Vancouver
RANK #674 / 996 NAT · #15 / 21 WA · POP 504,091
1YR FORECAST: +0.7%
5YR OUTLOOK: +20%
Clark County, Washington, often called the "Cradle of Pacific Northwest History," is distinguished by its direct access to the Columbia River and its proximity to the Cascade Mountains. Vancouver, the county seat, sits just across the Columbia River from Portland, Oregon, making it a commuter hub with C-TRAN offering express bus services to downtown Portland. The community offers a blend of urban and rural settings, with towns like Camas known for its schools and Ridgefield for its natural beauty and wildlife refuge. Outdoor recreation is a significant draw, with numerous parks, trails like the Salmon Creek Greenway, and water features such as Lacamas Lake and the Columbia River supporting hiking, biking, boating, and wildlife viewing.
Life in Clark County appeals to families and professionals seeking a balance of natural amenities and urban access. The county's public schools are generally rated above average, with districts like Camas and Ridgefield noted for their educational offerings. The economy is diverse, with healthcare, professional services, retail, and manufacturing as primary sectors. Clark County has seen consistent population growth, partly due to its appealing quality of life and the absence of a state income tax in Washington, which attracts residents from neighboring Oregon.
Overvalued relative to economy
Above national median
Prices declining
Prices detached from rents
Housing looks overvalued at 8.8x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Amazon Warehouse and Distribution Center
Amazon
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Bridge Point Vancouver 600 Warehouse
Bridge Industrial
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
At 32/100, Clark County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $90,115 combined with job growth of +0.9% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Clark County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $453,200 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.20 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,572/month on average.
Clark County's population is growing — up +1.5% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +0.9%). Home values shifted -0.6% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
Not particularly — 1.52% of Clark County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.