Editing Klickitat, Washington

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name      = Klickitat, Washington
| settlement_type    = [[Census-designated place]]
| image_skyline      = klickitat_sign.jpg
| imagesize          = 
| image_caption      = Sign at the entrance of town
| image_map          = Klickitat_County_Washington_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Klickitat_Highlighted.svg
| mapsize            = 250px
| map_caption        = Location in Klickitat County, Washington
<!-- Location ------->
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|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  = [[Klickitat County, Washington|Klickitat]]
<!-- Government ----->
| government_type    = 
| leader_title       = 
| leader_name        = 
| established_title  = 
| established_date   = 
<!-- Area ----->
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_total_km2     = 2.43
| area_total_sq_mi   = 
| area_land_km2      = 2.43
| area_land_sq_mi    = 
| area_water_km2     = 0.0
<!-- Population ---->
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
| population_note    = 
| population_total   = 320
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_density_sq_mi = 
<!-- General information -->
| timezone           = [[Pacific Time Zone|Pacific (PST)]]
| utc_offset         = -8
| timezone_DST       = PDT
| utc_offset_DST     = -7
| coordinates        = {{coord|45|49|05|N|121|09|45|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft       = 689
<!-- Area/postal codes and others -->
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code]]s
| postal_code        = 98628, 98670
| area_code          = [[Area code 509|509]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 53-36115<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 2408494<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2408494}}</ref>
}}

'''Klickitat''' is an [[unincorporated community]] and [[census-designated place]] (CDP) in [[Klickitat County, Washington|Klickitat County]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]], United States. The population was 320 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]]. Once the site of a lumber mill, it is now primarily a [[bedroom community]].

== Geography ==
Klickitat is located along the [[Klickitat River]]. The closest major town is [[Goldendale, Washington|Goldendale]], {{convert|21|mi}} to the east. [[Washington State Route 142|State Route 142]] passes through Klickitat, leading southwest (downstream) {{convert|3|mi|0}} to Pitt and east (upstream) the same distance to [[Wahkiacus, Washington|Wahkiacus]]. [[Lyle, Washington|Lyle]], along the [[Columbia River]], is {{convert|13|mi}} to the southwest via Route 142.

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the Klickitat CDP has a total area of {{convert|2.4|sqkm|order=flip}}, all of it land.<ref name="Census 2010">{{cite web |title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001), Klickitat CDP, Washington |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US5336115 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213065151/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US5336115 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |accessdate=July 10, 2019 |work=American FactFinder |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau}}</ref>

== Demographics ==
{{US Census population
| footnote = US Decennial Census<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=2011-04-23|date=2011-02-12|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref><br>2020 Census<ref name="2020 Census">{{cite web |date=May 2023 |title=Census Bureau profile: Klickitat, Washington |url=https://data.census.gov/all?q=Klickitat%20CDP,%20Washington |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=May 13, 2024}}</ref>
| 2000 = 417
| 2010 = 362
| 2020 = 320
}}
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 417 people, 147 households, and 110 families residing in the CDP. The [[population density]] was 161.9 people per square mile (62.4/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 173 housing units at an average density of 67.2/sq&nbsp;mi (25.9/km<sup>2</sup>). The racial makeup of the CDP was 92.33% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.24% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 3.60% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.96% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], and 2.88% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 2.64% of the population.

There were 147 households, out of which 43.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.5% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.5% were non-families. 21.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.84 and the average family size was 3.28.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 35.5% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 9.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.9 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $28,750, and the median income for a family was $29,688. Males had a median income of $30,500 versus $16,250 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the CDP was $11,717. About 27.8% of families and 29.7% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 32.5% of those under age 18 and 11.5% of those age 65 or over.

As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2020, there were 320 people, 132 households, 160 housing units in the CDP. The racial makeup of the CDP was 275 Whites, 3 American Indians, 2 Asians, 9 Hispanic or Latino, 9 Some Other Race, and 32 of Two or More Races.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $60,893, and the median income for a family was $61,964. About 5.7% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 6.3% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.

== History ==
The site where the town is located was originally called "Wrights" after one of the original settlers. This was the name given to the rail stop there. The rail stop down the river at milepost 7.2 was named "Klickitat", after the [[Klickitat people]] and the railroad later switched the two signs when the carbonated beverage company Klickitat Pop (operating near the town) gained fame. On February 7, 1910, the name of the town post office was officially changed to "Klickitat".<ref>Niels, Selma. ''So This Is Klickitat'' (1967) [p. 62]</ref>

The first non-native settlers arrived in 1890 seeking land to homestead. The abundance of timber drew in other settlers during the early 1900s. Travel through the Klickitat canyon and up to the plateau was arduous until the completion of a rail line in 1903.[4, p.&nbsp;47] The rail line eased travel and facilitated the transportation of people, crops, livestock and timber. The lumber mill was the primary employer in town, with the first major mill formed 1909, until 1994 when the mill was permanently closed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.historylink.org/File/7800|title=Klickitat County -- Thumbnail History|website=www.historylink.org}}</ref> The naturally carbonated [[Klickitat Mineral Springs]] just east of town gave rise to health spas, a carbonated beverage company, and a large dry ice plant which operated until 1957.<ref name="walkaboutmag.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.walkaboutmag.com/19footpaths.html |title=Klickitat Mineral Springs History |website=www.walkaboutmag.com |access-date=15 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305024600/http://www.walkaboutmag.com/19footpaths.html |archive-date=5 March 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Recreation ==
[[File:Klickitat downtown.jpg|thumb|Klickitat]]

The area surrounding the town of Klickitat and the river which shares its name are renowned for their seasonal hunting and fishing. During summer, popular activities on the Klickitat River include recreational [[drift boat]]ing, kayaking, and rafting. Paths and trails provide opportunities for scenic hikes. The {{convert|31|mi|km|adj=mid|-long}} Klickitat Trail is on the route of the former railroad tracks, now a biking and hiking trail. The trail follows the Klickitat River north from the Columbia River past the town of Klickitat.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.klickitat-trail.org/|title=KTC :: Dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the Klickitat Trail|website=www.klickitat-trail.org}}</ref> Washington State Route 142 provides a scenic drive through the canyon. Two miles east of town is the ruins of the dry ice plant with a single remaining building. The site is now a public campsite.

== References ==
<references />

== Further reading ==
* Niels, Selma M., ''So This Is Klickitat''. Metropolitan Press, 1967.
* {{cite book|author=Robinson, Barbara |title=Klickitat Mineral Springs History |url=http://www.walkaboutmag.com/19footpaths.html |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305024600/http://www.walkaboutmag.com/19footpaths.html |archivedate=2012-03-05 }}

==External links==
* [https://www.klickitat.wednet.edu/klickitat Klickitat School District]
* [http://gorgespirits.com/klick.htm Klickitat community website]
* [http://gorgespirits.com/khm.htm Klickitat Historical Museum]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090415163356/http://www.klickitat-trail.org/about.htm About the Klickitat Trail]

{{Klickitat County, Washington}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Census-designated places in Klickitat County, Washington]]
[[Category:Census-designated places in Washington (state)]]