A barn on Point Adams Road. (Oregon State Archives Scenic Images collection)
County Seat: Courthouse, 230 Strand St., St. Helens 97051
Phone: 503-397-3796 (General); 503-397-2327 (Court Administrator)
About
Established: Jan. 16, 1854
Elev. at St Helens: 42'
Area: 687 sq. mi.
Average Temp.: January 39.0° July 68.4°
Assessed Value: $6,641,507,963
Real Market Value: $11,695,770,154
(includes the value of non-taxed properties)
Annual Precipitation: 44.60"
Economy: Agriculture, forest products, manufacturing, surface mining and tourism
Incorporated Cities
Points of Interest
Lewis and Clark Heritage Canoe Trail, Vernonia–Banks State Trail, Jewell Elk Refuge, Sauvie Island Wildlife Area, Sand Island Park, Jones Beach near Clatskanie, Prescott Beach Park, Dibblee Beach, Camp Wilkerson, CZ Trail, Big Eddy Park, Vernonia Golf Course, Lewis and Clark Bridge at Rainier, Columbia County Fairgrounds
History and General Information
Columbia County was created in 1854 from the northern half of Washington County. It is bounded on the north and east by its namesake, the Columbia River. Capt. Robert Gray sailed the ship Columbia Rediviva into the mouth of the river estuary in 1792 and gave the Columbia River its English name. Indigenous tribes had already been in the area for centuries and had their own names for North America’s second largest river.
St. Helens became the county seat in 1857. There are 62 miles of Columbia riverfront in the county, along with deep water ports and premium industrial property. The Columbia River is a major route for ocean going vessels and a popular area for fishing, boating, camping and windsurfing. The county has two marine parks: Sand Island and J. J. Collins Memorial Marine Park. Its strong economic and cultural heritage is centered on industries such as fishing, forest products, shipbuilding, mining and agriculture.
County Officials
Commissioners: Chair Kelli Jo Smith (2027); Margaret Magruder (2029), Casey Garrett (2029); Dist. Atty. Joshua Pond (2027); Assess. Andrea Jurkiewicz (2027); Clerk Debbie Klug (2027); Justice of the Peace James Gibson (2031); Sheriff Brian Pixley (2027); Surv. Nathan Woodward; Treas. Pamela Smith (2029)