If you’re thinking about moving to a family-friendly community with a small-town feel, Washougal is the city for you. Washougal is known for being the “Gateway to the Columbia River Gorge”, and is bordered by the Columbia and Washougal Rivers. Lewis & Clark passed through Washougal twice, once on the way downstream in 1805 and once on the way home in 1806.
Washougal is believed to be a Native American term for “rushing water.’ The city was incorporated in 1908. With many parks, hiking trails, and great neighborhoods, Washougal is also close to big city amenities in nearby Portland Or, and Vancouver, WA. Washougal Washington is a very good place to live. Below you’ll find all you have to look forward to after moving to Washougal, Washington!
Table of Contents
Where Is Washougal, Washington?
Washougal is located in Clark County. Washougal is 22 miles east of Portland, OR. Washougal is part of the Portland Metro Area. The town is bordered by the Columbia and Washougal Rivers and sits on the western entrance to the scenic Columbia River Gorge. To the east, residents can see Mount Hood rising above the Cascade Mountains. Nearby cities to Washougal include Camas, WA to the west, and Troutdale, Fairview, and Gresham, OR to the southwest. Washougal has great public transportation with the C-TRAN and WET, which provides commuter rails to downtown Portland.
Washougal, WA Population & Demographics
The Washougal population is 17,039 as of the 2020 Census, which is up from 14,095 in 2010. The median household income for Washougal is $95,894, approximately $30,000 higher than the national average and $13,000 higher than the state average. Residents of Washougal also make more than people in Portland, where the median income is $78,476.
The racial demographics of Washougal are 89.4% White, 8.0% Hispanic, 5.9% of two or more races, 2.2% Asian, and 0.9% Black.
Additional Washougal demographics:
- Median age: 37.8
- Sex ratio: 51.4% female to 48.6% male
- Homeownership rate: 75.7%
- Educational attainment: 30.5% bachelor’s degree or higher, 92.8% high school grad or higher
- Foreign-born population: 3.5%
- Veteran population: 9.9%
Washougal, WA is a safe place to live. The crime rate in Washougal is 17% less crime than the national average. The Washougal crime rate is 1,947 crimes per 100,000 people and 214 violent crimes per 100,000. These statistics are both about one-third less than the Washington average. The Washougal Police Department has 20 sworn officers and support staff, and they are committed to preserving the quality of life that all residents of Washougal have come to know and expect.
Cost of Living in Washougal
Living in Washougal is more expensive than in most places in the country, but it’s about the same as in the rest of Washington. The overall cost of living in Washougal is 15% higher than the national average but 2% lower than the average in Washington. The Portland cost of living is 24% higher than the national average, making Washougal a relatively affordable place to live in the Portland Metro Area. Transportation, housing, goods and services, and healthcare are all higher than average, but you’ll find utilities are 10% lower than utility costs nationally.
Housing is one of the biggest expenses you will face in Washougal. The Washougal median home price is $627,000, which is an increase of 23.4% from last year due to a somewhat competitive housing market in the city. Homes in Washougal sell in around 56 days. Check out Washougal, WA homes for sale to get an idea of how much a home that meets your needs will cost in the Washougal area.
According to RentCafe, the average rent in Washougal is $1,890 for a 1,212 sq. ft. apartment. Lookout at the Ridge is a popular apartment complex in Washougal’s prestigious Lookout Ridge Neighborhood, offering one, two, or three-bedroom apartments for rent. Rent runs from about $1,500 to 2,100 a month, depending on the apartment size.
Typical Cost of Items in Washougal
- Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant: $16.00
- 1 Gallon of Milk: $3.62
- Loaf of Bread: $3.03
- 1 dozen Eggs: $3.73
- 1lb Chicken: $6.78
- Average Washougal Utilities Bill Per Month: $206.66
Source: Numbeo
Best Neighborhoods in Washougal, WA
You’ll find some excellent neighborhoods in Washougal with a variety of home styles, prices, and sizes to fit your needs and your budget. Here are some of the best Washougal neighborhoods to live in, depending on the lifestyle you’re looking for.
Lookout Ridge – Stunning Views and Great Schools
Lookout Ridge is a beautiful Washougal neighborhood on the summit of Lookout Ridge with gentle slopes, wooded areas, and secluded lots. Residents in Lookout Ridge have stunning views of the mountains. The architectural styles in Lookout Ridge include ranch, custom, contemporary, traditional, and townhomes. Homes vary in size from around 1410 to 4985 square feet. The median sale price for a home in Lookout Ridge is $815,000. Lookout Ridge is near several A-rated schools, including Woodburn Elementary, Liberty Middle, and Camas High.
Granite Highlands – Variety of Single-Family Homes
Featuring custom, ranch, traditional, and contemporary style homes, Granite Highlands has something for everyone’s taste. You can find homes here on ponds, bluffs, and hilly lots. Home sizes in Granite Highlands range from 2000 to 6708 square feet, with an average of 3208 square feet. Home prices run from about $624,900 to $959,000. Several nearby parks and playgrounds make Granite Highlands a great place for families.
Sunset Ridge – Great Washougal Neighborhood for Families
Sunset Ridge is a young neighborhood where the median age is 39. Many young couples and families live here. In fact, 80% of the homes here are occupied by families Sunset Ridge has several types of homes, including single-family Homes and condominiums. The median home price is $664,642. You can find homes from around 1,600 square feet to over 2,600 square feet in Sunset Ridge.
Washougal Weather & Climate
The Köppen Climate Classification climate for Washougal is “dry-summer subtropical.” The summers are short, warm, dry, and mostly clear. In the winter, it’s typically very cold, wet, and overcast. The hottest month of the year in Washougal is August, with an average high of 83°F and a low of 57°F. The coldest month is December, with an average low of 37°F and a high of 45°F. The best time to visit Washougal is August.
Washougal average rainfall is 71 inches per year, nearly double the US average is 38 inches. It snows in Washougal about 4 inches per year. The US average is 28 inches of snow per year.
Things to Do in Washougal
If you’re wondering what fun things there are to do in Washougal, WA, we’ve listed some of the most popular attractions in the city below. There are plenty of unique shops and malls to visit around Washougal, like Washougal Town Square, Evergreen Marketplace, and One Stop Shopping Center. Find groceries and other essentials at Safeway, Grocery Outlet, Bi-Mart, and Washougal Hardware.
Here are some of the most popular attractions in Washougal:
Two Rivers Heritage Museum
View this post on Instagram
The Two Rivers Heritage Museum in Washougal has a large collection of Native American baskets and artifacts, as well as an old doll collection and antique glass and china items. They have thousands of photos of local businesses, buildings, events, and people over the years. This is a unique family-friendly activity that’s perfect for winter.
Two Rivers Heritage Museum, 1 Durgan Street, Washougal, WA 98671, (360) 835-8742
Captain William Clark Regional Park
Named after William Clark of the famous Lewis and Clark explorers, the free outdoor 93-acre park features 4.17 miles of multiuse trails, historic interpretive elements, picnic shelters, and barbecue grills.
Captain William Clark Regional Park, South Index Street at South 32nd Street, Port of Camas-Washougal, Washougal, WA 98671, (564) 397-6118
Pendleton Woolen Mill Tour
Pendleton’s Pacific Northwest woolen mills have been known for quality his they were established in 1863. Their must-do mill tours give you a unique opportunity to see how wool is dyed from start to finish. Free guided tours are available Monday through Friday at select times.
Pendleton, 2 Pendleton Way, Washougal, WA 98671, (360) 835-1118
Additional Attractions in Washougal:
Washougal WA Restaurants
You’ll find lots of top-rated restaurants in Washougal, from fine dining to casual to a variety of family-owned restaurants.
K&M Drive-In
K&M Drive-In is famous among Washougal restaurants for its local ground beef hamburgers, charbroiled to order, hand-cut French fries, and hand-scooped ice cream shakes. K&M makes every order fresh, preparing their ingredients on-sight every day. This is an excellent restaurant for families with kids.
K&M Drive-In, 3414 NE 3rd Ave, Camas, Washington 98607, 360-210-5803
The Puffin Café
View this post on Instagram
This family-owned and operated cafe serves delicious, Caribbean-inspired cuisine. Enjoy the marina or river views from every table. The Puffin Café is accessible by car or boat as it is floating in the Port of Camas/Washougal!
The Puffin Café, 14 S A St, Washougal, WA 98671, (360) 335-1522
Los Dos Compadres
Los Dos Compadres is the place to go for casual Mexican food. Try their tacos, quesadillas, fajitas, taquitos, or nachos for a date night!
Los Dos Compadres, 701 E St, Washougal, WA, 98671, 360-335-1706
Washougal has 19 parks maintained by the Parks and Rec Center. You can see the Washougal city event calendar that’s full of fun things to do.
Jobs in Washougal
Washougal employs over 7,600 people, with the majority of jobs being in manufacturing, healthcare & social assistance, and retail trade. Many Washougal residents commute to Portland, OR, or Vancouver, WA, for different job positions. The city of Washougal offers many job opportunities. You can also view Washougal Indeed jobs for more opportunities.
Major employers in the Portland Metro Area:
The average salary for Washougal residents is $67,000 a year according to Payscale.
Washougal Schools & Higher Education
The Washougal School District includes 4 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school. The district focuses on academics, college/career/work readiness, culture & climate, disparities for different subgroups, and participation rates for co-curricular and extra-curricular activities.
Washougal also has several good private schools, including St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic High School and Kings Way Christian Schools. Mt Hood Community College is about 5.4 miles from Washougal. The University of Portland in Portland, OR, and Clark College in Vancouver are less than 1 hour away. The Washougal County Library serves students and people of all ages.
Washougal Statistics & Information
- County: Clark
- Area: 6.83 sq mi
- Washougal Zip Code: 98671
- Washougal Area Code: 360
- Washougal Elevation: 79 feet
- Washougal Time Zone: Pacific Time Zone (PST)
- Closest airport: Portland International Airport (PDX / KPDX), 16 miles
Washougal OR Map
Find more things to do, delicious restaurants, and everything Washougal has to offer with this map.
Are you ready to move to Washougal? Our 5-star-rated Washougal movers at PDX Movers are here to help make your move stress-free! Let us take care of everything from packing to transporting! Give us a call today at 503-746-8795 or fill out our online form for a free quote!
