The economic & vitality profile is a snap shot of Medford, Oregon.
Economic & Vitality Profile Medford, Oregon
Known for its beautiful hiking locations, Craterian Theater performances, and world-class wine, Medford has a beautiful history of shaping the Rogue Valley. Founded in December 1883 when the railroad was re-routed from Jacksonville and the county seat moved, the City of Medford flourished into what we see today. When you stroll the streets of downtown, there are several historic districts and beautiful murals to explore, preserving the memories of how far we have come while celebrating our ever-growing future and potential. WELCOME
STATE & NATIONAL PARKS
Oregon is home to five national monuments and one National Park, all located right here in the Heart of the Rogue ™ . From the cliffs of Crater Lake to the marble halls of the Oregon Caves, explore the beauty and power of nature carved all throughout Southern Oregon. Jackson Country’s well-maintained parks offer diverse recreational opportunities with modern facilities for family, friend and business gatherings.
ARTS & CULTURE
Medford and Jackson County showcase some of the best live performances on the West Coast. Whether ballet, Broadway or cabaret at the Craterian Theater, talent and inspiration abounds in Southern Oregon. Medford is also home to incredible fairs and festivals – from the Oregon Shakespeare Festival to our very own Heart of the Rogue Festival ™ – discover the best of arts and culture right here in the rogue.
SPORTS & RECREATION
Your launchpad to all things rogue, Medford holds more than just award-winning wine and the world’s best cheese. Home to state-of-the-art facilities, Medford is a growing mecca for sports tournaments and events. Medford Parks and Recreation maintains over 2,500 acres of civic parkland, special-use and beautification areas. Enjoy world-class rapids and fishing holes on the Rogue River, take flight paragliding from Woodrat Mountain, ski and snowboard at Mount Ashland, or enjoy a plethora of hiking and biking trails across the valley. Just minutes from I-5 lies Lithia & Driveway Fields, home to 1.5 million square - feet of outdoor recreation fields, and Rogue X, a state-of-the-art aquatics & events space . Whether you seek more quiet moments in the mountains, soar off a cliff, or raft through the Rogue - Medford is the place to experience it all.
QUALITY OF LIFE
Medford is the largest city in both Jackson County and the Southern Oregon region. With a strong business community, the city is a family-focused region that supports its municipal services and public servants. A stable County government allows for the opportunity to support various organizations like library services, an expanding bus service and outreach to seniors. There are many events in Medford that draw local residents as well as visitors who travel from more than 50 miles away. From arts, wine and culinary festivals to national sports tournaments and top musical artists, Jackson County provides an event lineup that is sure to please. Travel Medford ™ , the Official Destination Marketing Organization for the City of Medford, hosts a robust event calendar in the Rogue Valley, promoting an average of 2,600 events per year.
MEDFORD FACTS
We Have A Volcano: Roxy Ann Peak is a 30-million-year-old dormant volcano, named for Roxy Ann Bowen, an early settler who lived at the base of the peak. It rises almost 2,000 feet above sea level and is found in Medford’s Prescott Park What’s In A Name: Medford was named in 1883 by David Loring, a civil engineer and right-of-way agent for the Oregon and California Railroad. He named it after Medford, Massachusetts, which was near his hometown of Concord, Massachusetts.
AVERAGE CLIMATE Source: National Centers for Environmental Information
48.3 / 31.3
64.7 / 38.3
85 / 49.7
66 / 38.3
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
SUMMER
FALL
WINTER
SPRING
POPULATION/DEMOGRAPHICS Source: Portland State University Population Research Center 202 2 Census Estimates
88,357 Medford
229,274 Jackson County
Persons under 18 years 18%; Persons 18 - 64 years 60%; Persons 65 years and over 22% Age
No degree, 10%; High school graduate or higher, 59%; Bachelor’s degree or higher, 31% Education
HOUSING
Source: Portland State University Population Research Center 2021 Census
Avg Home Value
$363,800
Avg Monthly Rent
$1,095 - $2,050
Avg Household Income
Own vs Rent
$63,703
61% vs 39%
Avg Household Size
Total Households
2.3
36.5k
TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE
Interstate 5, the main transit corridor from Canada to Mexico, passes through the middle of Medford, the Jackson County seat, making our county a perfect location for businesses that require easy access to surface transportation. Jackson County is also home to Oregon’s 3rd busiest airport, Rogue Valley International- Medford Airport (MFR), as well as the Ashland Municipal Airport. Transportation to passenger rail service in Klamath Falls is available through Point Bus Service.
EMPLOYMENT BY INDUSTRY Source: State of Oregon Employment Department 2022 Reports
TAXES
Source: Dean Runyan & Associations Travel Oregon Impact Report 2022
The state of Oregon doesn’t have a sales tax but it does have income and property tax. The effective property tax rate in Oregon is 0.9%, while the U.S. average currently stands at 1.07%. The travel industry is the fourth-largest export-oriented industry in Oregon, making up 2% of Oregon’s Gross Domestic Product. Medford levies an 11% transient lodging tax (TLT) on overnight stays at hotels and short-term vacation rentals (AirBnb, VRBO, ect.) called intermediaries. This tax, paid for by visitors, is used primarily for tourism promotion activities as well as city services. As of May 2023, there are 2,636 hotel rooms and 265 available short-term vacation rental properties in Medford. Jackson County saw an increase in 2022 in direct travel spending, employment, transient lodging tax revenue and overnight visitor volume compared to 2021.
5.6M Overnight Visitors $727.8M Direct Travel Spend $13.1M Local Tax Revenue 2.7 Avg Visitor Length of Stay
Utility & Service Providers
541-779-4161 541-826-5691 541-779-4144 or 541-664-6300 866-874-2389 888-221-7070 541-774-2430 541-245-8540 541-774-2430 541-774-8689 541-774-2250 541-774-2000 866-874-2389 541-774-2300 541-772-9282 800-227-9187 855-263-9576
Avista Utilities (gas)
CenturyLink Phone Service
CIVIC AMENITIES
Charter Spectrum
City Hall
Fire Services
3
Regional Medical Hospitals
Hunter Communications
Jackson County Library Services
3
Higher Education
Medford Police Department
Medford Post Office Medford Utilities
12
Schools
Medford Water Commission
Pacific Power
Rogue Disposal & Recycling Southern Oregon Sanitation Spectrum Phone Service
Rogue Valley Sewer Services
101 E. 8th St. Medford, OR | 541.779.4847 | medfordchamber.com
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