Cathlamet | |
|---|---|
| Cathlamet, Washington | |
 Downtown Cathlamet | |
 Location of Cathlamet, Washington | |
| Coordinates:46°12′06″N123°22′42″W / 46.20167°N 123.37833°W /46.20167; -123.37833 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | Wahkiakum |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | David Olson[1] |
| Area | |
• Total | 0.51 sq mi (1.32 km2) |
| • Land | 0.51 sq mi (1.31 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0.00 km2) 1.46% |
| Elevation | 56 ft (17 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 560 |
| • Density | 1,100/sq mi (430/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP code | 98612 |
| Area code | 360 |
| FIPS code | 53-10635[4] |
| GNIS feature ID | 2413181[3] |
| Website | Town of Cathlamet |
Cathlamet/kæθˈlæmɪt/ is a town located along theOcean Beach Highway inWahkiakum County,Washington, United States, where it is thecounty seat. The population was 560 at the2020 census.[5]
Cathlamet was the largest, or one of the largest, villages of Columbia RiverNative Americans west of theCascade Mountains, and the home of theKathlamet people.[6] "Cathlamet was sighted in 1792 byLt. W.R. Broughton, while verifyingCapt. Robert Gray's reported exploration of the Columbia River."[7][citation needed] This village of cedar houses included 300-400 inhabitants when visited byLewis and Clark.[8]
In 1846,James Albion Birnie became the first permanent white settler at Cathlamet, moving there after a career with theHudson's Bay Company.[9][10][11] He set up a trading post, remnants of which were reported still standing in 1906. "Birnie named the area Birnie's Retreat. The name was later changed to Cathlamet in 1851."[7]
Cathlamet was officially incorporated on February 18, 1907. In 1938, theJulia Butler Hansen Bridge was built to carry what is nowState Route 409 across theColumbia River'sCathlamet Channel toPuget Island.
Cathlamet lies on theColumbia River in southwestern Washington across fromPuget Island andOregon. ThePacific Coast to the west andLongview to the east are accessible viaState Route 4.[12] Another highway,State Route 409, crosses to Puget Island and connects with the county-operatedWahkiakum County Ferry, which travels over the Columbia River toWestport, Oregon.
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.50 square miles (1.29 km2), of which, 0.49 square miles (1.27 km2) is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km2) is water.[13]
| Climate data for Cathlamet, Washington | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 45 (7) | 50 (10) | 54 (12) | 59 (15) | 64 (18) | 68 (20) | 74 (23) | 75 (24) | 71 (22) | 62 (17) | 50 (10) | 45 (7) | 60 (15) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 31 (−1) | 33 (1) | 35 (2) | 38 (3) | 43 (6) | 47 (8) | 51 (11) | 51 (11) | 46 (8) | 39 (4) | 35 (2) | 32 (0) | 40 (5) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 8.28 (210) | 6.75 (171) | 5.94 (151) | 4.08 (104) | 2.69 (68) | 1.83 (46) | 0.84 (21) | 0.96 (24) | 2.22 (56) | 4.08 (104) | 8.84 (225) | 8.98 (228) | 55.49 (1,408) |
| Source: The Weather Channel[14] | |||||||||||||
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | 133 | — | |
| 1910 | 362 | — | |
| 1920 | 422 | 16.6% | |
| 1930 | 537 | 27.3% | |
| 1940 | 621 | 15.6% | |
| 1950 | 501 | −19.3% | |
| 1960 | 615 | 22.8% | |
| 1970 | 647 | 5.2% | |
| 1980 | 635 | −1.9% | |
| 1990 | 508 | −20.0% | |
| 2000 | 565 | 11.2% | |
| 2010 | 532 | −5.8% | |
| 2020 | 560 | 5.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[15] | |||
As of the2010 census,[16] there were 532 people, 258 households, and 136 families residing in the town. Thepopulation density was 1,085.7 inhabitants per square mile (419.2/km2). There were 296 housing units at an average density of 604.1 units per square mile (233.2 units/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 94.7%White, 0.2%African American, 0.9%Native American, 1.1%Asian, 0.8% fromother races, and 2.3% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 3.4% of the population.
There were 258 households, of which 19.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.5% weremarried couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 47.3% were non-families. 40.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.90 and the average family size was 2.52.
The median age in the town was 52.9 years. 15% of residents were under the age of 18; 4.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 19.6% were from 25 to 44; 30.2% were from 45 to 64; and 31% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 45.3% male and 54.7% female.
As of the2000 census,[4] there were 565 people, 246 households, and 138 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,426.2 people per square mile (550.7 people/km2). There were 278 housing units at an average density of 701.7 units per square mile (270.9 units/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 94.16%White, 0.53%African American, 1.59%Native American, 0.88%Asian, 0.35% fromother races, and 2.48% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 0.53% of the population.
There were 246 households, out of which 20.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.7% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.5% were non-families. 38.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.06 and the average family size was 2.67.
In the town, the age distribution of the population shows 18.2% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 20.0% from 25 to 44, 29.4% from 45 to 64, and 26.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49 years. For every 100 females, there were 81.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $33,409, and the median income for a family was $47,917. Males had a median income of $35,625 versus $30,750 for females. Theper capita income for the town was $18,588. About 9.6% of families and 15.1% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 12.6% of those under age 18 and 3.8% of those age 65 or over.
Cathlamet celebrates "Bald Eagle Days", a two-day, themed festival. Held usually in July, the event hosts a parade, street vendors, and an area for children's activities. The city's "Art in the Park" workshop, farmer's market, and the marina are incorporated into the event. The first Bald Eagle Days was held in 1982.[17][18]
In the downtown core resides thePioneer Church, built in 1895.[19]
Films shot in Cathlamet includeCome See the Paradise (1990),Snow Falling on Cedars (1999) andMen of Honor (2000).[20]
As stated in the afterword ofTananarive Due's horror novelThe Good House, the setting of Sacajawea, WA is based on Cathlamet.[21]
Cathlamet is home to all schools,K-12, of theWahkiakum School District. The district of about 430 students pulls students from Cathlamet,Upper Elochoman,Lower Elochoman,East Cathlamet, Puget Island, andSkamokawa Valley.[22]
Municipalities and communities ofWahkiakum County, Washington,United States | ||
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