.D. Yachats is built on seashell middens and numerous graves left by its past inhabitants. Excavations for construction of buildings and U.S. Highway 101 uncovered a great many skeletons and artifacts. Most of these became part of the fill dirt forming the base of the current highway and city.
As of the census of 2000, there were 617 people, 333 households, and 185 families residing in the city. The population density was 693.1 people per square mile (267.7/km²). There were 619 housing units at an average density of 695.3/sq mi (268.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.27% White, 0.16% African American, 0.32% Native American, 0.81% Asian, and 2.43% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.76% of the population.
There were 333 households out of which 10.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.8% were married couples living together, 7.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.4% were non-families. 37.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.85 and the average family size was 2.34.
In the city the population was spread out with 11.7% under the age of 18, 3.9% from 18 to 24, 13.0% from 25 to 44, 39.4% from 45 to 64, and 32.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 56 years. For every 100 females there were 83.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $32,308, and the median income for a family was $41,250. Males had a median income of $36,875 versus $31,806 for females. The per capita income for the city was $24,143. About 12.8% of families and 14.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.7% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.
The residents of Yachats are exceptionally well-educated. Of those 25 or older in 2000, 94.0% had achieved a high school education or higher, far above the national average of 80.4%, and 40.3% held a bachelor's degree or higher compared with 24.4% nationally.