Cowlitz Cowlitz

Cowlitz County

Updated on: December 23, 2021
State
Washington
County Seat:
Kelso
Year Organized:
1854
Total Square Miles:
1166.211
Population:
106910 (2017)
Persons/Square Mile:
92

County structure

Government Type:
County
Authority:
Dillon's Rule
Legislative Body:
Board of Commissioners
Size of Legislative Body:
3

Demographics

2018 Population:
106910
25 to 64 Years of Age:
50.60%
65 Years of Age and Older:
18.93%

Economy, 2018

Gross Domestic Product (GDP):
$4.5 B
Labor Force:
45,923
Unemployment Rate:
5.90%

County Contact

207 N 4Th Ave
County Administration Building
Kelso, WA, 98626-4124

http://www.co.cowlitz.wa.us

Cowlitz County is a great area. If you are looking for a place to settle down upon retirement, or need a place to relax on holiday, the Cowlitz is a perfect place for you.  

Cowlitz has favorable climatic conditions that make it ideal all-year-round. There are many luxurious yet affordable properties with gorgeous views of rivers and mountains and areas ripe for gentrification.   

These areas are excellent for industrial development due to being so close to Oregon while still in Washington. Their proximity makes tapping into both states’ markets ideal due to ease in transporting goods. 

Background Information About Cowlitz County  

Cowlitz County has undergone many phases of inhabitation. The first white settler settled in the area in 1825 after forcibly removing the initial inhabitant –the Chinook and Cowlitz. However, the two communities would later win a legal battle and be recognized as a tribe by the federal government. 

The white community continued moving into the area gradually, and in the 1920s, R.A Long built the world’s largest sawmill. The mill was an attraction to a large labor force; however, the Great Recession slowed down economic growth after the start of World War II. After the war, the area became a manufacturing center. 

During the Great Recession, the county’s population suffered unemployment more than the rest of the surrounding. Employment would only turn positive in 2011 and accelerate in 2017. 

As of 2019, a sizable population was employed in manufacturing. There are many industries, including; chemical industries, fabricated metals, small machinery producers, chicken processors, sawmills, and two paper mills. 

Cowlitz has an excellent transportation network, including proximity to Interstate 84, Interstate 5, rail connections, and two active ports. 

Geographical Information 

Cowlitz is found in the southwest of Washington State and covers a total area of 1,166 sq miles.77.8% of the total area comprises land, while the rest is covered with water.  Cowlitz shares border with the following counties: 

  • Wahkiakum – west 
  • Clark – south 
  • Skamania – east 
  • Lewis – north         

Cowlitz County has several geographical features, including Cowlitz River, Cascade Ranges, and Columbia River. You can view the Cowlitz County lines along with the Cowlitz County map here. 

Cities and Towns in Cowlitz County 

There are several towns and cities in Cowlitz county including: 

  • Kelso 
  • Longview 
  • Castle Rock 
  • Woodland 
  • Kalama 

Kelso and Longview Cities 

Kelso is the county seat of Cowlitz County, while Longview is the largest city in the county. The two are adjacent to each other, and together they combine to form a forest-products and grain-loading center. The center has a set of working-class neighborhoods, an urban core, complex grain elevators, and a rapidly sprawling center unique in the Pacific Northwest region.    

The center is an industrial park with new-economy and manufacturing businesses. The cost of living is relatively high but affordable for the residents in the region. The residents provide a good labor force for the businesses. 

The city’s administration however has to deal with the challenges of transportation routes between Seattle and Portland. 

The region’s terrain is hilly, with stretches of farmland away from the industrial area and the region is wet for most of the year. 

Castle Rock 

Castle Rock is a fantastic place to work and live. The community around the city is vibrant and welcoming. The area is surrounded by natural features like trails that welcome visitors for sightseeing. 

Throughout the year, the community in Castle Rock offers many recreational activities like cultural shows and town festivals. The activities make the city a place where people want not only to visit but also to live. 

Castle Rock has a strong collaboration between the government and citizens that enhances industry and business growth. There are lots of employment opportunities leading to a prosperous and healthy social interaction.  

There are plenty of educational facilities like schools and vocational training courses that enjoy solid public support. 

Why Should You Visit Cowlitz County? 

There are about ten parks and recreational sites under Cowlitz County. These are: 

  • The Coal Creek Boat Launch. 
  • Cougar Wayside and Statue 
  • Cook Ferry Trail System 
  • Catlin Cemetery 
  • Finn Hall historical site 
  • Public Shooting Range 
  • Coweeman River Park 
  • Wood Brook Park 
  • Harry Gardner Park and Campground 
  • Riverside Park 

The county’s mission is to meet the community’s needs and provide a safe environment for recreational activities. Visitors to any of the county’s sites enjoy open space and conducive park infrastructure. The department strives to develop parks replete with the natural beauty of Cowlitz. The gardens have promoted and preserved the cultural heritage of Cowlitz County by being stewards of the land. 

Cowlitz County Demographics 

As per the 2020 US Census, Cowlitz County has a population of 110,593.  This population represents an increase of 0.9 percent over the past two decades. However, the change is lower than the national average. The largest city in the county, Longview, had the highest population at 38,350, while Kelso was the next highest at 12,340. 

Poverty had an estimation of 12.2 percent in 2019, compared to 11.2 percent in 2018.   

Workers under 25 hold 12 percent of the jobs in Cowlitz County, while those aged 55 and above represented those who were held by workers under the age of 25. 

In 2018, the hourly median wage for jobs in Cowlitz County was $23.70 representing a 4.5 percent inflation-adjusted increase. The wage increase in Cowlitz was higher than the national average, while the state’s average increased by 2.5 percent. 

Cowlitz County Offices 

Cowlitz County has several county offices. The county offices include the offices of County Superior Court, County Clerk, County Treasurer, County assessor, and Sheriff.  

The Cowlitz county judges are; Hon. Gary B. Bashor – Position 1, Hon. Stephen M. Warning – Position 2, · Hon. Michael H. Evans- Presiding, Hon Marilyn Haan- Position 4. You may contact the superior court through Phone: 360-577-3016.   

The Cowlitz County clerk is Staci Myklebust. Her office handles all Cowlitz County public records in the county, including Military Discharges, Payroll, Marriage Licenses, Voter Registrar, Judgments, Liens, Mortgages, Property Records, Probate Deeds, Birth, and Death Records. You may reach her by phone at Phone: 360-577-30. Her office is open from seven-thirty am to six pm from Monday to Thursday, and it’s available at noon and on Fridays.  

The treasurer of Cowlitz County is called Debra Gardner. You can reach her Phone: 360-577-3060 or Fax: 360-578-2071 and her office is open Monday through Thursday from seven-thirty to six pm. The county assessor is Emily Wilcox. Her office phone number is 360-577-3010. 

The Cowlitz County’s Sheriff is Brad Thurman. You can reach his department via Fax: 360-423-1047 or Phone: 360-577-3092. 

You may find Cowlitz county offices’ plus other offices’ details on Cowlitz county’s website