Population
Between 1995 and 2007, the Central Oregon population grew by an incredible 73%. Most of this growth is due to in-migration. Other areas of the nation, especially in the Southwestern states, also have high in-migration rates, but the demographics of those new residents vary greatly from Central Oregon.
Bend and Redmond have experienced some of the most significant growth in terms of percentage increase and sheer population. Bend has increased 264% and Redmond, not far behind, has grown 257%.
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2007 Tri-County Population: 208,725
|
|
|
1995
|
2000
|
2005
|
2007
|
|
Crook Co.
|
15,700
|
19,182
|
21,150
|
25,885
|
|
Prineville
|
8,205
|
7,356
|
9,082
|
10,190
|
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Unincorporated
|
9,947
|
11,826
|
12,068
|
15,695
|
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Deschutes Co.
|
89,500
|
115,367
|
143,490
|
160,810
|
|
Bend
|
29,425
|
52,029
|
70,328
|
77,780
|
|
La Pine
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
1,590
|
|
Redmond
|
9,650
|
13,481
|
21,109
|
24,805
|
|
Sisters
|
765
|
959
|
1,706
|
1,825
|
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Unincorporated
|
49,660
|
48,898
|
50,337
|
54,810
|
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Jefferson Co.
|
15,400
|
19,009
|
20,600
|
22,030
|
|
Culver
|
600
|
802
|
1,019
|
1,315
|
|
Madras
|
4,290
|
5,078
|
5,592
|
6,585
|
|
Metolius
|
540
|
635
|
804
|
850
|
|
Warm Springs
|
NA
|
5,727
|
NA
|
NA
|
|
Unincorporated
|
9,905
|
6,767
|
13,185
|
13,280
|
|
Total Population
|
120,600
|
153,558
|
185,240
|
208,725
|
|
Sources: Portland State University (Center for Population Research; estimates are for July of each year) and U.S. Census Bureau
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In its Coordinated Population Forecast which was last updated in 2004, Deschutes County estimates the County will add over 50,000 new residents between 2015 and 2025 and nearly 75,000 new residents between 2010 and 2025.
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Deschutes County Population Projections
|
|
|
2010
|
2015
|
2020
|
2025
|
Growth
2015-25
|
|
Bend UGB
|
81,242
|
91,158
|
100,646
|
109,389
|
20.0%
|
|
Redmond UGB
|
23,897
|
29,667
|
36,831
|
45,724
|
54.0%
|
|
Sisters UGB
|
2,306
|
2,694
|
3,166
|
3,747
|
39.0%
|
|
Non-Urban County
|
59,127
|
65,924
|
73,502
|
81,951
|
24.3%
|
|
County Total
|
166,572
|
189,443
|
214,145
|
240,811
|
27.1%
|
|
Source: Deschutes County 2004 Coordinated Population Forecast; latest available projections.
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As Oregon approaches nearly 4 million residents, Central Oregon (Deschutes, Jefferson, and Crook Counties) comprises 5.6% of the state’s population. What’s interesting though is that 20% -- or 1 in 5 of newcomers to the state – select Central Oregon as home.
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Tri-County Growth Comparison
|
|
|
2000
|
2005
|
2007
|
2000-07 Growth
|
|
Tri-County
|
153,558
|
185,240
|
208,725
|
35.9%
|
|
Oregon
|
3,436,750
|
3,631,440
|
3,745,455
|
9.0%
|
|
U.S.
|
282,194,308
|
295,895,897
|
301,621,157
|
6.9%
|
Sources: Portland State University Center for Population Research; U.S. Census Bureau;
estimates are for July of each year.
Additional Demographics
Because Bend and Central Oregon have been celebrated in national and regional press as one of the most desirable places to retire, many assume that the region’s population is skewed toward older residents. Actually, the region has a healthy mixture of ages, with higher than average percentage of school age children 5-14 than either state or national averages (a testament to the fact that people believe it is a good place to raise children) and higher than state averages for the 35-44 and 45-54 age categories. Still, Central Oregon’s climate and relatively low cost of living is attractive to retirees, we also have a higher percentage of people living here between the ages of 55 to 74 than either Oregon or the U.S. as a whole.
Age varies widely by community within Central Oregon. La Pine, with a substantial retirement population, has the highest median age in the region while two communities, Warm Springs and Madras in Jefferson County, have the lowest median age, reflecting the diverse ethnic makeup of the County and more families in the formative stages.
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Median Age by Community
in Central Oregon
|
|
City
|
Median Age
|
|
Bend
|
34.8
|
|
La Pine
|
44.7
|
|
Madras
|
28.7
|
|
Prineville
|
32.9
|
|
Redmond
|
32.7
|
|
Sisters
|
38.8
|
|
Warm Springs
|
23.7
|
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
One of the leading reasons people are flocking to Central Oregon is its climate. With an average of 10-15 inches of precipitation per year, yet four distinct seasons, the region appeals to many from areas with a reputation for rain (Portland and Seattle) as well as those used to sunny, warmer climates (San Jose and Los Angeles). When it comes to sun,Central Oregon has more sunny days on average than Houston, Texas and just 14% less sun than Phoenix, Arizona.
Due to a well-established and growing visitor industry,Central Oregon offers many “big city” amenities such as four-star restaurants, some of the West’s best brewpubs, the largest concentration of destination resorts and golf courses in the Northwest, and world-class recreation facilities. At the same time, the region still enjoys the benefits of small-town America: low crime, excellent schools, quality yet affordable housing, and active grass-roots civic involvement from its residents.
Jefferson County is the most ethnically diverse in the region with nearly 33.6 % of the population either of Hispanic or American Indian origin. Deschutes and Crook County are predominantly comprised of white residents; however, population demographics are changing in these counties as more new residents with a variety of ethnic backgrounds call the region home. For example, Crook County’s Hispanic population doubled over the past decade, going from 338 to 1,082 or 5.6% of total residents.
