Multnomah County
The area of the lower Willamette River has been inhabited for thousands of years, including by the Multnomah band of Chinookan peoples long before European contact, as evidenced by the nearby Cathlapotle village. 

Chinook Indians in front of Mt. Hood, c. 1851-1856
 

The county was created on December 22, 1854, formed out of two other Oregon counties - the eastern part of Washington County and the northern part of Clackamas County.

It is located along the south side of the Columbia River. Though smallest in area, Multnomah County is the state's most populous county and its county seat, Portland, is the state's largest city. [Source: wikipedia]


Lewis and Clark made note of the Indian village of Multnomah on Sauvie Island in 1805, and applied that name to all local Indians. The name is derived from nematlnomaq, probably meaning "downriver." Multnomah County was created from parts of Washington and Clackamas Counties by the Territorial Legislature in 1854, five years before Oregon became a state, because citizens found it inconvenient to travel to Hillsboro to conduct county business. [Source: Oregon Blue Book]

Cities and Other Populated Areas
Cities
Fairview * Gresham * Lake Oswego (small portion) * Maywood Park * Milwaukie (small portion) * Portland * Troutdale * Wood Village

Unincorporated Communities
Bonneville * Bridal Veil * Burlington * Corbett * Dodson * Dunthorpe * Holbrook * Interlachen *
Latourell * Orient * Riverwood * Springdale * Warrendale

Former community: Vanport