North Bonneville Public Development Authority
| Company type | Municipality |
|---|---|
| Industry | Local government |
| Founded | June 25, 1935 |
| Headquarters | North Bonneville, Washington , United States |
Area served | North Bonneville |
| Products | Municipal services |
North Bonneville is a municipality located along the Columbia River in Skamania County, Washington, United States. As recorded in the 2020 census, it has a population of 1,397 residents. Positioned within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, the city lies on the northern bank of the Bonneville Dam complex. Originally founded during the 1930s to accommodate workers involved in dam construction, North Bonneville was relocated in the 1970s to enable expansion of the dam’s infrastructure.
History
The inception of North Bonneville dates back to its establishment as a construction settlement near the Bonneville Lock, Dam, and powerhouse project, which commenced in late 1933. The city was officially incorporated on June 25, 1935.
In 1971, federal authorities designated the north shore of the Columbia River for development of a second powerhouse. Anticipating displacement, local inhabitants mobilized efforts to move their community. With assistance from state planners and negotiations with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, experts were engaged to design and construct a new town site intended to house approximately 600 individuals while clearing the original location for excavation purposes.
Federal participation intensified in 1974 following enactment of Public Law 93-251 (known as the McCormack legislation), which extended the Corps’ powers regarding relocation aid. The $35 million initiative elevated the new town above the 100-year flood level and incorporated essential infrastructure including roads, utilities, sewage and water treatment facilities, flood defenses, recreational parks, a central commercial district, public buildings, as well as necessary adjustments to highways and railroads. Temporary accommodations were provided until permanent residences and businesses could be established. The redesigned community was planned for a population capacity of 1,500 inhabitants. The relocation project concluded with a formal celebration on July 29, 1978.
In October 1991, North Bonneville became the first municipality in Washington state to file for bankruptcy under Chapter 9. This occurred after numerous legal disputes with the Corps concerning the relocation process. A breach of contract lawsuit initiated in 1980 culminated in a $365,000 judgment awarded to the Corps in 1991. Unable to fulfill this financial obligation, the city sought bankruptcy protection.
Public Development Authority
After Washington State legalized cannabis in 2012, North Bonneville established a Public Development Authority to oversee a municipally owned cannabis retail outlet. This store opened on March 7, 2015, operating under the name Cannabis Corner, marking it as the first government-run cannabis dispensary in the United States.
Geography
The total area encompassed by North Bonneville is , comprising of land and water surfaces respectively. The city is located along Washington State Route 14, positioned between Skamania and Stevenson.
Climate
North Bonneville experiences warm and dry summers with average monthly temperatures remaining below 71.6 °F. Its climate is classified as warm-summer Mediterranean ("Csb").
2010 census
According to data from the 2010 census, North Bonneville had a population of 956 people residing in 420 households, including 262 families. The population density stood at , with housing units numbering 459 at a density of . The racial makeup was predominantly White at 94.9%, followed by African American at 0.3%, Native American at 0.7%, Asian at 1.5%, other races at 0.6%, and those identifying with two or more races at 2.0%. Hispanic or Latino individuals comprised 4.4% of the population.
Among households, 28.6% included children under age eighteen; married couples accounted for 45.7%; female householders without spouses represented 10.0%; male householders without wives made up 6.7%; and non-family households constituted 37.6%. Individuals living alone represented 33.6% of all households, with seniors aged sixty-five or older comprising 11.5%. The average household size was calculated at 2.28 persons while average family size was slightly higher at 2.86.
The median age within the city was reported as 42.8 years: with age distribution including 24.1% under eighteen years; those aged eighteen to twenty-four making up 6.1%; individuals between twenty-five and forty-four comprising 22.7%; residents aged forty-five to sixty-four accounting for 32.5%; and seniors sixty-five or older constituting 14.7%. Gender proportions were nearly balanced with approximately equal numbers of males and females.
2000 census
According to data from the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 593 individuals, distributed across 228 households and 171 families. The population density stood at 246.1 inhabitants per square mile (95.0/km2), while there were 237 housing units with an average density of 98.3 units per square mile (38.0/km2). The racial composition included 92.75% White, 0.34% African American, 0.84% Native American, 2.53% Asian, 1.52% from other racial backgrounds, and 2.02% identifying with two or more races. Individuals identifying as Hispanic or Latino of any race accounted for 1.69%.
Within the 228 households, 38.2% included children below the age of 18, 61.0% were composed of married couples living together, 10.1% had a female head of household without a husband present, and non-family households made up 25.0%. Households consisting of individuals represented 20.6%, with 7.9% having someone living alone who was aged 65 or older. The average size of a household was calculated at 2.60 persons, while the average family size was slightly larger at 3.01.
The age distribution showed that 27.5% of residents were under the age of 18, 5.2% were between 18 and 24 years old, 29.8% ranged from 25 to 44 years, 24.3% were between 45 and 64 years, and those aged 65 or older comprised 13.2%; the median age was reported as 38 years. Gender ratios indicated that for every 100 females, there were approximately 103.8 males; among adults over 18, this ratio adjusted to about 97.2 males per 100 females.
The median income for a household was $35,583, while families had a median income of $38,333. Male earners had a median income of $32,857 compared to $25,313 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,921. Around 7.3% of families and 7.2% of all residents were living below the poverty line, including roughly 8.2% of those younger than eighteen and about 5.9% of seniors aged sixty-five and above.
Parks and recreation
Situated within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, North Bonneville is in close proximity to prominent outdoor destinations such as Beacon Rock State Park and the Pierce National Wildlife Refuge. Residents and visitors alike can access the renowned Pacific Crest Trail as well as nearby summits including Greenleaf Peak and Table Mountain.
The city offers views of notable landmarks like the nearby Bonneville Dam along with its spillway, which attract numerous tourists annually; additionally, the Bridge of the Gods is positioned northeast of North Bonneville.