Estacada, Oregon

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Estacada (IPA: ɛs tə keɪ də) is a city in Clackamas County, Oregon, roughly 30 miles southeast of Portland. The origin of the city's name is disputed. One explanation is that the city's name is a corruption of the name of a local resident, Esther Katie. There is no evidence that she existed. The more prosaic explanation is that someone with knowledge of the Llano Estacado region of modern-day Texas threw the name in a hat and it won, but somehow the final o became an a. Whatever the truth, it is doubtless the only place in United States (possibly Planet Earth) bearing the name Estacada. The population was 2,371 at the 2000 census.

Contents

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 History and economy
4 Schools
5 Media
6 External links

Geography

Estacada is located at [45°17′24″N, 122°20′4″W] (45.290009, -122.334537)^{[Geographic references#1GR1]}.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.8 km² (1.1 mi²). 2.7 km² (1.0 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it (3.67%) is water. The Clackamas River flows by the town, which drains into the Willamette River, thence the Columbia. There are four dams in the immediate vicinity of Estacada: River Mill Dam, Faraday Dam (a diversionary dam), Cazadero Dam, and North Fork Dam.

Demographics

Sculpture in front of City Hall in downtown Estacada

As of the census^{[Geographic references#2GR2]} of 2000, there were 2,371 people, 850 households, and 591 families residing in the city. The population density was 871.9/km² (2,259.6/mi²). There were 886 housing units at an average density of 325.8/km² (844.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 84.86% White, 0.17% African American, 1.43% Native American, 1.77% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 9.91% from other races, and 1.81% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.78% of the population.

Safari Club in downtown Estacada

There were 850 households out of which 39.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.9% were married couples living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.4% were non-families. 26.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.78 and the average family size was 3.26.

In the city the population was spread out with 29.6% under the age of 18, 10.5% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 93.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $39,200, and the median income for a family was $46,445. Males had a median income of $37,269 versus $22,267 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,049. About 10.1% of families and 12.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.8% of those under age 18 and 5.9% of those age 65 or over.

History and economy

The city was founded in May 1905 as a camp for workers building a hydroelectric dam on the nearby Clackamas River in order to supply Portland with electricity. At the time, the river was relatively inaccessible by road, forcing the Oregon Power Railway Company to build a railway to the vicinity of the river to transport crews to the river for the construction of the dam. After the construction of the Hotel Estacada, the town became a weekend destination on the railroad line for residents of Portland. During the week, the train carried freight and work crews to and from Portland. In the early 20th century, a trolley line connected the town with downtown Portland. The early railroad history of the city is commemorated in a mural in downtown near the town hall. Nowadays, the railway line has been removed; and there is no rail service to Estacada any more.

After the building of the dams, the primary economy has been lumber. As this has fallen on hard times, the town has been depressed in recent years; many young people have left. The scenic beauty of the area continues to be a weekend draw for residents of Portland.

Schools

There are several schools in immediate Estacada area. In the immediate environs are Eagle Creek Elementary School, River Mill Elementary, Clackamas River Elementary, Estacada Junior High, and Estacada High School. The high school mascot is the "Ranger."

Media

The local newspaper is the Clackamas County News.

External links

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