Rowena, Oregon

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Rowena is an unincorporated community in Wasco County, Oregon, United States. For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau has defined Rowena as a census-designated place (CDP). The census definition of the area may not precisely correspond to local understanding of the area with the same name. The population was 148 at the 2000 census.

Rowena is located west of The Dalles on the Columbia River, where the river passes through the natural feature Rowena Gap. Interstate 84 and United States Highway 30 (aka Historic Columbia River Highway or Mosier-The Dalles Highway) pass through the community.

According to Oregon Geographic Names, the exact origin of the name "Rowena" is disputed. Two sources say Rowena was named for H.S. Rowe, a railroad company official, in the early 1880s. Another source says it was named for a girl, Rowena, who had been living in the area at the time the community was founded. It is also possible that the name comes indirectly from Rowena, Ivanhoe's lady, in the novel by Sir Walter Scott.

There was once a ferry operating between Rowena and Lyle, Washington across the Columbia. [1]

The Nature Conservancy has a nature preserve on the plateau near Rowena, The Tom McCall Preserve, that is known for its spring wildflowers. The preserve is owned and managed in cooperation with Mayer State Park.

[edit] Geography

Rowena is located at 45°40′6″N, 121°16′34″W (45.668198, -121.276201)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 4.8 km² (1.9 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 148 people, 63 households, and 40 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 30.7/km² (79.7/mi²). There were 89 housing units at an average density of 18.5/km² (47.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 98.65% White, 0.68% Asian and 0.68% Pacific Islander.

There were 63 households out of which 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.2% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.5% were non-families. 31.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 30.4% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 34.5% from 25 to 44, 18.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 85.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.1 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $41,080, and the median income for a family was $42,417. Males had a median income of $40,938 versus $26,111 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $15,457. There were 16.3% of families and 13.6% of the population living below the poverty line, including 10.0% of under eighteens and none of those over 64.