Baker County, Oregon
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Baker County, Oregon | |
| Map | |
 Location in the state of Oregon |
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| Statistics | |
| Formed | September 22, 1862 |
|---|---|
| Seat | Baker City |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
7,999 km² (3,088 mi²) 7,946 km² (3,068 mi²) 53 km² (20 mi²), 0.66% |
| Population - (2000) - Density |
16,741 2/km² |
| Website: www.bakercounty.org | |
Baker County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. The county was named for Edward Dickinson Baker, a senator from Oregon who was killed at Ball's Bluff, a battle of the American Civil War. It was split from the eastern part of Wasco County. The county seat of Baker County is Baker City. As of 2000, the population is 16,741.
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[edit] Economy
Gold mining was the original impetus for settlement in the area, and at one time the county was the largest gold producer in the Northwest. With the exhaustion of the gold fields, agriculture, stock raising, logging became the primary economic pursuits. In the last decades of the 20th century, tourism also contributed to the local economy, helped by attractions that include the Eagle Cap Wilderness Area, the Hells Canyon Recreation Area, and Anthony Lakes Ski Resort. The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretative Center has drawn numerous visitors since its opening in 1993.
[edit] History
The first groups from the eastern United States interested in settling in Oregon only paused in the area on their way to the Willamette Valley, unaware of the potential wealth they passed over. At Flagstaff Hill, near Baker City, 15 miles of wagon ruts left by immigrants can still be seen.
In 1861 gold was discovered and Baker County became one of the Northwest's largest gold producers. The Blue Bucket Mine, a mythical rich vein of gold, is part of the folklore from this period.
On September 22 of the following year, the state assembly created Baker County from the eastern part of Wasco County. Later, Union County and Malheur County were created from this county. The boundaries were adjusted for the last time in 1901 when the area between the Powder River and the Wallowa Mountains was returned to Baker County.
The original county seat was at Auburn. While at first a booming mining town with 5,000 inhabitants, once the gold was mined out Auburn's population dwindled, and county citizens eventually voted in 1868 to make Baker City, incorporated in 1874, the new county seat.
[edit] Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 7,999 km² (3,088 mi²). 7,946 km² (3,068 mi²) of it is land and 53 km² (20 mi²) of it (0.66%) is water.
[edit] Adjacent Counties
- Union County, Oregon - (north 1)
- Wallowa County, Oregon - (north 2)
- Grant County, Oregon - (west)
- Malheur County, Oregon - (south)
- Washington County, Idaho - (east)
- Adams County, Idaho - (northeast)
[edit] Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 16,741 people, 6,883 households, and 4,680 families residing in the county. The population density was 2/km² (6/mi²). There were 8,402 housing units at an average density of 1/km² (3/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.68% White, 0.23% Black or African American, 1.09% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.92% from other races, and 1.65% from two or more races. 2.34% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 6,883 households out of which 28.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.20% were married couples living together, 8.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.00% were non-families. 27.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.87.
In the county, the population was spread out with 24.20% under the age of 18, 5.80% from 18 to 24, 23.60% from 25 to 44, 27.30% from 45 to 64, and 19.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 98.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $30,367, and the median income for a family was $36,106. Males had a median income of $27,133 versus $20,480 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,612. About 10.10% of families and 14.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.80% of those under age 18 and 12.40% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Communities
[edit] Incorporated cities
- Baker City
- Greenhorn (also considered a ghost town)
- Haines
- Halfway
- Huntington
- Richland
- Sumpter
- Unity
[edit] Unincorporated communities
[edit] External links
- Baker County Chamber of Commerce Web Page
- Baker County Government Web Page
- National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretation Center
