Klickitat County Map

About Klickitat County Map

View above map of Klickitat county showing interstate highwaysm other roads, airports, rivers, major cities, county seat and national parks.

Facts about Klickitat County

Klickitat County, Washington

Welcome to Klickitat County, Washington – a rural county located in the southern part of the state. Established on December 20, 1859, Klickitat County was named after the Klickitat Tribe of the Chinookan speaking peoples. Situated near the Cascade Mountain foothills, forestlands and high desert, the county also borders the Columbia River Gorge. A quaint rural area with mountains, rivers, forests and a wealth of history, Klickitat County sits tranquil and inviting as a home to about 25,000 people as of early 2026 and its county seat and largest city, Goldendale. Spanning 1,904 square miles of expansive rolling hills of countryside with vistas of mountains to the west and the Columbia River Gorge to the south, Klickitat County is a place where people connect with the land and value the history that gave them life in this wonderful rural area. A history rich in Native American culture, pioneer days and days of development where people worked hard to build a thriving area while still preserving the environment. Today Klickitat County remains a place where people can live simply while still having access to everything they need in modern times.

Geography and Environment

Klickitat County geography makes up a diverse area of land that is home to many natural wonders. The Columbia River forms the southern border of the county, flowing through basalt cliffs and providing an important waterway for transportation and recreation. The county covers 1,871 square miles of land and 33 square miles of water. It includes the Simcoe Mountains as well as parts of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Wildlife refuges such as the Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge are located within the county to act as a habitat for migratory birds and other native species. Klickitat County borders Yakima and Benton counties in Washington as well as several counties in Oregon across the Columbia River. It has a population density of about 13 persons per square mile as of 2024 and offers ample space for individual freedom and environmental balance. The semi-arid climate of the area provides average winter temperatures of 30° F and average summer temperatures of 85° F, supporting the wide variety of natural features that make up the county.

Population and Demographics

As of early 2026, Klickitat County’s population is projected to be near 25,000 with an annual growth rate of about 1.8 percent or increasing by about 450 people each year. Population is up from the 2020 Census count of 22,735 and the July 2024 estimate of 24,124. Klickitat County is proving to be an attractive place for new families, retirees and working professionals looking to move away from the crowded cities of western Washington. Klickitat County’s median age is about 47, which is mature. The county’s population of people 65 and older is 26 percent, and children under the age of 18 make up about 17.7 percent of the county’s residents. Females make up about 48.1 percent of the county’s population. Racial and ethnic breakdowns show that: Whites: 92.2 percent Hispanic or Latino: 14.2 percent American Indian and Alaska Native: 2.7 percent Blacks: 1.5 percent Asians: 1.2 percent Multiracial: 1.4 percent The county’s foreign-born population is 8.8 percent, a number that brings diverse cultural experiences to the county’s traditions. About 13 percent of the county’s households have a non-English language spoken at home.

Economy and Industry

Findings Klickitat County has a diverse economy that simultaneously combines old economy and new economy businesses and industries, providing 10,000 stable jobs for residents as of the latest available data. With a median household income of $71,042 in 2024 dollars and a per capita income of $41,542 (12.2% of the population has income below the poverty level), the county has more income, particularly more per capita income, than is typically found in rural areas. Old economy businesses provide a substantial portion of the County’s income, providing employment and generating income for family farms and businesses raising livestock and growing products such as wheat, fruits, nuts and grapes for wine production, as well as producing food products sold domestically and abroad. New economy businesses are growing rapidly, including those in the alternative energy fields such as wind power and solar power manufacturing businesses and businesses using alternative energy generated power. There are also old and new economy manufacturing businesses in wood products and unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) located in the western portion of the County, tourism industries supporting the County’s attractions including the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Highway and businesses related to the visitor-serving industries of the Maryhill Museum of Art and recreation and other natural resource-based industries. The labor force participation rate for the civilian labor force in Klickitat County was 52.3% (59.6% for men and 47.5% for women) in 2023 which, while a bit lower than that of other Washington counties and slightly lower than the national rate, was in line with expectations given the seasonal nature of employment in parts of the County as well as the very dispersed nature of some employment opportunities. Small businesses provide a significant number of jobs in Klickitat County – 585 small business employer establishments in 2023 had over 4,247 employees and had annual payroll of over $233 million.

Education and Health

Klickitat County Education Klickitat County residents receive a high level of formal and non-formal education. In 2019, 89.6% of Klickitat County adults (ages 25 and older) had earned a high school diploma or higher while 31.2% of adults in the county had earned a Bachelor’s degree or higher. While Klickitat County’s four school districts strive to customize learning to each individual student, the County’s diverse natural landscapes serve as a unique teaching tool for expanding students’ knowledge of their environment and equipping them with advanced scientific and technology skills. In addition, access to community college and university opportunities nearby, and the regional opportunities provided through partnerships with these institutions help prepare young people for emerging career opportunities in areas such as agriculture, renewable energy and other sustainable industries. In addition, the County’s health indicators reflect a very proactive populace. While there are a few key indicators that indicate room for improvement, the facts that 13.5% of people under the age of 65 have a disability and that 10.2% of people under 65 are uninsured suggest that the County’s health systems are positioned to meet current demand. In addition, Goldendale and White Salmon have hospitals that offer a wide variety of services that contribute to the County’s preventive health status. Residents have relatively short commutes to work and balance work and family life. The county has fairly good broadband access with 87.9% of households subscribing for broadband services. In addition, access to computers in the home is 95.7% — contributing to the County’s strong level of technology access in the home, a factor critical to e-health.

Government and Community Life

Klickitat County is a county in Washington and is governed by a three member Board of Commissioners. Located in Washington's 14th Legislative District and the 4th U.S. Congressional District, Klickitat County services and information can be accessed through its official website at www.klickitatcounty.gov. Klickitat County values sustainability and good neighborships and is composed of a diverse population of citizens who enjoy affordable housing compared to other areas of the country. The county has 76.7% of housing units classified as owner occupied and a median value of $425,300 and a median monthly rent of $1,105. Of the county’s 2,070 veterans, various local resources are available to assist and honor them. In addition, a high residential stability rate of 86.7% exists, providing strong ties to the community and supporting the county’s goal of creating a connection with its citizens, a place where they not only live but feel part of a community, as celebrated through events such as agricultural fairs and Columbia River river festivals.