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Vancouver, Washington

"The 'Couv"

Not to be confused with its Canadian namesake, Vancouver WA is the oldest European settlement in Washington state and a booming Portland suburb.

Founded 1825 | Population 202,846 | Peak 202,846 (2024) | County Clark County

Top 10 Most Important Events for Vancouver, Washington

1

1825 Fort Vancouver Established: The Hudson's Bay Company built Fort Vancouver as its Pacific Northwest headquarters, making it the first major European settlement in Washington.

2

1849 U.S. Army Post: The U.S. Army established Vancouver Barracks, which became one of the oldest military installations in the West.

3

1942 Kaiser Shipyards: Henry Kaiser's shipyards employed over 38,000 workers building cargo ships for WWII, transforming Vancouver into an industrial powerhouse overnight.

4

1980 Mt. St. Helens Erupts: The eruption of Mt. St. Helens 50 miles north blanketed Vancouver in ash and changed the region's landscape.

5

2010 Portland Suburb Boom: Vancouver became one of the fastest-growing cities in the Pacific Northwest as workers took advantage of no state income tax while working in Oregon.

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Complete Historical Timeline

1825 Government

Fort Vancouver built by Hudson's Bay Co.

1849 Government

U.S. Army post established

1857 Government

City incorporated

1942 Industry

Kaiser shipyards employ 38,000

1980 Disaster

Mt. St. Helens ash falls on city

1997 Business

Waterfront development begins

2010 Government

Growth as Portland suburb accelerates

2023 Government

Population exceeds 202,000

Did You Know?

1

Vancouver WA was founded 20 years before its more famous Canadian namesake — and residents tire of the confusion.

2

The Kaiser shipyards built ships so fast during WWII that one was completed in just 4 days and 15 hours.

3

Living in Washington (no income tax) while working in Portland (no sales tax) is called the 'Vancouver advantage.'.

Famous People from Vancouver, Washington

MB

Michael Barratt

Astronaut, Physician · Born Apr 16, 1959 · Age 66

TS

Tamina Snuka

Professional Wrestler · Born Jan 10, 1978 · Age 48

GB

Greg Biffle

Racing Automobile Driver · Born Dec 23, 1969 · Died Dec 18, 2025 (age 55)

DH

Dennis Heck

Businessperson, Politician · Born Jul 29, 1952 · Age 73

DB

Donald Behm

Amateur Wrestler · Born Feb 13, 1945 · Age 81

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