Crook County, Oregon

Crook County is a county located in the U.S. State of Oregon. The county was named after Major-General George Crook, who served in the American Civil War and afterwards fought in the wars suppressing the Native Americans. As of 2000, the population is 19,182.

Table of contents 1 Economy 2 Geography 3 Demographics 4 History 5 Cities and Towns

Economy Forest products, agriculture, livestock raising and recreation/tourism services constitute Crook County's total economy. Agriculture is supported by the development of irrigation districts, which permits the raising of hay, grain, mint, potatoes, and seed. Range and forest lands allow grazing for a sizable livestock industry. The Ochoco National Forest[?]'s stand of ponderosa pine is the main source of lumber. As the lumber industry suffers from restrictions on log cutting, tourism and recreation are helping to strengthen the economy. Thousands of hunters, fishers, boaters, sightseers and rockhounds are annual visitors to its streams, reservoirs and the Ochoco Mountains[?]. The Prineville Chamber of Commerce provides access to over a 1,000 acres of mining claims to rockhounds, who can dig for free agates, limb casts, jasper and thundereggs[?].

Geography The county is located in the geographic center of Oregon. It has a total area of 7,737 km² (2,987 mi²). 7,717 km² (2,979 mi²) of it is land and 21 km² (8 mi²) of it is water. It has been reduced from its original size of 8,600 square miles by the creation of Jefferson County in 1914 and Deschutes County in 1916. The present boundaries were established in 1927. The total area is 0.27% water.

Demographics As of the census of 2000, there are 19,182 people, 7,354 households, and 5,427 families residing in the county. The population density is 2/km² (6/mi²). There are 8,264 housing units at an average density of 1/km² (3/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 92.95% White, 0.04% African American, 1.30% Native American, 0.43% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 3.81% from other races, and 1.43% from two or more races. 5.64% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 7,354 households out of which 32.30% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.50% are married couples living together, 8.20% have a female householder with no husband present, and 26.20% are non-families. 21.30% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.50% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.57 and the average family size is 2.96.

In the county, the population is spread out with 26.60% under the age of 18, 7.50% from 18 to 24, 25.50% from 25 to 44, 25.70% from 45 to 64, and 14.70% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 99.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 97.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $35,186, and the median income for a family is $40,746. Males have a median income of $32,166 versus $22,580 for females. The per capita income for the county is $16,899. 11.30% of the population and 8.10% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 13.90% are under the age of 18 and 8.10% are 65 or older.

History Access into the region at first was difficult, which discouraged settlement. The first effort to develop routes into the area was in 1862 when a supply train with cattle crossed the Scott Trail[?]. This was also the first group of non-natives to spend the winter in central Oregon. The discovery and development of the Santiam Pass[?] in the 1860s improved access into the area.

Crook County was formed from the southern part of Wasco County on October 24, 1882, and established Prineville as the county seat. The voters confirmed the choice of Prineville, the only incorporated town in the county, in the 1884 general election.

Cities and Towns

• Prineville