Columbia City, Oregon Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools

by btobers · Published June 27, 2019 · Updated September 12, 2024

Columbia City is a small city located in the Columbia River Valley of Oregon. The city is bordered by the Clackamas River to the south and the Columbia River to the north. The climate in Columbia City is mild, with warm summers and cool winters. The average yearly temperature is around 55 degrees Fahrenheit. The history of Columbia City dates back to the early 1800s when it was first established as a trading post.

Columbia City has a strong economy that is largely driven by agriculture, forestry, tourism, and manufacturing. Some of its major employers include Columbia Forest Products, Weyerhaeuser Company, and Cascade Steel Rolling Mills. There are also several smaller businesses in town that provide jobs for locals. In terms of politics, Columbia City is part of Oregon’s 5th congressional district and is represented by Congressman Kurt Schrader in Washington D.C.

The school system in Columbia City consists of four elementary schools, one middle school and one high school with an impressive graduation rate of 93%. There are also several private schools within the city limits as well as numerous colleges and universities within driving distance from town such as Portland State University and Lewis & Clark College in Portland or Western Oregon University in Monmouth.

When it comes to landmarks, there are many points of interest located around Columbia City including Mount Hood National Forest which offers great outdoor activities such as camping, fishing and hiking; Willamette Falls which is a scenic waterfall located on the Clackamas River; Fort Vancouver National Historic Site which commemorates an old fur trading post; and Multnomah Falls which provides stunning views from atop its 620-foot drop off point into the gorge below. Additionally, there are several parks scattered throughout town offering residents plenty places to relax or have some fun outdoors with friends or family members.

Population: 1,571. Estimated population in July 2024: 1,797 (+14.4% change)
Males: 806 (51.3%), Females: 765 (48.7%)

Columbia County

Zip code: 97018

Demographics

Median resident age: 40.4 years
Median household income: $59,545
Median house value: $175,600

Population by Race

Races in Columbia City:

White Non-Hispanic (94.2%)
American Indian (2.3%)
Hispanic (2.0%)
Two or more races (1.5%)
Other race (0.5%)

Ancestries: German (21.8%), English (15.7%), Irish (12.7%), Norwegian (6.7%), United States (5.9%), Scottish (5.1%).

Elevation: 24 feet

Land area: 0.7 square miles

Population by Education

Columbia City is a small city located in Columbia County, Oregon. It has a population of about 5,000 people, with nearly half of them being under the age of 18. The median age of the population is approximately 38 years old. The racial makeup of the city is predominantly White (about 75%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (about 7%), African American (about 5%), and Asian (about 2%).

The majority of the population lives in single-family homes, with some apartments and mobile homes scattered throughout. Most residents are employed in local businesses such as manufacturing, retail trade, and health care. There are also many small businesses that provide services to the community such as car repair shops, restaurants, and grocery stores. The city has a low unemployment rate and a high rate of job growth in recent years. The median household income for Columbia City is around $45K per year.

Education is also an important part of life in Columbia City; there are several public schools in the area that serve grades K-12 and offer both traditional and alternative education options for students. Additionally, there are several private schools in the area providing religious or specialized instruction to students from preschool through high school levels. Higher education opportunities can be found at nearby Portland State University or Clatsop Community College which offer courses ranging from vocational training to four-year degrees.

For population 25 years and over in Columbia City

High school or higher: 91.8%
Bachelor’s degree or higher: 21.7%
Graduate or professional degree: 8.9%
Unemployed: 4.4%
Mean travel time to work: 26.3 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Columbia City city

Never married: 17.8%
Now married: 66.4%
Separated: 0.9%
Widowed: 5.1%
Divorced: 9.7%

3.4% Foreign born (1.5% Europe, 1.4% Latin America, 0.6% Asia).

Population change in the 1990s: +571 (+57.1%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Columbia City:

S W WASHINGTON MEDICAL CENTER (about 22 miles; VANCOUVER, WA)
HOSPICE CARE CENTER HOSPITAL (about 22 miles; LONGVIEW, WA)
PEACEHEALTH ST JOHN MEDICAL CENTER (about 22 miles; LONGVIEW, WA)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Columbia City:

PORTLAND INTL (about 27 miles; PORTLAND, OR; Abbreviation: PDX)
MC MINNVILLE MUNI (about 54 miles; MC MINNVILLE, OR; Abbreviation: MMV)
MCNARY FLD (about 70 miles; SALEM, OR; Abbreviation: SLE)

Other public-use airports nearest to Columbia City:

WOODLAND STATE (about 6 miles; WOODLAND, WA; Abbreviation: W27)
SCAPPOOSE INDUSTRIAL AIRPARK (about 9 miles; SCAPPOOSE, OR; Abbreviation: SPB)
KELSO-LONGVIEW (about 17 miles; KELSO, WA; Abbreviation: KLS)

Amtrak station near Columbia City:

19 miles: KELSO-LONGVIEW (KELSO, 501 S 1ST AVE.). Services: fully wheelchair accessible, enclosed waiting area, public restrooms, public payphones, free short-term parking, free long-term parking, call for taxi service, intercity bus service, public transit connection.

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Columbia City:

CLARK COLLEGE (about 20 miles; VANCOUVER, WA; Full-time enrollment: 5,106)
UNIVERSITY OF PORTLAND (about 22 miles; PORTLAND, OR; Full-time enrollment: 2,683)
LOWER COLUMBIA COLLEGE (about 22 miles; LONGVIEW, WA; Full-time enrollment: 2,237)
PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY (about 30 miles; PORTLAND, OR; Full-time enrollment: 13,255)
LEWIS AND CLARK COLLEGE (about 31 miles; PORTLAND, OR; Full-time enrollment: 2,795)
PORTLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 38 miles; Portland, OR; Full-time enrollment: 12,132)
MT HOOD COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 38 miles; GRESHAM, OR; Full-time enrollment: 4,867)

Public primary/middle school in Columbia City:

COLUMBIA CITY SCHOOL (Students: 286; Location: 2000 SECOND ST; Grades: 06 – 06)