Wheeler County, Oregon

Wheeler County is a county located in the U.S. State of Oregon. This county was named for Henry H. Wheeler, a local farmer who died near Mitchell on March 26, 1915. As of 2000, the population is 1,547.

This county is probably best known for having a remarkable depository of fossils, the most extensive in the state of Oregon.

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

Economy Principal industries in this county are agriculture, livestock, and lumber.

Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 4,443 km² (1,715 mi²). 4,442 km² (1,715 mi²) of it is land and 1 km² (1 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.03% water.

Demographics As of the census of 2000, there are 1,547 people, 653 households, and 444 families residing in the county. The population density is 0/km² (1/mi²). There are 842 housing units at an average density of 0/km² (0/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 93.34% White, 0.06% African American, 0.84% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 3.49% from other races, and 1.94% from two or more races. 5.11% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 653 households out of which 21.30% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.20% are married couples living together, 4.00% have a female householder with no husband present, and 31.90% are non-families. 27.40% of all households are made up of individuals and 13.30% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.32 and the average family size is 2.76.

In the county, the population is spread out with 22.70% under the age of 18, 3.40% from 18 to 24, 19.30% from 25 to 44, 31.40% from 45 to 64, and 23.30% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 48 years. For every 100 females there are 102.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 97.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $28,750, and the median income for a family is $34,048. Males have a median income of $29,688 versus $22,361 for females. The per capita income for the county is $15,884. 15.60% of the population and 12.70% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 22.20% are under the age of 18 and 4.20% are 65 or older.

History Wheeler County was created on February 17, 1899 from parts of Grant, Gilliam, and Crook Counties. There have been no boundary changes since its creation. Fossil was designated the temporary county seat at the time of the county's creation. In 1900 there was an election to determine the permanent county seat between the three towns of the county, which ended with Fossil winning the election.

Cities and Towns

• Fossil
• Mitchell
• Spray