Editing Camas, Washington

{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Camas, Washington
|settlement_type          = [[City government in Washington (state)|City]]
|image_skyline            = Camas, Washington aerial view.jpg
|image_caption            = Aerial view of Camas and the [[Columbia River]], looking northwest
|image_map                = Clark_County_Washington_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Camas_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location of Camas in Washington
<!-- Location ------------->
|subdivision_type         = Country
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Washington (state)|Washington]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Washington|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Clark County, Washington|Clark]]
<!-- Government ----------->
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = [[Mayor–council government|Mayor–council]]<ref>{{cite web|title=About the City's Government|url=https://www.cityofcamas.us/government/page/about-citys-government|publisher=City of Camas|access-date=March 30, 2022}}</ref>
|leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name              = Steve Hogan<ref>{{cite web|title=Mayor Steve Hogan|url=https://www.cityofcamas.us/mayor/page/mayor-steve-hogan|publisher=City of Camas|access-date=March 30, 2022}}</ref>
|established_title        = 
|established_date         = 
<!-- Area ----------------->
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_53.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 7, 2020}}</ref>
|area_total_km2           = 42.06
|area_land_km2            = 36.45
|area_water_km2           = 5.61
|area_total_sq_mi         = 16.24
|area_land_sq_mi          = 14.07
|area_water_sq_mi         = 2.17
<!-- Population ----------->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_est           = 27054
|pop_est_as_of            = 2021
|pop_est_footnotes        = <ref name="USCensusEst2021"/>
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
|population_total         = 26065
|population_density_km2   = 669.84
|population_density_sq_mi = 1734.85
|population_demonym       = Camasonian<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/CityofCamas/status/838859786665918464|title=Tweet from City of Camas account|date=March 6, 2017|access-date=August 12, 2018}}</ref>
<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[Pacific Time Zone|PST]]
|utc_offset               = -8
|timezone_DST             = PDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -7
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_ft             = 712
|coordinates              = {{coord|45|36|28|N|122|25|44|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 98607
|area_code                = [[Area code 360|360]], [[Area code 564|564]]
|area_code_type           = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 53-09480
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 2409967<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2409967}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|https://www.cityofcamas.us/|cityofcamas.us}}
|footnotes                = 
}}

'''Camas''' {{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|æ|m|ə|s}} is a [[city]] in [[Clark County, Washington]], with a population of 26,065 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref name="2020 Census (City)">{{cite web|title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US5309480 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=June 21, 2022}}</ref> The east side of town borders the city of [[Washougal, Washington]], and the west side of town borders [[Vancouver, Washington]]. Camas lies along the Washington side of the Columbia River, across from [[Troutdale, Oregon]], and is part of the [[Portland metropolitan area]].

One of the major geographical features of the city is Prune Hill.  Prune Hill is an extinct volcanic vent and is part of the [[Boring Lava Field]] of northwest Oregon and southwest Washington.<ref>[http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/Oregon/BoringLavaField/description_boring_lava.html Boring Lava Field], vulcan.wr.usgs.gov</ref>

==History==
Officially incorporated on June 18, 1906, the city is named after the [[camas lily]], a plant with an onion-like bulb prized by Native Americans. A paper mill was first established in the city in 1883 with the support of [[Henry Pittock]], a wealthy entrepreneur from [[England]] who had settled in [[Portland, Oregon]], where he published ''[[The Oregonian]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.historylink.org/File/9290|work=[[HistoryLink]]|title=Camas -- Thumbnail History|author=Caldbick, John|date=February 8, 2010|access-date=July 8, 2017}}</ref> At the west end of downtown Camas is the large [[Georgia-Pacific]] paper mill from which the high school teams get their name, "the Papermakers".

By 1971, there had been four attempts to merge Camas and Washougal that were denied by voters.<ref>{{cite news |date=January 10, 1971 |title=Clark County's serenity shattered by urbanization |page=O2 |work=The Oregonian}}</ref>

===Mill history===
Pittock's LaCamas Colony bought 2,600 acres in 1883, forming the Columbia River Paper Company the following year to begin production in 1885, before merging with [[Oregon City, Oregon|Oregon City]]'s Crown Paper Company to form Crown Columbia Paper in 1905. After converting from steam to electricity in 1913, Crown merged with Willamette Paper in 1914 and then with Zellerbach Paper in 1928. [[Crown Zellerbach]] became the largest paper manufacturer on the west coast and the Camas mill the largest of its type in the world.

During [[World War II]], the Camas mill temporarily manufactured parts and components for US Naval vessels produced at the nearby [[Kaiser Shipyards]]. In 1950, the Camas mill was the first factory to produce folded paper napkins.<ref name="Columbian 2018 Timeline">{{cite news | title=Timeline of Paper Mill's Presence in Camas | date=February 1, 2018 | work=The Columbian | location=Vancouver, Washington | pages=A2}}</ref> "Crown Z" was the area's biggest employer in 1971, with 2,643 of approximately 3,700 [[Clark County, Washington|Clark County]] paper mill workers. In 1986, Crown Zellerbach was absorbed by [[James River Corporation]]; after further mergers with the [[Fort Howard Paper Company]] in 1997 and  [[Georgia-Pacific]] in 2000,  [[Koch Industries]] acquired Georgia-Pacific and the Camas mill in 2005. In 2018, Koch announced plans to [[Layoff|lay off]] approximately 200–300 workers, shutting down all equipment related to communications paper, fine paper conversion and pulping operations.<ref name="Columbian 2018 Job Cuts">{{cite news | title=May Day: Paper Cuts. Layoffs at Georgia-Pacific mill in Camas to start May 1, affect 280 to 300 workers. | date=February 1, 2018 | work=The Columbian | author=Brynelson, Troy | location=Vancouver, Washington | pages=A1–A2}}</ref>

Historically, the commercial base of the city was almost entirely the paper mill; In recent years, however, the diversity of industries in and near Camas has been enhanced considerably by the influx of several high-tech, white-collar companies. These include [[Hewlett-Packard]], [[Linear Technology]], [[WaferTech]] and [[UL (safety organization)|Underwriters Laboratories]].

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|15.25|sqmi|sqkm|2}} of which {{convert|13.49|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|1.76|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web |title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=December 19, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702145235/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=July 2, 2012 }}</ref> There are numerous bodies of water within the city limits, including [[Lacamas Lake]], [[Lacamas Creek]], [[Round Lake (Clark County, Washington)|Round Lake]], [[Fallen Leaf Lake (Washington)|Fallen Leaf Lake]], Tug Lake, the [[Washougal River]], and the [[Columbia River]].

Camas is approximately {{convert|20|mi|km}} northeast of Portland, Oregon.

==Arts and culture==
Annual events include the summer "Camas Days", as well as other festivals and celebrations.

==Parks and recreation==
[[File:US-WA-Camas-lacamas park-main sign-tar.jpg|thumb|Entrance sign at Lacamas Park]]

There are numerous parks in Camas and within the Camas area, including:
{{col-list|colwidth=30em|
* Crown Park
* Dorothy Fox Park
* Fallen Leaf Park
* Forest Home Park
* Goot Park
* Grass Valley Park
* Louis Bloch Park
* Oak Park
* Prune Hill Sports Park
* Skate Park
* Lacamas Heritage Trail Park
}}

Lacamas Park encompasses [[Round Lake (Clark County, Washington)|Round Lake]] and runs against [[Washington State Route 500|SR 500]] on its west side. Across SR 500 is [[Lacamas Lake]]. The park is open year-round and includes [[barbecue]]s, a playground, trails around the park and lake, and access to the [[Camas Potholes]]. The park includes trails which lead to the Camas Potholes and the Camas lily fields, as well as a {{convert|1.2|mi|km|adj=on}} loop around Round Lake.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lacamas Regional Park |url=https://clark.wa.gov/public-works/lacamas-regional-park |access-date=March 29, 2022 |website=Clark County |language=en}}</ref> Water activities in Round Lake are also common around summer time. Bathrooms are available on a seasonal basis only.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Parks and Trails |url=https://clark.wa.gov/public-works/parks-and-trails-0 |access-date=March 29, 2022 |website=Clark County |language=en}}</ref>

Heritage Park has facilities for launching boats into Lacamas Lake, a playground, much open field, and trails through the trees. The parking lot is large and includes numerous long parking stalls to accommodate vehicles with trailers.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1890= 417
|1910= 1125
|1920= 1843
|1930= 4230
|1940= 4433
|1950= 4725
|1960= 5666
|1970= 6050
|1980= 5681
|1990= 6442
|2000= 12534
|2010= 19355
|2020= 26065
|estyear=2021
|estimate=27054
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2021">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |date=June 21, 2022|title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2021|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=June 21, 2022}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|author=United States Census Bureau|author-link=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 19, 2013}}</ref><br>2020 Census<ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
}}

=== 2020 census ===
As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 26,065 people, and 8,923 households in the city.<ref name="2020 Census (City)" /> The [[population density]] was 1,851.9 people per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 76.3% [[White Americans|White]], 0.1% Black or [[African Americans|African American]], 0.4% [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]], 9.9% [[Asian Americans|Asian]], 0.2% [[Pacific Islander]], and 10.1% from two or more races. [[Hispanic]] or [[Latin America|Latino]] of any race were 7.2% of the population.<ref name="2020 Census (City)" />

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]],<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=December 19, 2012}}</ref> there were 19,355 people, 6,619 households, and 5,241 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1434.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 7,072 housing units at an average density of {{convert|524.2|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 87.4% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.0% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.6% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 6.0% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.2% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.2% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 3.6% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 4.1% of the population.

There were 6,619 households, of which 46.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.7% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 20.8% were non-families. 16.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.91 and the average family size was 3.27.

The median age in the city was 36.9 years. 31.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.1% were from 25 to 44; 26.8% were from 45 to 64; and 8.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.6% male and 50.4% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]], there were 12,534 people, 4,480 households, and 3,422 families residing in the city.  The population density was {{convert|1,149.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  There were 4,736 housing units at an average density of {{convert|434.3|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  The racial makeup of the city was 92.01% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.69% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.69% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 3.41% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.14% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.80% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 2.26% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 2.86% of the population. 18.8% were of German, 11.3% English, 9.6% American, 8.2% Irish and 5.6% Norwegian ancestry.

There were 4,480 households, out of which 42.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.9% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.6% were non-families. 18.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.  The average household size was 2.78 and the average family size was 3.19.

In the city, the age distribution of the population shows 31.2% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 32.5% from 25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 8.7% who were 65 years of age or older.  The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.2 males.  For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $60,187, and the median income for a family was $64,885. Males had a median income of $51,470 versus $31,985 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $27,267.  About 4.4% of families and 5.4% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 6.4% of those under age 18 and 4.7% of those age 65 or over.

==Education==
{{expand section|date=March 2025}}
The vast majority of Camas is in the [[Camas School District]]. Small parts of the city limits are in [[Evergreen Public Schools]].<!--UNI 02700--><ref>{{Cite map |author=Geography Division|title=2020 Census – School District Reference Map: Clark County, WA |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st53_wa/schooldistrict_maps/c53011_clark/DC20SD_C53011.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602213406/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st53_wa/schooldistrict_maps/c53011_clark/DC20SD_C53011.pdf |date=December 21, 2020|archive-date=June 2, 2021 |access-date=2025-03-23|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st53_wa/schooldistrict_maps/c53011_clark/DC20SD_C53011_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>

==Sister cities==
Camas has the following [[Town twinning|sister cities]], according to the [[Lieutenant Governor of Washington|Lieutenant Governor's Office]]:<ref>{{cite web |title=Washington's Sister Cities Relationships |url=https://www.ltgov.wa.gov/washington-sister-cities |publisher=[[Lieutenant Governor of Washington|Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Washington]] |accessdate=September 10, 2021}}</ref>

* {{Flag icon|Japan}} [[Hamamatsu, Shizuoka|Hamamatsu]], Japan
* {{Flag icon|Japan}} [[Taki, Mie]], Japan
* {{Flag icon|Poland}} [[Krapkowice]], Poland
* {{Flag icon|Poland}} [[Morawica, Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship|Morawica]], Poland
* {{Flag icon|Poland}} [[Zabierzów]], Poland

==Notable people==
* [[Michael R. Barratt]], NASA astronaut
* [[Jaime Herrera Beutler]], U.S. Representative
* [[Greg Biffle]], NASCAR driver
* [[Shane Chen]], inventor and entrepreneur
* [[Niko De Vera]], professional soccer player for the [[Portland Timbers]]
* [[Alexa Efraimson]], professional runner for [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]]
* [[Kenneth Fisher]], ''Forbes'' columnist, financial author, money manager<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/ken-fisher |title=Ken Fisher's Forbes 400 Profile |magazine=Forbes}}</ref>
* [[Denis Hayes]], environmental activist, coordinated first [[Earth Day]]
* [[Jimmie Rodgers (pop singer)|Jimmie Rodgers]], 1950s pop singer
* [[Taylor Williams]], Major League Baseball player for the [[San Diego Padres]]
* [[Wendy Wilson]], singer, member of 1990s girl group [[Wilson Phillips]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Eggers|first=Kerry|date=September 20, 2017|title=Wendy Wilson: Still Holding On|url=https://pamplinmedia.com/go/44-features/372828-256668-wendy-wilson-still-holding-on|url-status=live|website=The Outlook|publisher=Pamplin Media Group|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170920225514/http://www.pamplinmedia.com/go/44-features/372828-256668-wendy-wilson-still-holding-on |archive-date=September 20, 2017 }}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery class="center">
Image:Camas, Washington bathrub races.triddle.jpg|Competition is fierce at the Camas Days bathtub races.
Image:US-WA-Camas-down_town-looking_east-tar.jpg|Downtown Camas, looking east
Image:US-WA-Camas-down_town-looking_west-tar.jpg|Downtown Camas, looking west
Image:Liberty Theater, Camas, Washington.jpg|[[Liberty Theatre (Camas, Washington)|Liberty Theatre]] in downtown Camas
Image:Main US Post Office - Camas Washington.jpg|U.S. Post Office in Camas
Image:US-WA-Round lake-north west bank-tar.jpg|[[Round Lake (Clark County, Washington)|Round Lake]]
Image:US-WA-Camas potholes-triddle.jpg|[[Camas Potholes]]
Image:US-WA-lacamas lake-north boat launch-tar.jpg|[[Lacamas Lake]]
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Camas, Washington}}
{{Wikivoyage|Camas (Washington)|Camas}}
* [http://www.cityofcamas.us/ Official website]
* [http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=9290 History of Camas] at [[HistoryLink]]
*{{Cite web
| title = Columbia Communities: Camas Table of Contents
| work = Center for Columbia River History
| access-date = August 15, 2013
| url = http://www.ccrh.org/comm/camas/toc.htm
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140713191556/http://www.ccrh.org/comm/camas/toc.htm
| archive-date = July 13, 2014
| url-status = dead
}}

{{Clark County, Washington}}
{{Washington}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Camas, Washington| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Cities in Clark County, Washington]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1883]]
[[Category:1883 establishments in Washington Territory]]
[[Category:Portland metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Washington (state) populated places on the Columbia River]]