Powers, Oregon
Encyclopedia
Powers is a city in Coos County
, Oregon
, United States
. The population was 689 at the 2010 census
.
It is 21 miles south of Oregon Route 42 at Myrtle Point
on Powers Highway (Oregon Route 542
) (also known as Forest Road 33 (Agness
Road), on the south fork of the Coquille River
.
, the city has a total area of 0.8 square miles (2.1 km²), of which 0.8 square miles (2.1 km²) is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) (3.61%) is water. The city is in a river canyon, surrounded by towering mountains.
The influence of the Pacific Ocean
moderates the climate, especially in the summer when the temperature regularly drops into the upper forties to lower fifties at night. The coolest month, January, has an average maximum temperature of 52.7 °F (11.5 °C) and an average minimum of 35.2 °F (1.8 °C). August is the warmest month with an average maximum of 78.7 °F (25.9 °C) and an average minimum of 50.5 °F (10.3 °C). The highest temperature recorded was 104 °F (40 °C) on August 8, 1978, and the lowest temperature was 5 °F (-15 °C) on December 31, 1990. Annually, there are 6.5 days with highs of 90°F (32°C) or higher and 45.1 days with lows of 32°F (0°C) or lower.
Average annual rainfall is 60.74 inches (1,542.8 mm) and there are an average of 138 days with measurable precipitation. The wettest year was 1996 with 95.35 inches (2,421.9 mm) and the driest year was 1976 with 31.69 inches (80.5 cm). The most rainfall in one month was 26.99 inches (685.5 mm) in November 1973. The greatest 24-hour rainfall was 6.25 inches (158.8 mm) on November 19, 1996.
While snow is common during the winter on the mountains surrounding Powers, the city itself averages only 2.5 inches (63.5 mm) of snow each year. The snowiest year was 1950 when 18.4 inches (467.4 mm) fell, including 18 inches (457.2 mm) in January. The most snow in 24 hours was 8 inches (203.2 mm), recorded on February 2, 1989, and again on February 3, 1989.
, the city was named for Albert H. Powers, vice president and general manager of the Smith-Powers Logging Company. Powers post office was established in 1915.
(USFS) Powers Ranger District office is at the north end of town along Powers Highway. Powers County Park is near the USFS office. Powers is about five miles north of the Siskiyou National Forest, and its many campgrounds. The road to the national forest
forms part of the Coquille-Rogue Scenic Byway. Powers holds its White Cedar Days celebration during the 4th of July
.
Beyond Powers and over a watershed divide is the Rogue River
, which the road follows down to the Pacific Ocean
at Gold Beach
. Another route along the way is the Powers-Glendale Bike Route. These backcountry routes are usually closed by snow in winter.
(7-12).
of 2000, there were 734 people, 334 households, and 184 families residing in the city. The population density
was 921.2 people per square mile (354.2/km²). There were 403 housing units at an average density of 505.8 per square mile (194.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 84.06% White, 6.54% Native American, 0.54% Asian, 0.14% Pacific Islander, 0.14% from other races
, and 8.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.32% of the population. There were 334 households out of which 22.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.2% were married couples
living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.9% were non-families. 38.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 21.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the city the population was 24.1% under the age of 18, 5.3% from 18 to 24, 21.3% from 25 to 44, 27.5% from 45 to 64, and 21.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 98.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.4 males. The median income for a household in the city was $21,615, and the median income for a family was $23,750. Males had a median income of $30,536 versus $27,750 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $12,544. About 16.3% of families and 23.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.6% of those under age 18 and 13.6% of those age 65 or over.
Coos County, Oregon
-National protected areas:*Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge*Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge *Siskiyou National Forest *Siuslaw National Forest - Incorporated cities:- Unincorporated communities and CDPs:-See also:...
, Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 689 at the 2010 census
United States Census, 2010
The Twenty-third United States Census, known as Census 2010 or the 2010 Census, is the current national census of the United States. National Census Day was April 1, 2010 and is the reference date used in enumerating individuals...
.
It is 21 miles south of Oregon Route 42 at Myrtle Point
Myrtle Point, Oregon
-2000 Census data:As of the census of 2000, there were 2,451 people, 988 households, and 674 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,529.5 people per square mile . There were 1,110 housing units at an average density of 692.7 per square mile...
on Powers Highway (Oregon Route 542
Oregon Route 542
Oregon Route 542 is an Oregon state highway running from OR 42 near Myrtle Point to Powers. OR 542 is known as the Powers Highway No. 242...
) (also known as Forest Road 33 (Agness
Agness, Oregon
Agness is an unincorporated community in Curry County, Oregon, United States. It is located near the confluence of two Wild and Scenic rivers—the Lower Rogue and the Illinois. Agness post office was established October 16, 1897. It was named after Agnes, the daughter of the first postmaster, and...
Road), on the south fork of the Coquille River
Coquille River
The Coquille River is a stream long, in southwestern Oregon in the United States. It drains a mountainous area of of the Southern Oregon Coast Range into the Pacific Ocean. Its watershed is located between that of the Coos River to the north and the Rogue River to the south.-Geography:The river,...
.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 0.8 square miles (2.1 km²), of which 0.8 square miles (2.1 km²) is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) (3.61%) is water. The city is in a river canyon, surrounded by towering mountains.
Climate
Powers has cool, very wet winters and warm, mostly dry summers.The influence of the Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
moderates the climate, especially in the summer when the temperature regularly drops into the upper forties to lower fifties at night. The coolest month, January, has an average maximum temperature of 52.7 °F (11.5 °C) and an average minimum of 35.2 °F (1.8 °C). August is the warmest month with an average maximum of 78.7 °F (25.9 °C) and an average minimum of 50.5 °F (10.3 °C). The highest temperature recorded was 104 °F (40 °C) on August 8, 1978, and the lowest temperature was 5 °F (-15 °C) on December 31, 1990. Annually, there are 6.5 days with highs of 90°F (32°C) or higher and 45.1 days with lows of 32°F (0°C) or lower.
Average annual rainfall is 60.74 inches (1,542.8 mm) and there are an average of 138 days with measurable precipitation. The wettest year was 1996 with 95.35 inches (2,421.9 mm) and the driest year was 1976 with 31.69 inches (80.5 cm). The most rainfall in one month was 26.99 inches (685.5 mm) in November 1973. The greatest 24-hour rainfall was 6.25 inches (158.8 mm) on November 19, 1996.
While snow is common during the winter on the mountains surrounding Powers, the city itself averages only 2.5 inches (63.5 mm) of snow each year. The snowiest year was 1950 when 18.4 inches (467.4 mm) fell, including 18 inches (457.2 mm) in January. The most snow in 24 hours was 8 inches (203.2 mm), recorded on February 2, 1989, and again on February 3, 1989.
History
In 1914, according to Oregon Geographic NamesOregon Geographic Names
Oregon Geographic Names is an authoritative compilation of the origin and meaning of place names in the U.S. state of Oregon. , the book is in its seventh edition and is compiled and edited by Lewis L. McArthur, who took over from his father, Lewis A. McArthur, as of the fourth edition...
, the city was named for Albert H. Powers, vice president and general manager of the Smith-Powers Logging Company. Powers post office was established in 1915.
Points of interest
The historic Wagner House, situated alongside the main road through Powers, is said to be the oldest pioneer home in the region. There is an adjacent railroad museum, as well as displays on the grounds. The United States Forest ServiceUnited States Forest Service
The United States Forest Service is an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture that administers the nation's 155 national forests and 20 national grasslands, which encompass...
(USFS) Powers Ranger District office is at the north end of town along Powers Highway. Powers County Park is near the USFS office. Powers is about five miles north of the Siskiyou National Forest, and its many campgrounds. The road to the national forest
United States National Forest
National Forest is a classification of federal lands in the United States.National Forests are largely forest and woodland areas owned by the federal government and managed by the United States Forest Service, part of the United States Department of Agriculture. Land management of these areas...
forms part of the Coquille-Rogue Scenic Byway. Powers holds its White Cedar Days celebration during the 4th of July
Independence Day (United States)
Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain...
.
Beyond Powers and over a watershed divide is the Rogue River
Rogue 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...
, which the road follows down to the Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
at Gold Beach
Gold Beach, Oregon
Gold Beach is a city in and the county seat of Curry County, Oregon, United States, on the Oregon Coast. The population was 1,897 at the 2000 census.-History:...
. Another route along the way is the Powers-Glendale Bike Route. These backcountry routes are usually closed by snow in winter.
Education
Powers is served by two public schools; one elementary (K-6) and one high school, Powers High SchoolPowers High School
-Academics:In 2008, 80% of the school's seniors received their high school diploma. Of 10 students, 8 graduated, 1 dropped out, and 1 received a modified diploma....
(7-12).
2000 Census data
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 734 people, 334 households, and 184 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 921.2 people per square mile (354.2/km²). There were 403 housing units at an average density of 505.8 per square mile (194.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 84.06% White, 6.54% Native American, 0.54% Asian, 0.14% Pacific Islander, 0.14% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 8.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.32% of the population. There were 334 households out of which 22.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.2% 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, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.9% were non-families. 38.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 21.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the city the population was 24.1% under the age of 18, 5.3% from 18 to 24, 21.3% from 25 to 44, 27.5% from 45 to 64, and 21.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 98.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.4 males. The median income for a household in the city was $21,615, and the median income for a family was $23,750. Males had a median income of $30,536 versus $27,750 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 $12,544. About 16.3% of families and 23.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.6% of those under age 18 and 13.6% of those age 65 or over.