Grants Pass, Oregon
Encyclopedia
Rogue River
The Rogue RiverRogue River (Oregon)
The Rogue River in southwestern Oregon in the United States flows about in a generally westward direction from the Cascade Range to the Pacific Ocean. Known for its salmon runs, whitewater rafting, and rugged scenery, it was one of the original eight rivers named in the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act...
runs through Grants Pass.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 23,003 people, 9,376 households, and 5,925 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 3032.8 /sqmi. There were 9,885 housing units at an average density of 1,303.3 per square mile (503.5/km²). By 2008, the city's population had increased to 33,239. According to U.S. Census figures from the 2006-2008 American Community Survey, the racial composition of the city's populaltion was 93.6% white, 0.2% black, 1.6% American Indian, 1.1% Asian, 1.2% other race, and 2.3% two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos, who may be of any race, formed 7.2% of the city's population.
There were 9,376 households out of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.5% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 14.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.8% were non-families. 31.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.0% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 19.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 86.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,197, and the median income for a family was $36,284. Males had a median income of $31,128 versus $23,579 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $16,234. About 12.2% of families and 34.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.8% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
Historically the city's economy has been based on timberTimber
Timber may refer to:* Timber, a term common in the United Kingdom and Australia for wood materials * Timber, Oregon, an unincorporated community in the U.S...
from federal owned land. However, in recent years logging has been heavily reduced. As a result, only one of the original twenty mills are currently in operation. The loss of the timber industry has had a heavier impact on Josephine County as a whole, but is still felt in the city. The city has tried to replace the lumber industry with tourism. Although tourism is nothing new to Josephine County, tourism is now a very visible part of the city.
Grants Pass is also the birth place of Dutch Bros. Coffee
Dutch Bros. Coffee
Dutch Bros. Coffee is a privately-held drive-through coffee chain headquartered in Grants Pass, Oregon, United States, with company-owned and franchise locations throughout the western United States.- History :...
which began at the "coffee house" on the corner of D and 6th streets in downtown Grants Pass. Brothers Travis and Dane Boersma started the franchise in 1992 and it quickly spread throughout the region.
Tourism
During the summer, there are many different attractions for tourists to visit. There is a growers' market, concerts are held in Riverside Park on many summer nights, and there are many other parks to visit. The historic Rogue Theatre downtown has been transformed into a performing arts venue and frequently hosts top name national acts. The historic downtown area is lined with antique and specialty shops and is a destination for collectors and shoppers. Formerly, local artists decorated bear statues. The statues were later auctioned off to charity. From 2006–present, statues of various northwest animals have lined the streets. In 2010 the BearFest as it's called locally, returned to Grants Pass, and artists once again decorated bears for display over the summer. The Grants Pass Towne Center Association's "Back to the '50s" Celebration includes free concerts, a nearly 600-vehicle Classic Car Cruise, Poker Runs and thematic shopping.Boatnik is held every Memorial Day weekend in Grants Pass and is one of the year's most popular events in Grants Pass, drawing many visitors to town.
The activities start in Riverside Park with the Davis Shows Carnival.
Friday includes the Boat Show on the River - 8:00pm to 9:00pm Sprints, Drags and Hydros. Saturday morning is the well-known Boatnik parade. Sunday includes the fireworks display at dusk at Riverside Park.
Monday is the highlight of Boatnik featuring an F15 Flyover and the world famous white water hydroplane race.
During the winter, there are the Christmas murals on many downtown streets, along with Santa's arrival by train to the town square and a Christmas tree-lighting ceremony.
Year round, there is First Friday Art Nights. On the first Friday of every month, many the city's stores hold art shows and other showings.
In 1986, Grants Pass won one of ten All-America City Award
All-America City Award
The All-America City Award is given by the National Civic League annually to ten cities in the United States.The oldest community recognition program in the nation, the award recognizes communities whose citizens work together to identify and tackle community-wide challenges and achieve uncommon...
s given out that year. The city has one of the top 100 hospitals: Three Rivers Community Hospital and Health Center.
The Grants Pass post office contains two tempera
Tempera
Tempera, also known as egg tempera, is a permanent fast-drying painting medium consisting of colored pigment mixed with a water-soluble binder medium . Tempera also refers to the paintings done in this medium. Tempera paintings are very long lasting, and examples from the 1st centuries AD still exist...
murals done through the U.S. Treasury Department Section on Fine Arts (often mistakenly referred to as the "WPA"), both painted in 1938. Of the ten government-sponsored New Deal
New Deal
The New Deal was a series of economic programs implemented in the United States between 1933 and 1936. They were passed by the U.S. Congress during the first term of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The programs were Roosevelt's responses to the Great Depression, and focused on what historians call...
era murals in Oregon, no other post office contains two. The murals are "Rogue River Indians" by Louis DeMott Bunce (who also did a 1959 mural at Portland International Airport
Portland International Airport
Portland International Airport is a joint civil-military airport and the largest airport in the U.S. state of Oregon, accounting for 90% of passenger travel and more than 95% of air cargo of the state. It is located within Portland's city limits just south of the Columbia River in Multnomah...
) and "Early and Contemporary Industries" by Eric Lamade.
Parks and recreation
Grants Pass has numerous and diverse parks and green spaces. Notable city-run parks include Riverside Park, summer home to the local Concerts in the Park series, and the Reinhart Volunteer Park, a park largely built through the efforts of community volunteers and featuring facilities for many sports. Grants Pass also has a large skateboarding park. This park is rated high in Oregon.Grants Pass is home to Wildlife Images Rehabilitation and Education Center. Founded as a non-profit corporation in 1981 by renowned wildlife rehabilitator J. David Siddon. The facility was created in order to provide for the care and treatment of sick, injured and orphaned wildlife. Wildlife Images has since expanded to provide educational programs on wildlife, conservation, and the environment to schools, organizations and the general public. Wildlife Images Rehabilitation and Education center is open for public tours throughout the year, and has a very active educational outreach component.
Education
Grants Pass area public schools are served by Grants Pass School DistrictGrants Pass School District
Grants Pass School District is a public school district that serves the city of Grants Pass, Oregon, United States.-Demographics:In the 2009 school year, the district had 115 students classified as homeless by the Department of Education, or 2.0% of students in the district.-Elementary...
, including Grants Pass High School
Grants Pass High School
Grants Pass High School is a public high school located in Grants Pass, Oregon, United States. The school's sports teams wear blue and white as the school colors. The school mascot is the Caveman, and the sports teams are referred to as the Cavemen...
, and Three Rivers School District
Three Rivers School District (Oregon)
Three Rivers School District is a public school district that serves the Illinois Valley, Hidden Valley and North Valley regions of Jackson and Josephine counties in the U.S...
, including Illinois Valley High School
Illinois Valley High School
Illinois Valley High School is a public high school in Cave Junction, Oregon, United States.-Academics:In 2008, 72% of the school's seniors received their high school diploma...
, North Valley High School
North Valley High School
North Valley High School is a public high school located in Grants Pass, Oregon, United States.-Academics:In 2008, 60% of the school's seniors received their high school diploma...
, and Hidden Valley High School
Hidden Valley High School (Grants Pass, Oregon)
Hidden Valley High School is a public high school in Grants Pass, Oregon, United States.-Academics:In 2008, 68% of the school's seniors received their high school diploma...
. Rogue Community College
Rogue Community College
Rogue Community College is a 2-year, community college with campuses in both Jackson County and Josephine County, falling roughly in the geographic region known as the Rogue Valley in Southern Oregon.-Accreditation:...
's (RCC) main (Redwood Campus) is located south of Grants Pass on Redwood Highway with additional campuses located in Medford, Oregon
Medford, Oregon
Medford is a city in Jackson County, Oregon, United States. As of the 2010 US Census, the city had a total population of 74,907 and a metropolitan area population of 207,010, making the Medford MSA the 4th largest metro area in Oregon...
(Riverside Campus) and White City
White City, Oregon
White City is an unincorporated community in Jackson County, Oregon, United States. For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau has defined White City as a census-designated place . The census definition of the area may not precisely correspond to local understanding of the area with...
(Table Rock Campus).
Notable people
- David AndersDavid AndersDavid Anders is an American television and stage actor. He is best known for his roles as Julian Sark on Alias, and as Adam Monroe on Heroes. Although Anders is American, both of these noted roles required him to use an English accent.-Early life:Anders was born in Grants Pass, Oregon, to parents...
, actor - Charlie ArmbrusterCharlie ArmbrusterCharles A. Armbruster was a backup catcher in Major League Baseball who played with the Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox ....
, baseball player - Agnes Baker-Pilgrim, Chairperson, International Council of 13 Indigenous GrandmothersInternational Council of 13 Indigenous GrandmothersThe International Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers is a group of Spiritual Elders who came together in 2004 to form an international alliance of indigenous female elders...
- Carl BarksCarl BarksCarl Barks was an American Disney Studio illustrator and comic book creator, who invented Duckburg and many of its inhabitants, such as Scrooge McDuck , Gladstone Gander , the Beagle Boys , The Junior Woodchucks , Gyro Gearloose , Cornelius Coot , Flintheart Glomgold , John D...
, artist - Pat BeachPat BeachPatrick Jesse Beach was a professional American football tight end in the National Football League for eleven seasons for the Baltimore Colts, Indianapolis Colts, Philadelphia Eagles, and Phoenix Cardinals. He played college football at Washington State University and was drafted in the sixth...
, football player - Tom BlanchardTom BlanchardThomas Richard Blanchard is a former American football punter with a 11-year career in the National Football League for the New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played college football at the University of Oregon, where he was quarterback as well as punter...
, football player - Ty BurrellTy Burrell- External links :*...
, actor - Terry CarrTerry CarrTerry Gene Carr was a U.S. science fiction author, editor, and teacher.Terry Carr was born in Grants Pass, Oregon...
, science fiction editor - Bob ChristieBob ChristieBob Christie was an American racecar driver.Christie raced in the USAC Championship Car series in the 1956-1963 seasons, with 15 career starts, including every Indianapolis 500 race in that span...
, race car driver - Bill Dellinger, runner, coach
- David GoinesDavid GoinesDavid Lance Goines is an American artist, calligrapher, typographer, printing entrepreneur, and author. He was born in Grants Pass, Oregon, the oldest of eight children. His father was a civil engineer and his mother a calligrapher and artist.During the 1960s, Goines enrolled at the University of...
, artist, writer - Helen Chenoweth-HageHelen Chenoweth-HageHelen P. Chenoweth-Hage, born Helen Margaret Palmer was a Republican politician from the U.S. state of Idaho, the first Republican woman to represent that state in the United States Congress....
, U.S. Representative from Idaho - Kevin Hagen, actor
- Jack Lee HarelsonJack Lee HarelsonJack Lee Harelson is an American insurance agent, best known for desecrating and looting a Paiute Indian burial site in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada.-Biography:...
, archaeological looter - Bob HollyBob HollyRobert "Bob" Howard better known by his ring name Bob "Hardcore" Holly, is a American professional wrestler. He is best known for his 15-year stint with World Wrestling Entertainment ....
, professional wrestler - Mike JohnsonMike Johnson (bassist)Mike Johnson is an American songwriter and bass guitarist. He was born in Grants Pass, Oregon and played in Eugene, Oregon punk band Snakepit from 1984-1989. He replaced Lou Barlow in Dinosaur Jr in 1991 and played with the band live and on its recordings from 1991 to 1998. Concurrently he...
, rock musician - Jeremy MaxwellJeremy MaxwellJeremy Maxwell Kramer , known professionally as Jeremy Maxwell, is an American film/voice actor.-Early life:Maxwell was born in Grants Pass, Oregon; He has one older sister. According to the Internet Movie Database, Maxwell speaks both Danish and English...
, actor - Merrill McPeak, former Chief of Staff of the United States Air ForceChief of Staff of the United States Air ForceThe Chief of Staff of the Air Force is a statutory office held by a four-star general in the United States Air Force, and is the most senior uniformed officer assigned to serve in the Department of the Air Force, and as such is the principal military advisor and a deputy to the Secretary of the...
- Hub PernollHub PernollHenry Huston "Hub" Pernoll , also nicknamed "Piano Legs" and "Jud," was a Major League Baseball player who played 2 seasons with the Detroit Tigers in 1910 and 1912. Born in Applegate, Oregon, Pernoll was a left-handed pitcher who pitched in 14 games for the Tigers, including 5 as a starter...
, baseball player - Michael SaucedoMichael SaucedoMichael Saucedo is an American actor best known for his role as Juan Santiago on the soap opera General Hospital from 1999 until 2001. He is also a musician.-Personal life:...
, actor, musician - Josh SaundersJosh SaundersJosh Saunders is an American-born Puerto Rican footballer who currently plays for Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer.-College:...
, soccer player (goalkeeper) - Shelley Shannon, anti-abortion activist
- Jerry SherkJerry SherkJerry Martin Sherk is a former American football defensive tackle who played for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League for 12 seasons between 1970 until 1981...
, football player - James StangerJames StangerJames Stanger is a writer, Web technologist, security consultant, and open source advocate. He is currently President and Chief Certification Architect at Certification Partners, LLC, where he develops the Certified Internet Web Professional and CTP+ certification programs...
, Web Technologist and writer - Don SummersDon Summers-Career:Summers played two seasons with the Denver Broncos before playing with the Green Bay Packers during the 1987 NFL season. He played at the collegiate level at Boise State University and the Oregon Institute of Technology.-References:...
, football player - Kenny TaylorKenny Taylor (director)Kenny Taylor is an American filmmaker.Born and raised in Southern Oregon, Kenny Taylor moved to Los Angeles as a teenager, where he began working as an actor, stand-up comic, and screenwriter....
, film director - Craig L. Williams, LGBTLGBTLGBT is an initialism that collectively refers to "lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender" people. In use since the 1990s, the term "LGBT" is an adaptation of the initialism "LGB", which itself started replacing the phrase "gay community" beginning in the mid-to-late 1980s, which many within the...
- Ken Williams, baseball player
- Albert Wistert, football player
See also
- Southern OregonSouthern OregonSouthern Oregon is a region of the U.S. state of Oregon south of Lane County and generally west of the Cascade Range, excluding the southern Oregon Coast. Counties include Douglas, Jackson, Klamath, and Josephine. It includes the Southern Oregon American Viticultural Area, which consists of the...
- Rogue River-Siskiyou National ForestRogue River-Siskiyou National ForestThe Rogue River – Siskiyou National Forest is a United States National Forest located on both sides of the border between the states of Oregon and California. The formerly separate Rogue River and Siskiyou National Forests were administratively combined in 2004...
- Jefferson (Pacific state), proposed state overlapping Oregon and California
External links
- Entry for Grants Pass in the Oregon Blue BookOregon Blue BookThe Oregon Blue Book is the official directory and fact book for the U.S. state of Oregon copyrighted by the Oregon Secretary of State and published by the Office of the Secretary's Archives Division. As Governor Ted Kulongoski notes in his introduction for the 2005–2006 edition, it "provides...
42.438969°N 123.328249°W