Hood River County is a county in Oregon, United States, in the Columbia River Gorge between Mount Hood and the Columbia River. It had a population of 23,977 at the 2020 census and covers 533 square miles (1,380 km2) centred near 45°31′N 121°39′W.
Hood River is the county seat, and its postal code is 97031. The county has 2 incorporated cities, 3 census-designated places, and several unincorporated communities. Hood River County is in the Pacific time zone and carries FIPS code 41027.
Towns & Villages in Hood River County
The county’s population centers split between two incorporated cities along the Columbia River and a scatter of unincorporated fruit-growing communities up the Hood River Valley toward Mount Hood. CDP = census-designated place (unincorporated but recognized by the Census Bureau); Unincorp. = unincorporated community with no formal municipal government.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hood River | City · seat | — | 97031 |
| Cascade Locks | City | — | 97014 |
| Odell | CDP | — | 97044 |
| Parkdale | Unincorp. | — | 97041 |
| Mount Hood | CDP | — | 97041 |
| Dee | Unincorp. | — | 97041 |
| Pine Grove | Unincorp. | — | 97031 |
| Oak Grove | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Lenz | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Rockford | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Lost Lake Resort | Unincorp. | — | — |
Parkdale and Mount Hood sit close together in the upper Hood River Valley and are sometimes confused with each other; Parkdale is the older orchard-town center, while Mount Hood is the Census Bureau’s CDP boundary drawn around the same area.
ZIP Codes
- 97031 — Hood River (also serves Pine Grove)
- 97014 — Cascade Locks
- 97041 — Mount Hood Parkdale (also serves Dee)
- 97044 — Odell
Oak Grove, Lenz, Rockford, and Lost Lake Resort have no dedicated ZIP code and are served by one of the four post offices above depending on location.
Geography
Hood River County runs from the Columbia River north of Hood River south to the summit of Mount Hood, taking in the Hood River Valley’s orchard benches and the forested slopes of the Mount Hood National Forest. The Hood River, for which the county is named, flows north through the valley into the Columbia. The county borders the Columbia River and, across it in Washington, Skamania County to the north and Klickitat County to the northeast; Wasco County lies east and south, Clackamas County lies south, and Multnomah County lies west.
Demographics
The county’s population was 23,977 at the 2020 census, concentrated in Hood River and Cascade Locks along the Columbia River, with the balance spread through the valley’s smaller communities. Median household income in the county has historically run below the Oregon median of $80,160; the county’s economy is more agricultural and seasonal-tourism dependent than the state average. Population density is roughly 46 people per square mile.
Economy & Local Life
Hood River County is one of the world’s leading Anjou pear-growing regions, and its valley orchards also produce apples and cherries; agriculture and forestry remain major employers alongside health care and manufacturing. The Columbia River Gorge’s steady 15–35 knot winds have made Hood River a globally known windsurfing and kiteboarding destination, and the surrounding gorge and Mount Hood National Forest draw hikers, mountain bikers, skiers, and kayakers year-round.
History
Hood River County was organized on June 23, 1908, split from Wasco County, and named for the Hood River, itself named for British naval officer Samuel Hood. The Hood River, OR Micropolitan Statistical Area is coextensive with the county today.
Getting There
Interstate 84 runs the length of the county along the Columbia River, linking Hood River and Cascade Locks; Oregon Route 35 climbs south through the valley toward Mount Hood.
- Portland — 60 miles west
- The Dalles — 22 miles east
- Government Camp — 25 miles south
The nearest commercial airport is Portland International Airport (PDX).
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Hood River County?
It is in north-central Oregon, along the Columbia River between Portland and The Dalles.
What is the population of Hood River County?
23,977 at the 2020 census.
How big is Hood River County?
533 square miles (1,380 km2).
What is the county seat of Hood River County?
Hood River is the county seat.
How many towns are in Hood River County?
Two incorporated cities (Hood River and Cascade Locks), three census-designated places, and several unincorporated communities.
What ZIP codes are in Hood River County?
97031, 97014, 97041, and 97044.
Why is Hood River County known for windsurfing?
The Columbia River Gorge funnels steady 15–35 knot winds past Hood River, making it one of the world’s best-known windsurfing and kiteboarding spots.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Oregon.