Clackamas County, Oregon

Clackamas County (/ˈklækəməs/ CLAK-ə-məss) is one of the 36 counties in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2020 census, the population was 421,401, making it Oregon's third-most populous county.[1] Its county seat is Oregon City.[2] The county was named after the American Indians living in the area, the Clackamas people, who are part of the Chinookan peoples.

Clackamas County
County
Official seal of Clackamas County
Seal
Official logo of Clackamas County
Logo
Map of Oregon highlighting Clackamas County
Location within the U.S. state of Oregon
Map of the United States highlighting Oregon
Oregon's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 45°11′N 122°13′W
Country United States
State Oregon
FoundedJuly 5, 1843
Named forClackamas people
SeatOregon City
Largest cityLake Oswego
Area
 • Total1,883 sq mi (4,880 km2)
 • Land1,870 sq mi (4,800 km2)
 • Water13 sq mi (30 km2)  0.7%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total421,401
 • Estimate 
(2022)
423,177 Increase
 • Density220/sq mi (86/km2)
Time zoneUTC−8 (Pacific)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−7 (PDT)
Congressional districts3rd, 5th, 6th
Websitewww.clackamas.us
Map of Clackamas County
Map of Clackamas County

Clackamas County is part of the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is in the Willamette Valley.

History

Originally named Clackamas District, it was one of the four original Oregon districts created by Oregon's Provisional Legislature on July 5, 1843, along with Twality (later Washington), Champooick (later Marion), and Yamhill. The four districts were redesignated as counties in 1845. At the time of its creation, Clackamas County covered portions of four present-day U.S. states and a Canadian province. The Columbia River became the northern boundary of the county in 1844. Soon after, John McLoughlin staked a land claim in Oregon City and built a house that in 2003 became a unit of the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site.

Most of the indigenous people of the Wil-lamet Valley were forcibly removed in February 1859, to the reservation of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. Most were moved without treaty or compensation for lost lands or resources. Some 22 tribes were moved during the cold winter. It is estimated that 30% did not survive the first year. The tribes eventually prospered, but outside of Clackamas County. They also never received any revenue or compensation from the logging of their homeland forests.

In addition, the Tribes of the Cascades Mountains were isolated to a Reservation after the signing of a treaty in 1859. Confederated Tribes of Warmsprings was established and remains a strong and vital player in actions that concern the Federal forests of the Cascades Range.

Oregon City was also the site of the only federal court west of the Rockies in 1849, when San Francisco, California, was platted. The plat was filed in 1850 in the first plat book of the first office of records on the West Coast and is still in Oregon City.

In 1902, the Willamette Meteorite was recovered from a field near present-day West Linn.

Geography
Forest west of Clackamas River Valley

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,883 square miles (4,880 km2), of which 1,870 square miles (4,800 km2) is land and 12 square miles (31 km2) (0.7%) is water.[3]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

The county includes parts of two national forests: Mount Hood National Forest and Willamette National Forest.

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18501,859—
18603,46686.4%
18705,99372.9%
18809,26054.5%
189015,23364.5%
190019,65829.0%
191029,93152.3%
192037,69825.9%
193046,20522.6%
194057,13023.6%
195086,71651.8%
1960113,03830.4%
1970166,08846.9%
1980241,91945.7%
1990278,85015.3%
2000338,39121.4%
2010375,99211.1%
2020421,40112.1%
2022 (est.)423,177[4]0.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
1790–1960[6] 1900–1990[7]
1990–2000[8] 2010-2020[1]

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 375,992 people, 145,790 households, and 100,866 families in the county.[9] The population density was 201.0 inhabitants per square mile (77.6/km2). There were 156,945 housing units at an average density of 83.9 per square mile (32.4/km2).[10] The racial makeup of the county was 88.2% white, 3.7% Asian, 0.8% American Indian, 0.8% black or African American, 0.2% Pacific islander, 3.1% from other races, and 3.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 7.7% of the population.[9] In terms of ancestry, 24.9% were German, 14.5% were English, 13.3% were Irish, 5.0% were Norwegian, and 4.9% were American.[11]

Of the 145,790 households, 32.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.8% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.8% were non-families, and 24.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.04. The median age was 40.6 years.[9]

The median income for a household in the county was $62,007 and the median income for a family was $74,905. Males had a median income of $53,488 versus $39,796 for females. The per capita income for the county was $31,785. About 6.1% of families and 9.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.2% of those under age 18 and 6.2% of those age 65 or over.[12]

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 338,391 people, 128,201 households, and 91,663 families in the county. The population density was 181 people per square mile (70 people/km2). There were 136,954 housing units at an average density of 73 units per square mile (28/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 91.27% White, 2.45% Asian, 0.71% Native American, 0.66% Black or African American, 0.17% Pacific Islander, 2.28% from other races, and 2.46% from two or more races. 4.95% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 20.7% were of German, 11.6% English, 9.1% Irish and 7.5% American ancestry.

There were 128,201 households, out of which 34.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.60% were married couples living together, 9.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.50% were non-families. 22.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.07.

The county population contained 26.20% under the age of 18, 8.00% from 18 to 24, 28.70% from 25 to 44, 26.00% from 45 to 64, and 11.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $52,080, and the median income for a family was $60,791. Males had a median income of $43,462 versus $30,891 for females. The per capita income for the county was $25,973. About 4.60% of families and 6.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.60% of those under age 18 and 5.10% of those age 65 or over.

Communities
Mount Hood reflected in Trillium Lake
Clackamas River flowing through Milo McIver State Park

Several of the county's cities extend into other counties. Lake Oswego and Milwaukie include areas in Multnomah County. Lake Oswego, Rivergrove and Wilsonville include areas in Washington County. The cities of Portland and Tualatin extend into Clackamas County from Multnomah and Washington counties respectively.

In Clackamas County, hamlets and villages are models of local land use governance for unincorporated areas. The four hamlets in Clackamas County are Beavercreek, Molalla Prairie, Mulino, and Stafford. The county's only village is the Villages at Mount Hood.

Cities

Census-designated places

Hamlet

Unincorporated communities

Former unincorporated communities

Government and politics

Incorporated communities

Clackamas County is the first county in Oregon to have four models of governance for its communities. Like the rest of Oregon, it has cities (which are formally incorporated) and rural communities (some of which for federal purposes are considered census-designated places).

After the completion of a process that began in late 1999, the county adopted an ordinance on August 11, 2005, which defined hamlets and villages. By the November 30, 2005, deadline, three communities had submitted petitions to be designated as such. Boring petitioned to become a village, but the application was rejected in a town hall referendum in August 2006. The communities along U.S. Route 26 near Mount Hood from Brightwood to Rhododendron petitioned to become "The Villages at Mount Hood", and it was approved by residents in May 2006. Beavercreek petitioned to become a hamlet, and was recognized as such in September 2006.

While the other counties in the Portland Metropolitan Area are solidly Democratic, Clackamas County typically serves as a swing county. It has usually voted for the eventual winner of presidential elections, with exceptions in 1884, 1892, 1916, 1948, 1960, 1976, and 2016.

County Chair: Tootie Smith
County Commissioners:
 Paul Savas

Martha Schrader
Mark Shull
Ben West

County Clerk: Catherine McMullen
Assessor Tax Collector: Bronson Rueda
Treasurer: Brian Nava
Justice of the Peace: Karen Brisbin
District Attorney: John Wentworth
County Sheriff: Angela Brandenburg
Federal government
U.S. Representative(s):
 Earl Blumenauer (D-3rd District)

Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-5th District)
Andrea Salinas (D-6th District)

U.S. Senators: Ron Wyden (D)

Jeff Merkley (D)

[16]

State representatives
District Name[16] Party Residence Notes
District 18 Rick Lewis Republican Silverton
District 26 Courtney Neron Democratic Wilsonville
District 37 Jules Walters Democratic West Linn
District 38 Daniel Nguyen Democratic Lake Oswego
District 39 Janelle Bynum Democratic Happy Valley
District 40 Annessa Hartman Democratic Gladstone
District 41 Mark Gamba Democratic Milwaukie
District 48 Jeff Reardon Democratic Happy Valley
District 51 James Hieb Republican Canby
District 52 Jeff Helfrich Republican The Dalles

State senators
District Name[16] Party Residence Notes
District 9 Fred Girod Republican Stayton
District 19 Rob Wagner Democratic Lake Oswego Senate President
District 20 Mark Meek Democratic Gladstone
District 21 Kathleen Taylor Democratic Portland
District 24 Kayse Jama Democratic Portland
District 26 Daniel Bonham Republican The Dalles
United States presidential election results for Clackamas County, Oregon[17]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 110,509 42.89% 139,043 53.96% 8,127 3.15%
2016 88,392 41.30% 102,095 47.70% 23,552 11.00%
2012 88,592 46.79% 95,493 50.44% 5,247 2.77%
2008 83,595 43.57% 103,476 53.93% 4,807 2.51%
2004 97,691 50.10% 95,129 48.78% 2,180 1.12%
2000 77,539 47.79% 76,421 47.10% 8,302 5.12%
1996 59,443 40.95% 67,709 46.65% 17,994 12.40%
1992 53,724 34.76% 60,310 39.03% 40,504 26.21%
1988 61,381 49.76% 59,799 48.48% 2,171 1.76%
1984 68,630 59.08% 47,254 40.68% 289 0.25%
1980 54,111 49.42% 40,462 36.96% 14,910 13.62%
1976 47,671 50.74% 42,504 45.24% 3,784 4.03%
1972 41,767 53.49% 32,540 41.67% 3,782 4.84%
1968 32,363 50.60% 27,939 43.68% 3,659 5.72%
1964 21,299 37.34% 35,711 62.60% 33 0.06%
1960 28,531 54.53% 23,679 45.26% 109 0.21%
1956 25,314 55.36% 20,416 44.64% 0 0.00%
1952 24,174 59.51% 16,219 39.93% 227 0.56%
1948 14,431 47.97% 14,263 47.41% 1,389 4.62%
1944 12,492 46.29% 14,060 52.10% 435 1.61%
1940 11,416 45.39% 13,547 53.86% 190 0.76%
1936 5,830 27.37% 14,203 66.67% 1,270 5.96%
1932 5,964 32.05% 11,575 62.20% 1,069 5.74%
1928 9,216 59.51% 5,918 38.22% 352 2.27%
1924 5,864 43.28% 3,099 22.87% 4,585 33.84%
1920 6,928 59.52% 3,740 32.13% 971 8.34%
1916 6,349 50.91% 5,334 42.77% 788 6.32%
1912 1,503 23.01% 2,171 33.24% 2,858 43.75%
1908 2,776 53.91% 1,866 36.24% 507 9.85%
1904 2,783 67.78% 684 16.66% 639 15.56%
1900 2,234 53.96% 1,641 39.64% 265 6.40%
1896 2,664 51.79% 2,386 46.38% 94 1.83%
1892 1,815 44.51% 655 16.06% 1,608 39.43%
1888 1,527 56.39% 1,005 37.11% 176 6.50%
1884 1,381 55.31% 1,015 40.65% 101 4.04%
1880 1,166 57.10% 872 42.70% 4 0.20%

Economy

Since the county's creation, agriculture, timber, manufacturing, and commerce have been the principal economic activities. Mount Hood, the only year-round ski resort in the United States and the site of Timberline Lodge, is a major attraction for recreation and tourism, offering outdoor recreation activities from skiing and rafting to fishing and camping.

Infrastructure

The county supports the Library Information Network of Clackamas County. The urban areas of the county are also served by Metro.

Notable people

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  4. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022". Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  5. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  6. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  7. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  8. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 26, 2015. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  9. "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  10. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  11. "Selected Social Characteristics in the US – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  12. "Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  13. McArthur, Lewis A. (December 1925). "Oregon Geographic Names". The Quarterly of the Oregon Historical Society. 26 (4): 342. JSTOR 20610329.
  14. United States Official Postal Guide. United States Post Office. 1923. p. 649.
  15. United States Official Postal Guide. United States Post Office. 1899. p. 496.
  16. "Elected Officials: Clackamas County". Clackamas County, Oregon. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  17. Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  18. "Mickey Mouse Club Cast: Bob Amsberry". Original Mickey Mouse Club. Retrieved April 9, 2016.
  19. Spitaleri, Ellen (June 24, 2013). "OCHS graduate sisters compete for state pageant crown". Portland Tribune. Portland, OR: Pamplin Media Group. Archived from the original on July 1, 2013. Retrieved August 16, 2015.
  20. Pulitzer-prize winning author has Eastern Oregon ties, East Oregonian, May 9, 2007.(subscription required)
  21. Green, Aimee (August 16, 2015). "Woman who loved Harding finally vindicated". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. A2. Archived from the original on March 26, 2018.
  22. "George Bruns". Moviefone. Archived from the original on November 5, 2020.
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  25. "Obituary: Alma Francis Fields". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. August 23, 1968. p. 1.
  26. Simon, Mark (July 2, 2010). "Remembering the wackiest game ever". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
  27. Brennan, Christine (January 20, 1994). "Rival Skater's Ex-Husband Charged in Attack". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on January 2, 2018. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  28. Miller, Peter (November 1984). "Being Bill". Ski. 49: 52. ISSN 0037-6159.
  29. "Ralph Oliver Patt: Canby, Oregon". Death-Record. Archived from the original on January 21, 2013. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
  30. Griewank (2010, p. 1): Griewank, Andreas (January 1, 2010), Tuning guitars and reading music in major thirds, Matheon preprints, vol. 695, Rosestr. 3a, 12524 Berlin, Germany: DFG research center "MATHEON, Mathematics for key technologies" Berlin, MSC-Classification 97M80 Arts. Music. Language. Architecture{{citation}}: CS1 maint: location (link) (Postscript file and PDF file)
  31. Associated Press (August 7, 1991). "DOE (Department of Energy) says report on accidents at Hanford to be released soon". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Yakima. Retrieved August 17, 2012.Geronios, Nicholas K. (August 7, 1991). "DOE accused of concealing report: Document may detail 125 Hanford accidents". The Spokesman-Review (Spokane, WA). Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  32. Dorn Steele, Karen (July 13, 1997). "Cracks in Hanford's clean bill of health: Congressional watchdogs want to make sure nuclear facility plugs leaks". The Spokesman-Review (Spokane, WA). Archived from the original on June 11, 2014.
  33. Baker, Jeff (April 30, 2014). "17 actors you (maybe) didn't know were from Oregon". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. Archived from the original on February 23, 2015.
  34. Turnquist, Kristi (February 11, 2016). "TV's Maria Thayer: From a bee farm in Boring to the new sitcom, 'Those Who Can't'". The Oregonian. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
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Further reading
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