Ridgefield, Washington

Ridgefield is a city in northern Clark County, Washington, United States. The population was 10,319 at the 2020 census, and according to 2023 census estimates, the city is estimated to have a population of 15,027.

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. 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.

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 and was renamed Ridgefield in 1890. The town's original name is preserved in the name of Union Ridge Elementary School.

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.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which, is land and is water.

Parks in Ridgefield include Abrams Park, Community Park, Davis Park, and Overlook Park. The Ridgefield Veterans Memorial is adjacent to Community Park.

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. The current city manager is Steve Stuart, a former county commissioner who was hired in 2014. In January 2025, Matt Cole was appointed Mayor. He has served as a city council member since 2022. Judy Chipman was appointed Mayor Pro Tem also in January 2025. She has served as a city council member since 2021.

Economy

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

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 10,319 people, 3,432 households, and 2,784 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 3,687 housing units. The racial makeup of the city was 81.5% White, 1.0% African American, 0.7% Native American, 3.5% Asian, 0.3% Pacific Islander, 2.7% from some other races and 10.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.1% of the population. 30.7% of residents were under the age of 18, 8.1% were under 5 years of age, and 12.2% were 65 and older.

As of 2021, the median household annual income was $107,861. The per capita income for the city was $41,214. About 3.1% of the population was below the poverty line.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 4,763 people, 1,591 households, and 1,258 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 1,695 housing units at an average density of . 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%.

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

As of the 2000 census, there were 2,147 people, 739 households, and 557 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 777 housing units at an average density of . 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.

Notable people

*Scott Mosier, film producer and podcaster
*Richie Sexson, former major league baseball player
*Leonard Shoen, founded U-Haul in Ridgefield

References

External links

*

History of Ridgefield
at HistoryLink

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1909 establishments in Washington (state)
Cities in Clark County, Washington
Cities in Washington (state)
Populated places established in 1909
Portland metropolitan area
Washington (state) populated places on the Columbia River