What is the population of the Columbia Plateau?

The Columbia Plateau: More Than Just Sagebrush and Basalt (and People!)

Okay, let’s talk about the Columbia Plateau. It’s this massive area – think roughly 100,000 square miles – sprawling across parts of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. But figuring out how many people actually live there? That’s trickier than you might think. It’s not like counting heads in a city; the Plateau is a sprawling region, not a neatly defined place.

So, what is the Columbia Plateau, exactly? Imagine a vast, high desert landscape nestled between the Cascade Mountains and the Rockies. We’re talking arid to semi-arid conditions, lots of sagebrush and grasslands, and a whole lot of farming. It’s a beautiful, rugged place.

Now, about that population… Getting a precise number is tough. It’s like trying to wrangle smoke. But we can piece together some clues. Back in the 90s, the estimated population hovered just under a million. And it was growing, increasing by about 20% during that decade. That gives you a ballpark, right?

Here’s another interesting tidbit: if you’re looking at the Oregon side of the Plateau, most of the people are clustered in Umatilla County. Cities like Pendleton and Hermiston are the main hubs. Makes sense, right? People tend to gather where there are jobs and services.

And speaking of development, even though only a tiny fraction (about 1%) of the Plateau is actually developed, that area grew by nearly a third between the early 70s and 2000. All that new housing and infrastructure had to go somewhere!

You won’t find sprawling metropolises here, but there are definitely some key towns and cities scattered across the landscape. In Washington, you’ve got Spokane, Yakima, the Tri-Cities (Pasco, Kennewick, Richland), Walla Walla, and a few others. Over in Oregon, Pendleton and The Dalles are important. And don’t forget Lewiston and Moscow in Idaho.

What makes people settle where they do on the Plateau? Well, water is a big one. Areas with irrigation and good soil for farming tend to draw people in. Think about it: you need water to grow crops, and crops support communities. Also, rivers like the Columbia, Snake, and Yakima are lifelines. They provide water, transportation, and open up economic opportunities. Plus, let’s be honest, nobody wants to live too high up in a dry, cold area if they can avoid it!

Now, before we get too focused on modern life, let’s remember the original inhabitants of this land. The Cayuse, Umatilla, Nez Perce, and other Indigenous peoples called the Columbia Plateau home for thousands of years. By the mid-1700s, there were thousands of them living here, moving with the seasons to take advantage of different resources. Sadly, European contact brought diseases like smallpox that decimated their populations. It’s a history we need to remember and respect.

Today, the Columbia Plateau faces some serious challenges. We’re talking about balancing agriculture with the need to conserve water, dealing with habitat loss, and fighting invasive species. As the population continues to grow, we need to think smart and act sustainably to protect this incredible region for future generations.

So, to sum it up: while we can’t give you an exact head count, the Columbia Plateau is home to somewhere around a million people. They’re spread out across a vast and varied landscape, shaped by agriculture, rivers, and a long and complex history. It’s a place worth knowing about, and a place worth protecting.