Clackamas County is located in the northern part of the U.S. state of Oregon. The county has an area of 1,879 square miles, making it the fourth-largest county in Oregon by land area. Clackamas County is bordered by Multnomah and Washington counties to the north, Marion and Polk counties to the east, Marion and Linn counties to the south, and Hood River and Wasco counties to the west. Most of Clackamas County is made up of rolling hills and valleys with elevations ranging from 200 to 3,000 feet above sea level. The main rivers that flow through Clackamas County are the Willamette River, which forms the northern border of Clackamas County; and its tributaries, including Johnson Creek, which flows through most of the county’s major cities; as well as smaller streams like Beaver Creek and Milk Creek. The western part of Clackamas County is primarily forested with Douglas Fir trees while eastern parts are more open with grasslands and sagebrush steppes. There are also several small mountain ranges located within Clackamas County such as Mount Hood National Forest which covers much of the county’s western side. Overall, Clackamas County provides a diverse landscape for residents and visitors alike with its rolling hillsides, forests, rivers, creeks and mountains providing plenty of outdoor activities for everyone to enjoy.
Country Seat and Other Main Cities of Clackamas County, Oregon
Clackamas County is located in the northern part of Oregon and is home to over 400,000 people. The county seat of Clackamas County is Oregon City, which is the oldest city in the state and was established in 1829. Oregon City sits at the confluence of the Willamette and Clackamas Rivers and has a population of around 35,000 people. The city boasts a vibrant downtown area with numerous shops, restaurants, art galleries, and other attractions for visitors to enjoy.
The largest city in Clackamas County is Milwaukie with a population of around 21,000 people. Milwaukie is located just south of Portland along the Willamette River and has a thriving arts and culture scene with several museums, art galleries, theaters, and music venues for visitors to explore. Other major cities in Clackamas County include Happy Valley with a population of around 17,000 people; Lake Oswego which has a population of around 37,000; Gresham which has a population of around 110,000; and West Linn which has a population of around 25,000. See cities in Oregon.
Beyond its major cities, Clackamas County also contains numerous smaller towns such as Canby with a population of around 15,500; Molalla with a population 1350; Sandy with a population 3200; Wilsonville with a population 11000; Estacada witha population 2500; and Damascus witha population 4000. Each town offers its own unique attractions ranging from historic sites to natural wonders like riverside parks or mountain trails for hiking or biking. Regardless of where you choose to visit in Clackamas County you are sure to find something enjoyable to do.
History of Clackamas County, Oregon
Clackamas County is located in the northern part of Oregon and has a long and varied history. The first inhabitants of the area were Native Americans, many of whom lived along the Clackamas River and its tributaries. In 1843, the Oregon Territory was established and Clackamas County was one of its original four counties. The county was named after the Clackamas tribe of Native Americans who lived in the area at the time.
In 1850, Oregon City became the first incorporated city in Oregon and served as the county seat for over 100 years until it moved to Oregon City in 1955. During this time, many settlers from across the United States moved to Clackamas County to take advantage of its rich farmland and abundant natural resources. As a result, numerous towns and cities were established throughout Clackamas County during this period such as Milwaukie, West Linn, Lake Oswego, Happy Valley, Gresham, Damascus, Estacada and Sandy.
Throughout much of its history Clackamas County has been an agricultural hub for Oregon with crops such as wheat, hay and potatoes being grown in abundance. However, in recent decades development in other industries such as technology have become increasingly important to the economy of Clackamas County with companies such as Intel Corp., Nike Inc., Mentor Graphics Corp., Tektronix Inc., Xerox Corp., Hewlett Packard Co., Oracle Corp., Sun Microsystems Inc., Amazon Inc., Microsoft Corp., Apple Inc. all having major presences in various parts of Clackamas County.
Today Clackamas County is home to over 400 thousand people and continues to be a vibrant hub for commerce, culture and recreation with numerous attractions ranging from historic sites to natural wonders like riverside parks or mountain trails for hiking or biking making it an ideal destination for visitors from near or far.
Economy of Clackamas County, Oregon
Clackamas County, Oregon is a thriving economic hub for the region. The county is home to a diverse mix of industries, including agriculture, technology, manufacturing, retail, and healthcare. Agriculture has been an important part of the county’s economy since its earliest days as settlers moved to the area in search of rich farmland and abundant natural resources. Crops such as wheat, hay, and potatoes are still grown in abundance today.
Technology has become increasingly important to Clackamas County’s economy in recent decades with companies like Intel Corp., Nike Inc., Mentor Graphics Corp., Tektronix Inc., Xerox Corp., Hewlett Packard Co., Oracle Corp., Sun Microsystems Inc., Amazon Inc., Microsoft Corp., and Apple Inc. all having major presences in various parts of the county. This influx of tech companies has helped spur growth in other industries such as retail and healthcare as well.
Manufacturing is also an important part of Clackamas County’s economy with numerous factories located throughout the area producing products like furniture, clothing, electronics, and more. Retail is also a key component of Clackamas County’s economy with numerous shopping centers located throughout the county offering everything from grocery stores to specialty shops to big-box retailers like Walmart or Target.
Finally, healthcare is yet another major industry in Clackamas County with numerous hospitals and medical centers located throughout the region providing quality care for residents and visitors alike. In addition to these major industries there are also numerous small businesses operating throughout the county providing goods and services that help drive the local economy forward.
Overall, Clackamas County continues to be a vibrant hub for commerce with its diverse mix of industries helping ensure that it remains an economically viable region for years to come.