Columbia County

Profile

Follow the fast track to Columbia County and you'll find out eastern Washington's economic engine is humming along. Dayton, the county seat, is all about connections: railroads, highways, rivers, telecommunications and people.

The Snake River, our northern border, connects Columbia County with the world via barge access to ports along the Columbia River and in Portland; highway 12 connects trucking companies with major transportation routes such as Interstates 82 and 84; Blue Mountain Railroad connects Dayton with the hump yards of two major railroads; high speed internet connects our citizens with world-wide commuting possibilities; and the Blue Mountains, our southern border, connects people in our region with fantastic outdoor recreation opportunities right in our backyard.

Most of all, the spirit of the people in our community can connect your business with success. Make your connection with Columbia County and find out how much we have to offer.

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Transportation

Airports
Walla Walla Regional Airport, 28 miles southwest of Dayton. Small airstrips near town.

Highways
U.S. Highway 12 runs through Dayton and connects to U.S. Highways 395 and 730 and Interstates 82 and 84.

Motor Frieght
Daily UPS and FedEX service. Numerous trucking companies.

Rail Frieght
Blue Mountain Railroad connects with Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroads.

Bus Service
Community-wide services provided by Columbia County Transportation.

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Demographics

Population
Dayton (2007 est.) - 2,720
Starbuck (2007 est.) - 130
Columbia County (2007 est.) - 4,100
Within 35 mile radius - 55,200

Labor Market
Labor Force - 1,510
Unemployment Rate - 5.9%
Per Capita Income - $25,248
Median Household Income - $42,233

Major Industry
Government - 38%
Services - 30%
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing - 10%
Other - 8%
Retail Trade - 7%
Wholesale Trade - 6%

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Education

General
• 2 Elementary Schools
• 2 Junior High School
• 1 High Schools
• 1 Private School (K-7)

Area Colleges & Universities
Walla Walla, WA (28 miles away)
• Whitman College
• Walla Walla College
• Walla Walla Community College

Clarkston, WA (65 miles away)
Walla Walla Community College - Clarkston Branch

Richland, WA (75 miles away)
Washington State University - Branch Campus

Pullman, WA (83 miles away)
Washington State University

Lewiston, ID (67 mile away)
Lewis-Clark State College

Moscow, ID (91 miles away)
University of Idaho

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Communications

High Speed Internet Access*
DSL • Wireless • Satellite
*Every home or business in Columbia County has access to high speed internet service.

Newspapers
Blue Mountain News - published monthly
Dayton Chronicle - published weekly
Walla Walla Union Bulletin - published daily with delivery in Columbia County

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Climate and Topography

Elevation of Dayton - 1,600 ft.
Elevation at Snake River - 504 ft.
Elevation at Oregon Butte - 6,401 ft.

Columbia County Area - 868.8 sq. mi.
Annual Rainfall 18.5 inches
Average Summer High Temperature 83º F
Average Winter High Temperature 42º F

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Safety Services

Police Services
Columbia County provides contractual police services for the City of Dayton and the town of Starbuck, and offers enhanced 911 service county-wide.

Fire Department
Columbia County Fire District 3 serves Dayton, Starbuck, and all rural areas as a volunteer department.

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Healthcare

Dayton General Hospital
Urgent Care, emergency and hospital services with 15 hospital beds and 46 nursing home beds.

Family Practice Clinics
Two clinics with 3 family practitioners, 3 physician's assistants and 1 ARNP.

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Contact Information

Lisa Ronnberg, Managing Director
166 E Main St., Dayton, WA 99328
509.382.4825
lisa@seweda.org

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