Lake County, Oregon

Lake County is a county located in the U.S. State of Oregon. It was named for the number of large lakes within the county boundaries at the time of its creation: Lake Albert[?], Goose Lake[?], and Silver Lake[?]. As of 2000, the population is 7,422.

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

Economy The traditional county economy rests on lumber, agriculture, and government. Irrigation has permitted agriculture based upon the raising of livestock and the growing of hay and grain to thrive despite the low rainfall and a short growing season. Lumber and wood products are taken from the Fremont National Forest[?].

Government employees from the national forest and the regional Bureau of Land Management headquarters provide stability to an economy that otherwise would have to rely only on seasonal agricultural and lumber jobs. The Bureau of Land Management is landowner of 49% of the lands within the county. Tourism is a growing industry because of the county's many attractions which include Hart Mountain Antelope Refuge[?], Hunter's Hot Springs, Goose Lake, and areas for rock hunting.

Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 21,648 km² (8,358 mi²). 21,071 km² (8,136 mi²) of it is land and 577 km² (223 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 2.66% water.

Demographics As of the census of 2000, there are 7,422 people, 3,084 households, and 2,152 families residing in the county. The population density is 0/km² (1/mi²). There are 3,999 housing units at an average density of 0/km² (0/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 90.97% White, 0.13% African American, 2.37% Native American, 0.71% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 3.19% from other races, and 2.48% from two or more races. 5.44% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 3,084 households out of which 29.00% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.60% are married couples living together, 7.50% have a female householder with no husband present, and 30.20% are non-families. 26.20% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.10% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.39 and the average family size is 2.84.

In the county, the population is spread out with 24.90% under the age of 18, 5.10% from 18 to 24, 24.30% from 25 to 44, 28.10% from 45 to 64, and 17.70% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 43 years. For every 100 females there are 100.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 98.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $29,506, and the median income for a family is $36,182. Males have a median income of $29,454 versus $23,475 for females. The per capita income for the county is $16,136. 16.10% of the population and 13.40% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 20.40% are under the age of 18 and 9.50% are 65 or older.

History Lake County was created from Jackson and Wasco Counties on October 24, 1874 by the State Legislature. It then included the present Klamath County and all of the present Lake County except Warner Valley. In 1882 land was removed to create Klamath County, and in 1885 the Warner area from Grant County was added.

Linkville, now Klamath Falls, was the first county seat. M. Bullard gave 20 acres as the Lakeview townsite. By the 1875 election a town had been started there and an election moved the county seat to Lakeview. Because of poor transportation connections with the rest of Oregon, the early economic orientation of Lake County was toward California. During the 1840s and 1850s the county was part of the military courier route between The Dalles on the Columbia River and the Presidio in San Francisco. The county did not acquire a railroad connection until the 1890s.

Cities and Towns

• Lakeview
• Paisley