Medford

by The Linguist

Medford, Oregon

Medford is a city in Jackson County, Oregon, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 87,590, making Medford the eighth largest city in Oregon. Medford is the county seat of Jackson County. The city was named in 1883 by David Loring, civil engineer and right-of-way agent for the Oregon and California Railroad, after Medford, Massachusetts, which was near Loring’s home town of Concord, Massachusetts. Loring’s first choice name for the stop was Table Rock, but that name was used for another station further west.

Located in the Rogue Valley, Medford is home to vineyards, orchards, and rolling hills covered in oak trees and juniper. It has a Mediterranean climate with wet winters and hot, dry summers. Summers are considered more comfortable than in California’s Central Valley because the hot days are relieved by cooler evenings due to the presence of the Pacific Ocean. The region’s latitude and elevation combine to deliver long, sunny summer days and a dramatically different climate from the windswept rain forest areas to the north.

For more history on Medford, visit the Medford Wikipedia page.

Population

As of the 2020 census, Medford had a population of 87,590 residents, making it the 8th largest city in Oregon. The racial makeup of Medford was 75.7% White, 1.8% African American, 1.7% Native American, 2.4% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 14.4% from other races, and 3.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 23.5% of the population.

County Information

Medford is located in Jackson County. The Jackson County website can be found here: jacksoncountyor.org. The address for Jackson County is 10 S Oakdale Ave #100, Medford, OR 97501. The phone number is (541) 774-6238.

School Districts

Medford has several school districts serving the city:

  • Medford School District – Serves most of Medford. Address: 815 S Oakdale Ave, Medford, OR 97501. Phone: (541) 842-3680.
  • Phoenix-Talent School District – Serves Phoenix, Talent, and parts of Medford. Address: 11675 OR-99 N, Phoenix, OR 97535. Phone: (541) 535-1523.
  • Central Point School District – Serves Central Point and parts of Medford. Address: 300 Ash St, Central Point, OR 97502. Phone: (541) 494-6200.

Economy

Historically the region’s economy was fueled by agriculture and timber products. In the last century the city has grown into a regional center for the trucking, health care, air travel, and retail industries. Medford’s economy is anchored by several major local employers:

  • Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center – 1000+ employees, Address: 2825 E Barnett Rd, Medford, OR 97504, Phone: (541) 789-7000
  • Rogue Credit Union – 500+ employees, Address: 2600 Pacific Hwy, Medford, OR 97504, Phone: (541) 858-7328
  • Harry & David – 1000+ employees, Address: 1314 Center Dr, Medford, OR 97501, Phone: (541) 772-7311
  • Pacific Foods – 300+ employees, Address: 19480 OR-99, Grants Pass, OR 97527, Phone: (541) 846-6772

For more on Medford’s economy, visit the Medford tourism website.

Attractions and Landmarks

Some of the top attractions and landmarks in Medford include:

  • Crater Lake National Park – One of Oregon’s most iconic landmarks, located just 75 miles from Medford. GPS coordinates: 42.8684417, -122.1684985.
  • Medford Public Library – Large public library featuring books, media, computer access, events and classes. Address: 205 S Central Ave, Medford, OR 97501. Phone: (541) 774-6522.
  • Bear Creek Park – Large urban park with trails, sports fields, rose garden, and swimming areas. Address: 1520 Siskiyou Blvd, Medford, OR 97504.
  • Southern Oregon Historical Society – Regional museum with exhibits on local history, culture, art & architecture. Address: 106 N Central Ave, Medford, OR 97501. Phone: (541) 773-6536.

For more on things to do, visit the Medford tourism website.

Transportation

Medford is served by various transportation options:

Map of Medford