Cowlitz County is located in the southwestern corner of Washington State, along the Columbia River. It is one of the most populous counties in Washington, with an estimated population of 102,737 as of 2019. Cowlitz County is a diverse mix of rural and urban areas, with a variety of landscapes ranging from dense forests to flatlands. The county covers an area of 1,636 square miles and is home to two cities: Longview and Kelso.
The county has a rich history that dates back to 1854 when it was officially organized as an independent county. Since then, Cowlitz County has grown into a thriving community that offers its residents a wide range of recreational opportunities such as fishing and hunting in the nearby mountains, hiking trails, parks and beaches along the Columbia River.
The racial makeup of Cowlitz County is 79% White alone (non-Hispanic), 10% Hispanic or Latino origin (any race), 6% Black or African American alone (non-Hispanic), 2% Asian alone (non-Hispanic) and 4% two or more races (non-Hispanic). The gender breakdown shows that there are slightly more females than males with 50.5% female and 49.5% male according to the US Census Bureau’s 2019 1 year estimates data set.
The median age in Cowlitz County is 39 years old which is slightly higher than the national average of 37 years old according to ACS 2015–2019 5 year estimates data set. The age breakdown shows that 24 percent are aged 0-17 years old while 17 percent are aged 65 years old or older, while 59 percent are between 18-64 years old.
The median household income in Cowlitz County stands at $56,565 compared to $68,703 for Washington State as a whole according to US Census Bureau’s 2019 1 year estimates data set.. The average per capita income stands at $27,631 compared to $34,157 for Washington State as a whole.. The poverty rate in Cowlitz County stands at 12 percent compared to 11 percent for Washington State as a whole..
Cowlitz County offers its residents access to quality healthcare through several hospitals such as PeaceHealth St John Medical Center in Longview and Providence St John Medical Center in Kelso which provide comprehensive medical services including emergency care and primary care physician services. It also has several schools from kindergarten through college level including Lower Columbia College which provides vocational training programs for adults looking for career advancement opportunities.
Cowlitz County provides its residents with many amenities including quality healthcare services, educational institutions at all levels from kindergarten through college level, recreational activities such as fishing and hunting along with beautiful outdoor scenery. It also offers economic opportunities due to its proximity to major cities like Portland Oregon just across the river.
History of Cowlitz County, Washington
Cowlitz County, Washington is a county located in the southwestern corner of the state, bordering Oregon to the south and the Columbia River to the east. It is part of the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan area. The county was formed in 1854 and originally included part of what is now Thurston County. The name Cowlitz comes from a Native American tribe who lived in the area around Mount Rainier and were known for their fishing skills.
The first settlers in Cowlitz County were fur traders and missionaries who arrived in 1841, followed by loggers, farmers, and miners who began arriving in the 1850s. A sawmill was built at Kalama in 1853 which helped spur further growth in the region. The county seat was established at Kelso in 1855 and the county government was organized soon after.
In 1905 a dam was built on the Cowlitz River which created Lake Mayfield, providing hydroelectric power to local communities as well as irrigation water for nearby farms. In 1911 a bridge was built across the Columbia River connecting Longview with Rainier, Oregon which helped spur economic development on both sides of the river.
In World War II shipbuilding became an important industry with several large shipyards along the Columbia River building ships for service during WWII including aircraft carriers and submarines. After WWII many veterans settled in Cowlitz County taking advantage of newly available jobs that had been created by wartime industries such as logging and paper mills as well as new opportunities provided by hydroelectric power from dams on rivers such as Lake Mayfield.
Today, Cowlitz County has a population of 102,000 people with an economy based largely on timber and paper products produced by mills located along rivers such as Kalama River or along I-5 corridor between Seattle and Portland Oregon. It also has some tourism-related businesses near Mount St Helens National Volcanic Monument or along Interstate 5 between Seattle and Portland Oregon making it an attractive destination for visitors interested in outdoor activities such as fishing or hiking or visiting nearby attractions such as Mount St Helens National Volcanic Monument.
Major cities and towns in Cowlitz County, Washington
According to AbbreviationFinder, Cowlitz County, Washington is home to a number of major cities and towns. The county seat is Kelso, located on the banks of the Cowlitz River. This historic city was established in 1855 and is home to several notable landmarks including the Cowlitz County Courthouse built in 1909 and the historic Denny’s Restaurant which has been in operation since 1933. The city has a population of 10,950 and is known for its vibrant downtown area with several unique shops, restaurants, and bars.
Longview is another major city located in Cowlitz County. Situated along the Columbia River it was originally established as a logging town in 1923 but has since become a bustling community with a population of 36,000. It is home to numerous parks and trails such as Lake Sacajawea Park or the Columbia Riverwalk Trail System both of which offer scenic views of the river. It also offers several entertainment options such as live music venues or movie theaters making it an attractive destination for locals and visitors alike.
Kelso’s neighbor across the river, Rainier Oregon is another interesting town located within Cowlitz County. This small town has a population of 1,770 people but packs plenty to do into its small size including several parks such as Pioneer Park or Mount Rainier National Park both offering scenic views of Mount Rainier itself or nearby rivers such as Kalama River or Longview Creek. It also offers several unique shops such as Rainier Glassworks which sells handcrafted art glass pieces made right there in town making it an interesting destination for those looking for something unique and different than what can be found elsewhere in Washington state.
Other notable towns include Castle Rock located near Mt St Helens National Volcanic Monument which offers plenty of outdoor activities like fishing at Swift Reservoir or hiking along trails like Loowit Trail around Mt St Helens itself; Woodland along Lewis River offering camping options at Gifford Pinchot State Park; Toutle located near Spirit Lake offering numerous outdoor activities such as boating on Spirit Lake; Kalama on Kalama River known for its historic downtown area featuring many unique shops; Vader known for its annual Vader Days celebration held each year since 1924; Ryderwood known for its collection of vintage homes from early 1900s; Vader known for its annual Vader Days celebration held each year since 1924; Toledo situated on Coweeman River with nearby attractions like Toledo City Park featuring a playground and walking trails perfect for families with young children looking to get outside and enjoy some fresh air; Winlock along I-5 corridor between Seattle & Portland Oregon boasting numerous antique shops making it an attractive destination for those looking to find something truly unique; Toutle situated near Spirit Lake offering plenty of outdoor activities such as boating on Spirit Lake or hiking around Mt St Helens itself; Mossyrock nestled between Mossyrock Dam & Riffe Lake perfect spot for fishing enthusiasts looking to catch some large trout from Riffe lake or salmon from nearby Cowlitz River among other species making it an ideal place to spend time outdoors enjoying nature’s beauty up close & personal while catching some dinner at same time.
Cowlitz County offers something special no matter where you go whether you’re looking for history & culture in cities like Kelso & Longview, outdoor activities around Mt St Helens National Volcanic Monument or simply browsing through antique stores on I-5 corridor between Seattle & Portland Oregon there’s something here that will satisfy everyone’s tastes.
Population in Cowlitz County, Washington
According to maternityetchic.com, Cowlitz County is located in the southwestern corner of Washington State, with a population of about 105,000 people. It is bordered by the Columbia River to the north and west, and by Lewis, Thurston, and Wahkiakum counties to the east and south. The county seat is located in Kelso, which is also its largest city.
The population of Cowlitz County is predominantly white (75%), with minorities making up the remaining 25%. The largest minority group is Hispanic or Latino (12%), followed by Native American (6%), Asian (3%), African American (2%) and other races (2%). The median age of residents in Cowlitz County is 40 years old, slightly higher than the state average.
The population of Cowlitz County has grown significantly over the past decade. This growth can be attributed to an increase in job opportunities as well as an influx of retirees looking for a more affordable place to live. In addition, many young families are relocating to Cowlitz County due to its close proximity to Portland and Seattle.
Cowlitz County also has a large number of veterans living within its borders – approximately 9% of all county residents have served in the military at some point in their lives. This number is slightly higher than both the state average and national average for veterans living within a particular area.
The economy of Cowlitz County relies heavily on timber production – logging companies employ a large portion of local residents. Other major industries include manufacturing, retail trade, healthcare services, educational services, construction services and professional services.
Cowlitz County has several notable attractions including Mt St Helens National Volcanic Monument which offers plenty of outdoor activities like fishing at Swift Reservoir or hiking along trails like Loowit Trail around Mt St Helens itself; Woodland along Lewis River offering camping options at Gifford Pinchot State Park; Toutle located near Spirit Lake offering numerous outdoor activities such as boating on Spirit Lake; Kalama on Kalama River known for its historic downtown area featuring many unique shops; Vader known for its annual Vader Days celebration held each year since 1924; Ryderwood known for its collection of vintage homes from early 1900s; Toledo situated on Coweeman River with nearby attractions like Toledo City Park featuring a playground and walking trails perfect for families with young children looking to get outside and enjoy some fresh air; Winlock along I-5 corridor between Seattle & Portland Oregon boasting numerous antique shops making it an attractive destination for those looking to find something truly unique; Toutle situated near Spirit Lake offering plenty of outdoor activities such as boating on Spirit Lake or hiking around Mt St Helens itself; Mossyrock nestled between Mossyrock Dam & Riffe Lake perfect spot for fishing enthusiasts looking to catch some large trout from Riffe lake or salmon from nearby Cowlitz River among other species making it an ideal place to spend time outdoors enjoying nature’s beauty up close & personal while catching some dinner at same time.
Cowlitz County offers something special no matter where you go – whether you’re looking for history & culture in cities like Kelso & Longview, outdoor activities around Mt St Helens National Volcanic Monument or simply browsing through antique stores on I-5 corridor between Seattle & Portland Oregon there’s something here that will satisfy everyone’s tastes.