Population54,091 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
River Ports And Forest Community Connections
Columbia County, OregonSt. Helens anchors Columbia County along its namesake river, with Rainier, Clatskanie, Scappoose and Vernonia offering other local perspectives. Marine parks, forest settings and trail connections provide ways to explore a county whose working history includes shipping, fishing and forest products. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated 54,091 residents in Columbia County, Oregon, on July 1, 2025. The county has approximately 659 square miles of land, according to the 2020 Census Gazetteer.
Columbia County at a Glance
Population54,091 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
County SeatSaint Helens
Largest MunicipalitySt. Helens • Scappoose • Rainier
Established1854 (organized; NACo County Explorer)
ZIP CodesLower Columbia River
Total Area, Including Water688.975 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography)
Major RoutesUS 30 • OR 47
Area Codes503 / 971
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
Discover Columbia County
Columbia County
Columbia County was created from northern Washington County in 1854, and St. Helens became its seat in 1857. The river forms its northern and eastern boundaries. Ports and industries developed around that connection, while the county's park history includes lands set aside for public recreation beginning in the 1940s. River ports and inland forest communities developed different relationships with the same regional economy. Public parks add another layer, showing how some landscapes acquired recreational roles alongside their working histories.
Choose a river destination such as Sand Island or a forest-oriented county park for a focused outing. St. Helens supplies the civic starting point, while Vernonia and other communities help reveal how local life extends beyond the main riverfront. Plan around one river or forest theme and check the chosen park's facilities. This leaves room to notice the differences between port communities and places farther from the Columbia.
What Shapes Us
Local Character
Marine parks, forest settings and trail connections provide ways to explore a county whose working history includes shipping, fishing and forest products.
Community History
Columbia County was created from northern Washington County in 1854, and St. Helens became its seat in 1857. The river forms its northern and eastern boundaries.
Explore Locally
St. Helens supplies the civic starting point, while Vernonia and other communities help reveal how local life extends beyond the main riverfront.
Follow the river and forest routes into local communities.
A Closer Look
Columbia County
Places and perspectives from Columbia County
OPB — Oregon & Regional News
In the first full day of loss, Bend learns more about Silver Rail shooting, mourns the victims
As Bend residents come together to mourn and ask what comes next, OPB journalists are in Central Oregon.…
Read the Story Oct 17, 2026 • 2 min read
Around Columbia County
Stories from every corner of Columbia County.
In the first full day of loss, Bend learns more about Silver Rail shooting, mourns the victims
As Bend residents come together to mourn and ask what comes next, OPB journalists are in Central Oregon.…
Oct 17, 2026 • 2 min read
OPB’s First Look: New details emerge in Bend school shooting
Multiple people tried to stop the shooter, police said. Here’s your First Look at Saturday’s news.
Oct 17, 2026 • 2 min read
Zelenskyy urges support for new US sanctions on Russia after Trump puts them on hold
Zelenskyy described the move as unfortunate, adding it would encourage Russia to continue its assault. Trump told Congress…
Oct 17, 2026 • 2 min read
Scuffles and fires break out as protesters rally across France, joining students
Demonstrators across France converged with students Saturday to protest rising living costs, as the country's fiscal crisis deepens.
Oct 17, 2026 • 2 min read
Decades after apartheid, South Africans seek justice for crimes of the past
More than three decades after the end of apartheid, families of victims of some of the worst crimes…
Oct 17, 2026 • 2 min read
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
County Resources
Find the Right Local Connection
Start with the organization responsible for the service you need. Follow its official link for current requirements, office locations and availability.
Columbia County Government
County departments, public meetings, records, and services: columbiacountyor.gov
County profile and official reference links: Oregon Blue Book
Population source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census. tigerweb.geo.census.gov
Schools
Public school contacts
Selected local schools from the NCES 2024-2025 directory. Contact the school or district to confirm enrollment, attendance boundaries and current services; this is not a complete school list.
Clatskanie Elementary School – Elementary; grades KG-06. 815 S Nehalem St, Clatskanie, OR 97016. 503-728-2191.
Hudson Park Elementary School – Elementary; grades KG-06. 28176 Old Rainier Rd, Rainier, OR 97048. 503-556-0196.
Grant Watts Elementary School – Elementary; grades 01-03. 52000 SE Third Pl, Scappoose, OR 97056. 971-200-8002.
Columbia City School – Elementary; grades KG-05. 2000 Second St, Columbia City, OR 97018. 503-366-7550.
Mist Elementary School – Elementary; grades KG-05. 69163 Hwy 47, Mist, OR 97016. 503-755-2486.
Clatskanie Middle/High School – High; grades 07-12. 471 SW Bel Air Dr, Clatskanie, OR 97016. 503-728-2146.
Otto Petersen Elementary School – Middle; grades 04-06. 52050 SE 3rd St, Scappoose, OR 97056. 971-200-8003.
Health Resources
Find Oregon Health Authority programs and public health information at Oregon government resources. Contact providers directly for appointments and available services.
Public Safety
Visit Oregon State Police at Oregon government resources. Your county sheriff and local police provide local non-emergency information.
Emergency Services
For an immediate emergency, call 911. Find preparedness resources and official updates through Oregon government resources.
State Parks
Explore Oregon State Parks, park notices, and reservation information at stateparks.oregon.gov. Check the individual park before traveling.
Trails
Find walking and hiking destinations through stateparks.oregon.gov and fs.usda.gov. Check the managing agency for current trail access.
Utilities
Identify the provider serving your address before arranging service. Oregon utility consumer information is available at Oregon government resources.
Libraries
Local library contacts
Locations and public phone numbers are from the IMLS FY2024 Public Libraries Survey. Call the branch to confirm current hours and services before visiting.
Clatskanie Library District – 11 Lillich St, Clatskanie, OR 97016. 503-728-3732.
Rainier City Library – 106 B St, Rainier, OR 97048. 503-556-7301.
Scappoose Public Library District – 52469 Se 2Nd St, Scappoose, OR 97056. 503-543-7123.
Vernonia Public Library – 701 Weed Ave, Vernonia, OR 97064. 503-429-1818.
Courts
Find Oregon circuit courts, court locations, and public information at courts.oregon.gov.
DMV
Oregon — Schedule, Cancel or Change an Appointment
Oregon — Driver license applications for adults
Transportation
Find road conditions and travel alerts at Oregon road conditions. Oregon transportation information is available at Oregon government resources.
Postal Services
USPS location finder — Search by street address, city or ZIP Code for nearby post offices, collection boxes and available services.
USPS ZIP Code lookup — Find the mailing ZIP Code for a specific street address.
USPS Hold Mail — Arrange a temporary mail hold and review identity-verification requirements.
USPS change of address and forwarding — Review forwarding options and submit an address-change request through USPS.
USPS package pickup — Check pickup availability for your address and schedule eligible shipments.
Veterans
National services available to local residents
VA accredited representatives — Find help with VA claims and benefit applications.
VA health care applications — Review application options and supporting information.
VA disability claims — Find the official steps for submitting a disability claim.
GI Bill and education benefits — Review how to apply for VA education benefits.
Veteran career and employment support — Explore VA employment, training and career assistance.
Employment
National services available to local residents
USAJOBS federal employment — Search federal openings by location and occupation.
Apprenticeship Finder — Search apprenticeship opportunities by location and occupation.
My Next Move career exploration — Explore occupations, industries and career interests.
Government job-training resources — Find routes to state training programs and support for different job seekers.
Unemployment benefit guidance — Find your state program and its application and eligibility information.
Get to Know Columbia County
Useful answers for residents, visitors and anyone planning their next step.
Local Questions
Columbia County Questions, Answered
Explore practical details about the county and the organizations that serve it.
54,091 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate). This is a dated Census Bureau estimate, rather than a live resident count.
688.975 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography). The total combines land and water area.
Start with these official Oregon resources: Schedule, Cancel or Change an Appointment; Driver license applications for adults; Offices. Choose the page for the service you need, then check its office or online instructions before making a trip. These links cover state services; they do not establish that every transaction is available at a county office.
Use USPS ZIP Code Lookup for the mailing ZIP Code of a specific street address. Use the USPS location finder to search for nearby postal facilities and available services. An address lookup is more useful for mailing than assuming the entire county shares one ZIP Code.
The VA explains how to find and appoint an accredited representative for benefit claims. Contact a representative to confirm availability before appointing them. For education benefits, use the GI Bill application guidance. These are national VA services available to eligible local residents, rather than a listing of county offices.
Search USAJOBS for federal positions and the Apprenticeship Finder for apprenticeship opportunities, using location filters to narrow the results. USAGov job-training guidance points to training programs and state resources. Check each listing for current availability, eligibility and application instructions; a search result does not guarantee an opening in the county.
Columbia County was created from northern Washington County in 1854, and St. Helens became its seat in 1857. The river forms its northern and eastern boundaries. Ports and industries developed around that connection, while the county’s park history includes lands set aside for public recreation beginning in the 1940s. River ports and inland forest communities developed different relationships with the same regional economy. Public parks add another layer, showing how some landscapes acquired recreational roles alongside their working histories.
Choose a river destination such as Sand Island or a forest-oriented county park for a focused outing. St. Helens supplies the civic starting point, while Vernonia and other communities help reveal how local life extends beyond the main riverfront. Plan around one river or forest theme and check the chosen park’s facilities. This leaves room to notice the differences between port communities and places farther from the Columbia.
The 2020 Census geography figures record 658.684 square miles of land and 30.291 square miles of water in Columbia County. The county’s total area includes both. These are geographic measurements for that Census vintage, not a measurement of current water levels or public recreation access.
In the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimate series, Columbia County had an estimated 52,715 residents on July 1, 2020, and 54,091 on July 1, 2025. Over that interval, the estimated population increased by 1,376 residents, or about 2.6%. Both figures come from the same estimate vintage, which revises earlier years for a consistent comparison.
Saint Helens is the county seat listed for Columbia County by the National Association of Counties. For an office visit, confirm the specific department’s address before traveling. NACo county profile.
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Explore Columbia County
Places to visitStart with these local landmarks, outdoor destinations and community places in Columbia County.
- Banks–Vernonia State Trail
- Camp Wilkerson
- Sand Island
- Prescott Beach
- CZ Trail
- Caples House Museum
Explore the Columbia County profile in the Oregon Blue Book
County photograph: Gary Halvorson, Oregon State Archives. County profile and map: Oregon Secretary of State.
Plan your visitCheck current access and hours before heading out.