Columbia County, Oregon | |
|---|---|
 Columbia County Courthouse in St. Helens | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofOregon | |
 Oregon's location within theU.S. | |
| Coordinates:45°57′N123°05′W / 45.95°N 123.08°W /45.95; -123.08 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Oregon |
| Founded | January 16, 1854 |
| Named after | 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 (2024) | 54,063 |
| • 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 the36 counties in theU.S. state ofOregon. As of the2020 census, the population was 52,589.[1] Thecounty seat isSt. Helens.
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TheChinook andClatskanieNative American peoples inhabited this region for centuries prior to thearrival ofRobert Gray, captain of the shipColumbia Rediviva, in 1792. TheLewis 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 ofWashington 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 theSocialist Party of Oregon won a handful of votes. This party was distinct from the better-knownSPO which operated throughout the twentieth century.
According to theUnited 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% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 54,063 | [3] | 2.8% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[4] 1790–1960[5] 1900–1990[6] 1990–2000[7] 2010–2020[1] | |||
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 1980[8] | Pop 1990[9] | Pop 2000[10] | Pop 2010[11] | Pop 2020[12] | % 1980 | % 1990 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 34,561 | 36,067 | 40,576 | 44,563 | 44,228 | 96.96% | 96.03% | 93.15% | 90.30% | 84.10% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 35 | 37 | 97 | 195 | 300 | 0.10% | 0.10% | 0.22% | 0.40% | 0.57% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 281 | 485 | 540 | 590 | 618 | 0.79% | 1.29% | 1.24% | 1.20% | 1.18% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 136 | 273 | 246 | 446 | 561 | 0.38% | 0.73% | 0.56% | 0.90% | 1.07% |
| Native Hawaiian orPacific Islander alone (NH) | x[13] | x[14] | 39 | 95 | 117 | x | x | 0.09% | 0.19% | 0.22% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 105 | 11 | 43 | 43 | 267 | 0.29% | 0.03% | 0.10% | 0.09% | 0.51% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | x[15] | x[16] | 926 | 1,432 | 3,428 | x | x | 2.13% | 2.90% | 6.52% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 528 | 684 | 1,093 | 1,987 | 3,070 | 1.48% | 1.82% | 2.51% | 4.03% | 5.84% |
| Total | 35,646 | 37,557 | 43,560 | 49,351 | 52,589 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the2010 census, there were 49,351 people, 19,183 households, and 13,516 families living in the county.[17] 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).[18] 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.[17] 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.[19]
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.[17]
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 thepoverty line, including 12.7% of those under age 18 and 6.6% of those age 65 or over.[20]
As of the2000 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 orAfrican American, 1.33%Native American, 0.59%Asian, 0.10%Pacific Islander, 0.79% fromother races, and 2.53% from two or more races. 2.51% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race. 21.2% were ofGerman, 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% weremarried 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. Theper capita income for the county was $20,078. About 6.70% of families and 9.10% of the population were below thepoverty 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 ClatskanieChief. The RainierReview was launched in 1895.[21] TheSt. Helens Chronicle, which grew out of a series of mergers of theChronicle, theSentinel, and theMist founded in 1881.[22] TheChief andChronicle merged in December 2023 to formThe Columbia County Chronicle & Chief, which served as anewspaper of record for the county.[23] The paper published its final edition on September 25, 2024.[24][25] TheSouth County Spotlight, launched in 1961, serves the region alone,[26] with a circulation of 3,600.[27] 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.[28][29] 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.[30][31] The man filed a lawsuit against the company for nearly a million dollars.[32]
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 thesheriff,county clerk,district attorney,treasurer, surveyor, assessor andjustice 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 beenHerbert Hoover in the1928 presidential election, although before 1932 no Democrat had won a majority in the county[33] sinceSamuel J. Tilden in 1876. In the 1952 presidential election, Columbia was the only county in Oregon to not backDwight 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.[34] Trump would repeat his win in the county 4 years later with an absolute majority of the vote.[35]
While Columbia had an 80-year streak of voting for the Democratic nominee, the margin had been as narrow as three percent in 2004[36] and in 1984.
Columbia County is part ofOregon's 1st congressional district, which is represented bySuzanne Bonamici and has aCook Partisan Voting Index score of D+18. In theOregon 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 theOregon State Senate, Columbia County is in the 16th District, represented by RepublicanSuzanne 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. | % | |
| 1904 | 1,301 | 74.26% | 221 | 12.61% | 230 | 13.13% |
| 1908 | 1,242 | 63.69% | 454 | 23.28% | 254 | 13.03% |
| 1912 | 574 | 28.05% | 507 | 24.78% | 965 | 47.17% |
| 1916 | 2,023 | 53.95% | 1,451 | 38.69% | 276 | 7.36% |
| 1920 | 2,007 | 61.53% | 970 | 29.74% | 285 | 8.74% |
| 1924 | 2,483 | 56.20% | 1,015 | 22.97% | 920 | 20.82% |
| 1928 | 3,519 | 65.21% | 1,775 | 32.89% | 102 | 1.89% |
| 1932 | 1,975 | 33.27% | 3,643 | 61.36% | 319 | 5.37% |
| 1936 | 1,815 | 23.27% | 5,587 | 71.62% | 399 | 5.11% |
| 1940 | 2,959 | 33.72% | 5,758 | 65.63% | 57 | 0.65% |
| 1944 | 2,696 | 33.49% | 5,213 | 64.77% | 140 | 1.74% |
| 1948 | 3,049 | 36.95% | 4,768 | 57.79% | 434 | 5.26% |
| 1952 | 4,666 | 47.45% | 5,096 | 51.82% | 72 | 0.73% |
| 1956 | 4,275 | 43.33% | 5,592 | 56.67% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 4,356 | 43.96% | 5,546 | 55.97% | 6 | 0.06% |
| 1964 | 2,489 | 24.24% | 7,728 | 75.26% | 51 | 0.50% |
| 1968 | 4,208 | 38.09% | 6,064 | 54.89% | 775 | 7.02% |
| 1972 | 5,348 | 43.54% | 5,997 | 48.82% | 939 | 7.64% |
| 1976 | 5,226 | 37.71% | 8,005 | 57.76% | 628 | 4.53% |
| 1980 | 6,623 | 42.72% | 7,124 | 45.95% | 1,758 | 11.34% |
| 1984 | 7,811 | 48.50% | 8,219 | 51.03% | 75 | 0.47% |
| 1988 | 6,424 | 40.64% | 8,983 | 56.83% | 399 | 2.52% |
| 1992 | 5,227 | 26.94% | 8,298 | 42.77% | 5,877 | 30.29% |
| 1996 | 6,205 | 33.58% | 9,275 | 50.20% | 2,996 | 16.22% |
| 2000 | 9,369 | 44.20% | 10,331 | 48.74% | 1,495 | 7.05% |
| 2004 | 11,868 | 47.63% | 12,563 | 50.42% | 486 | 1.95% |
| 2008 | 10,413 | 42.04% | 13,390 | 54.06% | 965 | 3.90% |
| 2012 | 10,772 | 45.12% | 12,004 | 50.28% | 1,099 | 4.60% |
| 2016 | 13,217 | 49.65% | 10,167 | 38.20% | 3,234 | 12.15% |
| 2020 | 17,150 | 53.23% | 13,835 | 42.94% | 1,236 | 3.84% |
| 2024 | 17,227 | 54.98% | 12,895 | 41.15% | 1,212 | 3.87% |
The primary industries are wood products and paper manufacturing, trade, construction and horticulture.[38][39] 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.[40] 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 nearbyPortland, Oregon, metro area.[41] Columbia County's average non-farm employment was 10,740 in 2007.[42] The five largest private employers in Columbia County are Fred Meyer, Cascade Tissue Group, Wal-Mart, OMIC, USIA,[43] and USG.[44]
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.[45] From 2016 to 2022, CC Rider buses were operated by contract drivers supplied byMTR Western, a charter motor coach operator,[46] but since July 2022 the county has operated the service directly.[47]
The transit service is largely funded by grants from theOregon 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 nearbyClatsop County are currently studying options on consolidating the two county's transit services.[48][49]
Single-ride fares range from $2 to $6 per ride, depending on number of zones traveled. A ride toAstoria costs up to $10 per ride each way.[50][51]
School districts include:[52]
Most of Columbia County is in the boundary ofPortland Community College, while a portion to the north is not in the boundary of any community college district.[53]
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)Municipalities and communities ofColumbia County, Oregon,United States | ||
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