Curry County, Oregon

Curry County, Oregon
Location in the U.S. state of Oregon
Oregon's location in the U.S.
Founded	December 18, 1855
Seat	Gold Beach
Largest city	Brookings
Area
• Total	1,988 sq mi (5,149 km2)
• Land	1,627 sq mi (4,214 km2)
• Water	361 sq mi (935 km2), 18.2%
Population (est.)
• (2014)	22,335
• Density	14/sq mi (5.3/km²)
Congressional district	4th
Time zone	Pacific: UTC-8/-7
Website	www.co.curry.or.us

Curry County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 census, the population was 22,364. The county seat is Gold Beach. The county is named for George Law Curry, a governor of the Oregon Territory.

Curry County comprises the Brookings, OR Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

Cape Blanco

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,988 square miles (5,150 km²), of which 1,627 square miles (4,210 km²) is land and 361 square miles (930 km²) (18%) is water.

The westernmost point in Oregon is in Curry County at Cape Blanco located at .

The county contains significant forests, with occurrence of black oak, big leaf maple and Douglas-fir. The blue oak, prevalent slightly further south does not reach into Curry County.

Adjacent counties

• Coos County (north)
• Douglas County (northeast)
• Josephine County (east)
• Del Norte County, California (south)

National protected areas

• Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge
• Siskiyou National Forest (part)

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1860	393		—
1870	504		28.2%
1880	1,208		139.7%
1890	1,709		41.5%
1900	1,868		9.3%
1910	2,044		9.4%
1920	3,025		48.0%
1930	3,257		7.7%
1940	4,301		32.1%
1950	6,048		40.6%
1960	13,983		131.2%
1970	13,006		−7.0%
1980	16,992		30.6%
1990	19,327		13.7%
2000	21,137		9.4%
2010	22,364		5.8%
Est. 2014	22,335		−0.1%
U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2014

As of the census of 2000, there were 21,137 people, 9,543 households, and 6,183 families residing in the county. The population density was 13 people per square mile (5/km²). There were 11,406 housing units at an average density of 7 per square mile (3/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 92.89% White, 0.15% Black or African American, 2.14% Native American, 0.70% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 1.11% from other races, and 2.90% from two or more races. 3.60% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 20.1% were of German, 13.8% English, 10.3% United States or American and 9.9% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000. 95.9% spoke English and 2.5% Spanish as their first language.

There were 9,543 households out of which 20.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.50% were married couples living together, 7.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.20% were non-families. 29.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.66.

In the county, the population was spread out with 19.20% under the age of 18, 4.80% from 18 to 24, 20.00% from 25 to 44, 29.40% from 45 to 64, and 26.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49 years. For every 100 females there were 96.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,117, and the median income for a family was $35,627. Males had a median income of $31,772 versus $22,416 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,138. About 9.70% of families and 12.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.60% of those under age 18 and 10.60% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Mack Arch Cove in 1938

In 1852 explorers discovered gold and other precious metals in the rivers and along the beaches of this area. As a result, settlement in the county was concentrated along the coast, depending primarily on water transportation. The slow development of inland transportation routes kept the county relatively isolated well into the twentieth century. While there is still some mining of cobalt, nickel, and chromium in the Gasquet Mountain area, the economy has reoriented to agriculture and timber. Port Orford cedar (also known as Lawson's Cypress) and myrtlewood are important export products.

The county has excellent grazing areas for raising cattle and sheep. The county also produces blueberries, horticultural nursery stock, and 90% of all Easter lilies raised in the United States. In 2001, the native tanoak in the county were afflicted by Sudden oak death, caused by infection of Phytophthora ramorum, which has threatened the success of the local nurseries; however, the infection has been successfully contained to an area 12 miles (19 km) in size. Tourism is also important to Curry County. The Forest Service owns 59% of the land within the county boundaries. The Port of Brookings is considered one of the safest harbors on the coast.

Communities

Cities

• Brookings
• Gold Beach (county seat)
• Port Orford

Census-designated places

• Harbor
• Langlois
• Nesika Beach
• Pistol River

Unincorporated communities

• Agness
• Bagnell Ferry
• Carpenterville
• Denmark
• Hunter Creek
• Illahe
• Marial
• Ophir
• Plum Trees
• Sixes
• Wedderburn

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Curry County, Oregon
• Siskiyou National Forest
• USS Curry County (LST-685)

External links

• Official county website