Klamath County, Oregon | |
|---|---|
 Klamath County Courthouse in Klamath Falls | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofOregon | |
 Oregon's location within theU.S. | |
| Coordinates:42°41′N121°39′W / 42.68°N 121.65°W /42.68; -121.65 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Oregon |
| Founded | October 17, 1882 |
| Named after | Klamath Indians |
| Seat | Klamath Falls |
| Largest city | Klamath Falls |
| Area | |
• Total | 6,136 sq mi (15,890 km2) |
| • Land | 5,941 sq mi (15,390 km2) |
| • Water | 194 sq mi (500 km2) 3.2% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 69,413 |
• Estimate (2024) | 70,438 |
| • Density | 11/sq mi (4.2/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−8 (Pacific) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−7 (PDT) |
| Congressional district | 2nd |
| Website | www |
Klamath County (/ˈklæməθ/KLAM-əth) is one of the36 counties in theU.S. state ofOregon. As of the2020 census, the population was 69,413.[1] Thecounty seat isKlamath Falls.[2] Thecounty was named for theKlamath,[3] the tribe ofNative Americans living in the area at the time the first European explorers entered the region. Klamath County comprises the Klamath Falls, ORMicropolitan Statistical Area.
The Klamath orClamitte tribe of Indians, for which Klamath County was named, are the descendants of varying cultures ofindigenous peoples, who have lived in the area for more than 10,000 years.
When European-Americans began to travel through the area in 1846 along theApplegate Trail, they competed with the Klamath for game and water, which precipitated clashes between the peoples. This was exacerbated by European-American settlers, who cleared the land to farm and encroached on hunting territory. They were successful in demanding the removal of American Indians to reservations.
TheModoc people, having been removed to Oregon to share a reservation with the Klamath, traditional rivals, wanted a reservation created on Lost River, near present-dayMerrill, Oregon. Captain Jack led his band back to Lost River, but the US Army, accompanied by militia and citizens of Linkville (present-dayKlamath Falls) arrived and convinced Captain Jack to return. An argument broke out, shots were fired, and theModoc War began as the Modoc fled toCaptain Jack's Stronghold in northern California.
A treaty was signed with the Klamath on October 14, 1864, which led to the establishment of theKlamath Reservation. At various times over the next 40 years, different individuals of theModoc tribe were settled within the reservation.
Because of the extensive tracts of forest, the Klamath were very well off as a people until thetermination of the reservation by the U.S. government in 1954. Termination parceled the communally managed land into individual sections, which tribe members could not manage on their own and were largely forced to sell to speculators.
A few of the Klamath refused to accept the buyout money, most notably Edison Chiloquin (1923–2003). Instead of cash, he insisted on receiving the title to ancestral land along theSprague River where he lived. On December 5, 1980, the Chiloquin Act was signed into law, giving him title to the properties he wanted.[4]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 6,136 square miles (15,890 km2), of which 5,941 square miles (15,390 km2) is land and 194 square miles (500 km2), or 3.2%, is water.[5] It is the fourth-largest county in Oregon.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1890 | 2,444 | — | |
| 1900 | 3,970 | 62.4% | |
| 1910 | 8,554 | 115.5% | |
| 1920 | 11,413 | 33.4% | |
| 1930 | 32,407 | 183.9% | |
| 1940 | 40,497 | 25.0% | |
| 1950 | 42,150 | 4.1% | |
| 1960 | 47,475 | 12.6% | |
| 1970 | 50,021 | 5.4% | |
| 1980 | 59,117 | 18.2% | |
| 1990 | 57,702 | −2.4% | |
| 2000 | 63,775 | 10.5% | |
| 2010 | 66,380 | 4.1% | |
| 2020 | 69,413 | 4.6% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 70,438 | [6] | 1.5% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[7] 1790–1960[8] 1900–1990[9] 1990–2000[10] 2010–2020[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) | 54,689 | 51,704 | 53,659 | 53,822 | 51,919 | 92.51% | 89.61% | 84.14% | 81.08% | 74.80% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 337 | 352 | 362 | 394 | 497 | 0.57% | 0.61% | 0.57% | 0.59% | 0.72% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 1,924 | 2,202 | 2,443 | 2,407 | 2,493 | 3.25% | 3.82% | 3.83% | 3.63% | 3.59% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 371 | 442 | 482 | 615 | 754 | 0.63% | 0.77% | 0.76% | 0.93% | 1.09% |
| Native Hawaiian orPacific Islander alone (NH) | x[16] | x[17] | 72 | 68 | 104 | x | x | 0.11% | 0.10% | 0.15% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 43 | 18 | 96 | 63 | 396 | 0.07% | 0.03% | 0.15% | 0.09% | 0.57% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | x[18] | x[19] | 1,700 | 2,096 | 4,478 | x | x | 2.67% | 3.16% | 6.45% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1,753 | 2,984 | 4,961 | 6,915 | 8,772 | 2.97% | 5.17% | 7.78% | 10.42% | 12.64% |
| Total | 59,117 | 57,702 | 63,775 | 66,380 | 69,413 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the2010 census, there were 66,380 people, 27,280 households, and 17,831 families living in the county.[20] The population density was 11.2 inhabitants per square mile (4.3/km2). There were 32,774 housing units at an average density of 5.5 units per square mile (2.1 units/km2).[21] The racial makeup of the county was 85.9% white, 4.1% American Indian, 0.9% Asian, 0.7% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 4.1% from other races, and 4.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 10.4% of the population.[20] In terms of ancestry, 20.0% wereGerman, 14.7% wereIrish, 11.9% wereEnglish, and 5.5% wereAmerican.[22]
Of the 27,280 households, 28.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.7% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.6% were non-families, and 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.88. The median age was 41.7 years.[20]
The median income for a household in the county was $41,818 and the median income for a family was $51,596. Males had a median income of $42,215 versus $30,413 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,081. About 12.7% of families and 16.6% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 21.8% of those under age 18 and 9.1% of those age 65 or over.[23]
As of the2000 census, there were 63,775 people, 25,205 households, and 17,290 families living in the county. Thepopulation density was 11 people per square mile (4.2 people/km2). There were 28,883 housing units at an average density of 5 units per square mile (1.9/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 87.33%White, 0.63%Black orAfrican American, 4.19%Native American, 0.80%Asian, 0.12%Pacific Islander, 3.45% fromother races, and 3.47% from two or more races. 7.78% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race. 16.7% were ofGerman, 10.8%Irish, 10.7%English and 9.8%United States or American ancestry. 92.6% spokeEnglish and 6.1%Spanish as their first language.
There were 25,205 households, out of which 30.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.20% weremarried couples living together, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.40% were non-families. 25.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.80% under the age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 25.50% from 25 to 44, 25.20% from 45 to 64, and 14.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 100.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $31,537, and the median income for a family was $38,171. Males had a median income of $32,052 versus $22,382 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $16,719. About 12.00% of families and 16.80% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 22.40% of those under age 18 and 7.70% of those age 65 or over.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1904 | 552 | 68.74% | 208 | 25.90% | 43 | 5.35% |
| 1908 | 634 | 54.61% | 427 | 36.78% | 100 | 8.61% |
| 1912 | 433 | 22.29% | 815 | 41.95% | 695 | 35.77% |
| 1916 | 1,631 | 44.37% | 1,853 | 50.41% | 192 | 5.22% |
| 1920 | 2,742 | 70.18% | 901 | 23.06% | 264 | 6.76% |
| 1924 | 2,775 | 53.48% | 680 | 13.10% | 1,734 | 33.42% |
| 1928 | 4,453 | 61.28% | 2,721 | 37.44% | 93 | 1.28% |
| 1932 | 3,483 | 32.38% | 6,772 | 62.97% | 500 | 4.65% |
| 1936 | 3,225 | 26.39% | 8,562 | 70.05% | 435 | 3.56% |
| 1940 | 6,169 | 39.52% | 9,345 | 59.87% | 96 | 0.61% |
| 1944 | 5,969 | 46.94% | 6,656 | 52.34% | 92 | 0.72% |
| 1948 | 7,072 | 47.47% | 7,520 | 50.48% | 306 | 2.05% |
| 1952 | 11,517 | 64.02% | 6,407 | 35.62% | 65 | 0.36% |
| 1956 | 9,740 | 53.59% | 8,434 | 46.41% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 9,095 | 50.46% | 8,928 | 49.54% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 8,530 | 48.47% | 9,066 | 51.51% | 3 | 0.02% |
| 1968 | 9,604 | 56.44% | 5,629 | 33.08% | 1,784 | 10.48% |
| 1972 | 11,169 | 58.93% | 5,719 | 30.17% | 2,066 | 10.90% |
| 1976 | 11,649 | 52.50% | 9,659 | 43.53% | 879 | 3.96% |
| 1980 | 16,060 | 62.75% | 7,371 | 28.80% | 2,161 | 8.44% |
| 1984 | 17,686 | 69.81% | 7,575 | 29.90% | 74 | 0.29% |
| 1988 | 13,484 | 60.01% | 8,429 | 37.51% | 557 | 2.48% |
| 1992 | 11,864 | 44.61% | 7,918 | 29.77% | 6,811 | 25.61% |
| 1996 | 12,116 | 54.19% | 7,207 | 32.23% | 3,037 | 13.58% |
| 2000 | 18,855 | 67.72% | 7,541 | 27.08% | 1,448 | 5.20% |
| 2004 | 22,733 | 72.13% | 8,264 | 26.22% | 518 | 1.64% |
| 2008 | 19,113 | 65.01% | 9,370 | 31.87% | 916 | 3.12% |
| 2012 | 18,898 | 67.13% | 8,302 | 29.49% | 952 | 3.38% |
| 2016 | 20,435 | 66.98% | 7,210 | 23.63% | 2,862 | 9.38% |
| 2020 | 25,308 | 68.91% | 10,388 | 28.29% | 1,030 | 2.80% |
| 2024 | 24,675 | 69.48% | 9,856 | 27.75% | 984 | 2.77% |
Like most of southwestern Oregon, Klamath County is aRepublican stronghold. The county has reliably given a majority of its votes to Republican politicians for years; the last time aDemocratic candidate forUS president carried Klamath County was in1964, whenLyndon Johnson won by a landslide nationwide againstBarry Goldwater — but only by three percentage points in Klamath County.
Klamath County is represented in theOregon House of Representatives by two Republicans,E. Werner Reschke andEmily McIntire, and in theOregon State Senate by RepublicanDiane Linthicum. Federally,Cliff Bentz, a Republican, is Klamath County's representative in theUnited States House from the2nd district.
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Historically, Klamath County's economy was based on timber and agriculture, and although these natural resource industries now contribute only a small fraction to the region's current economic activity and employment, their legacy lives on in local politics, community identity, and landscape. Euro-American settlement in the area was spurred in the early 20th century with the coming of therailroad. In addition, the government-subsidized federal reclamation project, theKlamath Irrigation Project, dammed upper tributaries and drained much of the 128 square miles (331.5 km2) Lower Klamath and Tule lakes to convert 188,000 acres (760 km2) of former lakebed and wetlands into farmland, to be supported by irrigation.
Today the Sky Lakes Medical Center is the largest employer in the area, followed byKlamath County School District andJeld-Wen, a manufacturer of doors and windows. The area is currently experiencing a boom in housing construction, as its proximity toCalifornia brings waves of retirees from population centers to the south. Outdoor recreation, such as hiking, hunting, and world-class trout fishing, as well asOregon's only National Park atCrater Lake, contribute to the economy of the area. A complex of six National Wildlife Refuges—Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuges Complex—seasonally draw some of the largest concentrations of waterfowl inNorth America. The area is world-renowned as a birdwatcher's paradise. Naturalgeothermal hot wells provide heat for many homes, businesses, and theOregon Institute of Technology campus. The full potential of this energy resource continues to be studied.
Media related toKlamath County, Oregon at Wikimedia Commons
42°41′N121°39′W / 42.68°N 121.65°W /42.68; -121.65
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