Ridgefield, Washington

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Ridgefield, Washington
City
Downtown Ridgefield in 2006
Downtown Ridgefield in 2006
Location of Ridgefield, Washington
Location of Ridgefield, Washington
Coordinates: 45°48′55″N 122°43′40″W / 45.81528°N 122.72778°W / 45.81528; -122.72778Coordinates: 45°48′55″N 122°43′40″W / 45.81528°N 122.72778°W / 45.81528; -122.72778
CountryUnited States
StateWashington
CountyClark
Government
 • TypeCouncil–manager
 • City managerSteve Stuart
 • MayorDon Stose
Area
[1]
 • Total7.42 sq mi (19.21 km2)
 • Land7.34 sq mi (19.02 km2)
 • Water0.07 sq mi (0.19 km2)
Elevation
112 ft (34 m)
Population
 (2010)[3]
 • Total4,763
 • Estimate 
(2019)[2]
9,153
 • Density1,246.49/sq mi (481.27/km2)
Time zoneUTC-8 (Pacific (PST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP code
98642
Area code360
FIPS code53-58410
GNIS feature ID1512604[4]
Websiteci.ridgefield.wa.us

Ridgefield is a city in northern Clark County, Washington, in the United States. The population was 4,763 at the 2010 census. Located within the Portland metropolitan area, Ridgefield is notable for the significant Native American history and connection to the Lewis and Clark Expedition. It is also the headquarters of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, a primary reserve for migrating waterfowl on the Pacific Flyway, and the home of the Ridgefield High School "Spudders" (reflecting the area's potato-farming heritage).

History[]

The area has important ties to the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1804–1806, being close to the Chinookan town of Cathlapotle, then a settlement of 700–800 people, with at least 14 substantial plank houses.[5] The community's ties to the Chinookan people was commemorated by the construction of a replica of a Cathlapotle plank house at the nearby Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, which was dedicated March 29, 2005.[6]

The town was formerly known as Union Ridge, named by the many Union veterans among the first large wave of settlers after the Civil War[7] and was renamed Ridgefield in 1890.[8] The town's original name is preserved in the name of Union Ridge Elementary School.[6][citation needed]

Ridgefield was an important trading center as early as the 1860s with its key location near the mouth of the Columbia River, and the city was officially incorporated on August 26, 1909. U-Haul, an American equipment rental company, had its start in Ridgefield in 1945.[6]

Geography[]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.18 square miles (18.60 km2), of which 7.08 square miles (18.34 km2) is land and 0.10 square miles (0.26 km2) is water.[9][10]

Parks in Ridgefield include Abrams Park, Community Park, Davis Park, and Overlook Park. The Ridgefield Veterans Memorial is adjacent to Community Park. Jefferson Davis Park, a private park just outside Ridgefield, serves as a Confederate memorial.

Government[]

Ridgefield has a council–manager form of government, with a city manager who is appointed by a city council with seven elected members. The city council also selects a mayor from among themselves.[11] The current city manager is Steve Stuart, a former county commissioner who was hired in 2014.[12] Don Stose has served as mayor since 2018, replacing ten-year mayor Ron Onslow after his retirement.[13]

Economy[]

Rental and storage company U-Haul was founded in Ridgefield in 1945.[14]

Demographics[]

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1910297—
1920620108.8%
1930607−2.1%
19406435.9%
195076218.5%
19608238.0%
19701,00422.0%
19801,0625.8%
19901,29722.1%
20002,14765.5%
20104,763121.8%
2019 (est.)9,153[2]92.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[15]
2018 Estimate[16]

2010 census[]

At the 2010 census there were 4,763 people, 1,591 households, and 1,258 families living in the city. The population density was 672.7 inhabitants per square mile (259.7/km2). There were 1,695 housing units at an average density of 239.4 per square mile (92.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 92.4% White, 0.9% African American, 0.8% Native American, 2.0% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.9% from other races, and 2.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.1%.[3]

Of the 1,591 households 48.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.0% were married couples living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 20.9% were non-families. 16.2% of households were one person and 6.1% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.99 and the average family size was 3.34.

The median age was 32.4 years. 33.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 29.7% were from 25 to 44; 22.9% were from 45 to 64; and 7.7% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.9% male and 50.1% female.

2000 census[]

At the 2000 census, there were 2,147 people, 739 households, and 557 families living in the city. The population density was 420.8 people per square mile (162.5/km2). There were 777 housing units at an average density of 152.3 per square mile (58.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.16% White, 0.28% African American, 1.12% Native American, 0.70% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.23% from other races, and 2.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.77% of the population. 20.4% were of German, 18.9% American, 11.9% English, 6.9% Irish and 6.2% Norwegian ancestry.

Of the 739 households 43.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.6% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.6% were non-families. 18.8% of households were one person and 8.0% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.82 and the average family size was 3.18.

The age distribution was 29.8% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 22.4% from 45 to 64, and 10.7% 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.8 males.

The median household income was $46,012 and the median family income was $51,121. Males had a median income of $38,125 versus $27,426 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,696. About 4.4% of families and 6.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.6% of those under age 18 and 9.0% of those age 65 or over.

Education[]

The Ridgefield School District has five schools: Union Ridge Elementary, South Ridge Elementary, Sunset Ridge Intermediate School, View Ridge Middle School, and Ridgefield High School.[17]

Notable people[]

  • Scott Mosier, film producer and podcaster[citation needed]
  • Richie Sexson, former major league baseball player[citation needed]

References[]

  1. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places in Washington: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2019". United States Census Bureau. May 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
  4. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Ridgefield, Washington
  5. ^ Ames, Kenneth. "Cathlapotle". The Oregon Encyclopedia. The Oregon Historical Society. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b c Caldbick, John (January 24, 2010). "Ridgefield — Thumbnail History". History Link.
  7. ^ Kirk, Ruth; Alexander, Carmela (995). Exploring Washington's Past: A Road Guide to History. University of Washington Press. p. 405. ISBN 9780295974439. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  8. ^ Wilhelm, Honor L. (1 January 1908). "The Coast". Coast Publishing Company. Retrieved 5 July 2016 – via Google Books.
  9. ^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 20, 2011. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
  10. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  11. ^ "City Council". City of Ridgefield. Retrieved January 13, 2020.
  12. ^ Runquist, Justin (March 13, 2014). "Stuart tapped for Ridgefield city manager job". The Columbian. Retrieved January 13, 2020.
  13. ^ Littman, Adam (March 28, 2018). "Ridgefield mayor to step down Sunday". The Columbian. Retrieved January 13, 2020.
  14. ^ Vogt, Tom (September 20, 2015). "U-Haul celebrates Ridgefield roots as it turns 70". The Columbian. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  15. ^ United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing". Retrieved September 19, 2013.
  16. ^ "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
  17. ^ "Schools". Ridgefield School District. Retrieved December 30, 2018.

External links[]

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