Bend, Oregon
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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.
The town is located in the High Desert of Central Oregon, and is the largest population center in the region. Its location just east of the Three Sisters Mountains of the Cascade Range, and its proximity to the ski area at Mount Bachelor has made the city a fast-growing tourist and retirement destination in recent years.
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History
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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.
The settlement was originally known as Farewell Bend.
Geography
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Location of Bend, Oregon
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 83.5 km² (32.2 mi²). 82.9 km² (32.0 mi²) of it is land and 0.6 km² (0.2 mi²) 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 censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 52,029 people, 21,062 households, and 13,395 families residing in the city. The population density is 627.4/km² (1,624.8/mi²). There are 22,507 housing units at an average density of 271.4/km² (702.9/mi²). 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 population, 13.8% of those under the age of 18 and 5.8% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
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.
Bend is also the only urban area in Oregon without a public bus system. A measure that would create a transit district on the November, 2004 ballot was defeated 53 to 41 percent.
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.
External links
- City of Bend, Oregon (http://www.ci.bend.or.us/)
- The Bend Bulletin, local newspaper (http://www.bendbulletin.com/)
- Bend.com and The Bugle (http://www.bend.com/)
- Welcome to Bend (http://www.el.com/to/bend/)
- Bend Visitor and Convention Bureau (http://www.visitbend.com/)
- Bend Chamber of Commerce (http://www.bendchamber.org/)
| State of Oregon | 
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| Regions Columbia River Gorge and Plateau | Eastern Oregon | Inland Empire | Mt. Hood Corridor | Oregon Coast | Western Oregon | Willamette Valley | |||
| Counties | Largest cities (full list) | ||
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