Clark County, Washington

History

Clark County was created on August 20, 1845, as Vancouver District, named for its town, following the removal of the area from three other districts on July 27, 1844. It included all the land north of the Columbia River, west of the Rocky Mountains, and south of Alaska. On December 21, 1845, the provisional government changed its name to Vancouver County. At that time it stretched from the Columbia River to 54 degrees 40 minutes North Latitude in what is now British Columbia, Canada. On June 15, 1846, the United States Senate approved the present boundary between the U.S. and Canada at the 49th parallel.

On August 13, 1848, President James K. Polk signed an act creating the entire region as the Oregon Territory. On September 3, 1849, the Oregon Territorial Legislature modified the borders again and changed its name to Clarke County in honor of explorer William Clark. At this time it included all of present-day Washington and continued to be divided and subdivided until reaching its present area in 1880. It was not until 1925 that the spelling was corrected to its present form.

In September 1902 the Yacolt Burn, the largest fire in state history, began in neighboring Skamania County and swept west along a 12-mile front to Yacolt, nearly engulfing the town. Salvaging the remaining timber was a lucrative industry for a time.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 656 sqmi, of which 629 sqmi is land and 27 sqmi (4.1%) is water. It is the fifth-smallest county in Washington by land area.

Clark County is surrounded on two sides by the Columbia River and on the north by the North Fork of the Lewis River. The East Fork of the Lewis River and the Washougal River cut across the county. The largest stream arising solely within the county is Salmon Creek, which terminates at Vancouver Lake before eventually flowing into the Columbia River.

Like most of Oregon and Washington south of Puget Sound into the Willamette Valley the landscape and climate of Clark County are determined by its placement between the volcanic Pacific Coast and Cascade Ranges, where glaciation helped form a U-shaped valley which meets the river valley of the Columbia River as it leaves the Columbia River Gorge. Volcanic andisol soils are common, with fertile mollisols in the lower areas. The central and southwest areas of the county are generally flat floodplains, sculpted by torrents of prehistoric Lake Missoula. A series of dramatic floods known as the Missoula Floods took place 15,000–13,000 years ago, as several ice dams melted, forming a series of low steps such as the "Heights", "Mill Plain", "Fourth Plain" and "Fifth Plain". Clark County's Köppen climate classification is "Csb".

Many lakes border the river in the lowlands near Ridgefield, including Vancouver Lake. Eastern and northern Clark County contain forested foothills of the Cascade Mountains, rising to an elevation of 4,000 ft on the border with Skamania County. Larch Mountain is the county's highest free-standing peak.

Mount Hood, Mount St. Helens and Mount Adams are all visible from Clark County, and cold winter winds through the Columbia River Gorge often bring freezing rain and a coating of glaze ice or clear ice known locally as a "silver thaw", especially in southeastern areas of the county closest to the gorge. The counterpart to this are warm winds from the southwest known locally as the "Pineapple Express".

Climate

Spring thaws can often swell county waterways, with two of the more destructive floods being those of the Columbia River in June 1894 and May 1948. The 1948 Memorial Day flood almost topped the Interstate Bridge's support piers and completely destroyed nearby Vanport, Oregon. Construction of The Dalles Dam and destruction of Celilo Falls are credited with a decrease in such floods.

Significant windstorms in Clark County include the Columbus Day windstorm of October 12, 1962, and an April 6, 1972, tornado which rated F3 on the Fujita scale, striking a local school. A "Friday the 13th" storm in November 1981 brought winds up to 70 mph, with other storms including the inauguration day storm of January 20, 1993, the Guadalupe Day storm of December 12, 1995 (with winds up to 95 mph at Washougal, Washington) and small tornado on January 10, 2008, which destroyed a boathouse at Vancouver Lake and caused damage to buildings in Hazel Dell before dissolving near Hockinson.

Ecology

Flora and fauna of the region include the normal ecological succession from lowland big leaf maple and western red cedar through Garry oak on up through fire-dependent species such as lodgepole pine and Douglas fir, as well as grand fir, silver fir and other species common to Gifford Pinchot National Forest. In addition to a wide variety of birds including great blue heron, raptors such as barred owl, osprey, red-tailed hawk and bald eagle, corvids (raven, crow, California scrub and Steller's jay) and others, the native streams are home to various species of salmon and the Vancouver Trout Hatchery. Larger mammals include black-tailed deer, coyote, raccoon, skunk and invasive opossum; with sightings of lynx, bobcat, black bear, cougar and elk not uncommon, especially in the northern parts of the county. Common foods used by the indigenous people such as the Klickitat tribe and Chinook included salmon, huckleberry and Camassia quamash (after which the city of Camas, Washington is named).

Geographic features

• Cascade Mountains
• Columbia River
• Vancouver Lake
• East Fork Lewis River
• Lacamas Creek
• Lacamas Lake
• Battle Ground Lake
• Moulton Falls
• Lucia Falls
• Larch Mountain
• Silver Star Mountain
• Green Mountain
• Lewisville Park
• Daybreak Park
• Vancouver Lake Park
• Klineline Park

Major highways

• [[File:I-5.svg|20px]] Interstate 5
• [[File:I-205.svg|23px]] Interstate 205
• [[File:WA-14.svg|20px]] State Route 14
• [[File:WA-500.svg|23px]] State Route 500
• [[File:WA-501.svg|23px]] State Route 501
• [[File:WA-502.svg|23px]] State Route 502
• [[File:WA-503.svg|23px]] State Route 503

Former major highway

• [[File:US 99 (1961).svg|23px]] U.S. Route 99
• [[File:US 830 (1961).svg|23px]] U.S. Route 830
• [[File:WA-120.svg|23px]] State Route 120
• [[File:WA-140.svg|23px]] State Route 140

Adjacent counties

• Cowlitz County - north
• Skamania County - east
• Multnomah County, Oregon - south
• Columbia County, Oregon - southwest

National protected areas

• Fort Vancouver National Historic Site (part)
• Gifford Pinchot National Forest (part)
• Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge
• Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Economy

Clark County's largest industries include health care, professional and business services, and retail. In 2019, approximately 65,000 Clark County residents commuted to work in Portland, Oregon; approximately 17,000 residents from Oregon commuted to work in Clark County. Although Washington does not have a state income tax, residents who worked in Oregon were required to pay income tax to that state for earnings in Oregon. Clark County residents also cross the Columbia River to shop without sales taxes, which Oregon also lacks; this phenomenon caused up to $5.9 million in estimated lost sales tax revenue for the county government in 2022.

Demographics

|align-fn=center 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2020

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 503,311 people, 187,188 households, and 195,036 housing units in the county.

The population density was 800.8 /mi2.

The racial makeup of the county was 75.5% White, 2.3% Black or African American, 1.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 4.8% Asian, 5.0% from some other race, and 10.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 11.7% of the population.

Of the residents, 23.3% were under the age of 18, 5.6% were under 5, and 16.4% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 38.8 years. For every 100 females there were 97.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 95.6 males. 86.5% of residents lived in urban areas and 13.5% lived in rural areas.

The average household size was 2.67 people per household. Of the 187,188 households, 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 23.5% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 23.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 195,036 housing units, of which 4.0% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 64.8% were owner-occupied and 35.2% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.1%.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 425,363 people, 158,099 households, and 110,672 families residing in the county. The population density was 676.2 /mi2. There were 167,413 housing units at an average density of 266.2 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 85.4% white, 4.1% Asian, 2.0% black or African American, 0.9% American Indian, 0.6% Pacific islander, 2.9% from other races, and 4.0% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 7.6% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 24.4% were German, 13.1% were Irish, 13.1% were English, 5.7% were Norwegian, and 4.3% were American.

Of the 158,099 households, 36.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.6% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.0% were non-families, and 23.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.15. The median age was 36.7 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $58,262 and the median income for a family was $67,352. Males had a median income of $52,160 versus $38,167 for females. The per capita income for the county was $27,828. About 7.8% of families and 10.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.9% of those under age 18 and 7.2% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 345,238 people, 127,208 households, and 90,953 families residing in the county. The population density was 550 /mi2. There were 134,030 housing units at an average density of 213 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 88.82% White, 1.68% Black or African American, 0.84% Native American, 3.21% Asian, 0.37% Pacific Islander, 1.99% from other races, and 3.08% from two or more races. 4.71% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 17.7% were of German, 10.2% English, 8.6% Irish, 8.6% United States and 5.1% Norwegian ancestry. 88.8% spoke only English at home; 3.6% spoke Spanish and 1.9% Russian.

There were 127,208 households, out of which 37.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.80% were married couples living together, 10.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.50% were non-families. 21.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.15.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 28.70% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 30.80% from 25 to 44, 22.60% from 45 to 64, and 9.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $48,376, and the median income for a family was $54,016. Males had a median income of $41,337 versus $28,537 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,448. About 6.90% of families and 9.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.70% of those under age 18 and 6.80% of those age 65 or over.

Religion

Clark County is religiously diverse, with no single group comprising 10% of the population. The four groups that exceed 1% are nondenominational Christian with 30,026 members, the Catholic Church with 26,886 members, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with 20,793 members, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America with 4,827. The area is also home to the nation's largest population of the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church with between 8,000 and 12,000 members living in the county. This is estimated because the Church doesn't keep membership rolls.

Emergency services

The Clark County Sheriff's Office is the local, county-level law enforcement agency serving Clark County, Washington. The sheriff's office was established in 1849 and is the oldest law enforcement organization in the state of Washington. Sheriff John Horch and Undersheriff James Hansen lead the Clark County Sheriff's Office.

On March 16, 2014, Clark County Fire & Rescue commissioned the Mary Firstenburg, a new fireboat purchased with the financial support from a bequest from Firstenburg's family, and from a FEMA Port Security Grant.

Government and politics

Since 2014, Clark County has had a home rule charter with a council–manager government. The Clark County Council was created in 2014 and has five seats elected by districts of proportional size that are redrawn every 10 years. Prior to the adoption of the home rule charter, the county had a three-member commission. The county manager is the chief executive officer appointed by the council and oversees the administrative departments of the government. Kathleen Otto has been the county manager of Clark County since her appointment to the role in 2021.

, the current elected officials are:

• Assessor - Peter Van Nortwick (R)
• Auditor - Greg Kimsey (R)
• Clerk - Scott Weber (R)
• Councilors
  • District 1 Glen Yung (NP)
  • District 2 Michelle Belkot (NP)
  • District 3 Wil Fuentes (NP)
  • District 4 Matt Little (NP)
  • District 5 Sue Marshall - County Chair (NP)
• Prosecuting Attorney - Tony Golik (D)
• Sheriff - John Horch (NP)
• Treasurer - Alishia Topper (NP)

In presidential elections, Clark County leans Democratic having voted for the party in every presidential election since 2008. This is in contrast to the rest of Southwest Washington, which leans Republican. In 2024, the county swung leftward by 2%, despite Washington and the country swinging rightward.

Before 2008, Clark County was a swing county having voted for the winner in every single election between 1900 and 2004 with the exception of 1916, 1956, 1968, and 1988.

Communities

Cities

• Battle Ground
• Camas
• La Center
• Ridgefield
• Vancouver (county seat)
• Washougal
• Woodland (mostly in Cowlitz County)

Town

• Yacolt

Census-designated places

• Amboy
• Barberton
• Brush Prairie
• Cherry Grove
• Dollars Corner
• Duluth
• Felida
• Fern Prairie
• Five Corners
• Hazel Dell
• Hockinson
• Lake Shore
• Lewisville
• Meadow Glade
• Minnehaha
• Mount Vista
• Orchards
• Salmon Creek
• Venersborg
• Walnut Grove

Unincorporated communities

• Chelatchie
• Etna
• Fargher Lake
• Hall
• Heisson
• Mill Plain
• Proebstel

Education

School districts include:

• Battle Ground Public Schools
• Camas School District
• Evergreen Public Schools (Clark)
• Green Mountain School District
• Hockinson School District
• La Center School District
• Mount Pleasant School District (Washington)
• Ridgefield School District
• Vancouver Public Schools
• Washougal School District
• Woodland Public Schools

State-operated schools:

• Washington State School for the Blind
• Washington School for the Deaf

References

References

1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau.
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties.
3. (March 5, 2003). "Milestones for Washington State History — Part 1: Prehistory to 1850". [[HistoryLink.org]].
4. Hanable, William S.. (February 4, 2004). "Clark County — Thumbnail History".
5. (August 22, 2012). "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
6. "Region has long history of damaging windstorms," by Don Hamilton, ''The Columbian'', January 11, 2008, p. A5.
7. Bailey, Scott. (July 2022). "Clark County profile". [[Washington State Employment Security Department]].
8. Seekamp, William. (June 6, 2023). "New I-5 bridge would 'unlock workforce potential', says Port of Vancouver economic development director". The Columbian.
9. Rogoway, Mike. (January 6, 2022). "Clark County commuters, many now telecommuters, are paying less in Oregon income tax". The Oregonian.
10. Phiel, Shari. (December 4, 2022). "Clark County's 'sales tax leakage' decreases". The Columbian.
11. "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". United States Census Bureau.
12. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau.
13. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library.
14. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau.
15. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". United States Census Bureau.
16. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau.
17. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau.
18. "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Clark County, Washington". [[United States Census Bureau]].
19. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Clark County, Washington".
20. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Clark County, Washington".
21. (2023). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau.
22. "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". [[United States Census Bureau]].
23. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". [[United States Census Bureau]].
24. "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". [[United States Census Bureau]].
25. "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". [[United States Census Bureau]].
26. "The Association of Religion Data Archives {{!}} Maps & Reports".
27. (February 28, 2012). "Raising a Church". The Columbian.
28. "Sheriff - Clark County Washington".
29. Phiel, Shari. (October 6, 2021). "Voters to weigh in on Clark County charter amendments". The Columbian.
30. Phiel, Shari. (April 27, 2022). "Clark County Council again splits on new district map". The Columbian.
31. Henriksen, Nan. (April 28, 2015). "A Brief History of the Development and Passage of Clark County's Home Rule Charter". [[Municipal Research and Services Center]].
32. "County Manager". Clark County.
33. (November 10, 2025). "Clark County Washington Organization Chart".
34. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
35. The leading "other" candidate, [[Progressive Party (United States, 1912). Progressive]] [[Theodore Roosevelt]], received 2,082 votes, while Socialist candidate [[Eugene V. Debs. Eugene Debs]] received 966 votes, [[Prohibition Party. Prohibition]] candidate [[Eugene W. Chafin. Eugene Chafin]] received 513 votes, and [[Socialist Labor Party of America. Socialist Labor]] candidate [[Arthur Reimer]] received 28 votes.
36. Geography Division. (December 21, 2020). "2020 Census – School District Reference Map: Clark County, WA". [[United States Census Bureau]].
37. Patty Hastings. (March 14, 2014). "Clark County Fire & Rescue launches new fireboat: Family gets ride on boat bearing name 'Mary Firstenburg'". [[The Columbian]].