Cascade Locks is a city located in Hood River County, Oregon. The town took its name from a set of locks built to improve navigation past the Cascades Rapids of the Columbia River. The federal government approved the plan for the locks in 1875, construction began in 1878, and the locks were completed on November 5, 1896. The locks were subsequently submerged in 1938, replaced by Bonneville Lock and Dam, although the town lost no land from the expansion of Lake Bonneville behind the dam located some 4 miles downstream of the town.

Cascade Locks is located just upstream from the Bridge of the Gods, a toll bridge that spans the Columbia River. It is the only bridge across the Columbia between Portland and Hood River.

Cascade Locks is used frequently by hikers along the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) to cross the Columbia River. Cascade Locks is the lowest point along the trail, which runs from the Mexican border in California to the Canadian border in Washington.

Cascade Locks is a few miles upstream of Eagle River Gorge, a popular scenic area that doubles as an alternate route for the Pacific Crest Trail.

As of the 2000 Census, the town had a total population of 1,115.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.7 km² (3.0 mi²). 5.6 km² (2.2 mi²) of it is land and 2.1 km² (0.8 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 27.85% water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 1,115 people, 427 households, and 313 families residing in the city. The population density is 200.2/km² (517.8/mi²). There are 476 housing units at an average density of 85.5/km² (221.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 89.15% White, 0.09% African American, 4.22% Native American, 0.72% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 2.60% from other races, and 3.23% from two or more races. 7.17% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 427 households out of which 37.2% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.4% are married couples living together, 11.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 26.5% are non-families. 21.5% of all households are made up of individuals and 8.2% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.61 and the average family size is 2.98.

In the city the population is spread out with 28.7% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 31.5% from 25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 11.7% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 98.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 97.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $35,284, and the median income for a family is $37,422. Males have a median income of $35,469 versus $25,234 for females. The per capita income for the city is $15,359. 19.0% of the population and 17.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 22.1% of those under the age of 18 and 9.4% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

External links

• City of Cascade Locks
• Cascade Locks Tourism and Port