Editing Washougal, Washington

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Washougal, Washington
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|motto                    = Gateway to the Gorge
|image_skyline            = Downtown Washougal, Washington 01.JPG
|imagesize                = 250px
|image_caption            = Downtown Washougal facing west
<!-- Maps ----------------->
|image_map                = Clark_County_Washington_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Washougal_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location of Washougal, Washington
|image_map1               = 
|mapsize1                 = 
|map_caption1             = 
<!-- 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          = [[Council–manager government|Council–manager]]<ref name=washougalgov>{{cite web|title=Mayor & City Council|url=https://www.cityofwashougal.us/382/Mayor-City-Council|publisher=City of Washougal|access-date=April 2, 2022}}</ref>
|leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name              = David Stuebe<ref name=washougalgov/>
|leader_title1            = 
|leader_name1             = 
|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           = 17.68
|area_land_km2            = 15.41
|area_water_km2           = 2.27
|area_total_sq_mi         = 6.83
|area_land_sq_mi          = 5.95
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.88
<!-- Population ----------->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_est           = 16926
|pop_est_as_of            = 2022
|pop_est_footnotes        = <ref name="USCensusEst2022"/>
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
|population_total         = 17039
|population_density_km2   = 1045.24
|population_density_sq_mi = 2707.06
<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[Pacific Time Zone|PST]]
|utc_offset               = -8
|timezone_DST             = PDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -7
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_ft             = 82
|coordinates              = {{coord|45|35|12|N|122|21|43|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 98671
|area_code                = [[Area code 360|360]]
|area_code_type           = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 53-76405
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 2412189<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2412189}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|http://www.cityofwashougal.us/|cityofwashougal.us}}
|footnotes                = 
}}

'''Washougal''' ({{IPAc-en|w|ɑː|ˈ|ʃ|uː|ɡ|əl}} {{respell|wah|SHOO|gəl}}) is a city in [[Clark County, Washington|Clark County]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]], United States. The population was 17,039 as of 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=1600000US5376405 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=June 21, 2022}}</ref>

==Etymology==
The name Washougal originated from a Chinookan term of disputed meaning that was recorded by fur trader [[Alexander Ross (fur trader)|Alexander Ross]] in 1811 as "Wasough-ally"; other variants included "Washougally", "Washougally Camp", "Wa-Shu-Go", and "Washookal".<ref name="HistoryLink">{{cite web |last=Caldbick |first=John |date=February 22, 2010 |title=Washougal — Thumbnail History |url=https://www.historylink.org/File/9312 |work=[[HistoryLink]] |accessdate=June 29, 2023}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Downtown Washougal, Washington 02.JPG|thumb|right|Downtown Washougal facing north]]

The area around present-day Washougal was originally home to the [[Watlala]], an indigenous [[Chinookan languages|Chinookan]]-speaking group with settlements along the [[Columbia River]]. Among the first non-indigenous people to visit the area were the [[Corps of Discovery]] led by [[Meriwether Lewis]] and [[William Clark]] in 1805 and 1806; they camped near the [[Washougal River]] during their return voyage in April 1806 and tentatively named it the "Seal River" and "Seacalf River".

English sailor Richard Ough (also spelled Howe) built a home in what would become present-day Washougal sometime between 1838 and 1841; he had arrived in the area to work at [[Fort Vancouver]] for the [[Hudson's Bay Company]] and later married the daughter of Cascade Chinook chief Schluyhus. Ough was followed in 1844 by a cohort led by David C. Parker, who built Parker's Landing and claimed {{convert|580|acre|ha}} under the [[Donation Land Claim Act]]; among the settlers was [[George Bush (pioneer)|George Bush]], among the first African American settlers in the Pacific Northwest.<ref name="Columbian-Firsts">{{cite news |last=Beck |first=Bob |date=September 29, 1974 |title=Washougal can claim own 'firsts' |page=24 |work=[[The Columbian]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-columbian-washougal-can-claim-own-f/127291182/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |accessdate=June 29, 2023}}</ref> Parker's Landing, later renamed Parkersville, unsuccessfully applied for incorporation in 1852 or 1854; by this time, it had a hotel, bar, and a store and was a trading post along the river. A public school—claimed to be the first American school north of the Columbia River—was established in 1852–53.<ref>{{cite news |last=Beck |first=Bob |date=July 28, 1994 |title=Clark County History: Washougal |page=3 |work=The Columbian |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-columbian-clark-county-history-wash/127291237/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=June 29, 2023}}</ref> A portion of Ough's own claim was sold to Joseph E. C. Durgin, who established a townsite in 1880 that was named Washougal; the new settlement overtook Parkersville and was [[plat]]ted on May 6, 1880.<ref name="HistoryLink"/>

Washougal was connected to the [[Spokane, Portland and Seattle Railway]] in 1908 and was incorporated in November of that year. In 1910, a textile mill opened in the town and grew to become a major part of the area's economy; it was acquired by [[Pendleton Woolen Mills]] two years later.<ref name="Columbian-Firsts"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Gunderson |first=Laura |date=December 23, 2009 |title=Pendleton Woolen Mills blanketing the runways |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/business/2009/12/pendleton_takes_its_plaid_to_t.html |work=[[The Oregonian]] |accessdate=June 29, 2023}}</ref> A new east–west highway along the Columbia River (now part of [[Washington State Route 14|State Route 14]]) opened in 1927 and aided development of summer homes and recreation areas near Washougal.<ref>{{cite web |title=Community History |url=https://visitwashougal.com/157/Community-History |publisher=Visit Washougal |accessdate=June 29, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Van Arsdol |first=Ted |date=July 28, 1994 |title=Miners, mill mark Washougal history |page=3 |work=The Columbian |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-columbian-miners-mill-mark-washouga/127291256/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=June 29, 2023}}</ref> In the mid-to-late 20th century, Washougal became a [[bedroom community]] for workers in Vancouver and Portland, but grew slower than neighboring [[Camas, Washington|Camas]].<ref name="HistoryLink"/> Its Mount Pleasant Grange Hall is the oldest continually used [[Grange movement|grange]] hall in Washington.{{citation needed|date=June 2023}}

==Geography==

Washougal is located {{convert|18|mi|km}} east of [[Vancouver, Washington|Vancouver]] on the north bank of the [[Columbia River]]. It is bordered to the west by [[Camas, Washington|Camas]] and connected to other cities via [[Washington State Route 14|State Route 14]]. The [[Washougal River]], a tributary of the Columbia, runs along the north side of downtown and separates the city from neighboring Camas. Washougal is the southernmost incorporated place in Washington state.

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|6.30|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which, {{convert|5.42|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.88|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}}</ref>

===Climate===
This region experiences warm (but not hot) and dry summers, with no average monthly temperatures above {{convert|71.6|F|sigfig=2}}.  According to the [[Köppen Climate Classification]] system, Washougal has a [[Mediterranean climate#Warm-summer Mediterranean climate|warm-summer Mediterranean climate]], abbreviated "Csb" on climate maps.<ref>[http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=696754&cityname=Washougal%2C+Washington%2C+United+States+of+America&units= Climate Summary for Washougal, Washington]</ref>
{{Weather box
| location = Washougal, Washington (1975–present)
| single line = Y
| collapsed = yes
| Jan record high F = 64
| Feb record high F = 72
| Mar record high F = 82
| Apr record high F = 89
| May record high F = 100
| Jun record high F = 105
| Jul record high F = 108
| Aug record high F = 107
| Sep record high F = 105
| Oct record high F = 93
| Nov record high F = 71
| Dec record high F = 64
| year record high F = 108
| Jan high F = 45.0
| Feb high F = 49.7
| Mar high F = 54.9
| Apr high F = 59.6
| May high F = 66.7
| Jun high F = 72.2
| Jul high F = 79.4
| Aug high F = 79.9
| Sep high F = 74.4
| Oct high F = 63.6
| Nov high F = 51.4
| Dec high F = 44.5
| year high F = 61.8
| Jan mean F = 37.7
| Feb mean F = 40.9
| Mar mean F = 44.3
| Apr mean F = 47.7
| May mean F = 53.5
| Jun mean F = 58.6
| Jul mean F = 63.4
| Aug mean F = 63.3
| Sep mean F = 58.6
| Oct mean F = 50.8
| Nov mean F = 43.1
| Dec mean F = 37.8
| year mean F = 50.0
| Jan low F = 30.5
| Feb low F = 32.0
| Mar low F = 33.7
| Apr low F = 35.8
| May low F = 40.3
| Jun low F = 45.0
| Jul low F = 47.5
| Aug low F = 46.7
| Sep low F = 42.8
| Oct low F = 38.0
| Nov low F = 34.9
| Dec low F = 31.2
| year low F = 38.2
| Jan record low F = 5
| Feb record low F = 3
| Mar record low F = 15
| Apr record low F = 21
| May record low F = 22
| Jun record low F = 29
| Jul record low F = 32
| Aug record low F = 33
| Sep record low F = 26
| Oct record low F = 17
| Nov record low F = 11
| Dec record low F = --
| year record low F = 3
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation inch = 12.2
| Feb precipitation inch = 9.1
| Mar precipitation inch = 8.4
| Apr precipitation inch = 6.7
| May precipitation inch = 5.1
| Jun precipitation inch = 4.0
| Jul precipitation inch = 1.2
| Aug precipitation inch = 1.9
| Sep precipitation inch = 3.6
| Oct precipitation inch = 6.8
| Nov precipitation inch = 12.2
| Dec precipitation inch = 13.0
| year precipitation inch = 84.2
| unit precipitation days = 0.01 in.
| Jan precipitation days = 20
| Feb precipitation days = 17
| Mar precipitation days = 20
| Apr precipitation days = 19
| May precipitation days = 15
| Jun precipitation days = 11
| Jul precipitation days = 6
| Aug precipitation days = 6
| Sep precipitation days = 9
| Oct precipitation days = 15
| Nov precipitation days = 21
| Dec precipitation days = 21
| year precipitation days = 180
| Jan snow inch = 3.3
| Feb snow inch = 1.6
| Mar snow inch = 0.5
| Apr snow inch = 0.0
| May snow inch = 0.0
| Jun snow inch = 0.0
| Jul snow inch = 0.0
| Aug snow inch = 0.0
| Sep snow inch = 0.0
| Oct snow inch = 0.0
| Nov snow inch = 1.0
| Dec snow inch = 3.6
| year snow inch = 10.0
| unit snow days = 0.1 in.
| Jan snow days = 1.6
| Feb snow days = 0.9
| Mar snow days = 0.3
| Apr snow days = 0.0
| May snow days = 0.0
| Jun snow days = 0.0
| Jul snow days = 0.0
| Aug snow days = 0.0
| Sep snow days = 0.0
| Oct snow days = 0.0
| Nov snow days = 0.4
| Dec snow days = 1.6
| year snow days = 4.8
| source 1 = Weatherbase <ref name=Weatherbase>
{{cite web
|url =http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=696754&cityname=Washougal-Washington-United-States-of-America&set=us
|publisher=Weatherbase
|title=Weatherbase.com
|year=2021
}}
Retrieved on January 14, 2021.
</ref>
| date = January 2021
| source = 
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1910= 456
|1920= 765
|1930= 1206
|1940= 1267
|1950= 1577
|1960= 2672
|1970= 3388
|1980= 3834
|1990= 4764
|2000= 8595
|2010= 14095
|2020= 17039
|estyear=2022
|estimate=16926
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2022">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |date=June 13, 2023|title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2022|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=July 19, 2023}}</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 17,039 people, and 6,027 households in the city.<ref name="2020 Census (City)" /> The [[population density]] was 2,863.7 people per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 89.4% [[White Americans|White]], 0.9% [[African Americans|African American]], 0.8% [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]], 2.2% [[Asian Americans|Asian]], 0.0% [[Pacific Islander]], and 5.9% from two or more races.<ref name="2020 Census (City)" />

The average household size was 2.76. 22.9% of the population was under 18, and 4.9% were under 5. 15.1% of people in Washougal were older than 65. The gender makeup of the city was 51.4% female and 48.6% male.<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 14,095 people, 5,256 households, and 3,824 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|2600.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 5,673 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1046.7|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 90.3% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.6% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 1.0% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 2.4% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.2% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.7% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 3.8% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 14.3% of the population.

There were 5,256 households, of which 38.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.3% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 27.2% were non-families. 20.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.07.

The median age in the city was 36.1 years. 26.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.1% were from 25 to 44; 27.1% were from 45 to 64; and 10.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.7% male and 50.3% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]], there were 8,595 people, 3,294 households, and 2,325 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,734.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 3,463 housing units at an average density of {{convert|698.8|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 94.0% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.4% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 1.26% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.78% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.12% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.83% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 2.56% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 2.51% of the population. 16.0% were of German, 10.7% English, 8.5% American, 7.4% Irish, 5.5% European and 5.1% Norwegian ancestry. 95.8% spoke English and 2.5% Spanish as their first language.

There were 3,294 households, out of which 37.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.3% were married couples living together, 14.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.4% were non-families. 23.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the city, the age distribution of the population shows 29.8% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 11.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $38,719, and the median income for a family was $52,293. Males had a median income of $37,351 versus $26,032 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $19,389. About 8.3% of families and 9.7% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 13.8% of those under age 18 and 3.6% of those age 65 or over.

==Parks and recreation==
Washougal is home to several recreational areas and public parks. Of these, Angelo Park, Beaver Park, Campen Creek Park, and Hathaway Park are four large municipal parks located in Washougal. There is also recreational fishing on the Washougal River, where steelhead trout and salmon flourish.

==Education==
Most of Washougal is in the [[Washougal School District]].<!--UNI 09540--> Some parts are in the [[Camas School District]].<!--UNI 00810--><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 City==
Washougal has the following [[Sister city]]:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sister City Program {{!}} Washougal, WA |url=https://www.cityofwashougal.us/780/Sister-City-Program# |access-date=2024-08-09 |website=www.cityofwashougal.us}}</ref>

* {{Flag icon|Poland}} [[Zielonki, Lesser Poland Voivodeship|Zielonki]], Poland (2023-)

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

==External links==
* [https://www.cityofwashougal.us/ City website]

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

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Washougal, Washington| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Clark County, Washington]]
[[Category:Cities in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Columbia River Gorge]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1852]]
[[Category:Portland metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Washington (state) populated places on the Columbia River]]
[[Category:1852 establishments in Oregon Territory]]