Clark County, Washington

Clark County is a county located in the southwestern part of the state of Washington, across the Columbia River from Portland, Oregon.

Clark County was one of the first two counties of Washington, named after William Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition of the early 1800s.

As of 2000, the population was 345,238. The county seat is at Vancouver.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,700 km² (656 mi²). 1,627 km² (628 mi²) of it is land and 72 km² (28 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 4.27% water.

Geographic features

Cascade Mountains

Columbia River

Vancouver Lake

Lacamas Lake

Battle Ground Lake

Major highways

Interstate 5

Interstate 205

Washington State Highway 14

Washington State Highway 500

Adjacent counties

Cowlitz County, Washington - north

Skamania County, Washington - east

Multnomah County, Oregon - south

Columbia County, Oregon - northwest

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 345,238 people, 127,208 households, and 90,953 families residing in the county. The population density is 212/km² (550/mi²). There are 134,030 housing units at an average density of 82/km² (213/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 88.82% White, 1.68% Black or African American, 0.84% Native American, 3.21% Asian, 0.37% Pacific Islander, 1.99% from other races, and 3.08% from two or more races. 4.71% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 127,208 households out of which 37.20% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.80% are married couples living together, 10.30% have a female householder with no husband present, and 28.50% are non-families. 21.80% of all households are made up of individuals and 6.80% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.69 and the average family size is 3.15.

In the county, the population is spread out with 28.70% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 30.80% from 25 to 44, 22.60% from 45 to 64, and 9.50% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 34 years. For every 100 females there are 98.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 95.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $48,376, and the median income for a family is $54,016. Males have a median income of $41,337 versus $28,537 for females. The per capita income for the county is $21,448. 9.10% of the population and 6.90% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 11.70% of those under the age of 18 and 6.80% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.