Battle Ground, Washington

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Battle Ground is a city in Clark County, Washington, United States. The population was 20,743 at the 2020 census.[1] As of 2023, its population is 22,959.[2]

History

Name

Battle Ground got its name from a standoff between a group of the Klickitat peoples and a military force from the Vancouver Barracks, which had recently transitioned to a U.S. Army post.[3][4] By 1855, members of the Klickitat peoples had been imprisoned at the Vancouver Barracks. The hostile conditions of their detainment inspired some of the Klickitats to decamp.[3]

This group of Klickitat peoples headed north, led by Chief Umtuch (or Umtux, according to some accounts).[3][5][6] When the community at Fort Vancouver discovered this escape, they assembled an armed contingent led by Captain William Strong to pursue the Klickitats. Captain Strong's party eventually found the Klickitats near the present-day location of downtown Battle Ground.[6][7]

Details of the standoff vary. However, accounts agree that Chief Umtuch and Captain Strong engaged in some sort of negotiations, which resulted in the Klickitats agreeing to return to the Barracks. After this decision, at least one shot was fired, resulting in the death of Chief Umtuch, reportedly by one of Captain Strong's soldiers.[6]

The Klickitat asked Captain Strong to leave them alone so they might properly bury their chief. After some deliberation, Captain Strong agreed, provided the Klickitats promised to return to the Fort, which they did a couple of days later.[6]

As a result of this event, settlers at the fort began to refer to that site as 'Strong's Battle Ground', which was later shortened to 'Battle Ground.' Two schools in Battle Ground were later named after Captain Strong and Chief Umtuch.[8]

Early settlement

Battle Ground was first settled in 1886 by Augustus H. Richter, who platted the town in 1902.[9] Battle Ground was officially incorporated on June 18, 1951. During early settlement in the area, large numbers of people populated Fort Vancouver and locations closer to the Columbia River.

Later development

The population of Battle Ground doubled between 2000 and 2010, becoming the second-largest city in Clark County. The city opened a community center in 2008 and a new public library in 2009.[10]

Geography

Battle Ground is located about Script error: No such module "convert". north northeast of Vancouver, Script error: No such module "convert". south southwest of Mount St. Helens. It is near the geographical center of Clark County.[11] Battle Ground is Script error: No such module "convert". from Portland, Oregon, and Script error: No such module "convert". from Seattle.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of Script error: No such module "convert"., all land.[12]

Climate

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Demographics

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Historical population
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1960888
19701,438Script error: No such module "String".%
19802,774Script error: No such module "String".%
19903,758Script error: No such module "String".%
20009,296Script error: No such module "String".%
201017,571Script error: No such module "String".%
202020,743Script error: No such module "String".%
2024 (est.)22,959[2]Script error: No such module "String".%
U.S. Decennial Census[13]
2020 Census[1]

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Between 2000 and 2005, Battle Ground ranked fourth in the state for population growth, out of 279 eligible incorporated communities.[14]

2020 census

Racial composition as of the 2020 census[15]
Race Number Percent
White 17,409 83.9%
Black or African American 194 0.9%
American Indian and Alaska Native 128 0.6%
Asian 408 2.0%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 73 0.4%
Some other race 587 2.8%
Two or more races 1,944 9.4%
Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 1,825 8.8%

As of the 2020 census, Battle Ground had a population of 20,743, 7,178 households, and 5,275 families; the median age was 34.6 years, 27.1% of residents were under the age of 18, and 13.3% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 95.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 91.0 males age 18 or over.[16]

The population density was Script error: No such module "convert"..[17]

98.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 1.9% lived in rural areas.[18]

There were 7,178 households in Battle Ground, of which 39.6% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 55.8% were married-couple households, 12.7% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 24.6% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 20.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[16]

There were 7,449 housing units, of which 3.6% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.5% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.3%.[16]

The median household income was $94,360, and the per capita income was $37,287. 6.4% of the population were under the poverty line.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 17,571 people, 5,652 households, and 4,365 families residing in the city. The population density was Script error: No such module "convert".. There were 5,952 housing units at an average density of Script error: No such module "convert".. The racial makeup of the city was 90.5% White, 0.8% African American, 0.8% Native American, 1.9% Asian, 0.3% Pacific Islander, 2.1% from other races, and 3.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.5% of the population. 15.0% were of German, 10.7% Irish, 9.9% English and 6.4% Ukrainian ancestry.

There were 5,652 households, of which 50.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.7% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 22.8% were non-families. 17.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.09 and the average family size was 3.53.

The median age in the city was 30 years. 34.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 29.4% were from 25 to 44; 19.2% were from 45 to 64, and 7.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.0% male and 51.0% female.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 9,296 people, 3,071 households, and 2,346 families residing in the city. The population density was Script error: No such module "convert".. There were 3,196 housing units at an average density of Script error: No such module "convert".. The racial makeup of the city was 93.81% White, 0.49% African American, 0.86% Native American, 0.72% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 1.72% from other races, and 2.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.14% of the population. 15.4% were of German, 11.5% United States or American, 9.4% English, 7.2% Irish, 6.1% Finnish, and 5.8% Norwegian ancestry. 94.0% spoke English, 3.9% Spanish and 1.6% Russian as their first language.

There were 3,071 households, out of which 50.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.9% were married couples living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.6% were non-families. 18.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.99 and the average family size was 3.43.

In the city, the age distribution of the population shows 36.2% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 32.9% from 25 to 44, 13.5% from 45 to 64, and 7.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $45,070, and the median income for a family was $49,876. Males had a median income of $41,133 versus $25,215 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,139. About 7.3% of families and 9.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.1% of those under age 18 and 8.4% of those age 65 or over.

Religion

Battle Ground is known for having one of the largest populations of Old Apostolic Lutheran Christians in the United States.[19]

Arts and culture

Every summer, Battle Ground hosts Harvest Days, comprising a number of community events such as parades and a chili cook-off.[20][21]

Battle Ground participates annually in the Portland Rose Festival's Grand Floral Parade, and 2019 marked the city's 65th float in the parade.[22] In 2006, it received the Sweepstakes Award for Most Outstanding Float in the Parade.[23]

Parks and recreation

Battle Ground contains 22 parks with a total of Script error: No such module "convert". of park space and an additional Script error: No such module "convert". of open space reserves in five areas. Of these parks, seven are classified as "undeveloped".[24]

Undeveloped areas include Durkee Park, a Script error: No such module "convert". plot located west of the city center off SR 502. The undeveloped land was donated by a local family in 1997 and meant to be used as a nature trail site. The city planned to use the grounds for a sports complex but the original owners prefer the original trail use idea. As of 2024, the final use of the property is still undecided. Neighboring sites, Script error: No such module "convert". Remy Park and Script error: No such module "convert". Gardner Oaks, are planned to include a variety of playgrounds, pet areas, and fitness and sports related activities. Remy Park, which includes an existing trail, encompasses a total of Script error: No such module "convert". but the parcel is limited for development.[24] Developed parks include Fairgrounds Park, which hosts several ballfields.[25]

In June 2007, the city of Battle Ground opened a Script error: No such module "convert". skate park in downtown.[10]

Economy

Battle Ground is at the epicenter of the growing Clark County wine industry with three wineries and one tasting room.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

The transformer manufacturer Maddox Industrial Transformer was established in Battle Ground in 2015; it has been credited as one of the fastest growing companies in the United States, having benefited from business by datacenters due to the AI boom.[26][27][28] In the mid-2020s, the city began to see an increasing amount of investment tied to Maddox owners Camden and Mac Spiller and their affiliates, including redevelopment and purchases of properties and businesses, and their June 2026 acquisition of the city's newspaper The Reflector. The brothers' increasing influence in the city has faced concerns from residents over their ties to Christian nationalism groups and the "Christian localism" movement, and conflicts of interest due to multiple sitting politicians in the city having ties to Maddox.[28][29][30]

Education

Almost all of Battle Ground is served by the Battle Ground Public Schools,[31] which includes (as of 2025):

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  • Amboy Middle School (Grades 5-8)
  • Battle Ground High School (Grades 9-12)
  • Captain Strong Primary School (Grades K-4)
  • Chief Umtuch Middle School (Grades 5-8)
  • Daybreak Primary School (Grades K-4)
  • Daybreak Middle School (Grades 5-8)
  • Glenwood Heights Primary School (Grades K-4)
  • Laurin Middle School (Grades 5-8)
  • Maple Grove Primary School (Grades K-4)
  • Pleasant Valley Middle School (Grades 5-8)
  • Pleasant Valley Primary School (Grades K-4)
  • Prairie High School (Vancouver, Washington) (Grades 9-12)
  • Tukes Valley Primary School (Grades K-4)
  • Tukes Valley Middle School (Grades 5-8)
  • Yacolt Primary School (Grades K-4)

Alternative schools:

Chief Umtuch Primary School, the city's oldest primary school, was demolished in 2007. Lewisville Middle School was closed in 2007 but is still used for its gym, parking lot, and meetings. The Battle Ground HomeLink program was closed in 2012 and is succeeded by River HomeLink.[32] Maple Grove Middle School was folded into the primary school in 2013 and classes for grades 5-8 were subsequently eliminated, following district boundary adjustments.[33]

A small piece of Battle Ground is in Hockinson School District.[31]

Transportation

Battle Ground is accessed from Interstate 5 at exits 9 and 11 and Interstate 205 at exit 32. State Route 502 and State Route 503 intersect in Battle Ground.

Bus services are provided by the local transit authority, C-Tran, to Downtown Vancouver, Delta Park/Vanport station (served by the MAX Light Rail system), Clark College, Hazel Dell, Yacolt, and the Vancouver Mall. The closest commercial airport to the city is Portland International Airport, situated Script error: No such module "convert". away.

Notable people

References

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Further reading

  • Strong, Harry M., The Adventures of a Pioneer Judge & His Family, COLUMBIA Magazine: Winter 2002–03; Vol. 16, No. 4. The Adventures of a Pioneer Judge & His Family
  • Tucker, Louise M., Battle Ground . . . In and Around, 2006. [1] Script error: No such module "webarchive".

External links

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