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Skamania County, Washington facts for kids

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Skamania County
Skamania County panorama
Skamania County panorama
Map of Washington highlighting Skamania County
Location within the U.S. state of Washington
Map of the United States highlighting Washington
Washington's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Washington
Founded March 9, 1854
Seat Stevenson
Largest city Carson River Valley
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 
(2021)
12,170 Increase
 • Density 7.15/sq mi (2.76/km2)
Time zone UTC−8 (Pacific)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−7 (PDT)
Congressional district 3rd

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

Skamania County is included in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Skamania County was formed on March 9, 1854. On May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted.

Geography

According to the U.S. 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) (1.7%) is water. 90% of Skamania is forested and 80% is a part of Gifford Pinchot National Forest.

Geographic features

Major highways

  • WA-14.svg State Route 14
  • Wind River Highway

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
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%
2021 (est.) 12,170 10.0%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790–1960 1900–1990
1990–2000 2010–2020

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 11,066 people, 4,522 households, and 3,072 families living in the county. The population density was 6.7 inhabitants per square mile (2.6/km2). There were 5,628 housing units at an average density of 3.4 per square mile (1.3/km2). 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. 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.

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.

Recreation

Parks and other protected areas

There are many parks in Skamania County. Only a few have been listed.

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

State parks

Sites maintained by the US Forest Service

National protected areas

Communities

Cities

Census-designated place

Unincorporated communities

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Skamania para niños

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