Klickitat, Washington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Klickitat, Washington
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Sign at the entrance of town
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Location in Klickitat County, Washington
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| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | Klickitat |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.94 sq mi (2.43 km2) |
| • Land | 0.94 sq mi (2.43 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0.0 km2) |
| Elevation | 479 ft (146 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 320 |
| • Density | 341/sq mi (131.7/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP codes |
98628, 98670
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| Area code(s) | 509 |
| FIPS code | 53-36115 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1521721 |
Klickitat is a small community in Klickitat County, Washington, United States. It's known as a census-designated place (CDP), which means it's a special area defined for gathering census information. In 2020, about 320 people lived here. Klickitat used to have a big lumber mill, but now it's mostly a place where people live and travel to nearby towns for work.
Contents
Exploring Klickitat's Location
Klickitat is located right next to the Klickitat River. You can find it at these coordinates: 45°48′59″N 121°9′50″W / 45.81639°N 121.16389°W. The closest larger town is Goldendale, which is about 21 miles (34 km) to the east.
How to Get Around Klickitat
State Route 142 runs through Klickitat. This road goes southwest for about 3 miles (5 km) to a place called Pitt. It also goes east for the same distance to Wahkiacus. If you follow Route 142 southwest for about 13 miles (21 km), you'll reach Lyle, which is on the Columbia River.
Klickitat's Size
The Klickitat CDP covers a total area of about 2.4 square kilometers (0.93 square miles). All of this area is land, with no water.
Who Lives in Klickitat?
Let's look at the people who call Klickitat home. The population changes over time.
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2000 | 417 | — | |
| 2010 | 362 | −13.2% | |
| 2020 | 320 | −11.6% | |
| US Decennial Census 2020 Census |
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Population Changes Over Time
In 2000, there were 417 people living in Klickitat. By 2010, the population had gone down to 362. In the most recent 2020 census, 320 people lived in the community.
Klickitat's Community Makeup
In 2020, Klickitat had 132 households and 160 housing units. Most residents were White. There were also people who identified as American Indian, Asian, Hispanic or Latino, or from two or more races. The average income for a household in Klickitat was about $60,893 in 2020.
Klickitat's Past: A Look at History
The area where Klickitat is located today was first called "Wrights." This name came from one of the first settlers in the area. It was also the name of the local train stop.
How Klickitat Got Its Name
Further down the river, another train stop was named "Klickitat." This name came from the Klickitat people, a Native American tribe. Later, the railroad switched the names of the two stops. This happened because a company called Klickitat Pop, which made carbonated drinks nearby, became very famous. On February 7, 1910, the town's post office officially changed its name to "Klickitat."
Early Settlers and Industries
The first non-native settlers arrived in Klickitat around 1890. They were looking for land to build homes. In the early 1900s, many more settlers came because there was a lot of timber (trees for wood). Traveling through the Klickitat canyon was very hard until a train line was finished in 1903. This train line made it easier to travel and move people, crops, animals, and timber.
The main employer in Klickitat was a lumber mill. The first big mill started in 1909 and operated until 1994, when it closed for good. Klickitat also had natural carbonated springs, called Klickitat Mineral Springs. These springs led to health spas, a carbonated drink company, and a large dry ice plant. The dry ice plant operated until 1957.
Fun Things to Do in Klickitat
The area around Klickitat and its river is a great place for outdoor activities.
Outdoor Adventures
- Hunting and Fishing: People enjoy seasonal hunting and fishing here.
- River Activities: In the summer, popular activities on the Klickitat River include drift boating, kayaking, and rafting.
- Hiking and Biking: There are many paths and trails for scenic hikes. The Klickitat Trail is 31 miles (50 km) long and follows the old railroad tracks. It's perfect for biking and hiking. The trail goes north from the Columbia River, passing right through Klickitat.
- Scenic Drives: Washington State Route 142 offers a beautiful drive through the canyon.
- Dry Ice Plant Ruins: About two miles (3 km) east of town, you can find the ruins of the old dry ice plant. Only one building remains, and the site is now a public campsite.
See also
In Spanish: Klickitat (Washington) para niños
