Battle Ground, Washington
City in the United States in Clark County
About Battle Ground
Battle Ground is a city in Clark County, Washington, United States. The population was 20,743 at the 2020 census. As of 2025, its population is estimated at 23,513.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How Battle Ground is governed
Form of government not yet listed.
1 of 14 positions listed. Gray dashed boxes are placeholders waiting for a name.
Residents of Battle Ground
Registered voters elect the officials below.
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Mayor
Executive
- Troy McCoy per Wikidata
The city's chief elected official. Presides over the executive branch, proposes the budget and represents the city.
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City Manager / Administrator
Executive
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The professional administrator who runs day-to-day operations (in some cities appointed by the council instead of the mayor).
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Police Chief
Administration & departments
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Leads the police department.
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Fire Chief
Administration & departments
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Leads the fire and emergency services department.
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Public Works Director
Administration & departments
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Streets, water, sewer, and city buildings.
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Finance Director
Administration & departments
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The budget, taxes, and city accounts.
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Planning & Zoning Director
Administration & departments
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Land use, zoning, building permits.
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Parks & Recreation Director
Administration & departments
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Parks, programs, and public facilities.
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City Council
Legislative
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The elected body that passes ordinances, sets the tax rate and approves the budget.
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City Clerk
Administration & departments
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Keeps the official records, runs meeting agendas and, often, local elections.
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City Attorney
Administration & departments
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The city's lawyer; advises officials and prosecutes ordinance violations.
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Boards & Commissions
Legislative
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Citizen advisory bodies, such as planning, zoning appeals and library boards.
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Municipal Court
Judicial
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Hears traffic, ordinance and other minor cases.
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Municipal Judge
Judicial
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Presides over the municipal court.
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- Website
- cityofbg.org
Looking for your county, state and federal representatives too? See who represents 98604 or everyone in Washington.
Population over time
From 17,571 in 2010 to 20,743 in 2020 (+18.1%).
Show the numbers
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 20,743 |
| 2010 | 17,571 |
History
Name
Battle Ground got its name from a standoff between a group of the Klickitat peoples and a military force from the Vancouver Barracks, which had recently transitioned to a U.S. Army post. By 1855, members of the Klickitat peoples had been imprisoned at the Vancouver Barracks. The hostile conditions of their detainment inspired some of the Klickitats to decamp.
This group of Klickitat peoples headed north, led by Chief Umtuch (or Umtux, according to some accounts). When the community at Fort Vancouver discovered this escape, they assembled an armed contingent led by Captain William Strong to pursue the Klickitats. Captain Strong's party eventually found the Klickitats near the present-day location of downtown Battle Ground.
Details of the standoff vary. However, accounts agree that Chief Umtuch and Captain Strong engaged in some sort of negotiations, which resulted in the Klickitats agreeing to return to the Barracks. After this decision, at least one shot was fired, resulting in the death of Chief Umtuch, reportedly by one of Captain Strong's soldiers.
The Klickitat asked Captain Strong to leave them alone so they might properly bury their chief. After some deliberation, Captain Strong agreed, provided the Klickitats promised to return to the Fort, which they did a couple of days later.
As a result of this event, settlers at the fort began to refer to that site as 'Strong's Battle Ground', which was later shortened to 'Battle Ground.' Two schools in Battle Ground were later named after Captain Strong and Chief Umtuch.
Early settlement
Battle Ground was first settled in 1886 by Augustus H. Richter, who platted the town in 1902. Battle Ground was officially incorporated on June 18, 1951. During early settlement in the area, large numbers of people populated Fort Vancouver and locations closer to the Columbia River.
Later development
The population of Battle Ground doubled between 2000 and 2010, becoming the second-largest city in Clark County. The city opened a community center in 2008 and a new public library in 2009. In 2026, the city announced a grant program allocating $50,000 to aid businesses with updating their facades in its Old Town district.
In January 2026, Battle Ground City Council elected Eric Overholser to the position of mayor in a 4-3 vote. As mayor, Overholser was quickly involved in several contentious incidents around his public statements and intentions around municipal governance; including vocal opposition to LGBTQIA+ rights, support of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and support for "traditional" family structures in the city.
In July 2026, Camden Spiller and his brother Max Spiller purchased The Reflector, the local independent newspaper.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.