-
EXPLORE FURTHER: The Most Middle-Class City in America Identified – It’s Also a State Capital
People looking for homes are increasingly drawn to a formerly small agricultural town in the Pacific Northwest because of its stunning forests, mountains, and proximity to the sea.
In the past, Ridgefield, WA, was home to a small community of around a few thousand residents who were engaged in farming and working their own properties.
Now, the city, nestled near
Portland
, OR, which is less than an hour’s drive from the Pacific Ocean, is brimming with
advancements in building smaller residences featuring minuscule outdoor spaces.
The surrounding mountains offer vistas of Mt. Hood, Mt. Adams, and Mt. St. Helens.
The region attracts more than 1,000 individuals annually, with numerous newcomers escaping from larger urban centers.
part of a larger movement to the Northwest
.
The city features a vibrant historical area brimming with eateries and stores located along the banks of the Columbia River.
Local real estate agent Peter Cutile attributes the increase in new residents to the neighborhood’s appeal, cleanliness, security, and overall cost-effectiveness.
‘It’s affordable. There’s actually inventory being built out here and viability – people can actually move there and actually live and have a really awesome place to do life,’ he told the Daily Mail.
He mentions that Ridgefield’s population has increased by over twice in the last ten years, due to the area being carefully planned with various developments and featuring a vibrant downtown district.
Ridgefield includes six municipal parks, one large community park, and a well-liked skate park.
Throughout the summer, the neighborhood park hosts complimentary film screenings and features a disc golf course alongside covered picnic areas near a natural reserve.
In 2024, the population increased to 15,790. Ten years earlier, it stood at only 6,175, as per data from the Washington Office of Financial Management. This office also predicts that within the next ten years, the number will reach approximately 26,000 residents. At present, 63 percent of the city’s inhabitants are younger than 45 years old.
The median home price has climbed to $625,150, positioning it among the highest in Clark County, where Ridgefield is located. Back in 2015, this figure stood at only $253,534.
Cutile mentions that a lovely 2,200-square-foot house might go for approximately $600,000. Additionally, a newly constructed three-bedroom, three-bath property could be available for roughly $475,000.
‘The community appreciates how attractive, innovative, pristine, and meticulously designed this place is. It truly stands as an appealing neighborhood,’ states Cutile.
‘It’s close to nature. It’s close to downtown Vancouver. It’s semi proximal to Portland, and it’s just a really well thought out community.
‘Y
You offer a nice balance with affordable options. If someone prefers a typical suburban house on a 6,000-square-foot plot, those choices are readily available and quite appealing.”
Even as Ridgefield transforms into a bustling hub, one reason for its appeal remains its preservation of a quaint small-town atmosphere. In the downtown area, you can frequently find live bluegrass performances and mini-parades taking place, along with a popular weekly Ridgefield Farmers’ Market brimming with local artisans. Additionally, the town organizes an annual city-wide Halloween treasure hunt.
In an urban setting, a community garden serves as a communal area where locals cultivate vegetables, herbs, and flowers together.
Cutile mentions that individuals are attracted to the residents who dedicate themselves to maintaining the community’s close-knit atmosphere by backing local businesses and participating in various events.
He ultimately sold one of his Ridgefield homes after a potential buyer was so impressed by the neighbors—who had assisted Cutile when his truck got stuck on icy roads during winter—that they decided to purchase the property.
He mentioned that Ridgefield beautifully combines traditional houses situated on spacious lots with modern constructions built on smaller parcels of land.
Many new townhome complexes have sprung up around here. The downtown area is quite lively, yet you’ll also find cows grazing beside the roads and numerous hiking paths winding through the woods.
He mentioned that the downtown area is stunning with plenty of art and craft offerings.
‘That region remained largely agricultural for many years, which means there’s a lovely sense of history and community that you get to experience firsthand when you reside there.’
He mentions that the town’s layout was impeccable, featuring a thoughtfully designed central downtown area surrounded by an ever-growing expanse of residential developments attracting more residents.
‘The place retains that close-knit, small-town atmosphere though,’ he remarks.
Nearby lies Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, home to numerous cranes, swans, egrets, and songbirds, as well as being a nesting site for local bald eagles. Spanning across 5,200 acres, this refuge encompasses vast areas of wetlands and prairies.
The area also boasts a significant historical background.
Ridgefield was initially inhabited by the Chinook Native Americans who came across its lands.
Fertile cropland and wooded areas might come in handy for constructing their cedarwood homes and cultivating crops.
Following the Civil War, individuals from the Northern states started moving there seeking vast expanses of undeveloped land and picturesque landscapes.
In 1945, U-Haul came into existence in Ridgefield, initially called Union Ridge.
The downtown area is home to numerous historical structures dating back more than a hundred years, along with a local post office and a police station.
Throughout the region, you can find wineries that focus specifically on Burgundy wines, as the moist climate of the Pacific Northwest fosters some of the finest grape cultivation in the United States.
Read more