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Felida, Washington
Location of Felida, Washington
Location of Felida, Washington
Country United States
State Washington
County Clark
Area
 • Total 3.0 sq mi (7.8 km2)
 • Land 2.9 sq mi (7.5 km2)
 • Water 0.2 sq mi (0.4 km2)
Elevation
213 ft (65 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 9,526
 • Density 2,560/sq mi (988.6/km2)
Time zone UTC-8 (Pacific (PST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP code
98685
Area code(s) 360
FIPS code 53-23550
GNIS feature ID 1504845
Origin of the name Felida, Washington
Origin of the name Felida

Felida is a census-designated place (CDP) in Clark County, Washington, United States. The population was 9,526 at the 2020 census.

A post office called Felida was established in 1890, and remained in operation until 1906. The community derives its name from Felidae, the family of cats.

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.

A post office was established for the area northeast of Vancouver Lake, in 1890. While deciding what to name the post office, the first postmaster, Marian E. McIrvin, wanted it to be named Lakeview, but postal authorities informed him that there was already a place in Washington state named Lakeview. McIrvin's father-in-law suggested Felida for the name, and the name stuck.

A competing theory is that the town's name came from a suggestion for the post office to be referred to as Powley, after a local resident. The post office didn't want that name, and suggested it should be named Polly instead. C.C. Lewis, the current postmaster, thought that Polly was a name for a parrot, and that it should actually be named for his cat, Thomas. He submitted the names, Thomas, Tomcat, and Felidae. The post office thought that Felida would be a nice name, and took it.

Geography

Felida is located in southwestern Clark County. The community is 7 miles (11 km) north of downtown Vancouver and is bordered by the communities of Salmon Creek (to the east) and Lake Shore (to the south).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Felida CDP has a total area of 3.0 square miles (7.8 km2), of which 2.9 square miles (7.5 km2) is land and 0.2 square miles (0.4 km2), or 4.74%, is water.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the census of 2020, there were 9,526 people, and 3,802 households in the CDP. The population density was 3,276.9 inhabitants per square mile, compared to 2,560.6 in 2010. The racial makeup was 88.3% White, 0.6% African American, 0.1% Native American, 4.3% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, and 6.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 4.9% of the population.

16.9% of the population were 65 years or older, with 11.0% from 65 to 74, 5.2% from 75 to 84, and 0.7% older than 85. 26.1% were under 18, and 5.2% were under 5. The gender makeup was 48.6% female and 51.4% male.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Felida (Washington) para niños

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