# Yacolt, Washington

Yacolt /ˈjækoʊlt/ is a town in Clark County, Washington, United States. The 2023 population is estimated to be 1,626. It is located about 30 miles northeast of Vancouver which is part of the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan area.

## History

Yacolt is derived from the Klickitat word "Yahkohtl," meaning "haunted place" or "place of (evil) spirits." The area was also known as "the valley of lost children". In September 1902 the town, which consisted of only 15 buildings at the time, was nearly destroyed by the Yacolt Burn, the largest fire in state history. Yacolt was rebuilt over time and officially incorporated on July 31, 1908.

## Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.50 square miles (1.29 km$^2$), all of it land.

## Demographics
### 2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 1,566 people, 454 households, and 384 families living in the town. The population density was 3,132.0 inhabitants per square mile (1,209.3/km$^2$). There were 484 housing units at an average density of 968.0 per square mile (373.7/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the town was 95.8% White, 0.5% African American, 1.1% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.1% of the population.
There were 454 households, of which 55.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.3% were married couples living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 7.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 15.4% were non-families. 10.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.45 and the average family size was 3.68.
The median age in the town was 25 years. 38.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 11.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.9% were from 25 to 44; 17% were from 45 to 64; and 5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 50.9% male and 49.1% female.

### 2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 1,055 people, 319 households, and 256 families living in the town. The population density was 2,075.2 people per square mile (798.7/km$^2$). There were 344 housing units at an average density of 676.7 per square mile (260.4/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the town was 95.26% White, 0.47% African American, 1.14% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.09% from other races, and 2.65% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.90% of the population. 22.1% were of American, 17.9% German, 8.6% English, 7.0% Norwegian, and 5.2% Irish ancestry.
There were 319 households, out of which 54.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.9% were married couples living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.7% were non-families. 16.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.31 and the average family size was 3.71.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 40.2% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 30.6% from 25 to 44, 13.4% from 45 to 64, and 7.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 26 years. For every 100 females, there were 106.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $39,444, and the median income for a family was $43,438. Males had a median income of $37,500 versus $24,306 for females. The per capita income for the town was $12,529. About 6.4% of families and 7.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.8% of those under age 18 and 11.1% of those age 65 or over.

## Parks and recreation

The Chelatchie Prairie Railroad, a train ride excursion organization, is based in Yacolt. The railroad uses tracks built near the turn of the 20th century that eventually went into disuse in 1984. Restoration efforts in the 1990s led to the creation of the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad program in 2001. Hosting events tied to holidays throughout the year, such as the Headless Horseman Train Ride during the Halloween season, the railroad is best known for its Christmas Train Ride (also known as the Santa Train), an annual event that traverses 13.0 miles (20.9 km) through the mountainous area bringing riders to Yacolt Falls, a rock tunnel, and Moulton Station. The diesel train, a 1941 ALCO S2, pulls passenger cars originally built between from the 1910s into the 1920s.

## Education
### Public Schools

Yacolt is located in the Battle Ground Public Schools district. The only public school located in Yacolt is Yacolt Primary School.

## Notable people

* Tonya Harding, figure skater
* Joe Kent, former United States Army officer and political candidate