| Table of contents |
|
2 Geography 3 Demographics 4 Economy 5 Education |
History
Until the winter of 1824, the Bend area was known only to native Americans who hunted and fished there.
Members of a fur trapping party led by Peter Skene Ogden were the earliest visitors.
John C. Fremont, Dr. John Strong Newberry and other Army survey parties
came next. Then pioneers heading further west went through the area and forded the
Deschutes River at Farewell Bend. Actual settlement did not occur until the
early 1900s with the founding of the Pilot Butte Development
Company by Alexander M. Drake. A small community developed around
the bend in the river and in 1904 a city was incorporated by a general
vote of the community's 300 residents. On January 4, 1905 the city held its first
official meeting as an incorporated municipality, appointing A. H. Goodwillie as
the first mayor. Twelve years later, Deschutes County was
formed from the western half of Crook County and Bend was
designated as the county seat. In 1929, Bend amended the charter and adopted
the manager/council form of government.
Geography
Bend is located at 44°3'23" North, 121°18'29"
West (44.056434, -121.308085)1. Elevation 3,623 feet.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 83.5 km² (32.2 mi²). 82.9 km² (32.0 mi²) of it is land and 0.6 km² (0.2 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.68% water.
Just south of Bend is Newberry National Volcanic Monument easily reached on U.S 97.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there are 52,029 people, 21,062 households, and 13,395 families residing in the city. The population density is 627.4/km² (1,624.8/mi²). There are 22,507 housing units at an average density of 271.4/km² (702.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 93.98% White, 0.28% African American, 0.79% Native American, 1.00% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 1.75% from other races, and 2.12% from two or more races. 4.61% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 21,062 households out of which 31.9% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.2% are married couples living together, 9.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4% are non-families. 26.1% of all households are made up of individuals and 8.6% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.42 and the average family size is 2.92.
In the city the population is spread out with 24.5% under the age of 18, 10.2% from 18 to 24, 31.1% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 35 years. For every 100 females there are 97.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 95.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $40,857, and the median income for a family is $49,387. Males have a median income of $33,377 versus $25,094 for females. The per capita income for the city is $21,624. 10.5% of the population and 6.9% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 13.8% are under the age of 18 and 5.8% are 65 or older.
Tourism is one of Bends largest sectors. Mount Bachelor ski resort brings in tourists from all over Oregon, Washington, and Northern California. The nearby Cascade Lakes are also a large draw for tourists.
Economy
Education
The Bend area is serviced by the Bend/LaPine school district. There are 4 high schools
(grades 9-12), 4 middle schools (grades 6-8), 12 elementary schools (grades K-5) and
3 magnet schools. There are several private schools within the area as well.
Central Oregon Community College (COCC) along with Oregon State University (OSU) serves
the community with both 2 and 4 year programs.