Redmond, Oregon

Redmond, Oregon
City
Business Highway 97 in Redmond
Seal
Nickname(s):  The Hub and Central Plaza
Motto:  The Heart of Central Oregon
Location in Redmond in Deschutes County, Oregon
Coordinates: 44°16′21″N121°10′26″W / 44.27250°N 121.17389°W / 44.27250; -121.17389
Country	United States
State	Oregon
County	Deschutes
Founded	1904
Incorporated	July 6, 1910
Government
• Type	Council-manager
•  Mayor	Ed Fitch
Area [1]
•  City	18.637 sq mi (48.271 km2)
• Land	18.636 sq mi (48.268 km2)
• Water	0.001 sq mi (0.003 km2)
Elevation [2]	2,999 ft (914 m)
Population  (2020) [3]
•  City	33,274
• Estimate  (2023) [4]	37,009
• Density	1,983.0/sq mi (765.6/km2)
•  Urban	33,293
•  Metro	260,919
Time zone	UTC–8 (Pacific (PST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC–7 (PDT)
ZIP Code	97756
Area code(s)	541 and 458
FIPS code	41-61200
GNIS feature ID	1125912 [2]
Website	redmondoregon.gov

Redmond is a city in Deschutes County, Oregon, United States. The population was 33,274 at the 2020 census, ^[3] and according to 2023 census estimates, the city is estimated to have a population of 37,009. ^[4]

The city is on the eastern side of Oregon's Cascade Range, in the High Desert in Central Oregon. From Redmond there is access to recreational opportunities. Redmond is a full-service municipality and one of the fastest-growing industrial and residential communities in Oregon.

History

Incorporated on July 6, 1910.

Redmond was named after Frank T. Redmond, who settled in the area in 1905. ^[5] It was platted in 1906 by a company which would become part of Central Oregon Irrigation District building a canal. ^[6]

Electrification and the Oregon Trunk Railway reached Redmond in 1911. The rail link opened markets for farmers and merchants. By 1930, the town had grown to 1,000 and by 1940 had nearly doubled. In the 1940s, Redmond was a U.S. Army Air base and commercial air service was established at Roberts Field after World War II. From the 1950s through most of the 1980s, the population remained relatively static, growing slowly around a small commercial/retail center and manufacturing industry. However, during the 1990s, the population began to grow along with most of Deschutes County. Between 2000 and 2006, Redmond's population grew 74.3%, placing it among Oregon's fastest-growing cities each year. This growth continued through 2006, increasing the population to 23,500. Its growth is fueled by employment and a lower cost of living.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 18.637 square miles (48.27 km²), of which 18.636 square miles (48.27 km²) is land and 0.001 square miles (0.00 km²) is water. ^[1]

Redmond is 17 miles (27 km) north of Bend—the county seat of Deschutes County—146 miles (235 km) from Portland, 129 miles (208 km) from Salem—the capital of Oregon—and 126 miles (203 km) from Eugene.

The Horse Lava Tube System enters the city at the point of the Redmond Caves. The lava flow that created the system continues into the Redmond Canyon to Crooked River Ranch. ^{[7] [8]}

Climate

Redmond's climate is typical of the high desert with cool nights and sunny days. Annual precipitation averages between 8 and 10 inches (200 and 250 mm), with an average annual snowfall of 24 inches (61 cm). The winter season in Redmond provides typical daytime temperatures between 10  °F (−12  °C ) and 40 °F (4 °C). Average nighttime temperatures range anywhere from 0 °F (−18 °C) to 40 °F (4 °C). According to the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, ^[9] the average annual extreme minimum temperature in Redmond is −5 °F (−21 °C) to −10 °F (−23 °C). ^[10]

A typical Central Oregon summer is marked with daily temperatures around 75 °F (24 °C) to 100 °F (38 °C) during the day, and around 40 °F (4 °C) to 60 °F (16 °C) during the night.^{[ citation needed ]} Hard frosts happen on occasion during the summer months. Autumn usually brings warm, dry days and cooler nights. According to the Western Regional Climate Center of the Desert Research Institute, the mean of the monthly average maximum temperatures in July, the hottest month in Redmond, between 1928 and 2006 was 82.09 °F (27.83 °C). ^[11]

Redmond's growing season is short. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Resources Conservation Service, in half of the years between 1971 and 2000, the USDA weather station in Redmond recorded the last below-freezing temperatures after July 3 and the first below-freezing temperatures before August 31. ^[12] Redmond has a steppe climate (BSk) according to the Köppen climate classification system.

Climate data for Redmond, Oregon (Roberts Field) (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1948-present)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	70 (21)	74 (23)	80 (27)	89 (32)	99 (37)	112 (44)	109 (43)	108 (42)	106 (41)	95 (35)	80 (27)	72 (22)	112 (44)
Mean maximum °F (°C)	59.8 (15.4)	62.2 (16.8)	70.5 (21.4)	78.6 (25.9)	86.9 (30.5)	93.4 (34.1)	99.2 (37.3)	98.7 (37.1)	93.7 (34.3)	82.0 (27.8)	68.6 (20.3)	57.4 (14.1)	100.8 (38.2)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	44.2 (6.8)	48.0 (8.9)	54.9 (12.7)	60.2 (15.7)	69.1 (20.6)	77.2 (25.1)	87.5 (30.8)	86.5 (30.3)	78.6 (25.9)	64.5 (18.1)	50.8 (10.4)	42.3 (5.7)	63.6 (17.6)
Daily mean °F (°C)	34.8 (1.6)	36.6 (2.6)	41.3 (5.2)	45.5 (7.5)	53.4 (11.9)	60.0 (15.6)	68.0 (20.0)	66.8 (19.3)	59.6 (15.3)	48.6 (9.2)	39.1 (3.9)	32.8 (0.4)	48.9 (9.4)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	25.3 (−3.7)	25.3 (−3.7)	27.7 (−2.4)	30.7 (−0.7)	37.8 (3.2)	42.8 (6.0)	48.5 (9.2)	47.2 (8.4)	40.6 (4.8)	32.7 (0.4)	27.5 (−2.5)	23.3 (−4.8)	34.1 (1.2)
Mean minimum °F (°C)	5.6 (−14.7)	6.3 (−14.3)	13.3 (−10.4)	17.4 (−8.1)	23.1 (−4.9)	29.2 (−1.6)	35.9 (2.2)	35.0 (1.7)	26.5 (−3.1)	15.4 (−9.2)	7.3 (−13.7)	1.8 (−16.8)	−6.3 (−21.3)
Record low °F (°C)	−27 (−33)	−19 (−28)	−1 (−18)	10 (−12)	12 (−11)	24 (−4)	28 (−2)	25 (−4)	16 (−9)	−3 (−19)	−19 (−28)	−28 (−33)	−28 (−33)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	0.98 (25)	0.66 (17)	0.58 (15)	0.71 (18)	1.20 (30)	0.64 (16)	0.40 (10)	0.46 (12)	0.37 (9.4)	0.68 (17)	0.81 (21)	0.97 (25)	8.46 (215.4)
Average snowfall inches (cm)	4.5 (11)	3.7 (9.4)	1.6 (4.1)	0.3 (0.76)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.1 (0.25)	0.8 (2.0)	4.2 (11)	15.1 (38)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)	8.7	7.3	8.2	8.1	7.8	5.5	2.9	2.8	3.4	6.5	8.1	8.7	78.0
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in)	2.1	1.7	1.0	0.3	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.2	0.8	2.7	8.7
Source: NOAA [13] [14]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1910	216		—
1920	585		170.8%
1930	994		69.9%
1940	1,876		88.7%
1950	2,956		57.6%
1960	3,340		13.0%
1970	3,721		11.4%
1980	6,452		73.4%
1990	7,163		11.0%
2000	13,481		88.2%
2010	26,215		94.5%
2020	33,274		26.9%
2023 (est.)	37,009	[4]	11.2%
U.S. Decennial Census [15] 2020 Census [3]

2020 census

Redmond Racial Composition ^[16]

Race	Number	Percent
White (NH)	25,849	77.7%
Black or African American (NH)	167	0.5%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH)	242	0.7%
Asian (NH)	387	1.2%
Pacific Islander (NH)	49	0.1%
Some Other Race (NH)	118	0.4%
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH)	1,817	5.5%
Hispanic or Latino	4,645	14.0%
Total	33,274	100.00%

As of the 2020 census, there were 33,274 people, 12,686 households, and 8,673 families residing in the city. ^[17] The population density was 1,822.4 inhabitants per square mile (703.6/km²). There were 13,262 housing units. The racial makeup of the town was 81.2% White, 0.6% African American, 1.2% Native American, 1.2% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 5.7% from some other races and 10.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.0% of the population. ^[18] 22.8% of residents were under the age of 18, 5.9% were under 5 years of age, and 16.4% were 65 and older.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 26,215 people, 9,947 households, and 6,789 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,561.4 inhabitants per square mile (602.9/km²). There were 10,965 housing units at an average density of 653.1 per square mile (252.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 89.0% White, 0.4% African American, 1.3% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 5.4% from other races, and 2.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.5% of the population.

There were 9,947 households, of which 38.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.7% were married couples living together, 13.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 31.7% were non-families. 24.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.07.

The median age in the city was 33.9 years. 27.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.8% were from 25 to 44; 21.9% were from 45 to 64; and 12.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.3% male and 51.7% female.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 13,481 people, 5,260 households, and 3,618 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,316.7 inhabitants per square mile (508.4/km²). There were 5,584 housing units at an average density of 545.4 per square mile (210.6/km²). The racial makeup was 93.72% White, 0.09% African American, 1.16% Native American, 0.65% Asian, 0.16% Pacific Islander, 2.14% from other races, and 2.08% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.48% of the population.

There were 5,260 households, of which 38.1% had children under 18 living with them, 52.2% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.2% were non-families. 24.6% of all households were of individuals and 10.6% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size 3.02.

In the city, the population was 29.6% under 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 30.6% from 25 to 44, 18.3% from 45 to 64, and 13.0% who were 65 or older. The median age was 33. For every 100 females, there were 93.1 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 88.0 males.

The median income for a household was $33,701, and the median income for a family $41,481. Males had a median of $31,940 versus $23,508 for females. The per capita income was $16,286. About 6.6% of families and 9.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.9% of those under 18 and 7.5% of those 65 or over.

Economy

A major employer is Redmond Air Center, at the Redmond Airport. This is a Forest Service smoke-jumping, firefighting and training installation.

T-Mobile USA had a call center in Redmond which employed more than 700. ^[19] T-Mobile made plans to close this facility in June 2013, ^[20] but Oregon-based Consumer Cellular moved to sublease the call center and rehire some of T-Mobile's former employees. ^[21] As of 2012 the Consumer Cellular call center employed more than 200 people, with plans to grow the facility to 650 employees. ^{[22] [23]}

The Redmond Spokesman newspaper is the city's oldest continuously operating business, printing its first issue July 14, 1910. Publishers Henry and Clara Palmer moved their press for the Laidlaw Chronicle to Redmond, competing with the existing Oregon Hub and Enterprise newspapers, now defunct. ^[24]

The Eagle Crest Resort, 6 miles (10 km) west of Redmond, is one of eight destination resorts as defined by Oregon's Department of Land Conservation and Development. Eagle Crest is one of Redmond's major employers, and one of Deschutes County's largest corporate tax payers. ^[25]

Education

Redmond's total enrollment^{[ vague ]} on September 26, 2006, was 6,892.

• Redmond School District elementary schools serve grades K–5, middle school grades 6–8 and high school 9–12.Redmond School District encompasses 556 square miles (1,400 km²) and operates the following 11 schools:
  • 7 elementary schools, serving grades K–5
  • 2 middle schools, serving grades 6–8
  • 2 high schools, serving grades 9–12
    • Redmond High School
    • Ridgeview High School
• Private institutions:
  • One private Christian school, serving grades pre-kindergarten to 12
  • Redmond Proficiency Academy, a grades 6–12 charter school, serving students from Redmond and the greater Central Oregon area
  • A secondary campus of George Fox University, affiliated or associated with the Evangelical Friends Alliance

Transportation

Airport Passenger Terminal

Air

Redmond is the location of the region's only commercial airline service airport, Roberts Field. Air carriers include Avelo Airlines, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines with service operated by their respective regional airline affiliates via code sharing agreements. These carriers provide nonstop service to Burbank, Portland, Seattle, Denver, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Palm Springs, Santa Rosa, San Francisco, San Diego, and Phoenix.

The U.S. Forest Service operates an air base and training center for firefighting, and Butler Aircraft, a fixed-base operator, flies DC-7 aircraft for firefighting efforts.

Highways

Redmond lies at the intersection of Oregon Route 126 and U.S. Route 97. The latter runs on an expressway alignment through the city known as the Redmond Parkway.

Rail

A BNSF main line runs north–south through the city; there are numerous spurs off of the main line which serve industrial rail customers. The closest Amtrak service is in the town of Chemult, approximately 75 miles (121 km) to the south; this station is served by the Coast Starlight route.

Points of interest

• Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center
  • A 320-acre multi-purpose facility hosting more than 400 unique events each year. This state-of-the-art facility opened to the public in 2000, and hosts upwards of 400 unique events annually including the Deschutes County Fair & Rodeo, the Northwest Sportsmen Show, Overland Expo PNW, and more.

• Eagle Crest Resort
  • A full-service, 1700-acre destination resort with a large hotel, one spa, three sports centers, a conference center, five pools, 2 to 4 Bedroom vacation home rentals, three full golf courses (open year-round), and three major housing developments each with multiple subdivisions.

• Fairwell Festival
  • An annual music festival consisting of 3 days, 3 stages, and 36+ performances highlighting the sounds of Folk, Blues, Rock, Country, and Soul. Recurring artists include Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow, Band of Horses, and many more. Occurs during July at the Central Oregon Deschutes County Fairgrounds.

• First Interstate Bank Center
  • The only facility of its type in Oregon east of the Cascade Range. Over 300,000 square feet of space under roof, holds 4,000 fixed seats, and the ability to accommodate volleyball, motorsports, wrestling, indoor football, conventions, live music concerts, and trade shows.

• Redmond Caves
  • Nestled inside Redmond’s city limits, and managed in partnership with the City of Redmond, visit a group of 5 caves formed by volcanic flows of molten lava from the Newberry Caldera. Enjoy the cool underground on a hot summer day and follow in the footsteps of Native Americans who used the caves over the last 6,000 years.

• Smith Rock State Park

Natural history

Some of Redmond's landmark desert flora include:

• The Juniper tree, which dots the surrounding brush/desert
• The Sagebrush, a medium-high bush which is abundant in undeveloped areas

Notable people

• Les AuCoin, a nine-term member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Oregon's First District, grew up in Redmond, attending the city's public schools from the first grade until graduation from Redmond Union High School (as it was called then) in 1960.
• Denton G. Burdick, attorney, state representative, and Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives
• Sam Johnson, a longtime member of the Oregon House of Representatives, was elected mayor of Redmond in 1979 and served in that capacity until he died in 1984. ^[26]
• Tom McCall, the 30th Governor of Oregon (from 1967 to 1975), graduated from Redmond High School. ^[27]
• James F. Short, (1902–1986) businessman, rancher, and state legislator ^[28]
• Arthur Tuck, an American track and field athlete who singlehandedly won the 1919 Oregon State High School track and field team championship for Redmond High School. ^[29]
• Jill Twiss, an American actress, writer and comedian known for her work on the HBO show Last Week Tonight with John Oliver and author of the bestselling children's book A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo.

See also

• Oregon portal

• Central Oregon
• Deschutes County, Oregon
• Bend, Oregon
• Sisters, Oregon

References

1. "2023 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
2. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Redmond, Oregon
3. "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved June 4, 2024.
4. "City and Town Population Totals: 2020–2023". United States Census Bureau. June 4, 2024. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
5. McArthur, Lewis A.; McArthur, Lewis L. (2003). Oregon Geographic Names . Portland: Oregon Historical Society Press. p. 802. ISBN   0-87595-278X.
6. McArthur, Lewis A.; McArthur, Lewis L. (2003). Oregon Geographic Names (Seventh ed.). OHS Press. p. 802. ISBN   0875952771 . Retrieved October 10, 2014.
7. Skeels (February 13, 2009). "Horse Lava Tube System". Archived from the original on December 13, 2009. Retrieved July 5, 2009.
8. Champion, Duane E. (May 14, 2002). "Mapping Newberry Volcano's Extensive North Flank Basalts". Archived from the original on June 8, 2011. Retrieved July 27, 2009.
9. "Washington USDA Hardiness Zone Map" . Retrieved November 28, 2010.
10. Ramon Jordan (January 24, 2012). "USNA - USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map: North-West US". Usna.usda.gov. Archived from the original on December 10, 2013. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
11. "Monthly Average Maximum Temperature, BEND, OREGON". Wrcc.dri.edu. July 25, 2006. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
12. "National Water & Climate Center - Climate Information". Wcc.nrcs.usda.gov. Archived from the original on July 13, 2014. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
13. "Summary of Monthly Normals 1991–2020". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration . Retrieved August 12, 2023.
14. "xmACIS2". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration . Retrieved August 12, 2023.
15. "Census of Population and Housing". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
16. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Redmond city, Oregon".
17. "US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
18. "How many people live in Redmond city, Oregon". USA Today. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
19. Governor Ted Kulongoski (August 29, 2003). "T-Mobile to open customer service center in Redmond". State of Oregon. Archived from the original on November 15, 2010.
20. "T-Mobile Announces The Closing Of Seven Call Centers Around The Country | TmoNewsTmoNews". Tmonews.com. March 22, 2012. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
21. Rogoway, Mike (May 30, 2012). "Consumer Cellular will take over T-Mobile's call center in Redmond, saving it from closure". OregonLive.com. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
22. "Consumer Cellular hooks up seniors". Oregonbusiness.com. July 8, 2013. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
23. "Consumer Cellular opens Redmond call center - Portland Business Journal". Bizjournals.com. August 7, 2012. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
24. Leslie Pugmire-Hole; Trish Pinkerton (2009). Images of America: Redmond. Chicago: Arcadia. p. 94. ISBN   978-0-7385-7089-1.
25. Williams, Steve, "The Expansion of Oregon's Destination Resorts" Archived May 10, 2011, at the Wayback Machine , WorkSource Oregon, www.qualityinfo.org, Oregon Employment Department, Salem, Oregon, March 29, 2007.
26. Church, Foster (June 21, 1984). "Former legislative leader dies". The Oregonian , p. B1.
27. Walth, Brent (1994). Fire at Edens Gate: Tom McCall and the Oregon story. Oregon Historical Society Press. ISBN   0-87595-247-X.
28. "James F. Short", Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon, 15 April 1986, p. 14.(subscription required)
29. Grant, Lucas, "The Legend of Arthur Tuck", The Bulletin, Bend, Oregon, May 27, 2014, pp. C1, C4.

External links

• Media related to Redmond, Oregon at Wikimedia Commons
• City of Redmond – Official Website
• Redmond Area Park and Recreation District
• Redmond Chamber of Commerce
• Redmond Spokesman
• Redmond Municipal Airport – Roberts Field
• Redmond Economic Development, Inc.
• Entry for Redmond in the Oregon Blue Book