Columbia County | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 45°57′N123°05′W / 45.95°N 123.08°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Oregon |
Founded | January 16, 1854 |
Named for | Columbia River |
Seat | St. Helens |
Largest city | St. Helens |
Area | |
• Total | 688 sq mi (1,780 km2) |
• Land | 657 sq mi (1,700 km2) |
• Water | 31 sq mi (80 km2) 4.5% |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 52,589 |
• Estimate (2023) | 53,880 |
• Density | 75/sq mi (29/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−8 (Pacific) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−7 (PDT) |
Congressional district | 1st |
Website | www |
Columbia County is one of the 36 counties in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2020 census, the population was 52,589. [1] The county seat is St. Helens.
The Chinook and Clatskanie Native American peoples inhabited this region for centuries prior to the arrival of Robert Gray, captain of the ship Columbia Rediviva , in 1792. The Lewis and Clark Expedition traveled and camped along the Columbia River shore in the area later known as Columbia County in late 1805 and again on their return journey in early 1806.
Columbia County was created in 1854 from the northern half of Washington County. Milton served as the county seat until 1857 when it was moved to St. Helens.
Columbia County has been afflicted by numerous flooding disasters, the most recent in December 2007. Heavy rains caused the Nehalem River to escape its banks and flood the city of Vernonia and rural areas nearby. Columbia County received a presidential disaster declaration for this event.
In the 1910s the Socialist Party of Oregon won a handful of votes. This party was distinct from the better-known SPO which operated throughout the twentieth century.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has an area of 688 square miles (1,780 km2), of which 657 square miles (1,700 km2) is land and 31 square miles (80 km2) (4.5%) is water. [2] It is Oregon's third-smallest county by land area and fourth-smallest by total area.
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1860 | 532 | — | |
1870 | 863 | 62.2% | |
1880 | 2,042 | 136.6% | |
1890 | 5,191 | 154.2% | |
1900 | 6,237 | 20.2% | |
1910 | 10,580 | 69.6% | |
1920 | 13,960 | 31.9% | |
1930 | 20,047 | 43.6% | |
1940 | 20,971 | 4.6% | |
1950 | 22,967 | 9.5% | |
1960 | 22,379 | −2.6% | |
1970 | 28,790 | 28.6% | |
1980 | 35,646 | 23.8% | |
1990 | 37,557 | 5.4% | |
2000 | 43,560 | 16.0% | |
2010 | 49,351 | 13.3% | |
2020 | 52,589 | 6.6% | |
2023 (est.) | 53,880 | [3] | 2.5% |
U.S. Decennial Census [4] 1790–1960 [5] 1900–1990 [6] 1990–2000 [7] 2010–2020 [1] |
As of the 2010 census, there were 49,351 people, 19,183 households, and 13,516 families living in the county. [8] The population density was 75.1 inhabitants per square mile (29.0/km2). There were 20,698 housing units at an average density of 31.5 units per square mile (12.2 units/km2). [9] The racial makeup of the county was 92.5% white, 1.3% American Indian, 0.9% Asian, 0.4% black or African American, 0.2% Pacific islander, 1.2% from other races, and 3.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 4.0% of the population. [8] In terms of ancestry, 26.1% were German, 14.5% were English, 14.4% were Irish, 5.9% were Norwegian, and 4.8% were American. [10]
Of the 19,183 households, 32.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.5% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.5% were non-families, and 23.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 2.98. The median age was 41.3 years. [8]
The median income for a household in the county was $55,199 and the median income for a family was $62,728. Males had a median income of $52,989 versus $35,558 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,613. About 6.5% of families and 10.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.7% of those under age 18 and 6.6% of those age 65 or over. [11]
As of the 2000 census, there were 43,560 people, 16,375 households, and 12,035 families living in the county. The population density was 66 inhabitants per square mile (25/km2). There were 17,572 housing units at an average density of 27 units per square mile (10 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 94.42% White, 0.24% Black or African American, 1.33% Native American, 0.59% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 0.79% from other races, and 2.53% from two or more races. 2.51% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 21.2% were of German, 10.8% English, 9.4% American, 9.3% Irish and 5.4% Norwegian ancestry.
There were 16,375 households, out of which 34.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.50% were married couples living together, 8.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.50% were non-families. 21.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.06.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.30% under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 28.10% from 25 to 44, 26.00% from 45 to 64, and 11.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $45,797, and the median income for a family was $51,381. Males had a median income of $42,227 versus $27,216 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,078. About 6.70% of families and 9.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.60% of those under age 18 and 7.00% of those age 65 or over.
Columbia County had newspapers as early as 1891, with the launch of the Clatskanie Chief. The Rainier Review was launched in 1895. [12] The St. Helens Chronicle, which grew out of a series of mergers of the Chronicle, the Sentinel, and the Mist founded in 1881. [13] The Chief and Chronicle merged in December 2023 to form The Columbia County Chronicle & Chief , which served as a newspaper of record for the county. [14] The paper published its final edition on September 25, 2024. [15] [16] The South County Spotlight , launched in 1961, serves the region along, [17] with a circulation of 3,600. [18] Columbia County has one AM radio station, KOHI AM 1600, which has broadcast continually since 1959. The station is locally owned, with an FCC-estimated weekly listenership of 10,000.[ citation needed ]
Columbia River Fire & Rescue provides is one of the providers of emergency services in St.Helens. [19] [20] It's ambulance turned right in front of a bicyclist and ran him over in 2022. CRF&R's ambulance took the victim to the hospital, but billed him $1,862 for the injury they caused. [21] [22] The man filed a lawsuit against the company for nearly a million dollars. [23]
The county is governed by an elected board of three commissioners. Each commissioner is elected to a term of four years. Other elected officials include the sheriff, county clerk, district attorney, treasurer, surveyor, assessor and justice of the peace.
Between 1932 and 2012, the county was among the most consistently Democratic in the United States in terms of presidential elections. The last Republican to win a majority in Columbia County had been Herbert Hoover in the 1928 presidential election, although before 1932 no Democrat had won a majority in the county [24] since Samuel J. Tilden in 1876. In the 1952 presidential election, Columbia was the only county in Oregon to not back Dwight Eisenhower. However, Columbia County has begun to shift to more conservative politics in recent elections. In 2016, Donald Trump won the county with just under fifty percent of the vote, a break with the tradition of choosing Democrats for president. [25] Trump would repeat his win in the county 4 years later with an absolute majority of the vote. [26]
While Columbia had an 80-year streak of voting for the Democratic nominee, the margin had been as narrow as three percent in 2004 [27] and in 1984.
Columbia County is part of Oregon's 1st congressional district, which is represented by Suzanne Bonamici and has a Cook Partisan Voting Index score of D+18. In the Oregon House of Representatives, nearly all of Columbia County is included within the 31st House District with the northwestern portion in the 32nd District, respectively represented by Republicans Brian G. Stout and Cyrus B. Javadi. In the Oregon State Senate, Columbia County is in the 16th District, represented by Republican Suzanne Weber.
Columbia County is currently one of 11 counties in Oregon in which therapeutic psilocybin is legal.
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2024 | 17,184 | 54.98% | 12,865 | 41.16% | 1,208 | 3.86% |
2020 | 17,150 | 53.23% | 13,835 | 42.94% | 1,236 | 3.84% |
2016 | 13,217 | 49.65% | 10,167 | 38.20% | 3,234 | 12.15% |
2012 | 10,772 | 45.12% | 12,004 | 50.28% | 1,099 | 4.60% |
2008 | 10,413 | 42.04% | 13,390 | 54.06% | 965 | 3.90% |
2004 | 11,868 | 47.63% | 12,563 | 50.42% | 486 | 1.95% |
2000 | 9,369 | 44.20% | 10,331 | 48.74% | 1,495 | 7.05% |
1996 | 6,205 | 33.58% | 9,275 | 50.20% | 2,996 | 16.22% |
1992 | 5,227 | 26.94% | 8,298 | 42.77% | 5,877 | 30.29% |
1988 | 6,424 | 40.64% | 8,983 | 56.83% | 399 | 2.52% |
1984 | 7,811 | 48.50% | 8,219 | 51.03% | 75 | 0.47% |
1980 | 6,623 | 42.72% | 7,124 | 45.95% | 1,758 | 11.34% |
1976 | 5,226 | 37.71% | 8,005 | 57.76% | 628 | 4.53% |
1972 | 5,348 | 43.54% | 5,997 | 48.82% | 939 | 7.64% |
1968 | 4,208 | 38.09% | 6,064 | 54.89% | 775 | 7.02% |
1964 | 2,489 | 24.24% | 7,728 | 75.26% | 51 | 0.50% |
1960 | 4,356 | 43.96% | 5,546 | 55.97% | 6 | 0.06% |
1956 | 4,275 | 43.33% | 5,592 | 56.67% | 0 | 0.00% |
1952 | 4,666 | 47.45% | 5,096 | 51.82% | 72 | 0.73% |
1948 | 3,049 | 36.95% | 4,768 | 57.79% | 434 | 5.26% |
1944 | 2,696 | 33.49% | 5,213 | 64.77% | 140 | 1.74% |
1940 | 2,959 | 33.72% | 5,758 | 65.63% | 57 | 0.65% |
1936 | 1,815 | 23.27% | 5,587 | 71.62% | 399 | 5.11% |
1932 | 1,975 | 33.27% | 3,643 | 61.36% | 319 | 5.37% |
1928 | 3,519 | 65.21% | 1,775 | 32.89% | 102 | 1.89% |
1924 | 2,483 | 56.20% | 1,015 | 22.97% | 920 | 20.82% |
1920 | 2,007 | 61.53% | 970 | 29.74% | 285 | 8.74% |
1916 | 2,023 | 53.95% | 1,451 | 38.69% | 276 | 7.36% |
1912 | 574 | 28.05% | 507 | 24.78% | 965 | 47.17% |
1908 | 1,242 | 63.69% | 454 | 23.28% | 254 | 13.03% |
1904 | 1,301 | 74.26% | 221 | 12.61% | 230 | 13.13% |
The primary industries are wood products and paper manufacturing, trade, construction and horticulture. [29] [30] The extensive stands of old-growth timber, which had attracted many of the early settlers to the area, were completely logged over by the 1950s. [31] Second-growth timber provides the raw material for local lumber and paper mills. About half the county's workforce commutes out of the county to work, most to the nearby Portland, Oregon, metro area. [32] Columbia County's average non-farm employment was 10,740 in 2007. [33] The five largest private employers in Columbia County are Fred Meyer, Cascade Tissue Group, Wal-Mart, OMIC, USIA, [34] and USG. [35]
Columbia County Rider (CC Rider), a service of the Columbia County Transit Division, provides six intercity bus lines and one "flex route" serving various points of downtown St. Helens and downtown Scappoose. [36] From 2016 to 2022, CC Rider buses were operated by contract drivers supplied by MTR Western, a charter motor coach operator, [37] but since July 2022 the county has operated the service directly. [38]
The transit service is largely funded by grants from the Oregon Department of Transportation and the federal government. Attempts at making CC Rider a separate transit district and to introduce new taxes to fund it have repeatedly failed since 2015. Columbia County and nearby Clatsop County are currently studying options on consolidating the two county's transit services. [39] [40]
Single-ride fares range from $2 to $6 per ride, depending on number of zones traveled. A ride to Astoria costs up to $10 per ride each way. [41] [42]
Clark County is the southernmost county in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, the population was 503,311, making it Washington's fifth-most populous county. Its county seat and largest city is Vancouver. It was the first county in Washington, first named Vancouver County in 1845 before being renamed for William Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1849. It was created by the Provisional Government of Oregon in Oregon Country on August 20, 1845, and at that time covered the entire present-day state. Clark County is the third-most-populous county in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro Metropolitan Statistical Area, and is across the Columbia River from Portland, Oregon.
Washington County is one of 36 counties in the U.S. state of Oregon and part of the Portland metropolitan area. The 2020 census recorded the population as 600,372, making it the second most populous county in the state and most populous "Washington County" in the United States. Hillsboro is the county seat and largest city, while other major cities include Beaverton, Tigard, Cornelius, Banks, Gaston, Sherwood, North Plains, and Forest Grove, the county's oldest city. Originally named Twality when created in 1843, the Oregon Territorial Legislature renamed it for the nation's first president in 1849 and included the entire northwest corner of Oregon before new counties were created in 1854. The Tualatin River and its drainage basin lie almost entirely within the county, which shares its boundaries with the Tualatin Valley. It is bordered on the west and north by the Northern Oregon Coast Range, on the south by the Chehalem Mountains, and on the north and east by the Tualatin Mountains, or West Hills.
Nez Perce County is a county located in the U.S. state of Idaho. As of the 2020 census, the population was 42,090. The county seat is Lewiston. The county is named after the Native American Nez Perce tribe. Nez Perce County is part of the Lewiston, Idaho–WA Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Walla Walla County is a county located in the southeast of the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, its population was 62,584. The county seat and largest city is Walla Walla. The county was formed on April 25, 1854 and is named after the Walla Walla tribe of Native Americans.
Wahkiakum County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, the population was 4,422, making it one of the least populous counties in Washington. The county seat and only incorporated town is Cathlamet. The county was formed out of Cowlitz County in April 1854 and is named for Chief Wahkiakum of the Chinook, who is buried in the Pioneer Cemetery in Cathlamet.
Skamania County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, the population was 12,036. The county seat and largest incorporated city is Stevenson, although the Carson River Valley CDP is more populous. Skamania County is included in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Lewis County is a county in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, the county's population was 82,149. The county seat is Chehalis, and its largest city is Centralia. Lewis County comprises the Centralia, WA Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Seattle-Tacoma, WA Combined Statistical Area.
Klickitat County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, the population was 22,735. The county seat and largest city is Goldendale. The county is named after the Klickitat tribe.
Garfield County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, the population was 2,286, making it the least populous county in Washington; with about 3.2 inhabitants per square mile (1.2/km2), it is also the least densely populated county in Washington. The county seat and only city is Pomeroy.
Cowlitz County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, its population was 110,730. The county seat is Kelso, and its largest city is Longview. The county was formed in April 1854. Its name derives from the anglicized version of the Cowlitz Indian term Cow-e-liske, meaning either 'river of shifting sands' or 'capturing the medicine spirit.' Cowlitz comprises the Longview, WA Metropolitan statistical area, which is also included in the Portland-Vancouver-Salem, OR-WA Combined statistical area.
Columbia County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, the population was 3,952, making it the second-least populous county in Washington. The county seat and largest city is Dayton. The county was created out of Walla Walla County on November 11, 1875, and is named after the Columbia River. Columbia County is included in the Walla Walla, WA Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Clallam County is a county in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, the population was 77,155, with an estimated population of 77,616 in 2023. The county seat and largest city is Port Angeles; the county as a whole comprises the Port Angeles, WA Micropolitan Statistical Area. The name is a Klallam word for "the strong people". The county was formed on April 26, 1854. Located on the Olympic Peninsula, it is south from the Strait of Juan de Fuca, which forms the Canada–US border, as British Columbia's Vancouver Island is across the strait.
Asotin County is a county in the far southeastern corner of the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, the population was 22,285. The county seat is at Asotin, and its largest city is Clarkston. The county was created out of Garfield County in 1883 and derives its name from a Nez Perce word meaning "Eel Creek." Asotin County is part of the Lewiston–Clarkston metropolitan area, which includes Nez Perce County, Idaho, and Asotin County.
Wasco County is one of the 36 counties in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2020 census, the population was 25,213. Its county seat is The Dalles. The county is named for a local tribe of Native Americans, the Wasco, a Chinook tribe who live on the south side of the Columbia River. It is near the Washington state line. Wasco County comprises The Dalles Micropolitan Statistical Area.
Sherman County is one of the 36 counties in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2020 census, the population was 1,870, making it the second-least populous county in Oregon after nearby Wheeler. The county seat is Moro, and the largest city is Wasco. The county is named for William Tecumseh Sherman, a Union general in the American Civil War.
Morrow County is one of the 36 counties in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2020 census, the population was 12,186. The county seat is Heppner. The county is named for one of its first settlers, Jackson L. Morrow, who was a member of the state legislature when the county was created. Half of the Umatilla Chemical Depot, which includes the Umatilla Chemical Agent Disposal Facility, and the Naval Weapons Systems Training Facility Boardman are located within the county. Morrow County is part of the Pendleton-Hermiston, OR, Micropolitan Statistical Area. It is located on the south side of the Columbia River and is included in the eight-county definition of Eastern Oregon.
Gilliam County is one of the 36 counties in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2020 census, the population was 1,995, making it the third-least populous county in Oregon. The county seat is Condon. The county was established in 1885 and is named for Cornelius Gilliam, a colonel who commanded the forces of the provisional government of Oregon after the Whitman Massacre.
Clatsop County is one of the 36 counties in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2020 census, the population was 41,072. The county seat is Astoria. The county is named for the Clatsop tribe of Native Americans, who lived along the coast of the Pacific Ocean prior to European settlement. Clatsop County comprises the Astoria, OR Micropolitan Statistical Area, or Sunset Empire, and is located in Northwest Oregon.
Clatskanie is a city in Columbia County, Oregon, United States. It was named for the Tlatskanai Native American tribe, and the Clatskanie River which flows through the town and empties into the Columbia River about four miles to the north. The population was 1,737 at the 2010 Census.
St. Helens is the county seat of Columbia County, Oregon. It was founded by Captain Henry Montgomery Knighton, a native of New England, in 1845, as "Plymouth". The name was changed to St. Helens in the latter part of 1850 for its view of Mount St. Helens, roughly 39 miles (63 km) away in Washington. The city is about 28 miles (45 km) northwest of Portland. Its population was 12,883 at the 2010 census.
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