Curry County, Oregon
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Curry County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. The county was named for George Law Curry, territorial governor of Oregon for much of the time between 1853 and 1859. As of 2000, the population is 21,137. The county seat of Curry County is Gold Beach.
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Economy
In 1852 explorers discovered gold and other precious metals in the rivers and along the beaches of this area. As a result, settlement in the county was concentrated along the coast, depending primarily on water transportation. The slow development of inland transportation routes kept the county relatively isolated well into the twentieth century. While there is still some mining of cobalt, nickel, and chromium in the Gasaquet Mountain area, the economy has reoriented to agriculture and timber. Port Orford cedar (also known as Lawson's Cypress) and myrtlewood are important export products.
The county has excellent grazing areas for raising cattle and sheep. The county also produces blueberries, horticultural nursery stock, and 90% of all Easter lilies raised in the United States. In 2001, the native tanoak in the county were afflicted by Sudden oak death, caused by infection of Phytophthora ramorum, which has threatened the success of the local nurseries; however, the infection has been successfully contained to an area 12 miles in size. Tourism is also important to Curry County. The Forest Service owns 59% of the land within the county boundaries. The Port of Brookings is considered one of the safest harbors on the coast.
Geography
The county originally contained about 1,500 square miles. However, boundary adjustments with Coos County in 1872 and 1951 and Josephine County in 1880 and 1927 increased the area to 5,150 km² (1,989 mi²). 4,215 km² (1,627 mi²) of it is land and 935 km² (361 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 18.16% water.
Located in Curry County is Cape Blanco, the westernmost point in Oregon, with a longitude of 124 degrees, 33 minutes and 46 seconds.
Adjacent Counties
- Coos County, Oregon - (north)
- Douglas County, Oregon - (northeast)
- Josephine County, Oregon - (east)
- Del Norte County, California - (south)
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 21,137 people, 9,543 households, and 6,183 families residing in the county. The population density was 5/km² (13/mi²). There were 11,406 housing units at an average density of 3/km² (7/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 92.89% White, 0.15% Black or African American, 2.14% Native American, 0.70% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 1.11% from other races, and 2.90% from two or more races. 3.60% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 9,543 households out of which 20.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.50% were married couples living together, 7.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.20% were non-families. 29.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.66.
In the county, the population was spread out with 19.20% under the age of 18, 4.80% from 18 to 24, 20.00% from 25 to 44, 29.40% from 45 to 64, and 26.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49 years. For every 100 females there were 96.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $30,117, and the median income for a family was $35,627. Males had a median income of $31,772 versus $22,416 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,138. 12.20% of the population and 9.70% of families were below the poverty line. 13.60% of those under the age of 18 and 10.60% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
History
Curry County was created on December 18, 1855, from the southern part of Coos County. Initially it was proposed that the new county be name after Captain William Tichenor, council member from Port Orford. However, he declined because his constituents wanted to honor the territorial governor, George L. Curry. Upon creation of Curry County, the Territorial Legislature fixed the county seat temporarily at Port Orford until the citizens of the county could determine a permanent site. In 1859, following an informal vote of county citizens during the general election, Ellensburg (later known as Gold Beach) was designated the county seat.
