Estacada, Oregon

The origin of the city's name is disputed. One explanation is that the city's name is a corruption of the names of a civic leader's daughters, Esther and Katie, however, there is no evidence of their existence.[7] Another theory states that:

Estacado is a Spanish word and it means "staked out" or "marked with stakes". It was first suggested by George Kelly as a name for the town site at a meeting of the Oregon Water Power Townsite Company directors on December 27, 1903. Kelly had selected the name at random from a U.S. map showing Llano Estacado in Texas.[7] If Kelly's suggestion had not been drawn from the hat, the town could have been named Rochester, Lowell or Lynn. The name Estacada is also used in Arizona.

Another theory comes from the French word "estacade," which means "log boom." Given the extensive logging in the area and the use of log booms on the several dams near the town, it is possible this is the origin of the town's name. https://www.linguee.com/french-english/translation/estacade.html

The Clackamas River, flowing by the city, drains into the Willamette River, thence the Columbia. There are four dams on the Clackamas River near Estacada, plus one higher up:

1. River Mill Dam,
2. Faraday Dam (a diversionary dam),
3. Cazadero Dam (No longer exists),
4. North Fork Dam, and
5. further upstream, Oak Grove Dam, a diversionary structure on the Oak Grove Fork Clackamas River.

Portland General Electric operates all five dams and related infrastructure.[9]

The former Cazadero Dam on the river was destroyed by the Christmas flood of 1964 and reconstructed as Faraday Dam.[9] Of Faraday and Cazadero, there is some confusion as to names, as what is today Cazadero was originally Faraday, but was destroyed in a flood, to be re-built as Cazadero Dam.[10][11][12][13]

Current population estimates 3,770,[16] median house income $60,893,[17] persons living in poverty 8.3%,[17] percent high school graduate or higher 86.5%,[17] median housing value $266,600,[17] and total housing available 1,369.[17] Estimated racial breakdown currently is White: 94.37%, Native American: 0.80%, Asian: 0.73%, African American: 0.03%, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0.00%, and other race: 0.00%.[18]

As of the census of 2010, there were 2,695 people, 1,062 households, and 672 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,340.8 inhabitants per square mile (517.7/km²). There were 1,155 housing units at an average density of 574.6 per square mile (221.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 92.0% White, 0.8% African American, 0.7% Native American, 1.2% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 2.7% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.5% of the population.[2]

There were 1,062 households, of which 35.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.8% were married couples living together, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.7% were non-families. 30.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.16.[2]

The median age in the city was 35.7 years. 26.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.2% were from 25 to 44; 24.6% were from 45 to 64; and 12.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.8% male and 50.2% female.[2]

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,371 people, 850 households, and 591 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,259.6 people per square mile (871.9/km²). There were 886 housing units at an average density of 844.4 per square mile (325.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 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. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.78% of the population.[2]

The Safari Club in downtown Estacada in 2004. The club later moved to another city, and was demolished in June 2017, . Currently, there is a Dollar General store in its place.

There were 850 households, out of which 39.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.9% were married couples living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.4% were non-families. 26.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.78 and the average family size was 3.26.[2]

In the city, the population was 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 were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.9 males.[2]

The median income for a household in the city was $39,200, and the median income for a family was $46,445. Males had a median income of $37,269 versus $22,267 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,049. About 10.1% of families and 12.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.8% of those under age 18 and 5.9% of those age 65 or over.[2]

• Valley View Airport

TriMet's route 30 connects the city with Clackamas Town Center mall and the Clackamas Town Center Transit Center, which is also a stop on the MAX Green Line light rail line. The route's terminus is at Estacada City Hall and service runs seven days a week. Sunday service was introduced only relatively recently, in September 2019.[21] Sandy Area Metro (SAM) extends bus service from City Hall to Sandy on weekdays, with connections to Gresham, connecting with TriMet lines and MAX light rail there.