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Troutdale
City
Troutdale, Oregon
Downtown Troutdale during SummerFest (2015)
Downtown Troutdale during SummerFest (2015)
Location in Multnomah County, Oregon
Country United States
State Oregon
County Multnomah
Incorporated 1907
Area
 • Total 6.03 sq mi (15.62 km2)
 • Land 5.95 sq mi (15.40 km2)
 • Water 0.09 sq mi (0.22 km2)
Elevation
161 ft (49 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 16,300
 • Density 2,741.34/sq mi (1,058.44/km2)
Time zone UTC−8 (Pacific)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−7 (Pacific)
ZIP code
97060
Area code 503 & 971
FIPS code 41-74850
GNIS feature ID 2412098
Website www.troutdaleoregon.gov

Troutdale is a city in Multnomah County, Oregon, United States. It is located just north of Gresham and east of Wood Village. In 2020, about 16,300 people lived there. Troutdale is often called the "western gateway" to some amazing natural areas. These include the Historic Columbia River Highway, the Mount Hood Scenic Byway, and the Columbia River Gorge. The city is about 12 miles (19 km) east of Portland. It is part of the larger Portland, Oregon metropolitan area.

Discovering Troutdale's Past

Troutdale was first known as Sandy, named after the nearby Sandy River. A post office opened here in 1854. Later, in 1873, another town in Clackamas County took the name Sandy.

How Troutdale Got Its Name

The city got its current name from an early settler, John Harlow. He named it Troutdale because of a trout pond in a small valley, or "dale," near his home. The Troutdale post office started in 1880.

The Story of Bissinger Wool Pullery

In 1925, a company called the Bissinger Wool Pullery moved to Troutdale. It was located along the Sandy River. A famous water tower stands nearby. This company was once featured in a "Ripley's Believe it or Not!" column. This was because a cat was found in a pile of animal hides. The cat became the company's mascot and lived a long life. Today, the water tower is known as the "Old Historic Water Tower."

Reynolds Aluminum and Wood Village

For many years, Reynolds Aluminum was the biggest employer in the area. The Reynolds plant in Troutdale opened in 1941. It made aluminum for the war effort. The plant closed in 2000. The nearby city of Wood Village was actually built to house workers from the Reynolds plant. It was a "company town."

Exploring Troutdale's Location

Troutdale covers about 6.02 square miles (15.6 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.

Rivers and Nearby Cities

The city is located where two important rivers meet: the Sandy River and the Columbia River. This location is about 12 miles (19 km) east of Portland.

Troutdale's Weather and Climate

Troutdale has warm, dry summers. The average monthly temperatures are not too hot. This type of weather is called a warm-summer Mediterranean climate.

Troutdale is also known for its strong winds. Powerful east winds often blow from the Columbia River Gorge. These winds can affect the city's temperature and overall weather. Because of these winds, many local businesses use "East Wind" in their names.

People of Troutdale: Demographics

Troutdale LDS Chapel
A Latter-day Saint (Mormon) Church in Troutdale
Sandy River mouth - Oregon
The meeting point of the Sandy and Columbia Rivers in Troutdale

In 2020, Troutdale had 16,300 people living there. There were 5,871 households. The city had about 2,741 people per square mile.

Most residents, about 80.7%, were White. Other groups included 2.0% African American, 1.0% Native American, and 4.4% Asian. About 15.2% of the population were of Hispanic or Latino origin.

The average age in Troutdale was 34.3 years old. About 28.6% of the people were under 18. The average family size was about 3.59 people. The median household income in Troutdale was $85,131. This means half of the households earned more and half earned less than this amount.

Troutdale's Economy and Jobs

Amazon fulfillment center - Troutdale Oregon
An Amazon fulfillment center in Troutdale
Bissinger Wool Pullery, Troutdale, Oregon
A 2019 photo of Bissinger Wool Pullery, Troutdale

The local economy in Troutdale has changed over time. Many residents work in Portland or Gresham. However, new industries have grown in the Port of Portland's Troutdale Reynolds Industrial Park. This has made Troutdale a place with many job opportunities.

FedEx is currently the largest employer in the city. They have a big distribution center there. Other major employers include Amazon, the Reynolds School District, and the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office. Large stores like Albertsons/Safeway and The Home Depot also provide many jobs. McMenamins is another important employer.

Fun Things to Do: Tourism in Troutdale

Troutdalewatertower
The old historic water tower, as seen from downtown

Troutdale is home to a very popular place called Edgefield. It's part of the McMenamins chain of brewpubs and hotels. Edgefield used to be the Multnomah County Poor Farm. Now, it has a hotel, restaurants, bars, and entertainment. Edgefield is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). This means it's a historically important site.

Other historic buildings in Troutdale on the NRHP include the Fred Harlow House and the Troutdale Methodist Episcopal Church.

Learning in Troutdale: Education

Troutdale is served by the Reynolds School District. Several schools are located in the city. These include Reynolds High School, Walt Morey Middle School, and Sweetbriar and Troutdale elementary schools. There is also a private school called Open Door Christian Academy.

Getting Around: Transportation

In the past, electric trains connected Troutdale to Gresham and Portland. This service started in 1907 but stopped in 1927.

Later, bus service connected Troutdale with Gresham and Portland. This service was taken over by TriMet in 1970. TriMet still provides bus service in Troutdale today. Another service, Columbia Area Transit, runs the Columbia Gorge Express to Portland and Hood River.

The city also has its own airport, Portland–Troutdale Airport. It is used for general aviation, which means smaller planes.

Outdoor Fun: Parks and Recreation

Sunriseparksign
A sign for Sunrise Park in Troutdale

Troutdale has almost 20 parks! These range from busy parks like Glenn Otto Park on the Sandy River to smaller neighborhood parks. The biggest park is Columbia Park. It has a playground called Imagination Station and sports fields.

Sunrise Park has a half-mile looping trail with great views of Mount Hood. You can also rent community garden beds there. Other parks include College Nature Park, Helen Althaus Park, Kiku Park, Lewellyn Park, Mayors Square, Visionary Park, Weedin Park, and Woodale Park.

Famous People from Troutdale

  • Drew Eubanks, an American basketball player
  • Gino Vannelli, a musician

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Troutdale para niños

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