 |
Vancouver / Clark County, WA
A mix of upscale restaurants, hip boutiques, cultural riches and lush parkland characterize the communities of southwest Washington.
Vancouver, Camas, Ridgefield, Battle Ground and Washougal have become popular for their combination of urban amenities and small town charm which are just a few of the reasons for their rapid growth.
Demographics
Population
Vancouver:
150,700
Camas:
15,200
Ridgefield:
12,493
Battle Ground:
15,810
Washougal:
9,775
Square Miles
628
Click Here to search for homes in the Vancouver area.
Climate
Average low: 32 (December)
Average high: 80 (August)
Annual precipitation: 41 inches
Neighboring Cities
Vancouver
Vancouver is the heart of Southwest Washington. It has become one of the premier destinations in the Northwest for shopping, culture and entertainment. Efforts to revitalize downtown Vancouver have resulted in new condominium projects, quaint cafes and small boutiques.
Camas
Camas is a former mill town that has experienced tremendous growth over the past decade. It has excellent neighborhoods, a revitalized downtown and strong economic growth. Camas sits along the banks of the Columbia River and is set against a backdrop of majestic Mount Hood.
Washougal
Washougal used to be a small farming town on the outskirts of Vancouver. Growth has turned it into a charming town hailed for being beautiful and livable. It is home to an abundance of housing options, excellent schools and outdoor recreation. Commuters often choose Washougal because it is close to SR-14, I-205 and I-5.
Ridgefield
Ridgefield is revered for its pastoral setting and small town charm. Its appeal comes from a combination of affordable housing, outdoor recreation and its location to the local business centers of Vancouver and Portland.
Battle Ground
Battle Ground is a small town that exemplifies peaceful living and outdoor fun. There are a number of lakes, streams and forests perfect for hiking, biking and boating. Battle Ground also has a charming main street with boutiques, antique shops and local restaurants.
Industry & Employers
Southwest Washington is a center for commerce. The area has attracted high-tech firms, retailers and corporate headquarters. There are a number of major businesses in Southwest Washington including Hewlett Packard, Georgia Pacific, WaferTech Industries, Underwriters Laboratories and Sharp Microelectronics.
Transportation
C-TRAN operates bus service throughout Vancouver and its suburbs. Several routes connect Vancouver to points in Portland including downtown, Marquam Hill and the Lloyd District.
Schools
Southwest Washington is served by several school districts.
The Vancouver School District operates 21 elementary schools, seven middle schools and six high schools that serve more than 22,000 students. In addition to traditional school programming, the district also includes the Vancouver School of Arts and Academics, a school for grades six through 12 that emphasizes academics and the arts.
The Camas School District serves 5,000 students and is recognized for outstanding academics, vocational and athletic opportunities.
The schools in the Ridgefield School District offer state-of-the-art facilities that promote lifelong learning.
A total of 11,000 students attend Battle Ground Public Schools. The district also offers resources for home-school families and the Center for Agriculture, Science and Environmental Education, a school that offers hands-on education on an 80-acre campus complete with a wildlife habitat, greenhouses and interpretive nature trails.
The Washougal School District serves 3,000 students in three elementary schools, two middle schools and two high schools.
There are also two colleges in Southwest Washington: Clark College and Washington State University at Vancouver.
Clark College offers a number of degree and certificate programs as well as continuing education programs.
Washington State University at Vancouver serves 2,300 students in undergraduate, graduate, certificate and post-baccalaureate programs.
Parks and Outdoor Recreation
Southwest Washington is known for its abundance of parkland. There are a number of neighborhood parks, wildlife refuges and urban green spaces.
Vancouver Lake Park is a 234-acre park with stunning views of Mount Hood, Mount Adams and Mount St. Helens. The centerpiece of the park is Vancouver Lake, a perfect spot for windsurfing, kayaking and canoeing. During the summer, visitors spend time swimming in the lake and building sandcastles on the beach.
Lacamas Lake Park in Camas features 311 acres of natural open spaces, miles of trails and a waterfall. The park also includes a playground and picnic shelters and is known for being an excellent fishing spot.
The Ridgefield National WildlifeRefuge, a 5000-acre site of marshes, grassland, woodlands, and wetland habitat, is home to 180 species of birds and other wildlife including bald eagles, migratory songbirds, waterfowl and fish.
Arts and Entertainment
There is a vibrant arts and culture scene in Southwest Washington that includes theater, museums and visual arts.
Fort Vancouver National Historic Site is a former hub of the fur trade in the Northwest. The site now offers engaging programs and a world-class archaeology collection. It also offers commemorative events and guided tours.
The Clark County Historical Museum has exhibits of artifacts from the mid-1200s through the late 20th century including items from the fur trade, Native American clothing and baskets, historical maps and rare books.
Live performances are held at Vancouver Dance Theatre, Arts Equity Inc. Main Street Theatre, Magenta Theater Company and the Public Playhouse.
Art lovers can visit Art on the Boulevard, a 10,000 square foot gallery displaying the work of 50 artists who work in a number of different media.
Festivals and Events
Esther Short Park in downtown Vancouver used to be overgrown with weeds and a haven for crime that has turned into a popular gathering spot. During the summer, the park hosts a farmers market filled with fresh fruits and vegetables, gourmet foods and flowers.
Esther Short Park is also the site of the Vancouver Wine and Jazz Festival which has been hailed as the best wine and jazz festival on the west coast. The event takes place in August and features internationally-acclaimed jazz and blues artists as well as local restaurants and wineries.
One of the most popular summer events is the annual Clark County Fair. The event is held at the Clark County Fairgrounds in Ridgefield and includes live entertainment, carnival rides and a livestock fair that draws thousands of families.
In the fall, residents are drawn to the Pumpkin Festival and the Harvest Festival in Battle Ground.
The Pumpkin Festival is an annual event to benefit local schools. There are hayrides through the pumpkin patch, scarecrow making, pumpkin painting, a corn maze and a petting zoo.
The annual Harvest Festival includes festivities like an annual lawnmower racing event, a chili cook-off and a parade.
Shopping and Dining
Significant efforts have been devoted to attracting restaurants and retailers to downtown Vancouver and the results are starting to show.
There are several restaurants in the area including Acorn Deli, 15th Street Pub and Café Al Dente and a lot of shops like Kazoodles, Silver Garden, Main Street Bead Connection and Paper from the Heart.
Pet Central
Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation has partnered with Dog Owners Group for Park Access in Washington (DOGPAW) to develop and maintain off-leash areas for dogs. The of-leash parks in Southwest Washington include the Bonneville Power Administration Ross Complex and Pacific Community Park.
|
|