Malden is a town in Whitman County, eastern Washington, United States. The population was 216 at the 2020 census. 80 percent of the buildings were destroyed by a wildfire on September 7, 2020.
History
Malden was officially incorporated on December 20, 1909. Established as a station stop, it was named by railway officials after Malden, Massachusetts. The rural town had a small population.
On September 7, 2020, a large wildfire destroyed approximately 80 percent of buildings in Malden and nearby Pine City. The town's fire station, post office, city hall, library, Masonic Lodge, and several houses were among the buildings destroyed. Most of the town's population was evacuated as the fire approached, while access after the fire was restricted due to a leaking propane tank.
Geography
thumb|left|Pine Creek in 1908
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land.
Climate
This region experiences warm (but not hot) and dry summers, with no average monthly temperatures above 71.6 °F. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Malden has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, abbreviated "Csb" on climate maps.
Demographics
2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 203 people, 90 households, and 57 families residing in the town. The population density was . There were 118 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the town was 92.1% White, 2.0% Native American, 1.0% from other races, and 4.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.9% of the population.
There were 90 households, of which 27.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.7% were non-families. 34.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.91.
The median age in the town was 50.8 years. 23.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 18.7% were from 25 to 44; 28.2% were from 45 to 64; and 25.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 50.7% male and 49.3% female.
2000 census
As of the 2000 census,