Bend is a city located in Deschutes County, Oregon, United States. The name
Bend was derived from "Farewell Bend," the designation used by early
pioneers to refer to the location along the Deschutes River where the town
eventually was platted, one of the few fordable points along the river. As
of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 52,029.
History
Until the winter of 1824, the Bend area was known only to native Americans
who hunted and fished there. In that year, members of a fur trapping party
led by Peter Skene Ogden visited the area. 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).
Elevation 3,623 feet.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of
83.5 km˛ (32.2 mi˛). 82.9 km˛ (32.0 mi˛) of it is land and 0.6 km˛ (0.2 mi˛)
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/km˛
(1,624.8/mi˛). There are 22,507 housing units at an average density of
271.4/km˛ (702.9/mi˛). 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.
Economy
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. Bend is also where
Deschutes Brewery is located, the larger of two microbreweries in the city.
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.
