Located in the heart of the Pacific Northwest, and rich in history and natural beauty, Cowlitz County is home of the Monticel ... lo Convention of 1852, where the Washington Territory was born. With a balanced blend of rural and urban environments, most residents of Cowlitz County live about an hour from Mt. St. Helens, the Pacific Coast, and Portland OR, providing a unique quality of life. Long known as a world‐class center for manufacturing, predominantly in the forest products industry. For many years to come, the region will continue to combine natural resources, many transportation alternatives, and a community atmosphere to produce an economic environment. Our community includes thriving export‐import activities, healthcare services, retail sales, senior living communities, a mix of public and private schools, a community college with four‐year degree extension programs, tourism, outdoor recreation, plus a wide variety of public, private and voluntary organizations. Cowlitz County is home to approximately 108,950 residents, roughly 56 percent of whom live in the incorporated cities of Castle Rock, Kelso, Longview, Kalama, and Woodland. The remaining 44 percent live in rural, unincorporated communities such as Ryderwood, Toutle, Yale, Silver Lake, Lexington, Ariel and Cougar. These unincorporated areas of the County cover approximately 1,166 square miles, and are where the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office actively patrol and respond to calls for service. read more