Get to know Clark WA
Clark County, WA cities and communities
Clark County includes eight incorporated cities and towns, counting the part of Woodland that crosses into the county. It also has unincorporated communities such as Hazel Dell, Salmon Creek and Felida. Knowing which kind of place an address belongs to helps you find the right government, property records and public meetings.
This guide brings together official directories and address tools. Start with the community table for orientation, then check the actual property before choosing a service office.
Where is Clark County, Washington?
Clark County is in southwest Washington. The Columbia River borders it to the west and south; Cowlitz County is to the north and Skamania County to the east. Vancouver is the county seat, with county offices in its downtown. These geographic details come from the county's location guide.
The county covers more than the City of Vancouver. For example, Woodland's city website explains that its city spans both Clark and Cowlitz counties. When researching a Woodland address, check the county as well as the city jurisdiction.
Cities, towns and selected unincorporated communities
The eight municipal entries below follow Clark County's cities and towns directory. Hazel Dell, Salmon Creek, Felida and Lake Shore are additional community names, identified in the county's Highway 99 and Three Creeks planning overview. This is a starting directory, not a parcel boundary map.
On a small screen, scroll the table sideways to see the official service links.
| Place | Government status | Official starting point |
|---|---|---|
| Battle Ground | Incorporated city | City of Battle Ground |
| Camas | Incorporated city | City of Camas |
| La Center | Incorporated city | City of La Center |
| Ridgefield | Incorporated city | City of Ridgefield |
| Vancouver | Incorporated city; county seat | City of Vancouver services |
| Washougal | Incorporated city | City of Washougal |
| Woodland | Incorporated city in Clark and Cowlitz counties | City of Woodland |
| Yacolt | Incorporated town | Town of Yacolt |
| Hazel Dell | Unincorporated community | Clark County services |
| Salmon Creek | Unincorporated community | Clark County services |
| Felida | Unincorporated community | Clark County services |
| Lake Shore | Unincorporated community | Clark County services |
For community sites, explore VancouverWA.net and HazelDell.org. Use the official government links in the table for applications, government notices and service contacts.
A Vancouver mailing address does not settle jurisdiction
A property can have “Vancouver, WA” in its postal address while sitting outside Vancouver city limits. The city's property lookup instructions explicitly call out this distinction. A neighborhood name alone is also insufficient for choosing the office that handles a particular address.
- Search the Clark County Property Information Center using the street address or parcel number.
- Open the matching property and find Jurisdiction under Administrative Data. Record the listed city or Clark County alongside the parcel number.
- For Vancouver, use the city's Do I Live in Vancouver? map to view whether the address is inside city limits.
- Take that result to the relevant official office and describe the service or project you need. Our property and permit guide explains the next research steps.
Check again when making a new property decision. County mapping information can change, and the MapsOnline disclaimer says its information is for reference and may not be current. Ask the responsible office to resolve conflicting records.
Common questions about local communities
Is Hazel Dell a separate city?
No. The county identifies Hazel Dell as an unincorporated area. It has a community identity, but it is not one of the eight municipal governments listed above. Confirm the jurisdiction of your specific address before requesting a government service.
How do I find my neighborhood association?
The county neighborhood directory has an address search and association maps for county neighborhoods. It also directs people inside Vancouver city limits to the city's neighborhood directory. Neighborhood associations and homeowners associations serve different purposes; the county program does not keep individual HOA records.
Use your location to take the next step
If you are comparing places to live, use the Clark County housing guide to understand countywide figures and find housing resources. For a proposal affecting your area, the public meetings guide explains how to locate agendas and participation instructions. Record the address, jurisdiction and specific question before contacting staff; those details help route the request.
Planning a move? Follow the new resident checklist. For a specific task, use the Clark County service finder.
ClarkWA.org is an independent community guide. Read about our sources or return to the Clark WA resource directory.