Estacada, Oregon
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Estacada is a city located 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. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 2,371.
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Geography
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Location of Estacada, Oregon
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 is water. The total area is 3.67% 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
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 2,371 people, 850 households, and 591 families residing in the city. The population density is 871.9/km² (2,259.6/mi²). There are 886 housing units at an average density of 325.8/km² (844.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 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. 12.78% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
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There are 850 households out of which 39.9% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.9% are married couples living together, 13.1% have a female householder with no husband present, and 30.4% are non-families. 26.2% of all households are made up of individuals and 13.9% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.78 and the average family size is 3.26.
In the city the population is 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 are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 33 years. For every 100 females there are 93.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 90.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $39,200, and the median income for a family is $46,445. Males have a median income of $37,269 versus $22,267 for females. The per capita income for the city is $17,049. 12.9% of the population and 10.1% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 15.8% of those under the age of 18 and 5.9% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
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.
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,, The mascot of the high school team is the Rangers. In the immediate environs are Eagle Creek Elementary School, River Mill Elementary, Clackamas River Elementary, Estacada Junior High, and Estacada High School.
Media
The local newspaper is the Clackamas County News.
External links
- City of Estacada website (http://www.cityofestacada.org/)
- Estacada history page (http://www.estacadachamber.org/estacada_history.htm)
- Estacada schools (http://www.estacada.k12.or.us/)
- Clackamas County News on the web (http://clackamascountynews.com/)
| State of Oregon | 
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| Regions Columbia River Gorge and Plateau | Eastern Oregon | Inland Empire | Mt. Hood Corridor | Oregon Coast | Western Oregon | Willamette Valley | |||
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