Ridgefield, Washington

Ridgefield is a city in northern Clark County, Washington, United States. The population was 10,319 at the 2020 census,^[6] and was estimated at 15,359 in 2024.^[5]

Located within the Portland metropolitan area, Ridgefield is notable for the significant Native American history and connection to the Lewis and Clark Expedition. It is also the headquarters of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, a primary reserve for migrating waterfowl on the Pacific Flyway, and the home of the Ridgefield High School "Spudders" (reflecting the area's potato-farming heritage).

The area has important ties to the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1804–1806, being close to the Chinookan town of Cathlapotle, then a settlement of 700–800 people, with at least 14 substantial plank houses.^[8] The community's ties to the Chinookan people was commemorated by the construction of a replica of a Cathlapotle plank house at the nearby Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, which was dedicated on March 29, 2005.^[9]

The town was formerly known as Union Ridge, named by the many Union veterans among the first large wave of settlers after the Civil War^[10] and was renamed Ridgefield in 1890.^[11] The town's original name is preserved in the name of Union Ridge Elementary School.^[9]

Ridgefield was an important trading center as early as the 1860s with its key location near the mouth of the Columbia River, and the city was officially incorporated on August 26, 1909.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.674 square miles (19.88 km²), of which 7.599 square miles (19.68 km²) is land and 0.075 square miles (0.19 km²) (0.98%) is water.^[4]

Parks in Ridgefield include Abrams Park, Community Park, Davis Park, and Overlook Park. The Ridgefield Veterans Memorial is adjacent to Community Park.

As of the 2024 American Community Survey, there are 4,702 estimated households in Ridgefield with an average of 2.85 persons per household. The city has a median household income of $116,389. Approximately 5.6% of the city's population lives at or below the poverty line. Ridgefield has an estimated 59.7% employment rate, with 38.9% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 95.8% holding a high school diploma.^[13] There were 4,722 housing units at an average density of 621.40 per square mile (239.9/km²).

The top five reported languages (people were allowed to report up to two languages, thus the figures will generally add to more than 100%) were English (88.9%), Spanish (5.5%), Indo-European (1.8%), Asian and Pacific Islander (3.6%), and Other (0.2%).

The median age in the city was 35.7 years.

As of the 2024 estimate, there were 15,359 people, 4,702 households, and _ families residing in the city. The population density was 2,021.19 inhabitants per square mile (780.4/km²). There were 4,722 housing units at an average density of 621.40 per square mile (239.9/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 80.1% White (77.0% NH White), 1.4% African American, 1.3% Native American, 3.6% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, _% from some other races and 11.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 10.3% of the population.

As of the 2020 census, there were 10,319 people, 3,432 households, and 2,784 families residing in the city.^[19] The population density was 1,405.28 inhabitants per square mile (542.6/km²). There were 3,687 housing units at an average density of 502.11 per square mile (193.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 81.50% White, 1.05% African American, 0.68% Native American, 3.48% Asian, 0.32% Pacific Islander, 2.70% from some other races and 10.27% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 8.14% of the population.^[20]

The median age was 35.6 years. 29.6% of residents were under the age of 18 and 11.4% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 97.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 95.4 males age 18 and over.^[21]

98.9% of residents lived in urban areas, while 1.1% lived in rural areas.^[22]

Of those households, 45.7% had children under the age of 18 living in them. 67.1% were married-couple households, 10.4% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 15.8% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 13.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 3,687 housing units, of which 6.9% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.5% and the rental vacancy rate was 12.5%.

As of the 2010 census, there were 4,763 people, 1,591 households, and 1,258 families residing in the city. The population density was 672.93 inhabitants per square mile (259.8/km²). There were 1,695 housing units at an average density of 239.47 per square mile (92.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 92.42% White, 0.88% African American, 0.82% Native American, 1.97% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 0.94% from some other races and 2.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 5.14% of the population.

There were 1,591 households, 48.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.0% were married couples living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 20.9% were non-families. 16.2% of households were one person and 6.1% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.99 and the average family size was 3.34.

The median age was 32.4 years. 33.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 29.7% were from 25 to 44; 22.9% were from 45 to 64; and 7.7% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.9% male and 50.1% female.

As of the 2000 census, there were 2,147 people, 739 households, and 557 families residing in the city. The population density was 420.76 inhabitants per square mile (162.5/km²). There were 777 housing units at an average density of 152.27 per square mile (58.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.16% White, 0.28% African American, 1.12% Native American, 0.70% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.23% from some other races and 2.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.77% of the population. 20.4% were of German, 18.9% American, 11.9% English, 6.9% Irish and 6.2% Norwegian ancestry.

There were 739 households, 43.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.6% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.6% were non-families. 18.8% of households were one person and 8.0% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.82 and the average family size was 3.18.

The age distribution was 29.8% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 22.4% from 45 to 64, and 10.7% 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.8 males.

The median household income was $46,012 and the median family income was $51,121. Males had a median income of $38,125 versus $27,426 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,696. About 4.4% of families and 6.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.6% of those under age 18 and 9.0% of those age 65 or over.

Rental and storage company U-Haul was founded in Ridgefield in the summer of 1945.^[9][23][24]

On August 29, 2024, Ridgefield became the location of the 34th Costco retail in Washington.^[25]

On August 20, 2025, Ridgefield became the location of the first In-N-Out Burger restaurant in Washington.^[26]

Ridgefield has a council–manager form of government, with a city manager who is appointed by a city council with seven elected members. The city council also selects a mayor from among themselves.^[27] The current city manager is Steve Stuart, a former county commissioner who was hired in 2014.^[28] In January 2025, Matt Cole was appointed Mayor.^[29] He has served as a city council member since 2022.^[30] Judy Chipman was appointed Mayor Pro Tem also in January 2025. She has served as a city council member since 2021.^[29]

The Ridgefield School District has five schools: Union Ridge Elementary, South Ridge Elementary, Sunset Ridge Intermediate School, View Ridge Middle School, and Ridgefield High School.^[31]

4,367 students enrolled at Ridgefield School District No. 122 in the school year of 2025-26.^[32]

• Scott Mosier, film producer and podcaster^[33]
• Richie Sexson, former major league baseball player
• Leonard Shoen, founded U-Haul in Ridgefield

• Official website
• History of Ridgefield at HistoryLink