Wheeler County, Oregon | |
|---|---|
 Wheeler County Courthouse in Fossil | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofOregon | |
 Oregon's location within theU.S. | |
| Coordinates:44°44′N120°01′W / 44.73°N 120.02°W /44.73; -120.02 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Oregon |
| Founded | February 17, 1899 |
| Named after | Henry H. Wheeler [Wikidata] |
| Seat | Fossil |
| Largest city | Fossil |
| Area | |
• Total | 1,715 sq mi (4,440 km2) |
| • Land | 1,715 sq mi (4,440 km2) |
| • Water | 0.5 sq mi (1.3 km2) 0.03% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 1,451 |
• Estimate (2024) | 1,456 |
| • Density | 0.8/sq mi (0.31/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−8 (Pacific) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−7 (PDT) |
| Congressional district | 2nd |
| Website | www |
Wheeler County is acounty in theU.S. state ofOregon. As of the2020 census, the population was 1,451,[1] making it Oregon's least populous county. Itis named in honor of Henry H. Wheeler.[2] an early settler who owned a farm nearMitchell. Thecounty seat isFossil,[3] and Wheeler County is known for having Oregon's largest deposit offossils.
Wheeler County was created on February 17, 1899, from parts ofGrant,Gilliam, andCrook Counties. There have been no boundary changes since its creation. Fossil was designated the temporary county seat at the time of the county's creation. In 1900 there was an election to determine the permanent county seat between the three towns of the county, which ended with Fossil winning the election.
Henry H. Wheeler (born September 7, 1826,Erie County, Pennsylvania - died March 26, 1915,Mitchell, Oregon) arrived in Oregon in 1862, moved around, and settled near Mitchell, Oregon. He married Dorcas L. Monroe on December 19, 1875.[4]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,715 square miles (4,440 km2), of which 1,715 square miles (4,440 km2) is land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km2) (0.03%) is water.[5]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1900 | 2,443 | — | |
| 1910 | 2,484 | 1.7% | |
| 1920 | 2,791 | 12.4% | |
| 1930 | 2,799 | 0.3% | |
| 1940 | 2,974 | 6.3% | |
| 1950 | 3,313 | 11.4% | |
| 1960 | 2,722 | −17.8% | |
| 1970 | 1,849 | −32.1% | |
| 1980 | 1,513 | −18.2% | |
| 1990 | 1,396 | −7.7% | |
| 2000 | 1,547 | 10.8% | |
| 2010 | 1,441 | −6.9% | |
| 2020 | 1,451 | 0.7% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 1,456 | [6] | 0.3% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[7] 1790–1960[8] 1900–1990[9] 1990–2000[10] 2010–2019[1] | |||
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 1980[11] | Pop 1990[12] | Pop 2000[13] | Pop 2010[14] | Pop 2020[15] | % 1980 | % 1990 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 1,496 | 1,370 | 1,431 | 1,307 | 1,256 | 98.88% | 98.14% | 92.50% | 90.70% | 86.56% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0.00% | 0.07% | 0.06% | 0.00% | 0.07% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 4 | 11 | 8 | 16 | 17 | 0.26% | 0.79% | 0.52% | 1.11% | 1.17% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 2 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 0.13% | 0.14% | 0.26% | 0.56% | 0.55% |
| Native Hawaiian orPacific Islander alone (NH) | x[16] | x[17] | 0 | 2 | 0 | x | x | 0.00% | 0.14% | 0.00% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 4 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0.26% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.35% | 0.07% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | x[18] | x[19] | 24 | 41 | 84 | x | x | 1.55% | 2.85% | 5.79% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 7 | 12 | 79 | 62 | 84 | 0.46% | 0.86% | 5.11% | 4.30% | 5.79% |
| Total | 1,513 | 1,396 | 1,547 | 1,441 | 1,451 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the2010 census, there were 1,441 people, 651 households, and 408 families living in the county.[20] The population density was 0.8 inhabitants per square mile (0.31/km2). There were 895 housing units at an average density of 0.5 units per square mile (0.19 units/km2).[21] The racial makeup of the county was 92.4% white, 1.2% American Indian, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 2.6% from other races, and 3.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 4.3% of the population.[20] In terms of ancestry, 28.4% wereGerman, 24.0% wereEnglish, 20.0% wereIrish, and 8.4% wereAmerican.[22]
Of the 651 households, 20.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.9% were married couples living together, 7.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 37.3% were non-families, and 32.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.70. The median age was 53.0 years.[20]
The median income for a household in the county was $33,403 and the median income for a family was $43,167. Males had a median income of $36,328 versus $31,792 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,598. About 9.1% of families and 11.4% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 12.0% of those under age 18 and 5.7% of those age 65 or over.[23]
As of the2000 census, there were 1,547 people, 653 households, and 444 families living in the county. Thepopulation density was 1 people per square mile (0.39 people/km2). There were 842 housing units at an average density of 0 units per square mile (0/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 93.34%White, 0.06%Black orAfrican American, 0.84%Native American, 0.26%Asian, 0.06%Pacific Islander, 3.49% fromother races, and 1.94% from two or more races. 5.11% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race. 20.6% were ofGerman, 18.0%English, 13.6%American, 8.2%Irish and 6.9%Scottish ancestry.
There were 653 households, out of which 21.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.20% weremarried couples living together, 4.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.90% were non-families. 27.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.76.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.70% under the age of 18, 3.40% from 18 to 24, 19.30% from 25 to 44, 31.40% from 45 to 64, and 23.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females there were 102.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $28,750, and the median income for a family was $34,048. Males had a median income of $29,688 versus $22,361 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $15,884. About 12.70% of families and 15.60% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 22.20% of those under age 18 and 4.20% of those age 65 or over.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1900 | 426 | 62.01% | 243 | 35.37% | 18 | 2.62% |
| 1904 | 462 | 69.58% | 161 | 24.25% | 41 | 6.17% |
| 1908 | 418 | 61.65% | 236 | 34.81% | 24 | 3.54% |
| 1912 | 307 | 44.75% | 222 | 32.36% | 157 | 22.89% |
| 1916 | 629 | 51.73% | 570 | 46.88% | 17 | 1.40% |
| 1920 | 797 | 76.56% | 212 | 20.37% | 32 | 3.07% |
| 1924 | 685 | 68.43% | 213 | 21.28% | 103 | 10.29% |
| 1928 | 677 | 75.06% | 224 | 24.83% | 1 | 0.11% |
| 1932 | 519 | 44.55% | 632 | 54.25% | 14 | 1.20% |
| 1936 | 502 | 42.18% | 663 | 55.71% | 25 | 2.10% |
| 1940 | 705 | 51.84% | 652 | 47.94% | 3 | 0.22% |
| 1944 | 544 | 56.55% | 414 | 43.04% | 4 | 0.42% |
| 1948 | 414 | 49.23% | 411 | 48.87% | 16 | 1.90% |
| 1952 | 719 | 60.52% | 468 | 39.39% | 1 | 0.08% |
| 1956 | 605 | 51.53% | 569 | 48.47% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 566 | 54.84% | 466 | 45.16% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 340 | 42.61% | 458 | 57.39% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 443 | 58.14% | 292 | 38.32% | 27 | 3.54% |
| 1972 | 474 | 60.31% | 267 | 33.97% | 45 | 5.73% |
| 1976 | 355 | 45.57% | 402 | 51.60% | 22 | 2.82% |
| 1980 | 442 | 54.70% | 282 | 34.90% | 84 | 10.40% |
| 1984 | 504 | 66.58% | 253 | 33.42% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1988 | 367 | 54.53% | 274 | 40.71% | 32 | 4.75% |
| 1992 | 357 | 41.51% | 267 | 31.05% | 236 | 27.44% |
| 1996 | 418 | 47.83% | 299 | 34.21% | 157 | 17.96% |
| 2000 | 584 | 69.44% | 202 | 24.02% | 55 | 6.54% |
| 2004 | 612 | 69.55% | 245 | 27.84% | 23 | 2.61% |
| 2008 | 498 | 61.33% | 281 | 34.61% | 33 | 4.06% |
| 2012 | 545 | 63.52% | 266 | 31.00% | 47 | 5.48% |
| 2016 | 591 | 72.25% | 155 | 18.95% | 72 | 8.80% |
| 2020 | 711 | 73.68% | 217 | 22.49% | 37 | 3.83% |
| 2024 | 618 | 71.20% | 210 | 24.19% | 40 | 4.61% |
Though Wheeler County is located in central Oregon, it politically falls in line with the eastern side of the state. The majority of registered voters who are part of apolitical party in Wheeler County, as well as most counties in eastern Oregon, are members of theRepublican Party. The county has only voted Democratic in four presidential elections following its formation.[25] The last Democrat to win a majority in the county wasJimmy Carter in1976. No Democrat has won over 40 percent of the vote in Wheeler County since 1988, with that election having been heavily influenced by drought.
In the2008 presidential election, 61.33% of Wheeler County voters voted for RepublicanJohn McCain, while 34.61% voted for DemocratBarack Obama and 4.06% of voters either voted for athird-party candidate orwrote in a candidate.[26] In the2004 presidential election, 69.5% of Wheeler Country voters voted forGeorge W. Bush, while 27.8% voted forJohn Kerry, and 2.7% of voters either voted for a third-party candidate or wrote in a candidate.[27]
In the2016 presidential election, 72.25 percent of voters went for RepublicanDonald Trump, 18.95 percent for DemocratHillary Clinton, 5.62 percent for LibertarianGary Johnson, and the remainder were either write-ins or voted for other candidates.[28] In the2012 presidential election, 63.52 percent of voters went forMitt Romney, 31.00 percent for Obama and 5.48 percent for other candidates.
Principal industries in this county are agriculture, livestock, and lumber.
School districts include:[29]
The county is not a part of acommunity college district.[30]
Media related toWheeler County, Oregon at Wikimedia Commons
Municipalities and communities ofWheeler County, Oregon,United States | ||
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44°44′N120°01′W / 44.73°N 120.02°W /44.73; -120.02
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