Stevenson, Washington
Stevenson | |
|---|---|
| Stevenson, Washington | |
 Stevenson, Washington, from 2nd Ave. facing south toward the Columbia River and Oregon Cascades. | |
 Location of Stevenson, Washington | |
| Coordinates: 45°41′56″N 121°53′05″W / 45.69889°N 121.88472°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | Skamania |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor-council[1] |
| Area | |
• Total | 1.79 sq mi (4.64 km2) |
| • Land | 1.65 sq mi (4.26 km2) |
| • Water | 0.15 sq mi (0.38 km2) |
| Elevation | 102 ft (31 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 1,491 |
| • Density | 830/sq mi (320/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP code | 98648 |
| Area code | 509 |
| FIPS code | 53-67875[4] |
| GNIS feature ID | 2411980[3] |
| Website | City of Stevenson |
Stevenson is a city in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area along the Columbia River in Skamania County, Washington, United States, and part of the Portland metropolitan area. It is the county seat of Skamania County[5] and home to the Skamania County Court House and Sheriff's Office. The population was 1,491 at the 2020 census.
Stevenson is home to the Columbia Gorge Museum, which focuses on several tribes that were once located near the Columbia River.
History
[edit]
Stevenson is named for early settler George H. Stevenson.[6] The Stevenson family, who settled in the Gorge in the 1800s from Missouri, founded the town of Stevenson on the old Shepard donation land claim. Under the auspices of the Stevenson Land Company, George Stevenson purchased the original townsite for $24,000 in 1893, building the town along the lower flat near the river. Settlers expanded the original dock to serve the daily arrivals of sternwheelers unloading passengers, cargo and loading logs.
In 1893, in a dispute over rental fees, an unknown crew transported the county records from the town of Cascades to Stevenson. Stevenson became the county seat of Skamania overnight. Stevenson was officially incorporated on December 16, 1907. In 1908 the Spokane, Portland and Seattle Railway arrived, pushing the town up the hill away from the river. Streets were graded, wooden sidewalks constructed and the city asked residents to keep their cows from roaming the streets.[7]
Geography
[edit]According to the United States Census Bureau, Stevenson has a total area of 1.79 square miles (4.6 km2), of which 1.65 square miles (4.3 km2) is land and 0.14 square miles (0.36 km2) is water.[8]
The city sits on the north bank of the Columbia River within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and is the county seat of Skamania County. Washington State Route 14 runs through downtown, placing Stevenson about 45 miles (72 km) east of Portland and roughly 20 miles (32 km) west of Hood River.[9]
Across the river to the south is Cascade Locks in Hood River County, Oregon. Three miles (about 4.8 km) west of downtown, the Bridge of the Gods links SR‑14 with Interstate 84 at Cascade Locks, Oregon. The historic 1926 cantilever span is the only crossing of the Columbia River between Portland and Hood River and also carries the Pacific Crest Trail across the river at its lowest elevation point.[10][11]
Stevenson lies at an elevation of about 246 feet (75 m) above sea level where basalt cliffs rise steeply to the north. The Columbia widens here into a straight reach that funnels dependable winds, and the city’s waterfront at Bob's Beach is a popular launch site for windsurfers and kiteboarders.[12][13]
Climate
[edit]Located in the western Columbia River Gorge, Stevenson has a warm‑summer Mediterranean climate (Köppen: Csb) that blends the wet marine influence of the Cascades’ west side with the drier interior plateau to the east. Summers are warm and distinctly dry: the average high in July is about 82 °F (28 °C), and the month typically receives only 0.6 in (15 mm) of rain.[14][15]
Winters are cool, wet, and occasionally snowy; January’s mean temperature is around 35 °F (2 °C) and average precipitation exceeds 11 in (280 mm). Annual rainfall varies with elevation, ranging from about 66 in (1,700 mm) at gauges near the river[16] to more than 80 in (2,000 mm) on the surrounding forested slopes.
Snowfall averages roughly 13 in (33 cm) per year, but sporadic Arctic‑air outflow events funneling through the Gorge can deliver heavier snow and freezing rain.
Persistent gap winds—typically 15 mph (24 km/h)–25 mph (40 km/h) westerlies in the warm season and strong easterlies during winter outbreaks—make Stevenson’s waterfront “one of the windiest spots in the Gorge,” and a popular venue for wind‑powered recreation.[17] These winds arise from pressure‑gradient‑driven gap flow through the Gorge, which can generate high‑wind conditions in towns along the Columbia River year‑round.[18]
| Climate data for Stevenson, Washington | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 58 (14) |
64 (18) |
77 (25) |
89 (32) |
99 (37) |
102 (39) |
105 (41) |
103 (39) |
100 (38) |
84 (29) |
64 (18) |
58 (14) |
105 (41) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 37.9 (3.3) |
42.6 (5.9) |
50.5 (10.3) |
57.4 (14.1) |
65 (18) |
71.4 (21.9) |
80 (27) |
80.6 (27.0) |
73.4 (23.0) |
60.5 (15.8) |
45.7 (7.6) |
37.3 (2.9) |
58.5 (14.7) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 32.8 (0.4) |
35.5 (1.9) |
40.9 (4.9) |
46 (8) |
52.6 (11.4) |
58.3 (14.6) |
64.3 (17.9) |
64.1 (17.8) |
58. (14) |
48.4 (9.1) |
39.1 (3.9) |
32.5 (0.3) |
47.7 (8.7) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 27.6 (−2.4) |
28.3 (−2.1) |
31.4 (−0.3) |
34.6 (1.4) |
40.2 (4.6) |
45.3 (7.4) |
48.5 (9.2) |
47.6 (8.7) |
42.7 (5.9) |
36.3 (2.4) |
32.6 (0.3) |
27.8 (−2.3) |
36.9 (2.7) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −9 (−23) |
−4 (−20) |
11 (−12) |
24 (−4) |
27 (−3) |
30 (−1) |
34 (1) |
30 (−1) |
26 (−3) |
15 (−9) |
−2 (−19) |
−7 (−22) |
−9 (−23) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 13.9 (350) |
11.2 (280) |
9.1 (230) |
6.1 (150) |
3.4 (86) |
2.3 (58) |
0.6 (15) |
0.9 (23) |
2.7 (69) |
6.4 (160) |
13.8 (350) |
15.3 (390) |
85.8 (2,180) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 23.4 (59) |
14.6 (37) |
5.3 (13) |
0 (0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0 (0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.1 (0.25) |
7.3 (19) |
21.5 (55) |
73 (190) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in.) | 19 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 12 | 9 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 12 | 19 | 19 | 154 |
| Source: weatherbase.com | |||||||||||||
Demographics
[edit]| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1910 | 387 | — | |
| 1920 | 348 | −10.1% | |
| 1930 | 400 | 14.9% | |
| 1940 | 563 | 40.8% | |
| 1950 | 584 | 3.7% | |
| 1960 | 927 | 58.7% | |
| 1970 | 916 | −1.2% | |
| 1980 | 1,172 | 27.9% | |
| 1990 | 1,147 | −2.1% | |
| 2000 | 1,200 | 4.6% | |
| 2010 | 1,465 | 22.1% | |
| 2020 | 1,491 | 1.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[20] 2020 Census[21] | |||
2010 census
[edit]
At the 2010 census there were 1,465 people in 640 households, including 390 families, in the city. The population density was 887.9 inhabitants per square mile (342.8/km2). There were 703 housing units at an average density of 426.1 per square mile (164.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 93.9% White, 0.6% African American, 1.8% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.5% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.8%.[22]
Of the 640 households, 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.3% were married couples living together, 15.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.1% were non-families. 33.4% of households were one person and 12.8% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.86.
The median age was 42.1 years. 23% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.5% were from 25 to 44; 30.6% were from 45 to 64; and 15.3% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.1% male and 52.9% female.
2000 census
[edit]
As of the 2000 census,[4] there were 1,200 people in 474 households, including 307 families, in the city. The population density was 813.4 people per square mile (313.1/km2). There were 523 housing units at an average density of 354.5 per square mile (136.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 91.92% White, 0.17% African American, 2.42% Native American, 0.58% Asian, 1.75% from other races, and 3.17% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.33% of the population.
Of the 474 households, 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.2% were married couples living together, 14.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.2% were non-families. 29.5% of households were one person and 10.1% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the city, the age distribution of the population shows 25.1% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 25.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% 65 or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.7 males.
The median household income was $31,979 and the median family income was $38,750. Males had a median income of $36,042 versus $25,893 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,602. About 17.8% of families and 22.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.2% of those under age 18 and 17.0% of those age 65 or over.
Education
[edit]
Stevenson is served by the Stevenson-Carson School District, which encompasses the entire Skamania County. It includes Carson Elementary School in Carson, Washington and Stevenson Elementary School in Stevenson. The only middle school in the area is Wind River Middle School, and the only high school is Stevenson High School, both located in Stevenson.[23]
As of 2022, 35.8% of people living in Stevenson had a high school diploma or equivalent education. 7.8% had associate's degrees, 12.5% had bachelor's degrees, and 9.4% had graduate or professional degrees.[24]
Parks and recreation
[edit]Stevenson is situated within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, which contains the highland terrain areas of Greenleaf Peak and Table Mountain. Hikers can access the Pacific Crest Trail south of the community.
The Bridge of the Gods is south of Stevenson.
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ City of Stevenson. City of Stevenson > Government. Retrieved May 10th, 2021.(dead link)
- ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
- ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Stevenson, Washington
- ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ Meany, Edmond S. (1923). Origin of Washington geographic names. Seattle: University of Washington Press. p. 290.
- ^ "History of Stevenson". City of Stevenson, Washington. Retrieved July 13, 2012.
- ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files - Washington". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
- ^ "State Route 14 Corridor Sketch Summary" (PDF). Washington State Department of Transportation. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
- ^ "Bridge of the Gods". Port of Cascade Locks. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
- ^ "Historic Bridge of the Gods". Pacific Crest Trail Association. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
- ^ "GNIS Detail – Stevenson". United States Geological Survey. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
- ^ "Bob's Beach". Port of Skamania County. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
- ^ "Climate and Average Weather Year Round in Stevenson, Washington". WeatherSpark. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
- ^ "Stevenson Climate Data". Climate-Data.org. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
- ^ "Climate – Stevenson, Washington". BestPlaces. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
- ^ "Bob's Beach". Port of Skamania County. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
- ^ Gap Flows Along the Columbia River Observed During the WFIP2 Field Campaign (PDF) (Report). Argonne National Laboratory & NOAA Global Systems Laboratory. 2022. pp. 1–2.
- ^ "Stevenson, Washington Travel Weather Averages (Weatherbase)". Weatherbase. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
- ^ United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing". Retrieved September 6, 2014.
- ^ "Census Bureau profile: Stevenson, Washington". United States Census Bureau. May 2023. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
- ^ "Schools | Stevenson Washington". City of Stevenson, Washington. Retrieved August 12, 2024.
- ^ "Stevenson-Carson School District, Washington - Census Bureau Profile". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 12, 2024.
External links
[edit]
Municipalities and communities of Skamania County, Washington, United States | ||
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| Cities |  | |
| CDP | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Former communities | ||
| International | |
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| National | |
| Geographic | |
