Goldendale is a rural agricultural city and county seat of Klickitat County, Washington, United States, near the Columbia River Gorge. The population within city limits was 3,760 at the 2000 census and 3,407, a 9.4% decrease at the 2010. It is the largest town. - 120 miles to the next larger town, Vancouver, WA/Portland Oregon area. Goldendale plant site is 18.6 miles from Gpldendale, The Plant employed the majority of the town until 14 years ago. There is a large Turnbin/windfarm on the hill range between the Town and the plant. Goldendale aluminum facility had 3 shifts of employment at its peak in the '70s and '80s was employing about 1,400–1,800 people and about 800 in the years from 1990 to 2003. Both plants were occupied by Unions. The facility had been awarded a large allotment of low cost power from the hydro electric dam system that was nearby, with the assumption this would encourage industrial development and create jobs and resulting economic development. ...