Springfield, Oregon

Springfield is a city located in Lane County, Oregon, separated from Eugene, Oregon primarily by the I-5 highway. Because of this closeness, the two cities tend to complement each other: Eugene has the University of Oregon, Springfield a number of lumber plants; Eugene is liberal, Springfield conservative; Eugene aspires to be upper middle class, Springfield is proudly blue collar. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 52,864.

On May 21, 1998 a school shooting occurred at Thurston High School in Springfield. Kipland Kinkel (who was suspended for bringing a gun to school) shot a semi-automatic rifle into a room filled with students killing 2 wounding 25 others after he killed his parents at home earlier the same day.

Geography

Springfield is located at 44°3'11" North, 122°59'28" West (44.053064, -122.991052)¹.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 37.3 km² (14.4 mi²). 37.3 km² (14.4 mi²) of it is land and none of the area is covered with water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there are 52,864 people, 20,514 households, and 13,477 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,417.4/km² (3,670.7/mi²). There are 21,500 housing units at an average density of 576.5/km² (1,492.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 89.64% White, 0.71% African American, 1.38% Native American, 1.11% Asian, 0.31% Pacific Islander, 3.09% from other races, and 3.77% from two or more races. 6.91% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 20,514 households out of which 35.3% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.7% are married couples living together, 14.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 34.3% are non-families. 25.4% of all households are made up of individuals and 7.8% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.55 and the average family size is 3.03.

In the city the population is spread out with 27.2% under the age of 18, 11.1% from 18 to 24, 31.4% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 32 years. For every 100 females there are 95.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 92.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $33,031, and the median income for a family is $38,399. Males have a median income of $30,973 versus $22,511 for females. The per capita income for the city is $15,616. 17.9% of the population and 14.8% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 23.5% are under the age of 18 and 9.8% are 65 or older.