Columbia City, Oregon
Encyclopedia
Columbia City is a city in Columbia County
, Oregon
, United States
. It was named for its location on the Columbia River
. The population was 1,571 at the 2000 census. The 2007 estimate is 1,955 residents.
Columbia City was founded in 1867 by Jacob and Joseph Caples. In 1870, the town had aspirations of becoming the terminus for Ben Holladay
's Willamette Valley
railroad. The same year, Portland, Oregon
became the terminus of the west-side line, but the railroad never reached Columbia City. Columbia City post office was established in 1871.
Currently, Columbia City serves as a suburb of St. Helens
.
, the city has a total area of 1.1 square miles (2.8 km²), of which 0.8 square miles (2.1 km²) is land and 0.3 square mile (0.776996433 km²) (31.82%) is water.
of 2000, there were 1,571 people, 595 households, and 448 families residing in the city. The population density
was 2,106.6 people per square mile (808.8/km²). There were 640 housing units at an average density of 858.2 per square mile (329.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.61% White, 0.38% African American, 1.34% Native American, 0.70% Asian, 0.51% from other races
, and 1.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.04% of the population. 19.9% were of German
, 11.9% English
, 11.0% Irish
, 7.9% American
, 6.5% Norwegian
and 5.3% Scottish
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 595 households out of which 32.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.2% were married couples
living together, 5.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.7% were non-families. 19.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.8% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 30.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 105.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $59,545, and the median income for a family was $62,596. Males had a median income of $46,964 versus $33,125 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $25,266. About 2.8% of families and 4.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.1% of those under age 18 and 3.7% of those age 65 or over.
Columbia County, Oregon
Columbia County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. It was named for the Columbia River, which forms its eastern and northern borders. As of 2010, its population was 49,351. The county seat is St. Helens.-Economy:...
, Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It was named for its location on the Columbia River
Columbia River
The Columbia River is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. The river rises in the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia, Canada, flows northwest and then south into the U.S. state of Washington, then turns west to form most of the border between Washington and the state...
. The population was 1,571 at the 2000 census. The 2007 estimate is 1,955 residents.
History
Ben Holladay
Benjamin "Ben" Holladay was an American transportation businessman known as the "Stagecoach King" until his routes were taken over by Wells Fargo in 1866...
's Willamette Valley
Willamette Valley
The Willamette Valley is the most populated region in the state of Oregon of the United States. Located in the state's northwest, the region is surrounded by tall mountain ranges to the east, west and south and the valley's floor is broad, flat and fertile because of Ice Age conditions...
railroad. The same year, Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
became the terminus of the west-side line, but the railroad never reached Columbia City. Columbia City post office was established in 1871.
Currently, Columbia City serves as a suburb of St. Helens
St. Helens, Oregon
St. Helens is the county seat of Columbia County, Oregon. It was founded by Captain H. M. Knighton, a native of New England, in 1845 as "Plymouth". The name was changed to St. Helens in the latter part of 1850 for its view of Mount St. Helens some away in Washington. The population was 10,019 at...
.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 1.1 square miles (2.8 km²), of which 0.8 square miles (2.1 km²) is land and 0.3 square mile (0.776996433 km²) (31.82%) is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 1,571 people, 595 households, and 448 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 2,106.6 people per square mile (808.8/km²). There were 640 housing units at an average density of 858.2 per square mile (329.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.61% White, 0.38% African American, 1.34% Native American, 0.70% Asian, 0.51% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.04% of the population. 19.9% were of German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
, 11.9% English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
, 11.0% Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
, 7.9% American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, 6.5% Norwegian
Norwegians
Norwegians constitute both a nation and an ethnic group native to Norway. They share a common culture and speak the Norwegian language. Norwegian people and their descendants are found in migrant communities worldwide, notably in United States, Canada and Brazil.-History:Towards the end of the 3rd...
and 5.3% Scottish
Scottish people
The Scottish people , or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland. Historically they emerged from an amalgamation of the Picts and Gaels, incorporating neighbouring Britons to the south as well as invading Germanic peoples such as the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse.In modern use,...
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 595 households out of which 32.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.2% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 5.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.7% were non-families. 19.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.8% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 30.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 105.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $59,545, and the median income for a family was $62,596. Males had a median income of $46,964 versus $33,125 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $25,266. About 2.8% of families and 4.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.1% of those under age 18 and 3.7% of those age 65 or over.
External links
- Listing for Columbia City in the Oregon Blue BookOregon Blue BookThe Oregon Blue Book is the official directory and fact book for the U.S. state of Oregon copyrighted by the Oregon Secretary of State and published by the Office of the Secretary's Archives Division. As Governor Ted Kulongoski notes in his introduction for the 2005–2006 edition, it "provides...
- Historic Photos of Columbia City