In area, it is the largest county in the state. Approximately 20 percent of residents live in the Greater Omak Area. The county forms a portion of the Okanogan Country. The first county seat was Ruby, Washington, which has now been a ghost town for more than 100 years. Okanogan County was formed out of Stevens County on February 2, 1888. The name derives from the Okanagan language place name ukʷnaqín.