Battle Ground, Washington

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Battle Ground, Washington
settlement_type = City
nickname =
motto =

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postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 98604
area_code = 360
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 53-04475GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 1530801GR|3
website =
footnotes =

Battle Ground is a city in Clark County, Washington, United States. The population was 9,296 at the 2000 census.

According to the Washington State Office of Financial Management [http://www.ofm.wa.gov/pop/april1/] , Battle Ground ranked 4th of 279 eligible incorporated communities in population growth between 2000 and 2005.

Origin of the Name "Battle Ground"

The city is ironically named for the absence of a battle. In 1855 many of the soldiers at nearby Fort Vancouver were away fighting an uprising by the Yakima Indian tribe. Nervous settlers organized a company of volunteers to guard the undermanned fort. Fearing that the friendly Klickitat Tribe on the Lewis River would join the uprising, the volunteers ordered them into the Vancouver Barracks near the fort.

When some of the Klickitats escaped, Captain William Strong, the post commander, led a detachment of volunteers to bring them back. They overtook the Klickitats near the current location of the city, but rather than engaging them in battle, Captain Strong talked them into agreeing to return to the fort peacefully. Somehow during this episode the Klickitat leader, Chief Umtuch, was killed. The circumstances of his death are unclear: some said he was killed by a soldier, others by an accidental gunshot from his own men. In any event, the Klickitats promised to return to the fort after burying their chief, a ceremony that would take several days, so Strong returned without them.

The settlers had been expecting a battle, and when Strong returned empty-handed, they accused him of cowardice. The Klickitats did return as promised, but criticism of Strong continued. The women of the fort awarded him a petticoat of many colors in mock celebration of his courage. And the area where the Klickitats were encountered became known as "Strong's Battle Ground," and later simply "Battle Ground."

History

Battle Ground was officially incorporated on June 18, 1951.

Geography

Battle Ground is located at coor dms|45|46|50|N|122|32|22|W|city (45.780595, -122.539408).GR|1

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.6 square miles (9.4 km²), all of it land.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 9,296 people, 3,071 households, and 2,346 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,552.6 people per square mile (986.0/km²). There were 3,196 housing units at an average density of 877.6/sq mi (339.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.81% White, 0.49% African American, 0.86% Native American, 0.72% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 1.72% from other races, and 2.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.14% of the population. 15.4% were of German, 11.5% United States or American, 9.4% English, 7.2% Irish, 6.1% Finnish, and 5.8% Norwegian ancestry according to Census 2000. 94.0% spoke English, 3.9% Spanish and 1.6% Russian as their first language.

There were 3,071 households out of which 50.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.9% were married couples living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.6% were non-families. 18.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.99 and the average family size was 3.43.

In the city the population was spread out with 36.2% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 32.9% from 25 to 44, 13.5% from 45 to 64, and 7.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27 years. For every 100 females there were 95.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $45,070, and the median income for a family was $49,876. Males had a median income of $41,133 versus $25,215 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,139. About 7.3% of families and 9.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.1% of those under age 18 and 8.4% of those age 65 or over.

The census info for the years 1990 - 2007 are posted below.

Transportation

Battle Ground is accessed from Interstate 5 at exit 9 and Interstate 205 at exit 32.

Community

Every year in the summer time Battle Ground puts on Harvest Days. There are a number of community events including parades, street dances, a carnival and chili cook-off.

Battle Ground is an almost yearly winner for the Float Best Exemplifying Community Or Civic Involvement And Pride in the Portland Rose Festival's Grand Floral Parade. In 2006, however, it received the Sweepstakes Award for Most Outstanding Float In The Parade.

Education

As of 2008, Battle Ground is home to one primary school (Maple Grove Primary), one elementary school (Captain Strong Elementary), three middle schools (Maple Grove Middle, Chief Umtuch Middle, and CAM Jr. High), three high schools (Battle Ground High, Prairie High, and CAM Sr. High), and two K-8 schools(Daybreak Primary and Middle, and Tukes Vally Primary and Middle).

Chief Umtuch, the city's second (previous) primary school, was demolished in 2007.

Recently, the levy for Battle Ground High School passed after failing the previous year.

School Name RelationsCaptain Strong was named after Captain William Strong (See History). Chief Umtuch was named after Chief Umtuch (See History).

References

Further reading

* Strong, Harry M, "The Adventures of a Pioneer Judge & His Family", COLUMBIA Magazine: Winter 2002-03; Vol. 16, No. 4. http://www.wshs.org/wshs/columbia/articles/0402-a1.htm

External links

* [http://www.cityofbg.org/ Official site]
* [http://www.bgwa.com/ Battle Ground Businesses and Community Groups]
* [http://www.battlegroundchamber.org/ Battle Ground Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://www.thereflector.com/ The Reflector] Battle Ground's weekly newspaper