Living in Central Oregon
Welcome to Central Oregon! Enthusiasm for recreation draws countless visitors to Bend & Central Oregon with its variety of magnificent landscapes and microclimates. From the high mountain range of the majestic Cascades, to the lakes, rivers and canyons of the high desert, Central Oregon is best known for its exceptional variety of year round outdoor recreation. Mountain biking, backpacking, golfing, horseback riding, kayaking, rafting, mountain climbing and snowboarding are just a few of the many activities that Central Oregonians enjoy year round.
With its spectacular increase in real estate values over the years, Central Oregon continues to attract homeowners and investors from all over.
Quality of life Central Oregon has the Northwest’s largest concentration of destination resorts and world class golf courses. Central Oregon offers excellent retail shopping opportunities, nationally recognized quality health care, a growing performing and visual arts community, schools producing students that consistently outperform state and national standards, and progressive cities and counties with vision. Most importantly, Central Oregon is still an affordable place to live, play and operate a business. The fact that Central Oregon has become a year-round destination playground for visitors and tourists worldwide perhaps speaks the loudest of the quality of our life. It is probably one reason Money Magazine ranked Bend in its “Top 5 Best Places to Retire” for 2000.
Economy & Employment – Leading Oregon's Growth! Central Oregon offers various business and employment opportunities with a mix of well-established manufacturers, a fast growing high technology segment, a world-class tourist industry. The population growth in the Central Oregon region has greatly outpaced the state, Pacific Northwest, and nation as a whole. Our high technology industry is among the fastest growing in the United States. Source & More: www.edforco.org
Climate & Topography The geographical climate for Central Oregon is predominately High Desert. Summer temperatures range from an average high of 85 degrees Fahrenheit to a low of 44 degrees Fahrenheit. Average highs in winter are in the 40's to lows in the 20's. Precipitation ranges from 10.5 to 12.04 inches, annually. Every community in Central Oregon has its own variations of temperature and precipitation, relative to its elevation and proximity to the mountains. With only an average of 8 -15 inches of precipitation per year, warm days and cool nights it appeals to many from areas with a reputation for rain (Portland, Seattle) as well as those used to sunny, warmer climates such as (San Jose and Los Angeles).
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Our Communities: BEND - REDMOND - SISTERS - SUNRIVER - LA PINE
BEND The city of Bend graces the Banks of the Deschutes River, which is draped like a silver ribbon between the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountain Range and the high desert plateaus of Oregon’s central interior. What started at the turn of the century with a few trappers, ranchers, and loggers later developed into a small mill town. Today Bend is the commercial, retail, and service center for a region that nearly stretches from the Washington State line to the California border. Bend has emerged into a full service city and Oregon’s fastest growing high technology area. It’s downtown hosts some of the finest restaurants, outdoor eateries, galleries, boutiques and specialty shops, most of which are within easy walking distance. Bend’s leaders and people support a large number of superb festivals & events and a growing performing and visual arts community.
Population & Growth In recent years Bend has experienced an boom in population and employment – growing from a town of 18,450 residents in 1985 to a community of over 81,000 inhabitants today. Contrasting most cities that experience similar growth, Bend’s leaders focus on values of quality and sustainability.
Livability Bend is the gateway to Mount Bachelor and a broad range of world class outdoor recreation opportunities including skiing/snowboarding, mountain biking, whitewater rafting, fishing, golfing, hiking & mountaineering. State and federal land ownership, which comprises 82% of Deschutes County’s landmass, has and will continue to play a significant balancing role as Bend and the region continues to grow. Generally speaking, these publicly owned and managed lands have been “off limits” for development. Crime rates, another measure of livability, have been falling in Bend for the past years. A strong economy and engaged and active citizenry committed to keeping the area safe are primary factors for this trend.
Climate One of the leading reasons people are flocking to the region is our climate. With summer temperatures in Bend ranging from an average high of 86 degrees Fahrenheit with low humidity to a low of 44 degrees Fahrenheit. Winters average highs are in the 40's to lows in the 20's.
Fun Facts:
Source & More: www.edforco.org
REDMOND With approximately half the landmass of Bend, yet one-fourth of the population, Redmond is a community that expects to continue to be one of Oregon’s fastest growing communities. Redmond’s location at the geographic center of the region makes it a current and future hub for a variety of things such as the regional airport, regional exposition center at the new $37 million Deschutes County Fairgrounds, and regional Technical Training Complex/Manufacturing & Applied Technology Training Center for Central Oregon Community College.
Population Since 1985, Redmond’s population has over doubled, from 6,740 to 25,445 in 2008 making it one of Oregon’s fastest growing rural communities. A certain number of these new residents commute 15 minutes south to Bend; however many are working in new jobs created in the past decade. Remarkably, expansion of the employment has actually outpaced even the population growth in recent years.
Livability Redmond’s affordable housing costs combined with an average 15 minute commute to most other communities in the Central Oregon region makes it an attractive place for residents and businesses. Redmond and the small town of Terrebonne are the gateway to the world-famous Smith Rock State Park – a destination for rock climbers across the globe. It is also a city with a strong sense of community and active citizenry. The agricultural and ranching heritage of Redmond remains strong and carries over into the work ethic of the area’s labor force. With recent growth, Redmond now has “big city” amenities, yet very much maintains its small town charm, low crime and excellent schools.
Fun Facts
SISTERS Nestled in the foothills of the Cascades, Sisters is a town right out of the Old West, complete with 1880's turn-of-the-century storefronts and authentic annual down-and-dirty rodeos. Perhaps one of the most picturesque backdrops in the Pacific Northwest, it is not hard to see why the town has become a destination for visitors, retirees and new businesses. But more than just a pretty place, Sisters has a built reputation for a community with some of the state’s best schools, students and athletes. Towering Ponderosa Pines, grassy valleys, and the closeness of Cascade Mountain peaks makes it an aesthetically fantastic location. Sisters is also a community of festivals. Annual events include: Village Green Craft Shows (now in 25th year), Art Stroll, Sisters Rodeo (now in 65th year), Sisters Folk Festival, High Mountains Jazz at Sisters, Harvest Faire, Quilt Show, Hoodoo Winter Carnival, Sisters Starry Night Concert Series, Sisters Roundup of Gems, Sisters Antique Faire, Battle of the Bulls, and the Pacific Amateur Golf Classic.
Population The political borders that form the incorporated city of Sisters currently contain just over 1,910 residents, however the outlying neighborhoods, acreages, and resorts have an additional 55,000 people living within a five mile radius.
Fun Facts
SUNRIVER Sunriver often equated in the minds of many visitors as the primary initial reason for traveling to Central Oregon, Sunriver has evolved into the Pacific Northwest’s premier destination resort. In addition to three award-winning golf courses, 35 miles of paved bike trails (many more for mountain biking) and several meandering miles of the Deschutes River.
Population The Pacific Northwest’s greatest destination resort, Sunriver has proven to be a popular residential community as well – growing to a town of over 15,000 people during the summer peak season. Non-residents who vacation here or have properties for investment purposes own approximately 83 percent of the homes in Sunriver. That equates to approximately 2000 permanent residents. Because Sunriver lies in Deschutes County’s unincorporated area exact permanent resident population figures are not available.
LA PINE La Pine is Oregon’s largest unincorporated area. Industrial, commercial and residential development has flourished (and is still some of the most inexpensive) La Pine is located 1/2 hour south of Bend and 15 minutes from Sunriver. Population Estimates for the La Pine area (south of Sunriver and north of the Klamath County line) are between 15,000 and 16,000 residents.
Fun Facts
MADRAS & JEFFERSON COUNTY Madras is a community of diversity and opportunity. Diversity can be found in a mix of agricultural and manufacturing enterprises as well as in the cultural mix of residents. Business opportunity abounds with projected population and employment growth that is expected to be among the fastest in Oregon for much of the next decade. Madras is the home community has become an established industrial center. Madras is home to the regions largest private or public employer, Bright Wood Corporation.
Population Madras and Jefferson County have Central Oregon’s most culturally diverse population with nearly one-third minority residents. Native American comprises 16.2% and Hispanic 14.6% of the area’s overall residents, while white residents comprise 68.4%. Since 1985, Madras has more than doubled its population from 2,320 to more than 5,000 today Jefferson County ranking as the fifth (5th) fastest growing county in Oregon (2.94%) for new employment between 1999-2000.
Livability Madras is the gateway to a broad range of outdoor recreation opportunities including whitewater rafting, water skiing, fishing, golf, hiking & mountaineering, and rock hounding in the desert plateaus around Madras to the mountain wilderness areas of Camp Sherman and Metolius Recreation Areas. The Collage of Culture, a celebration of the diversity of American ethnicity, is an annual event well attended by residents and visitors outside the region. The very affordable cost of land and housing is another important element of Madras’ livability - it has the lowest average home price in the region at $95,000 (2003). Panoramic views in the Madras area and Jefferson County are among the region’s most dramatic – from many vantages you can see all 11 snow capped mountains the Central Oregon Cascades. Madras also has a small town atmosphere that exudes safety, community, and friendliness.
Climate Like most of Central Oregon, summer temperatures in Madras range from an average high of 86 degrees Fahrenheit with low humidity to a low of 44 degrees Fahrenheit. Winters average highs are in the 40's to lows in the 20's. Fun Facts
PRINEVILLE, POWELL BUTTE & CROOK COUNTY Established in 1868, Prineville ranks in as the oldest community in the Central Oregon region, and one of the state’s first incorporated cities. The historic Crook County Courthouse, which has been in continuous use since its construction in 1909, stands as the community’s dominant landmark. Like other towns in the region, Prineville’s origins are tied to the land – agriculture and forest products manufacturing. But also like other communities in the region, it has diversified into other industries while keeping its well-established manufacturing heritage alive and well.
Population Crook County and Prineville have been growing in terms of population and employment at a rate in recent years that is more than twice the state average. It has ranked in the top 10 (of 36 counties) for growth in number of residents for the past several years. In 1990, the town’s population was 5,410, which has grown to 8,500 in 2003 for an annual growth rate of around 4.3% or 43% over the thirteen-year period.
Fun Facts
Source & More: www.edforco.org
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Living in Oregon