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Clackamas County/East Metro
Clackamas County was named after the Clackamas Indians and since it was incorporated in 1843, it has become one of the most diverse counties in Oregon.
Clackamas County includes large cities, suburbs and small towns as well as unincorporated areas and rural villages. It is also home to geographic riches like the Mount Hood National Forest, Bull Run Watershed and the Molalla, Salmon and Willamette rivers
Demographics
Population
Clackamas County: 367,040
Climate:
Average low: 45
Average high: 64
Annual precipitation: 42 inches (Portland) to 89 inches (Government Camp)
Size in square miles: 1,879 square miles
Neighborhoods
Clackamas County encompasses all or part of 15 cities and four county urban renewal districts including:
Portland
Clackamas
Lake Oswego
Milwaukie
Oregon City
Sunnyside
Tualatin
West Linn
Wilsonville
Barlow
Canby
Damascus
Estacada
Gladstone
Happy Valley
Johnson City
Molalla
Rivergrove
Sandy
Barton
Boring
Charbonneau
Colton
Eagle Creek
Marquam
Redland
Wankers Corner
Yoder
Jennings Lodge
Oak Grove
Oatfield
Mount Hood Village
Beavercreek
Stafford
Mulino
Government Camp
Industry & Employers
Medical centers abound in Clackamas County and provide jobs for thousands of area residents. The largest hospitals and medical centers in the county are Legacy Meridian Park Hospital in Tualatin, Kaiser Sunnyside Medical Center in Clackamas and Willamette Falls Hospital in Oregon City.
Other major employers in Clackamas County include Hollywood Entertainment, Unified Western Grocers and Affiliated Computer Services.
Transportation
The availability of public transportation in Clackamas County varies depending on the size of the cities and demand for local services. The most popular public transportation option for residents is Tri-Met which operates throughout Portland and its suburbs.
Residents of Clackamas County depend on the Portland International Airport for long distance travel.
Schools
There are a total of nine different school districts serving the students in Clackamas County: Clackamas Education Service District, David Douglas School District, Evergreen School District, Lake Oswego School District, Multnomah Education School District, North Clackamas Schools, Portland Public Schools and West Linn-Wilsonville School District.
There are also a number of colleges serving residents of Clackamas County including Clackamas Community College, Mount Hood Community College and Portland Community College. All three colleges offer a number of continuing education, certificate and degree programs in hundreds of different fields.
Parks and Outdoor Recreation
Clackamas County is home to some of the most beautiful natural areas in the Pacific Northwest. Recreational opportunities range from neighborhood playgrounds to vast expanses of protected land.
Spend the afternoon – or the weekend – exploring the Mount Hood National Forest. The forest spans over a million acres and features mountains, lakes and streams perfect for outdoor recreation. In the summer, there are areas for fishing, hiking and boating. In the winter, skiing and snowshoeing are the most popular activities.
The North Clackamas Parks and Recreation District oversees 50 different parks and green spaces that stretch from the Clackamas River to the Willamette River. Its boundaries include the 45-acre North Clackamas Park in Milwaukie to the 190-acre Mount Talbert Nature Park in Portland.
One of the most popular parks in the North Clackamas Parks and Recreation District is the North Clackamas Aquatic Park.
The indoor aquatic park has been dubbed ‘the other Oregon Coast.’ It features waterslides, a wave pool and a kiddie pool totaling more than 400,000 gallons of water. The park also offers water fitness classes and a lap pool as well as space for parties and events.
Residents 55 and older can join the Milwaukie Center which offers recreational and support services ranging from financial planning classes to dances.
Arts and Entertainment
There is no shortage of opportunities to experience arts and culture in Clackamas County. The number of art galleries, theater groups and museums mean that residents can enjoy big-city entertainment close to home.
The Museum of the Oregon Territory has exhibits depicting life for the first Oregon settlers. Exhibits have ranged from period clothing and transportation to medicine and education.
There are also a number of interesting exhibits at the Mount Hood Cultural Center and Museum. It is the best place in Clackamas County to find objects from the Oregon Trail, winter sports equipment used in the Mount Hood wilderness and information on the natural history of the area.
The End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center is a not-to-be-missed cultural gem that tells the stories of Oregon Trail pioneers. In addition to a museum, the center offers living history presentations of life on the Oregon Trail and numerous hands-on activities.
Purchase tickets to see a performance put on by the Krayon Kids Musical Theater Company featuring performances by children ages five to 17. The theater is based in Oregon City and has staged original plays and performances of Broadway classics.
Festivals and Events
The annual Clackamas County Fair draws visitors from around the Pacific Northwest. The six-day event includes a pioneer village, rodeo, demolition derby, petting zoo, live music, a carnival and concessions.
Families descend on Clackamas County every May to take part in the annual Pioneer Family Fun Festival. The event includes a parade, carnival and live entertainment. There is also a history tent where historians, living history interpreters and heritage organizations share the history of Oregon with visitors.
The Canby Art and Wine Festival is a weekend event that features wine from are vineyards and the work of local artists at the Clackamas County Fairgrounds.
Shopping and Dining
Clackamas Town Center has some of the best shopping, dining and entertainment in Portland. In 2007, it underwent a major renovation that included a 250,000 square foot expansion with 40 new stores and restaurants and a 20-screen theater complex.
Columbia Gorge Premium Outlets are another popular shopping destination in Clackamas County. There are 45 outlet stores including Gap Outlet, Eddie Bauer, Adidas and Zales.
Pet Central
There are several off-leash dog parks in Clackamas County including North Clackamas Park, Molalla River State Park, Memorial Park and Milo K. McIver State Park.
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