Jackson County, Oregon

Last updated

Jackson County
County
Jackson County Courthouse (Jackson County, Oregon scenic images) (jacDA0008).jpg
Jacksonville, Oregon City Hall (former Jackson County Courthouse).jpg
Templo de Medford Oregon.jpg
Views from Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument (18362936785).jpg
Hannon library sou.jpg
Alexlockhart Mt Ashland 06-01-21.jpg
From clockwise: Jackson County Courthouse and Office Building, Medford Mormon Temple, Southern Oregon University's Hannon Library, Cascade–Siskiyou National Monument, Mount Ashland, Old Jackson County Courthouse
Jackson County (Oregon) Seal.png
Seal
Map of Oregon highlighting Jackson County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Oregon
Oregon in United States.svg
Oregon's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 42°25′N122°44′W / 42.42°N 122.74°W / 42.42; -122.74
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Oregon.svg  Oregon
FoundedJanuary 12, 1852
Named for Andrew Jackson
Seat Medford
Largest cityMedford
Area
 • Total
2,802 sq mi (7,260 km2)
 • Land2,784 sq mi (7,210 km2)
 • Water18 sq mi (50 km2)  1%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
223,259
 • Estimate 
(2023)
220,768 Decrease2.svg
 • Density80/sq mi (31/km2)
Time zone UTC−8 (Pacific)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−7 (PDT)
Congressional district 2nd
Website jacksoncountyor.gov

Jackson County is one of the 36 counties in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2020 census, the population was 223,259. [1] The county seat is Medford. [2] [3] The county is named for Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the United States. [4] Jackson County comprises the Medford, OR Metropolitan Statistical Area. There are 11 incorporated cities and 34 unincorporated communities in Jackson County; the largest is Medford, which has been the county seat since 1927. [5]

Contents

History

Modoc, Shasta, Takelma, Latgawa, and Umpqua Indian tribes are all native to the region of present Jackson County. Prior to the 1850s, the Klickitats from the north raided the area.

The Territorial Legislature created Jackson County on January 12, 1852, from the southwestern portion of Lane County and the unorganized area south of Douglas and Umpqua Counties. It included lands which now lie in Coos, Curry, Josephine, Klamath and Lake Counties. Gold discoveries in the Illinois River valley and the Rogue River valley near Jacksonville in 1852, and the completion of a wagon road connecting the county with California to the south and Douglas County to the north led to an influx of non-native settlers.

Conflict between the miners and Native Americans led to war in 1853, which continued intermittently until the final defeat of the last band under chiefs John and George by a combined force of regular army and civilians May 29, 1856, at Big Bend on the Rogue River. The Native Americans had received the worse of the fighting throughout this conflict, and as they began to surrender, they were herded to existing reservations, beginning in January 1856 when one group was marched to the Grand Ronde Indian Reservation west of Salem. Over the following months, other groups were forced to leave until by May 1857 almost all of the Shasta, Takelma, and Latgawas tribes had been relocated to the Siletz Reservation, where they remained.

Jacksonville was designated as the first county seat in 1853. However, Jacksonville declined due to diminishing returns in the local goldfields and the construction in the 1880s of the Oregon and California Railroad. This railroad bypassed Jacksonville and instead went through Medford, located five miles (8.0 km) east of Jacksonville. Medford's prospects improved because of the location of the railroad and the accompanying commerce and development as Jacksonville continued its steady decline. Jacksonville fended off suggestions to move the county seat until 1927 when Medford was finally selected as the county seat.

In March 2004, Jackson County became the first of an eventual 35 counties in Oregon to implement a voluntary plan of fireproofing homes situated on properties zoned as part of the forestland-urban interface. This requires homeowners to maintain a 30' or greater firebreak around their structures, and affects 12,000 homeowners. In 2007, this plan becomes mandatory for many landowners, under threat of liability if their property is involved in a fire.

On May 15, 2007, residents voted not to reopen the county's 15 libraries, which had been closed since April 6 due to a shortage of funds. [6] This was the largest library closure in the history of the United States. [7] The libraries were reopened, with reduced hours, on October 24, 2007. [8]

Geography

Map of Jackson County Jackson County.svg
Map of Jackson County
Campground in Valley of the Rogue State Park on the banks of the Rogue River adjacent to Interstate 5. Valley of the Rogue Camping.jpg
Campground in Valley of the Rogue State Park on the banks of the Rogue River adjacent to Interstate 5.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,802 square miles (7,260 km2), of which 2,784 square miles (7,210 km2) is land and 18 square miles (47 km2) (0.6%) is water. [10] A portion of the Umpqua National Forest is in Jackson County.

Located entirely within Jackson County is Bear Creek and its watershed, a tributary of the Rogue River. [11] The population centers of Medford, Ashland, Phoenix, Talent, and Central Point are located along the stream. It connects with the Rogue River near the Upper and Lower Table Rock lava formations.

Summits

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Other landforms

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1860 3,736—
1870 4,77827.9%
1880 8,15470.7%
1890 11,45540.5%
1900 13,69819.6%
1910 25,75688.0%
1920 20,405−20.8%
1930 32,91861.3%
1940 36,21310.0%
1950 58,51061.6%
1960 73,96226.4%
1970 94,53327.8%
1980 132,45640.1%
1990 146,38910.5%
2000 181,26923.8%
2010 203,20612.1%
2020 223,2599.9%
2023 (est.)220,768 [12] −1.1%
U.S. Decennial Census [13]
1790–1960 [14] 1900–1990 [15]
1990–2000 [16] 2010–2020 [1]

2000 census

As of the census [17] of 2000, there were 181,269 people, 71,532 households, and 48,427 families living in the county. The population density was 65 people per square mile (25 people/km2). There were 75,737 housing units at an average density of 27 units per square mile (10/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 91.65% White, 0.40% Black or African American, 1.09% Native American, 0.90% Asian, 0.18% Pacific Islander, 2.88% from other races, and 2.91% from two or more races. 6.69% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 17.4% were of German, 12.9% English, 10.2% Irish and 8.8% United States or American ancestry. 92.7% spoke only English at home, while 5.6% spoke Spanish.

Of the 71,532 households, 30.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.20% were married couples living together, 10.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.30% were non-families. 25.10% of all households were made up of one individual, 11.00% being a person who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.95.

The age distribution of the county's population was 24.40% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 25.50% from 25 to 44, 25.40% from 45 to 64, and 16.00% 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 94.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,461, and the median income for a family was $43,675. Males had a median income of $32,720 compared to $23,690 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,498. 8.90% of families and 12.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.30% of those under age 18 and 6.90% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 203,206 people, 83,076 households, and 53,460 families living in the county. [18] The population density was 73.0 inhabitants per square mile (28.2/km2). There were 90,937 housing units at an average density of 32.7 units per square mile (12.6 units/km2). [19] The racial makeup of the county was 88.7% white, 1.2% Asian, 1.2% American Indian, 0.7% black or African American, 0.3% Pacific islander, 4.5% from other races, and 3.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 10.7% of the population. [18] In terms of ancestry, 19.9% were German, 14.4% were English, 14.1% were Irish, and 5.3% were American. [20]

Of the 83,076 households, 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.4% were married couples living together, 11.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 35.6% were non-families, and 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.91. The median age was 42.1 years. [18]

The median income for a household in the county was $44,142 and the median income for a family was $53,739. Males had a median income of $40,435 versus $30,632 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,410. About 9.9% of families and 14.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.0% of those under age 18 and 7.4% of those age 65 or over. [21]

Communities

Cities

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Former community

Politics

As is typical of southwestern Oregon, Jackson County leans towards the Republican nominee in presidential elections, although the presence of a substantial student body at Ashland means Democrats get a larger proportion of the vote in statewide elections than in any other county south of the Willamette Valley. No Democratic presidential candidate has won an absolute majority in Jackson County since Lyndon Johnson's landslide in 1964, although Bill Clinton in 1992 and Barack Obama in 2008 obtained narrow pluralities in the county, in both cases by less than 500 votes. In recent elections, however, the Republican lean in Jackson County has presented some signs of waning. The four most recent instances in which Republicans have been able to win the county had them doing so only by single digit margins. [22]

In the United States House of Representatives, Jackson County lies within Oregon's 2nd congressional district, which has a Cook Partisan Voting Index of R+11 and is represented by Republican Cliff Bentz. In the Oregon House of Representatives, Jackson County is divided between four districts, which are together represented by three Republicans and one Democrat (Pam Marsh of Ashland). In the Oregon State Senate, Jackson County is divided between three districts; the 2nd and 28th Districts, represented by Republicans Art Robinson and Dennis Linthicum, and the 3rd District, represented by Democrat Jeff Golden.

Jackson County is currently one of 11 counties in Oregon in which therapeutic psilocybin is legal.

United States presidential election results for Jackson County, Oregon [23]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
2024 61,74351.64%54,06545.22%3,7643.15%
2020 63,86950.23%59,47846.77%3,8183.00%
2016 53,87049.27%44,44740.66%11,01010.07%
2012 49,02050.47%44,46845.78%3,6393.75%
2008 49,04348.53%49,09048.58%2,9142.88%
2004 56,51955.31%44,36643.42%1,3041.28%
2000 46,05254.31%33,15339.10%5,5916.59%
1996 33,77145.86%29,23039.69%10,64614.46%
1992 28,70437.23%29,14637.80%19,24624.96%
1988 32,51652.52%28,02845.27%1,3682.21%
1984 37,89561.76%23,23037.86%2340.38%
1980 32,87955.97%19,90333.88%5,95810.14%
1976 24,23748.25%23,38446.55%2,6155.21%
1972 24,00357.75%14,52934.96%3,0297.29%
1968 19,57756.19%12,71436.49%2,5517.32%
1964 14,59842.83%19,48657.17%00.00%
1960 17,55454.59%14,53145.19%720.22%
1956 17,20157.46%12,73342.54%00.00%
1952 18,27967.55%8,67432.05%1070.40%
1948 11,22658.86%7,34238.50%5042.64%
1944 8,59855.74%6,66843.23%1601.04%
1940 8,50755.46%6,75444.03%780.51%
1936 4,86634.97%7,52054.05%1,52810.98%
1932 5,45940.02%7,51955.13%6614.85%
1928 8,05375.43%2,46323.07%1601.50%
1924 4,86853.25%1,84020.13%2,43326.62%
1920 4,38259.81%2,50334.17%4416.02%
1916 3,53839.41%4,87454.29%5666.30%
1912 84716.15%2,07939.65%2,31744.19%
1908 2,03250.09%1,53737.89%48812.03%
1904 1,99261.16%79824.50%46714.34%
1900 1,56548.08%1,52546.85%1655.07%
1896 1,38736.62%2,35462.14%471.24%
1892 95935.04%46617.03%1,31247.94%
1888 1,18145.81%1,32051.20%772.99%
1884 94741.61%1,25154.96%783.43%
1880 74341.03%1,06558.81%30.17%

Economy

The county's principal industries are healthcare, agriculture, lumber, manufacturing, and tourism. [24]

Jackson County has over 10,000 acres (40 km2) of orchards and shares with Josephine County the Rogue Valley and Applegate wine appellations.

Soapstone, a substance used in art sculpture, is mined in Jackson County. [25]

According to the Jackson County Board of Commissioners, by 2021 the main cash crop produced within the county was grows of illegal cannabis, with the board declaring a state of emergency. [26]

Points of interest

Bear Creek Greenway

The Bear Creek Greenway is the area on both sides of Bear Creek running from Ashland to Central Point. The Greenway's most popular feature is the bike path which runs from Ashland north towards Medford. Eventually it will be a 21-mile (34 km) paved link between Ashland and Central Point. The bike path is very popular with cyclists and skaters, especially during the warmer spring and summer months. [27]

Bigfoot trap

What is believed to be the world's only Bigfoot trap is located in the Siskiyou National Forest in the southern part of the county. The trap was originally built in 1974 by the North American Wildlife Research Team (NAWRT), a now-defunct organization based in Eugene, Oregon to capture the legendary hominid Bigfoot (or Sasquatch) that is said to inhabit the forests of the Pacific Northwest. In recent years it has become a major tourist attraction.

Oregon Vortex

The Oregon Vortex is a roadside attraction that opened to tourists in 1930, located on Sardine Creek in Gold Hill. It consists of a number of interesting effects, which are gravity hill optical illusions, but which the attraction's proprietors propose are the result of paranormal properties of the area. The attraction was the inspiration for the Mystery Shack, a tourist trap and the main setting for the Disney Channel (later Disney XD) original series Gravity Falls.

Pacific Crest Trail

The Pacific Crest Trail, officially designated as the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail (PCT), passes through Jackson County. [28]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ashland, Oregon</span> City in Oregon, United States

Ashland is a city in Jackson County, Oregon, United States. It lies along Interstate 5 approximately 16 miles (26 km) north of the California border and near the south end of the Rogue Valley. The city's population was 21,360 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Siskiyou County, California</span> County in California, United States

Siskiyou County is a county located in the northwestern portion of the U.S. state of California. As of the 2020 census, the population was 44,076. Its county seat is Yreka and its highest point is Mount Shasta. It falls within the Cascadia bioregion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Josephine County, Oregon</span> County in Oregon, United States

Josephine County is one of the 36 counties in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2020 census, the population was 88,090. The county seat is Grants Pass. The county is named after Virginia Josephine Rollins (1834–1912), a settler who was the first white woman to live in the county's boundaries. Josephine County comprises the Grants Pass, OR Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Medford-Grants Pass, OR Combined Statistical Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Douglas County, Oregon</span> County in Oregon, United States

Douglas County is one of the 36 counties in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2020 census, the population was 111,201. The county seat is Roseburg. The county is named after Stephen A. Douglas, an American politician who supported Oregon statehood. Douglas County comprises the Roseburg, OR Micropolitan Statistical Area. In regards to area, Douglas County is the largest county west of the Oregon Cascades.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coos County, Oregon</span> County in Oregon, United States

Coos County is one of the 36 counties in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2020 census, the population was 64,929. The county seat is Coquille. The county was formed from the western parts of Umpqua and Jackson counties. It is named after a tribe of Native Americans who live in the region. Coos County comprises the Coos Bay, OR Micropolitan Statistical Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ashland, Nebraska</span> City in Saunders County, Nebraska, United States

Ashland is a city in Saunders County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 3,262 at the 2022 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Myrtle Creek, Oregon</span> City in Oregon, United States

Myrtle Creek is a city in Douglas County, Oregon, United States. The population was 3,439 at the 2010 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Riddle, Oregon</span> City in Oregon, United States

Riddle is a city in Douglas County, Oregon, United States. The population was 1,185 at the 2010 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Winchester Bay, Oregon</span> Unincorporated community in the state of Oregon, United States

Winchester Bay, formerly Umpqua City, is an unincorporated community in Douglas County, Oregon, United States. For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau has defined Winchester Bay as a census-designated place (CDP). The census definition of the area may not precisely correspond to local understanding of the area with the same name. The population of the CDP was 382 at the 2010 census. The community of Umpqua City was established in 1850.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central Point, Oregon</span> City in Oregon, United States

Central Point is a city in Jackson County, Oregon, United States. The population was 18,997 as of 2020. The city shares its southern border with Medford and is a part of the Medford metropolitan area. Central Point is home of the Jackson County Fair that occurs in July.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eagle Point, Oregon</span> City in Oregon, United States

Eagle Point is a city in Jackson County, Oregon, United States. The population was 8,469 at the 2010 census, up from 4,798 at the 2000 census. As of 2018, the estimated population was 9,408.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gold Hill, Oregon</span> City in Jackson County, Oregon, United States

Gold Hill is a city in Jackson County, Oregon, in the United States. As of the 2010 census the population was 1,335. It is along a bend of the Rogue River.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jacksonville, Oregon</span> City in Oregon, United States

Jacksonville is a city in Jackson County, Oregon, United States, approximately 5 miles (8 km) west of Medford. It was named for Jackson Creek, which flows through the community and was the site of one of the first placer gold claims in the area. It includes Jacksonville Historic District, which was designated a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 1966. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 2,785, up from 2,235 at the 2000 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phoenix, Oregon</span> City in Oregon, United States

Phoenix is a city in Jackson County, Oregon, United States. The population was 4,538 at the 2010 census. Phoenix is a part of the Medford Metropolitan Statistical Area, in the Rogue Valley, and is 3 miles (5 km) southeast of Medford on Interstate 5.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rogue River, Oregon</span> City in Oregon, United States

Rogue River is a city in Jackson County, Oregon, United States. As of the 2020 census the population was 2,407.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Talent, Oregon</span> City in Oregon, United States

Talent is a city in Jackson County, Oregon, United States. The population was 6,282 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White City, Oregon</span> Unincorporated community in the state of Oregon, United States

White City is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Jackson County, Oregon, United States. The population was 7,975 at the 2010 census, up from 5,466 at the 2000 census. White City is about 9 miles (14 km) north of the center of Medford and 4 miles (6 km) south of Eagle Point.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rogue River–Siskiyou National Forest</span> United States forest in Oregon and California

The Rogue River–Siskiyou National Forest is a United States National Forest in the U.S. states of Oregon and California. The formerly separate Rogue River and Siskiyou National Forests were administratively combined in 2004. Now, the Rogue River–Siskiyou National Forest ranges from the crest of the Cascade Range west into the Siskiyou Mountains, covering almost 1.8 million acres (7,300 km2). Forest headquarters are located in Medford, Oregon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Williams, Oregon</span> Unincorporated community in the state of Oregon, United States

Williams is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Josephine County, Oregon, United States. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 1,072.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shady Cove, Oregon</span> City in the United States

Shady Cove is a city in Jackson County, Oregon, United States. The population was 2,904 at the 2010 census.

References

  1. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ "About Jackson County". Jackson County. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
  4. ↑ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp.  167.
  5. ↑ "About Medford". Mail Tribune. Archived from the original on January 23, 2008. Retrieved April 29, 2009.
  6. ↑ Mann, Damian; "County library levy fails handily" Archived May 19, 2007, at the Wayback Machine at the Mail Tribune ; written May 16, 2007; retrieved February 4, 2008
  7. ↑ May, Meredith; "Largest library closure in U.S. looms" at the San Francisco Chronicle ; written March 4, 2007; retrieved February 4, 2008
  8. ↑ Mann, Damian; "Libraries will start to open Oct. 24" Archived June 10, 2011, at the Wayback Machine at the Mail Tribune ; written October 9, 2007; retrieved February 4, 2008
  9. ↑ Gumprecht Bannan, Jan (2002). Oregon State Parks. The Mountaineers Books. p. 150. ISBN   978-0-89886-794-7.
  10. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  11. ↑ "Bear Creek Watershed Assessment - Phase 2" (PDF). Rogue Valley Council of Governments]. December 2001. p. 9. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 13, 2010. Retrieved April 21, 2009.
  12. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023" . Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  13. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  14. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  15. ↑ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  16. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 26, 2015. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  17. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  18. 1 2 3 "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  19. ↑ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  20. ↑ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  21. ↑ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  22. ↑ Menendez, Albert J.; The Geography of Presidential Elections in the United States, 1868–2004, pp. 284–285 ISBN   0786422173
  23. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  24. ↑ "About Jackson County, Oregon". Jackson County, Oregon. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  25. ↑ St. John, James; Soapstone Archived June 13, 2007, at archive.today at the Oregon State University; retrieved February 4, 2008
  26. ↑ "Overwhelmed by illegal pot, Oregon county declares emergency". AP NEWS. October 13, 2021. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  27. ↑ "Bear Creek Greenway Foundation-HOME". www.bearcreekgreenway.com. Archived from the original on June 21, 2009. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  28. ↑ "County Highpoints - Regional Lists".

42°25′N122°44′W / 42.42°N 122.74°W / 42.42; -122.74

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.