County population in 2016: 11,659 (all rural); it was 9,872 in 2000County owner-occupied with a mortgage or a loan houses and condos in 2010: 2,178 County owner-occupied free and clear houses and condos in 2010: 1,174 County owner-occupied houses and condos in 2000: 2,775 Renter-occupied apartments: 1,170 (it was 980 in 2000)
% of renters here:
26%
State:
36%
Land area: 1656 sq. mi.
Water area: 27.4 sq. mi.
Population density: 7 people per square mile (very low).
Mar. 2016 cost of living index in Skamania County: 87.1 (less than average, U.S. average is 100)
Industries providing employment: Educational, health and social services (19.9%), Professional, scientific, management, administrative, and waste management services (17.1%), Transportation and warehousing,and utilities (12.9%).
Estimated median household income in 2016: $56,678 ($39,317 in 1999)
This county:
$56,678
Washington:
$67,106
Median contract rent in 2016 for apartments: $656 (lower quartile is $439, upper quartile is $929)
This county:
$656
State:
$999
Estimated median house or condo value in 2016: $276,477 (it was $144,400 in 2000)
Skamania:
$276,477
Washington:
$306,400
Lower value quartile - upper value quartile: $196,818 - $423,102
Mean price in 2016:
Detached houses: $369,986
Here:
$369,986
State:
$404,096
Townhouses or other attached units: $427,883
Here:
$427,883
State:
$385,704
In 2-unit structures: $313,099
Here:
$313,099
State:
$303,123
Mobile homes: $160,111
Here:
$160,111
State:
$116,190
Occupied boats, RVs, vans, etc.: $78,821
Here:
$78,821
State:
$133,868
Median monthly housing costs for homes and condos with a mortgage: $1,462 Median monthly housing costs for units without a mortgage: $427
Institutionalized population: 25
Crime in 2005 (reported by the sheriff's office or county police, not the county total):
Murders: 1
Rapes: 4
Robberies: 2
Assaults: 11
Burglaries: 65
Thefts: 214
Auto thefts: 15
Crime in 2004 (reported by the sheriff's office or county police, not the county total):
Murders: 3
Rapes: 7
Robberies: 0
Assaults: 3
Burglaries: 72
Thefts: 276
Auto thefts: 29
Health of residents in Skamania County based on CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey Questionnaires from 2003 to 2012:
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent) is 3.4. This is about average. 72.8% of residents exercised in the past month. This is about average. 52.4% of residents smoked 100+ cigarettes in their lives. This is more than average. 98.5% of adult residents drank alcohol in the past 30 days. This is more than average. Average weight of males is 199 pounds. This is more than average. Average weight of females is 166 pounds. This is about average.
Single-family new house construction building permits:
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with mortgages in 2016: $2,336 (0.8%) Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with no mortgage in 2016: $1,905 (0.7%)
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2016: 12.6%
Skamania County:
12.6%
Washington:
11.3%
(13.1% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 47.0% for Black residents, 2.8% for Hispanic or Latino residents, 7.8% for American Indian residents, 100.0% for Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander residents, 19.3% for other race residents, 21.0% for two or more races residents)
Median age of residents in 2016: 45.5 years old
(Males: 45.3 years old, Females: 45.8 years old)
(Median age for: White residents: 47.6 years old, Black residents: 10.8 years old, American Indian residents: 26.6 years old, Asian residents: 58.6 years old, Hispanic or Latino residents: 24.8 years old, Other race residents: 31.1 years old)
Area name: Portland-Vancouver-Beaverton, OR-WA MSA Fair market rent in 2006 for a 1-bedroom apartment in Skamania County is $625 a month. Fair market rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $723 a month. Fair market rent for a 3-bedroom apartment is $1053 a month.
Notable locations in this county outside city limits:
Notable locations in Skamania County: Coweeman Ranger Station (A), Cloverdale (B), Green River Salmon Hatchery (C), Camp Cowlitz (D), Kalama Falls Salmon Hatchery (E), Alder Creek Rearing Pond (F), North Fork Ranger Station (G), Cleaveland Landing (H), Ferndale School (I), Finn Hall (J), Camp Baker (K), Kalama Ranger Station (L), Speelyai Hill Viewpoint (M), Saddle Dam Campground (N), Beaver Bay Park (O), Yale Park (P), Gardner (Q), Tucker (R), Meridian Lookout (S), Castle Rock Fairgrounds (T). Display/hide their locations on the map
Churches in Skamania County include: Abernathy Assembly of God Church (A), Stella Lutheran Chapel (B), Kingdom Hall of Jehovahs Witnesses (C), Longview Laestadian Lutheran Church (D), Oak Point Community Church (E). Display/hide their locations on the map
Cemeteries: Independent Order of Odd Fellows Cemetery (1), Jackson Cemetery (2), Lone Pine Cemetery (3), Mount Pleasant Cemetery (4), Rose Valley Cemetery (5), Rosin Cemetery (6), Silver Lake Cemetery (7). Display/hide their locations on the map
Lakes and swamps: Log Pond (A), Coldwater Lake (B), Castle Lake (C), Ryderwood Pond (D), McBride Lake (E), Merrill Lake (F), Silver Lake (G), Elochoman Lake (H). Display/hide their locations on the map
Streams, rivers, and creeks: Baird Creek (A), Beaver Creek (B), Brooks Creek (C), Brown Creek (D), Bush Creek (E), Butler Creek (F), Castle Creek (G), Coldspring Creek (H), Coldwater Creek (I). Display/hide their locations on the map
Parks in Skamania County include: Speelyai Picnic Area (1), Kid Valley Park (2), Hoffstadt Creek Park (3), Barnes State Park (4), Goat Marsh Research Natural Area (5), Al Raught Park (6), Seaquest State Park (7). Display/hide their locations on the map
Current college students: 283 People 25 years of age or older with a high school degree or higher: 89.8% People 25 years of age or older with a bachelor's degree or higher: 23.8%
Number of foreign born residents: 556 (35.6% naturalized citizens)
Skamania County:
4.8%
Whole state:
14.0%
Year of entry for the foreign-born population
2010 or later: 73
2000 to 2009: 102
1990 to 1999: 145
1980 to 1989: 76
1970 to 1979: 34
Before 1970: 131
Note: State values scaled to Skamania County population
Mean travel time to work (commute): 29.2 minutes
Percentage of county residents living and working in this county: 47.7%
Housing units in structures:
One, detached: 3,876
One, attached: 28
Two: 229
3 or 4: 137
5 to 9: 57
10 to 19: 32
20 or more: 90
Mobile homes: 1,164
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.: 70
Housing units in Skamania County with a mortgage: 2,026 (64 second mortgage, 144 home equity loan, 2 both second mortgage and home equity loan) Houses without a mortgage: 1,238
Here:
66.7% with mortgage
State:
69.0% with mortgage
Religion statistics for Skamania County
Religion
Adherents
Congregations
Evangelical Protestant
679
10
Catholic
625
1
Other
414
2
Mainline Protestant
163
2
None
9,185
-
Skamania County Religion Details
Source: Clifford Grammich, Kirk Hadaway, Richard Houseal, Dale E.Jones, Alexei Krindatch, Richie Stanley and Richard H.Taylor. 2012. 2010 U.S.Religion Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study. Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center.
Food Environment Statistics:
Number of grocery stores: 2
Skamania County:
1.87 / 10,000 pop.
State:
2.06 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (no gas): 1
This county:
0.93 / 10,000 pop.
Washington:
1.18 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (with gas): 5
Skamania County:
4.67 / 10,000 pop.
Washington:
2.67 / 10,000 pop.
Number of full-service restaurants: 7
This county:
6.54 / 10,000 pop.
State:
8.26 / 10,000 pop.
Adult diabetes rate:
Skamania County:
7.8%
Washington:
7.7%
Adult obesity rate:
Skamania County:
32.1%
State:
25.7%
Low-income preschool obesity rate:
Here:
15.2%
State:
13.9%
Agriculture in Skamania County:
Average size of farms: 58 acres Average value of agricultural products sold per farm: $116,446 Average value of crops sold per acre for harvested cropland: $1368.99 The value of livestock, poultry, and their products as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 86.09% Average total farm production expenses per farm: $63,379 Harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 20.50% Irrigated harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 37.23% Average market value of all machinery and equipment per farm: $89,038 The percentage of farms operated by a family or individual: 85.86% Average age of principal farm operators: 55 years Average number of cattle and calves per 100 acres of all land in farms: 10.96 Land in orchards: 510 acres
Tornado activity:
Skamania County historical area-adjusted tornado activity is significantly below Washington state average. It is 83382017.6 times below overall U.S. average.
Earthquake activity:
Skamania County-area historical earthquake activity is slightly above Washington state average. It is 181% greater than the overall U.S. average.
On 4/13/1949 at 19:55:42, a magnitude 7.0 (7.0 UK, Class: Major, Intensity: VIII - XII) earthquake occurred 96.8 miles away from Skamania County center, causing $80,000,000 total damage On 2/28/2001 at 18:54:32, a magnitude 6.8 (6.5 MB, 6.6 MS, 6.8 MW, Depth: 32.2 mi, Class: Strong, Intensity: VII - IX) earthquake occurred 87.5 miles away from the county center, causing $2,000,000,000 total damage and $305,000,000 insured losses On 4/29/1965 at 15:28:43, a magnitude 6.6 (6.6 UK) earthquake occurred 99.6 miles away from the county center, causing $28,000,000 total damage On 1/31/1922 at 13:17:28, a magnitude 7.6 (7.6 UK) earthquake occurred 402.7 miles away from the county center On 11/8/1980 at 10:27:34, a magnitude 7.2 (6.2 MB, 7.2 MS, 7.2 MW, 7.0 ML) earthquake occurred 351.6 miles away from Skamania County center On 8/17/1991 at 22:17:14, a magnitude 7.1 (6.2 MB, 7.1 MS, 7.1 MW, 6.8 ML, Depth: 8.4 mi) earthquake occurred 339.5 miles away from the county center Magnitude types: body-wave magnitude (MB), local magnitude (ML), surface-wave magnitude (MS), moment magnitude (MW)
Most recent natural disasters:
Washington Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, Mudslides, and a Tornado, Incident Period: December 01, 2015 to December 14, 2015, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-4253: February 02, 2016, FEMA Id: 4253, Natural disaster type: Winter Storm, Tornado, Mudslide, Landslide, Flood, Wind
Washington Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides, Incident Period: November 12, 2015 to November 21, 2015, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-4249: January 15, 2016, FEMA Id: 4249, Natural disaster type: Storm, Mudslide, Landslide, Flood, Wind
Washington Wildfires, Incident Period: August 13, 2015 to September 10, 2015, Emergency Declared EM-3372: August 21, 2015, FEMA Id: 3372, Natural disaster type: Fire
Washington Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides, Incident Period: January 14, 2012 to January 23, 2012, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-4056: March 05, 2012, FEMA Id: 4056, Natural disaster type: Winter Storm, Mudslide, Landslide, Flood
Washington Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides, Incident Period: January 11, 2011 to January 21, 2011, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1963: March 25, 2011, FEMA Id: 1963, Natural disaster type: Winter Storm, Mudslide, Landslide, Flood
Washington Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding, Incident Period: January 06, 2009 to January 16, 2009, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1817: January 30, 2009, FEMA Id: 1817, Natural disaster type: Winter Storm, Mudslide, Landslide, Flood
Washington Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow, Incident Period: December 12, 2008 to January 05, 2009, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1825: March 02, 2009, FEMA Id: 1825, Natural disaster type: Winter Storm, Snow
Washington Broughton Fire, Incident Period: September 20, 2007 to September 23, 2007, Fire Management Assistance Declared: September 21, 2007, FEMA Id: 2731, Natural disaster type: Fire
Washington Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, and Mudslides, Incident Period: December 14, 2006 to December 15, 2006, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1682: February 14, 2007, FEMA Id: 1682, Natural disaster type: Winter Storm, Mudslide, Landslide
Washington Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides, Incident Period: November 02, 2006 to November 11, 2006, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1671: December 12, 2006, FEMA Id: 1671, Natural disaster type: Storm, Mudslide, Landslide, Flood
8 other natural disasters have been reported since 1953.
The number of natural disasters in Skamania County (18) is greater than the US average (13). Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 15 Emergencies Declared: 2
Causes of natural disasters: Floods: 11, Mudslides: 8, Landslides: 7, Winter Storms: 7, Storms: 5, Fires: 2, Winds: 2, Earthquake: 1, Heavy Rain: 1, Hurricane: 1, Snow: 1, Tornado: 1, Volcanic Eruption: 1 (Note: Some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).
Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations (8%)
Transportation occupations (8%)
Sales and related occupations (7%)
Food preparation and serving related occupations (4%)
Office and administrative support occupations (20%)
Sales and related occupations (10%)
Education, training, and library occupations (10%)
Food preparation and serving related occupations (9%)
Management occupations (8%)
Business and financial operations occupations (8%)
Health diagnosing and treating practitioners and other technical occupations (5%)
Most common places of birth for the foreign-born residents (%):
Mexico (49%)
Canada (11%)
Other Northern Europe (11%)
Germany (5%)
England (4%)
China, excluding Hong Kong and Taiwan (4%)
Nepal (3%)
Most common first ancestries reported in Skamania County (%):
American (19%)
German (11%)
European (11%)
English (9%)
Irish (5%)
Norwegian (3%)
Scottish (2%)
Means of transportation to work:
Drove a car alone: 1,671 (62.6%)
Carpooled: 184 (6.9%)
Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 41 (1.5%)
Bicycle: 75 (2.8%)
Walked: 156 (5.8%)
Worked at home: 555 (20.8%)
Owners and renters by unit type in %
Breakdown of mean house values by ages of householders ($)
People in group quarters in Skamania County, Washington in 2000:
30 people in nursing homes
26 people in local jails and other confinement facilities (including police lockups)
6 people in other noninstitutional group quarters
2 people in other nonhousehold living situations
25 people in local jails and other municipal confinement facilitiesAverage gross adjusted income of non-migrant taxpayers in this county in 2010 was $55,282.
7.07% of this county's 2011 resident taxpayers lived in other counties in 2010 ($43,490 average adjusted gross income)
Here:
7.07%
Washington average:
6.54%
10 or fewer of this county's residents moved from foreign countries.
3.12% relocated from other counties in Washington ($18,951 average AGI)
3.95% relocated from other states ($24,540 average AGI)
Skamania County:
3.95%
Washington average:
3.33%
Percentage of residents relocating from other counties or countries
Top counties from which taxpayers relocated into this county between 2010 and 2011:
7.17% of this county's 2010 resident taxpayers moved to other counties in 2011 ($40,610 average adjusted gross income)
Here:
7.17%
Washington average:
6.20%
10 or fewer of this county's residents moved to foreign countries.
4.05% relocated to other counties in Washington ($26,019 average AGI)
3.11% relocated to other states ($14,592 average AGI)
Skamania County:
3.11%
Washington average:
2.98%
Percentage of residents relocating to other counties or countries
Top counties to which taxpayers relocated from this county between 2010 and 2011:
Percentage of population without health insurance coverage in Skamania County
Persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare) in July 1, 2007: 1,453 (1,175 aged, 278 disabled) Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2007: 222 (9%)
Persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare)
Aged persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare)
Disabled persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare)
Most common underlying causes of death in Skamania County, Washington in 1999 - 2014:
Bronchus or lung, unspecified - Malignant neoplasms (104)
1,596 married couples with children.
535 single-parent households (168 men, 367 women).
94.1% of residents of Skamania speak English at home.
3.7% of residents speak Spanish at home (59% speak English very well, 18% speak English well, 18% speak English not well, 4% don't speak English at all).
1.3% of residents speak other Indo-European language at home (83% speak English very well, 11% speak English well, 4% speak English not well, 2% don't speak English at all).
0.2% of residents speak Asian or Pacific Island language at home (100% speak English very well).
0.6% of residents speak other language at home (43% speak English very well, 57% speak English not well).
In fiscal year 2004:
Federal Government expenditure: $46,318,000 ($4,391 per capita) Department of Defense expenditure: $7,038,000 Federal direct payments to individuals for retirement and disability: $19,448,000 Federal other direct payments to individuals: $5,332,000 Federal direct payments not to individuals: $5,000 Federal grants: $5,939,000 Federal procurement contracts: $8,625,000 ($6,066,000 Department of Defense) Federal salaries and wages: $6,969,000 ($49,000 Department of Defense) Federal Government direct loans: $920,000 Federal guaranteed/insured loans: $6,140,000 Federal Government insurance: $10,323,000
Population change from April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2005:
Births: 560
Here:
53 per 1000 residents
State:
66 per 1000 residents
Deaths: 336
Here:
32 per 1000 residents
State:
38 per 1000 residents
Net international migration: +35
Here:
+3 per 1000 residents
State:
+21 per 1000 residents
Net internal migration: +550
Here:
+52 per 1000 residents
State:
+13 per 1000 residents
Population growth in Skamania County
Total withdrawal of fresh water for public supply: 1.17 millions of gallons per day (32% from ground, 68% from surface)
Median number of rooms in houses and condos:
Here:
6.1
State:
6.5
Median number of rooms in apartments:
Here:
4.3
State:
4.1
Year house built
2014 or later: 11
2010 to 2013: 109
2000 to 2009: 1,080
1990 to 1999: 1,098
1980 to 1989: 667
1970 to 1979: 1,308
1960 to 1969: 367
1950 to 1959: 269
1940 to 1949: 273
1939 or earlier: 474
Note: State values scaled to Skamania population
Rooms in houses/apartments in Skamania County, Washington
Note: State values scaled to Skamania County population
no vehicle: 84
1 vehicle: 626
2 vehicles: 1,206
3 vehicles: 807
4 vehicles: 358
5+ vehicles: 195
no vehicle: 191
1 vehicle: 509
2 vehicles: 452
3 vehicles: 170
4 vehicles: 101
5+ vehicles: 34
91% of Skamania County residents lived in the same house 1 years ago. Out of people who lived in different houses, 21% lived in this county. Out of people who lived in different counties, 54% lived in Washington.
Skamania County:
90.9%
State average:
82.3%
Place of birth for U.S.-born residents:
This state: 4,046
Other state: 6,950
Northeast: 330
Midwest: 1,165
South: 625
West: 4,823
Year Householders Moved Into Unit
Most commonly used house heating fuel in Skamania County
Click here to upload your Skamania County photos (outside city limits)
45.5 years
37.7 years
(50.5%)
(49.5%)
, Penobscot County, Maine 
, Crow Wing County, Minnesota 
