Skamania County, Washington

Skamania County
Skamania County
County
	Skamania County panorama
	Location within the U.S. state of Washington
	Washington's location within the U.S.
	Coordinates: 46°02′N 121°55′W / 46.03°N 121.91°W
Country	United States
State	Washington
Founded	March 9, 1854
Seat	Stevenson
Largest city	Carson
Area
• Total	1,683 sq mi (4,360 km2)
• Land	1,656 sq mi (4,290 km2)
• Water	28 sq mi (70 km2) 1.7%
Population (2020)
• Total	12,036
• Estimate (2022)	12,460
• Density	7.15/sq mi (2.76/km2)
Time zone	UTC−8 (Pacific)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−7 (PDT)
Congressional district	3rd
Website	www.skamaniacounty.org

Skamania County (/skəˈmeɪniə/ skə-MAY-nee-ə) is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, the population was 12,036.^[1] The county seat and largest incorporated city is Stevenson,^[2] although the Carson River Valley CDP is more populous. Skamania County is included in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Etymology

The county was founded in 1854 and derives its name from the Cascades Chinook word sk'mániak, meaning 'swift waters'.^[3]

County beginnings

The area delineated by the future Washington state boundary began to be colonized at the start of the nineteenth century, both by Americans and British subjects. However, the majority of British exploration and interest in the land was due to the fur trade, whereas American settlers were principally seeking land for agriculture and cattle raising. The Treaty of 1818 provided for the region to be an Anglo-American condominium. During this period, the future Washington Territory was divided into two administrative zones: Clark County and Lewis County (made official in 1845).

The condominium was unwieldy and led to continual argument, and occasional conflict. The status of the Washington area was settled in 1846, when the Oregon Treaty ceded the land south of North latitude 49 degrees to American control.

On March 9, 1854, Skamania County was split from the original Clark County. Also in 1854, Walla Walla County was split from the new Skamania County. After that, Skamania County retained its shape, including through the period after Washington became the 42nd state of the Union in 1889.^[4] Fort Cascades, built to protect the Columbia River, served as an early county seat, but the county seat has been in Stevenson since 1893.

20th century to present day

Skamania County is also known for enacting what has been described as the "Bigfoot Ordinance", passed by the Board of County Commissioners at its meeting of April 1, 1969, and published twice in the Skamania County Pioneer, the newspaper of highest circulation in the county, as required by law. The ordinance forbids the slaying of any "nocturnal primate mammal variously described as an ape-like creature or a sub-species of Homo sapiens ... generally and commonly known as a 'Sasquatch', 'Yeti', 'Bigfoot', or 'Giant Hairy ape'", subject to a maximum penalty of a $10,000 fine and five years imprisonment. Although its passage coincided with April Fool's Day, Ordinance 69-01 was real, was amended in 1984, and has not been repealed. Its purposes included protection of residents and visitors from in the county from a very real concern, "an influx of scientific investigators as well as casual hunters, many armed with lethal weapons", who had been attracted to the area by reported sightings of a creature.^[5]^[6]^[7]

Mt. St. Helens, which is located in Skamania County, erupted in 1980.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,684 square miles (4,360 km²), of which 1,656 square miles (4,290 km²) is land and 28 square miles (73 km²), or 1.7%, is water.^[8] 90% of Skamania is forested and 80% is a part of Gifford Pinchot National Forest. The highest elevation in the county is 8,920 feet (2,720 m), on the slopes of Mount Adams,^[9] although prior to its eruption, Mount Saint Helens was the highest point at 9,677 feet (2,950 m).

Geographic features

Cascade Mountains
Columbia River
Mount St. Helens - the highest point in Skamania County
Indian Heaven

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1860	173		—
1870	133		−23.1%
1880	809		508.3%
1890	774		−4.3%
1900	1,688		118.1%
1910	2,887		71.0%
1920	2,357		−18.4%
1930	2,891		22.7%
1940	4,633		60.3%
1950	4,788		3.3%
1960	5,207		8.8%
1970	5,845		12.3%
1980	7,919		35.5%
1990	8,289		4.7%
2000	9,872		19.1%
2010	11,066		12.1%
2020	12,036		8.8%
2022 (est.)	12,460	^[10]	3.5%
U.S. Decennial Census^[11] 1790–1960^[12] 1900–1990^[13] 1990–2000^[14] 2010–2020^[15]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 12,036 people and 4,723 households in the county.^[1] The population density of the county was 7.3 people per square mile. The racial make up of the county was 92.1% White, 0.8% African American, 2.0% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 0.3% Pacific Islander,and 3.7% from two or more races.^[1] Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 7.4% of the population.

17.2% of the population were under 18, and 3.7% were under 5. People over 65 made up 24.2% of the population. The gender make up of the county was 49% female and 51% male.^[1]

The median household income was $75,565 in the county, and the per capita income was $37,691. 10.9% of the population were below the poverty line.^[1]

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 11,066 people, 4,522 households, and 3,072 families living in the county.^[16] The population density was 6.7 people per square mile (2.6 people/km²). There were 5,628 housing units at an average density of 3.4 units per square mile (1.3 units/km²).^[17] The racial makeup of the county was 92.8% white, 1.6% American Indian, 0.9% Asian, 0.4% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 1.3% from other races, and 3.0% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 5.0% of the population.^[16] In terms of ancestry, 20.6% were German, 15.7% were Irish, 11.0% were English, 6.3% were Norwegian, and 5.0% were American.^[18]

Of the 4,522 households, 28.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.3% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.1% were non-families, and 25.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.92. The median age was 44.0 years.^[16]

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 9,872 people, 3,755 households, and 2,756 families living in the county. The population density was 6 people per square mile (2.3 people/km²). There were 4,576 housing units at an average density of 3 units per square mile (1.2 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 92.11% White, 0.30% Black or African American, 2.20% Native American, 0.54% Asian, 0.17% Pacific Islander, 2.43% from other races, and 2.25% from two or more races. 4.03% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 17.7% were of German, 12.5% English, 12.1% Irish, 11.2% United States or American and 5.2% Norwegian ancestry.

There were 3,755 households, out of which 34.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.50% were married couples living together, 8.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.60% were non-families. 21.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.60% under the age of 18, 6.70% from 18 to 24, 28.60% from 25 to 44, 27.10% from 45 to 64, and 11.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 101.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $39,317, and the median income for a family was $44,586. Males had a median income of $36,732 versus $25,130 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,002. About 10.00% of families and 13.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.10% of those under age 18 and 7.90% of those age 65 or over.

In the year 2000 there were more Seventh-day Adventists in Skamania County than adherents of any other religious group. Skamania County is the only county in the United States for which this is true.^[19] Currently, this honor belongs to the state of Walla Walla, Washington.

Recreation

Skamania County has abundant trails within its borders, including hiking at the Columbia River Gorge and Gifford Pinchot National Forest, which includes the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. The Pacific Crest Trail passes through Skamania County.
Fishing in Skamania County allows for the opportunity to catch certain popular species such as rainbow trout, steelhead and bass.
The Columbia Gorge Museum, in Stevenson, examines the geologic and human past in the Columbia River Gorge.
The Lewis and Clark Expedition passed through Skamania County, and some of their campsites can be visited.
Historical markers are located in several areas, such as Fort Cascades and Fort Raines, both built in the 1850s to protect the portage road around the Cascades Rapids.
Kiteboarding and windsurfing are seasonal sports popular in the Columbia River Gorge.

Parks and other protected areas

County parks

Prindle Park is a county-maintained park with picnic facilities and a playground.
Big Cedars Campground is a county-maintained campground with primitive campsites.
Home Valley Campground is another county-maintained camping area.

State parks

Beacon Rock State Park offers hiking, camping, rock climbing, and picnicking facilities.

Sites maintained by the US Forest Service

Sams Walker Day Use Site offers an interpretive trail, access to the Columbia River, and opportunities to view wildlife. Portions of it are typically wheelchair-accessible. However, vegetation growth sometimes prevents people in wheelchairs from using the trails.
St. Cloud Day Use Site features a short, easy trail through a meadow, picnic area, access to the Columbia River and wildlife viewing opportunities.

National protected areas

Communities

Politics

Skamania County is a fairly competitive county in presidential elections. The Republicans and Democrats won the county four times each between 1988 and 2016.

United States presidential election results for Skamania County, Washington^[20]^[21]
Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
Year	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	3,885	53.13%	3,192	43.65%	235	3.21%
2016	2,928	50.23%	2,232	38.29%	669	11.48%
2012	2,687	48.57%	2,628	47.51%	217	3.92%
2008	2,524	45.97%	2,817	51.31%	149	2.71%
2004	2,695	52.24%	2,374	46.02%	90	1.74%
2000	2,151	50.62%	1,753	41.26%	345	8.12%
1996	1,387	36.61%	1,724	45.50%	678	17.89%
1992	1,102	29.95%	1,474	40.05%	1,104	30.00%
1988	1,356	42.88%	1,748	55.28%	58	1.83%
1984	1,736	51.99%	1,552	46.48%	51	1.53%
1980	1,416	45.75%	1,373	44.36%	306	9.89%
1976	1,102	41.55%	1,436	54.15%	114	4.30%
1972	1,288	48.70%	1,153	43.59%	204	7.71%
1968	968	40.67%	1,221	51.30%	191	8.03%
1964	653	27.05%	1,758	72.83%	3	0.12%
1960	1,032	44.75%	1,269	55.03%	5	0.22%
1956	1,014	45.90%	1,193	54.01%	2	0.09%
1952	1,072	52.29%	978	47.71%	0	0.00%
1948	707	38.38%	1,067	57.93%	68	3.69%
1944	668	40.56%	968	58.77%	11	0.67%
1940	765	36.80%	1,292	62.15%	22	1.06%
1936	406	17.58%	1,863	80.65%	41	1.77%
1932	444	30.37%	934	63.89%	84	5.75%
1928	631	55.99%	473	41.97%	23	2.04%
1924	533	52.15%	207	20.25%	282	27.59%
1920	409	52.71%	247	31.83%	120	15.46%
1916	489	49.95%	451	46.07%	39	3.98%
1912	251	30.24%	262	31.57%	317	38.19%
1908	310	60.08%	143	27.71%	63	12.21%
1904	297	68.43%	61	14.06%	76	17.51%
1900	175	45.10%	203	52.32%	10	2.58%
1896	122	32.28%	252	66.67%	4	1.06%
1892	91	39.74%	99	43.23%	39	17.03%