Gold Beach, Oregon
Encyclopedia
Gold Beach is a city in and the county seat
of Curry County
, Oregon
, United States
, on the Oregon Coast
. The population was 1,897 at the 2000 census.
where hundreds of placer mines extracted gold
. An Ellensburgh post office was established in 1863, changed to Ellensburg in 1877, and changed to Gold Beach in 1890.
Mailboats based in Gold Beach have been delivering mail upstream to Agness
since 1895, one of only two rural mailboat routes remaining in the U.S. The population was 1,897 at the 2000 census.
Although Gold Beach had been a community since the middle of the 19th century, and the county seat since 1859, its current incorporation charter only dates to 1945.
, the city has a total area of 2.5 square miles (6.5 km²), of which 2.3 square miles (6 km²) is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) (7.54%) is water.
Gold Beach is bordered to the north by the Rogue River
and Barley Beach
, also known as Bailey Beach.
The average annual precipitation is 79.09 inches (2,008.9 mm). Measurable precipitation occurs on an average of 132 days. The wettest year was 1953 with 119.26 inches (3,029.2 mm) and the driest year was 1976 with 38.57 inches (979.7 mm). The most precipitation in one month was 34.48 inches (875.8 mm) in November 1973. The most precipitation in 24 hours was 7.94 inches (201.7 mm) on December 3, 1987. Snow is very rare in Gold Beach, averaging only 0.2 inches (5.1 mm) annually. The most snow in one year was 9 inches (228.6 mm) in 1972, including 6.5 inches (165.1 mm) in January and 2.5 inches (63.5 mm) in December.
of 2000, there were 1,897 people, 829 households, and 509 families residing in the city. The population density
was 813.7 people per square mile (314.4/km²). There were 987 housing units at an average density of 423.4 per square mile (163.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.09% White, 0.26% African American, 2.21% Native American, 0.90% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.16% from other races
, and 2.32% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.69% of the population.
There were 829 households out of which 24.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.7% were married couples
living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.5% were non-families. 33.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.7% 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 2.75.
In the city the population was spread out with 21.0% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 23.4% from 25 to 44, 30.5% from 45 to 64, and 19.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 92.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $30,243, and the median income for a family was $37,634. Males had a median income of $31,083 versus $23,512 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $16,717. About 8.8% of families and 12.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.8% of those under age 18 and 6.9% of those age 65 or over.
. Two of the schools, Riley Creek School and Gold Beach High School
, are located in Gold Beach.
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Curry County
Curry County, Oregon
Curry County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. In 2010, its population was 22,364. The county is named for George Law Curry, a governor of the Oregon Territory. The seat of the county is Gold Beach.-Economy:...
, Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, on the Oregon Coast
Oregon Coast
The Oregon Coast is a region of the U.S. state of Oregon. It runs generally north-south along the Pacific Ocean, forming the western border of the state; the region is bounded to the east by the Oregon Coast Range. The Oregon Coast stretches approximately from the Columbia River in the north to...
. The population was 1,897 at the 2000 census.
History
The community was originally named Ellensburg in the 1850s, but later took the name Gold Beach after a beach near the mouth of the Rogue RiverRogue River (Oregon)
The Rogue River in southwestern Oregon in the United States flows about in a generally westward direction from the Cascade Range to the Pacific Ocean. Known for its salmon runs, whitewater rafting, and rugged scenery, it was one of the original eight rivers named in the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act...
where hundreds of placer mines extracted gold
Gold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...
. An Ellensburgh post office was established in 1863, changed to Ellensburg in 1877, and changed to Gold Beach in 1890.
Mailboats based in Gold Beach have been delivering mail upstream to Agness
Agness, Oregon
Agness is an unincorporated community in Curry County, Oregon, United States. It is located near the confluence of two Wild and Scenic rivers—the Lower Rogue and the Illinois. Agness post office was established October 16, 1897. It was named after Agnes, the daughter of the first postmaster, and...
since 1895, one of only two rural mailboat routes remaining in the U.S. The population was 1,897 at the 2000 census.
Although Gold Beach had been a community since the middle of the 19th century, and the county seat since 1859, its current incorporation charter only dates to 1945.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 2.5 square miles (6.5 km²), of which 2.3 square miles (6 km²) is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) (7.54%) is water.
Gold Beach is bordered to the north by the Rogue River
Rogue River (Oregon)
The Rogue River in southwestern Oregon in the United States flows about in a generally westward direction from the Cascade Range to the Pacific Ocean. Known for its salmon runs, whitewater rafting, and rugged scenery, it was one of the original eight rivers named in the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act...
and Barley Beach
Barley Beach
Barley Beach is the official GNIS name given to an undeveloped sandy beach on the Oregon Coast immediately north of Gold Beach in Curry County, United States. It is more than in length with the south end at the Rogue River and the north end at Otter Point...
, also known as Bailey Beach.
Climate
Gold Beach has cool, very wet winters and mild, relatively dry summers. Average January temperatures are a maximum of 54 °F (12.2 °C) and a minimum of 40.6 °F (4.8 °C). Average July temperatures are a maximum of 67.7 °F (19.8 °C) and a minimum of 51.2 °F (10.7 °C). Annually, there are high temperatures of 90 °F (32.2 °C) on an average of only 0.1 days and there are low temperatures of 32 °F (0 °C) or lower on an average of 9.2 days. The record high temperature was 102 °F (38.9 °C) on September 10, 1973. The record low temperature was 12 °F (-11.1 °C) on January 21, 1962.The average annual precipitation is 79.09 inches (2,008.9 mm). Measurable precipitation occurs on an average of 132 days. The wettest year was 1953 with 119.26 inches (3,029.2 mm) and the driest year was 1976 with 38.57 inches (979.7 mm). The most precipitation in one month was 34.48 inches (875.8 mm) in November 1973. The most precipitation in 24 hours was 7.94 inches (201.7 mm) on December 3, 1987. Snow is very rare in Gold Beach, averaging only 0.2 inches (5.1 mm) annually. The most snow in one year was 9 inches (228.6 mm) in 1972, including 6.5 inches (165.1 mm) in January and 2.5 inches (63.5 mm) in December.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 1,897 people, 829 households, and 509 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 813.7 people per square mile (314.4/km²). There were 987 housing units at an average density of 423.4 per square mile (163.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.09% White, 0.26% African American, 2.21% Native American, 0.90% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.16% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.32% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.69% of the population.
There were 829 households out of which 24.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.7% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.5% were non-families. 33.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.7% 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 2.75.
In the city the population was spread out with 21.0% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 23.4% from 25 to 44, 30.5% from 45 to 64, and 19.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 92.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $30,243, and the median income for a family was $37,634. Males had a median income of $31,083 versus $23,512 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $16,717. About 8.8% of families and 12.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.8% of those under age 18 and 6.9% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Gold Beach is served by the three-school Central Curry School DistrictCentral Curry School District
Central Curry School District is a public school district that serves the communities of Agness and Gold Beach in Curry County, Oregon, United States, as well as the surrounding area.-History:...
. Two of the schools, Riley Creek School and Gold Beach High School
Gold Beach High School
Gold Beach High School is a public high school in Gold Beach, Oregon, United States.-Academics:In 2008, 82% of the school's seniors received their high school diploma. Of 67 students, 55 graduated, 9 dropped out, and 3 received a modified diploma....
, are located in Gold Beach.
Notable people
- Gregory HarrisonGregory HarrisonGregory Neale Harrison is an American actor. He is probably best known for his role as Chandler in the 1987 cult favorite North Shore and as Trapper John MacIntyre's young surgeon, Dr. George Alonzo 'Gonzo' Gates, on the CBS series Trapper John, M.D....
- Actor - Travis RushTravis RushTravis Benjamin Rush is a country music singer from Oregon.-Biography:Travis Rush was born in Orange, California, where he lived for 9 months and then moved to Gold Beach, Oregon. By the age of 10, Rush was singing in contests and playing the piano for local fans in his home town...
- Country Singer - Bridgette WilsonBridgette WilsonBridgette Leann Wilson-Sampras is an American actress, singer and model. A Miss Teen USA in 1990, Wilson holds several acting roles in television and movies, including the role of Veronica Vaughn in the movie Billy Madison, the role of Elsa Shivers in the movie I Know What You Did Last Summer, and...
- Actress