Coos Bay, Oregon
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Coos Bay is a city located in Coos County, Oregon. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 15,374. The city is located at the mouth of the Coos River on Coos Bay on the Pacific Ocean, and borders on the nearby city of North Bend. Together, the cities are often referred to as one entity, called either Coos Bay or the Bay Area. Coos Bay is also home to Southwestern Oregon Community College.
Recreational activities
The Bay Area is known for its superb recreation. Its most popular and unique recreation opportunity is the Oregon Dunes National Recreational Area, which brings approximately 1.5 million visitors each year.[link]. Many of these visitors enjoy exploring the 6,000-acre sand dunes on their ATVs. The area's popularity has increased tourism—a growing industry in the formerly depressed economy.Geography
Coos Bay is located at 43°22'35" North, 124°14'14" West (43.376456, -124.237102)[Geographic references#1GR1].According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 41.3 km² (15.9 mi²). 27.4 km² (10.6 mi²) of it is land and 13.8 km² (5.3 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 33.52% water.
Demographics (2000 census)
There are 15,374 people residing in the city, comprising 6,497 households and 4,028 families. The population density is 560.5/km² (1,451.9/mi²). There are 7,094 housing units at an average density of 258.6/km² (669.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 90.75% White, 0.37% African American, 2.27% Native American, 1.44% Asian, 0.31% Pacific Islander, 1.35% from other races, and 3.51% from two or more races. 4.49% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.There are 6,497 households out of which 27.1% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.3% are married couples living together, 11.6% have a female householder with no husband present, and 38.0% are non-families. 30.7% of all households are made up of individuals and 12.9% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.29 and the average family size is 2.83.
In the city the population is spread out with 22.6% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 19.2% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 40 years. For every 100 females there are 94.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 90.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $31,212, and the median income for a family is $38,721. Males have a median income of $32,324 versus $22,192 for females. The per capita income for the city is $18,158. 16.5% of the population and 12.7% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 21.0% of those under the age of 18 and 9.9% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Chronology of events
- 1579 Francis Drake is said to have sought shelter in the bay for the Golden Hinde and its crew.
- 1853 City founded and named Marshfield after the Massachusetts hometown of one of the founders.
- 1866 Cape Arago Lighthouse begins operation.
- 1871 Marshfield post office established.
- 1872 Coos Bay Wagon Road opens, connecting Coos County with Douglas County's Umpqua River valley, across the Coast Range of mountains. (Oregon Highway 42 roughly follows the old wagon road's right of way.)
- 1874 Marshfield incorporated.
- 1908 The first automobile arrives in Marshfield via the Coos Bay Wagon Road. (Previous autos arrived by ship at the Port of Coos Bay, or by way of lesser trails.)
- 1922 A fire ends up burning down a large portion of the business district.
- 1925 The Egyptian Theatre opens. Originally equipped with one screen (later increased to three), the playhouse operates for 80 years before closing in December 2005. On January 30, 2006, its owner sells the building to Coos Bay's urban renewal agency, which plans to reopen the Egyptian under the management of a nonprofit agency.
- 1928 KOOS-AM radio begins broadcasting.
- 1942 Nearby Mt. Emily becomes the first U.S. mainland site to be bombed by the Japanese in World War II.
- 1944 Residents vote to name the city Coos Bay.
- 1962 The most powerful non-tropical storm in U.S. mainland history, the Columbus Day Storm, hits.
- 1969 Distance runner Steve Prefontaine graduates from Marshfield High School.
- 1972 The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area is established.
- 1999 The M/V New Carissa freighter runs aground.
- 2002 Three Coos Bay firemen die when the roof of a burning car-supply store collapses. It is considered the worst loss of life for a fire department in modern Oregon history.
Radio Stations in Coos Bay
KSBA 88.5 FM (college) KSOR 89.1 FM (college, translator) KJCH 90.9 FM (Christian) WPCS 91.3 (Christian, translator) KEAR 91.7 (translator) KDCQ 92.9 FM (commercial) KOOS 94.9 FM (commercial) KOOS 95.7 FM (translator) KSHR 97.3 FM (commercial) KYTT 98.7 FM (Christian) KJMX 99.5 FM (commercial) KJMX 100.3 FM (translator) KVIP 102.1 FM (Christian, translator) KYSJ 105.9 FM (commercial) KACW 107.3 FM (commercial) KACW 107.7 FM (translator)KWRO 630 AM (commercial) KGRV 700 AM (Christian) KDUN 1030 AM (commercial) KHSN 1230 AM (commercial) KBBR 1340 AM (commercial) KMHS 1420 AM (high school)
See [link]for more info.
Sister City
Coos Bay has one sister city:
- Chosi, Japan
External links
- [City of Coos Bay]
- [Coos Bay School District]
- [The World (Coos Bay's daily newspaper)]
- [Oregon Blue Book entry for Coos Bay]
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