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About Longview Climate  Elevation of the city is between 12 and 120 feet above sea level. The climate is generally mild year-round, with temperatures in the summer seldom reaching above the low 90s. Winters can occasionally bring a light snowfall that seldom stays on the ground. Average precipitation is 46 inches per year. The current population of Longview is 34,660. Longview is the largest city in Cowlitz County and has an area-wide population of approximately 92,948. History/Heritage Local residents are proud of their tradition and heritage. A planned city, Longview was founded by Robert A. Long, who purchased 14,000 acres of Columbia River Valley to build a lumber mill and accompanying town. Construction began in 1922, and by 1927 the town was mostly complete. Today, Mr. Long's vision has become a reality, a unique blending of commercial, industrial and residential interests benefiting the entire area. In 1998, the City of Longview competed as an All-America City and was named a finalist. The Mint Farm Industrial Park was one of the key projects that helped garner this distinction. Seventeen of the city's buildings are currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places and/or the Longview Register. The Civic Center is a National Register Historic District. The Longview Public Library, Monticello Hotel and the Longview Main Post Office are examples of the classically influenced architecture found in the city. Elementary and Secondary Education Longview's public schools are in the forefront of educational reform to help prepare our children for the future. The mission statement of the Longview School District is "to ensure that every student learns the skills, attitudes and knowledge to become a responsible citizen in a rapidly changing society." With a student base of over 7,400, the district has seven elementary schools, two middle schools and two high schools. Voter support of school levies consistently reaffirms the community's commitment to and involvement in its educational system. Higher Education Established in 1934, Lower Columbia College is one of the oldest two-year colleges in the state of Washington. The college annually enrolls about one-third of all local high school graduates plus a steady number of more mature students returning to the classroom. Linfield College operates as a satellite location within Lower Columbia College to offer residents four-year programs in accounting, arts & humanities, business information systems, international business, management and social & behavioral sciences. Housing Longview offers many opportunities for new home sites as well as a wide choice of existing homes and farms with plenty of room for families to grow. The area's housing market includes quiet, established neighborhoods; subdivisions; and rural farms, in addition to contemporary single-family dwellings, condominiums and apartment complexes. Health St. John Medical Center serves the people of the region as a nonprofit, acute-care community hospital providing primary care services through Columbia Valley Medical Group, prenatal care through the First Steps Clinic and a wide range of health education programs to promote a healthy community. Specialty areas include a 24-hour state-of-the-art emergency department, a comprehensive cancer program, cardiac care and rehabilitation, a critical care unit, hemodialysis, a family-oriented birthing center, imaging and diagnostic services, nutritional services, a psychiatric unit and an accredited mammography clinic. Kaiser Permanente Longview is part of a group practice health maintenance organization (HMO), and has over 30,000 members at this location. Longview is also fortunate to have a hospice care center, facilities for Alzheimer's patients and several assisted-living centers in addition to nursing and retirement homes. Retirement The Longview area has seen an influx of retirees over the last several years. High quality of life, mild weather, affordable housing and close proximity to amenities attract senior citizens. The area is served by a number of retirement facilities, limited-care facilities and full-service nursing homes. Culture and the Arts The Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts is a regional center for music, dance and drama, providing quality entertainment through its Family and Young People Series and other concert attractions. The Southwest Washington Symphony, the Lower Columbia College Department of Music, the Community Concert Association and many others are involved in a variety of productions. The McClelland Arts Center hosts cultural and community events, including an annual rock gem show, the Columbian Artists art show, a woodcarving show, a photography show, a quilt show, bazaars, community theater productions, concerts and community forums. The Longview-Kelso Parks and Recreation Department offers a series of concerts in the park at Lake Sacajawea during the summer. Tourism Longview is a gateway to the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, and tourism is playing an increasingly important role in our area's economy. |
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