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86-571: The Old Mill District is a historic area formerly occupied by two lumber mills in Bend, Oregon . Encompassing approximately 270 acres (110 ha) along the Deschutes River , the Old Mill District is now a mixed-use area known for its shops, galleries and restaurants. It draws thousands of visitors and employs more than 2,500 people. The area underwent significant development since the mid-1990s, when

172-529: A 16-inch reflecting Ritchey–Chrétien telescope . According to the City's 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, the largest employers in the city are: In 2005, Bend's economic profile comprised five industry categories: tourism (7,772 jobs); healthcare and social services (6,062 jobs); professional, scientific and technical services (1,893 jobs); wood products manufacturing (1,798 jobs); and recreation and transportation equipment (1,065 jobs). In 2019,

258-526: A center of recreation. Situated in high desert , Bend is bordered by the Deschutes National Forest to the southwest. Economically, it is a tourist destination, featuring recreational attractions (e.g. breweries , an amphitheater , and the last Blockbuster video-rental store) as well as outdoor sports, including mountain biking , fishing , hiking , camping , rock climbing , white-water rafting , skiing , paragliding , and golf . Bend

344-430: A common occurrence. Small fires are essential, as they burn away detritus. With the arrival of European settlers, fire suppression became common. However, due to decades of fire suppression, several major wildfires have broken out and threatened large settlements. Major wildfires are becoming less common as the practice of controlled burns by local officials are more frequent. The Oregon Badlands Wilderness preserves

430-693: A dozen microbreweries in the city. Each year the city hosts many events celebrating its brewing culture, including the Bend Oktoberfest, the Little Woody Barrel Aged Brew and Whiskey Fest, Bend Brewfest, and Central Oregon Beer Week. Beer aficionados can also visit many of the breweries along the Bend Ale Trail. As of 2018, there were 23 breweries in Bend and 4 hard cider companies. Since 2017, Bend's Worthy Brewing has hosted an observatory with

516-528: A general vote of the community's 300 residents; it was platted by Pilot Butte Development Company on May 28, 1904. On January 4, 1905, the city held its first official meeting as an incorporated municipality , appointing A. H. Goodwillie as its first mayor. In 1910, Mirror Pond was created by the construction of the Bend Water, Light & Power Company dam on the Deschutes River in Bend. The dam provided

602-629: A railroad route from the Sacramento Valley in California to the Columbia River in the Oregon Territory. This required the party to survey the Deschutes River area in central Oregon. The survey party was led by two Lieutenants, Robert Stockton Williamson and Henry Larcom Abbot . Newberry Crater is named after John Strong Newberry , the party's chief scientist. In 1865, a Company of

688-520: A reduction in the number of ocean-going species of fish. Because it sits in the rain shadow of the Cascade mountains, the climate is dry and sunny. The climate varies some among Central Oregon communities, but will see approximately 300 days of sunshine a year, which is the area's real draw. Summer temperatures range between 45 and 85 °F (7 and 29 °C) and winter months average between 20 and 40 °F (−7 and 4 °C). Precipitation falls mostly in

774-501: A report in which Bend had the largest price drop in the country, 23 percent, from first quarter of 2009 to the first quarter of 2010. The city is becoming known for its burgeoning art scene, and is home to numerous visual and fine art galleries, as well as the independent BendFilm Festival, which launched in 2004. There are numerous public art displays , including the Roundabout Art Route tour of outdoor sculptures throughout

860-637: A view of Bend's mountainous landscape. The loops connect with the greater network of trails maintained by the Bend Parks and Recreation District and are open to the public. Each loop features bollards that include directional information and memorial plaques to commemorate local individuals that have contributed in a significant way to Bend or its history. The hand-painted signs feature historical photos that have been recreated by artist Jerry Werner and also provide information about Bend's logging and timber mill history. These photos accompany stories such as “Lumber and

946-481: Is Central Oregon's most populous city. In the 2020 census , it had a population of 99,178, with the eponymous metropolitan statistical area (MSA) population totaling 247,493. This makes the city and MSA the sixth-most populous city and fifth largest metropolitan area in Oregon, respectively. Native Americans hunted and fished in the area. In late 1824, members of a fur-trapping party led by Peter Skene Ogden visited

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1032-646: Is September 13 through June 19. Max 90 or more Bend is the larger principal city of the Bend-Prineville CSA, a Combined Statistical Area that includes the Bend metropolitan area (Deschutes County) and the Prineville micropolitan area (Crook County), which had a combined estimated population of 260,919 by the United States Census Bureau in 2023. As of the 2020 census , there were 99,178 people, 40,969 households, and 25,421 families residing in

1118-405: Is covered in forest and, while logging has declined in recent years, it is still an important part of the regional economy. These and other areas are used for the raising and grazing of livestock . A wide variety of outdoor recreation opportunities are also available in the region. The Deschutes National Forest includes approximately 1,800,000 acres (7,300 km ) along the east side of

1204-408: Is dammed to form Mirror Pond. Bend's elevation is 3,623 feet (1,104 metres) above sea level. According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 35.046 square miles (90.77 km ), of which 34.801 square miles (90.13 km ) is land and 0.245 square miles (0.63 km ) is water. Inside the city limits is Pilot Butte State Scenic Viewpoint , an old cinder cone . Bend

1290-683: Is home to seven woodpecker species, including downy woodpecker , hairy woodpecker , and Lewis's woodpecker . Northern flickers are found in the Central Oregon woodlands. There are a number of smaller birds as well. These include various larks , tanagers , swallows , jays , crows , chickadees , wrentits , dippers , nuthatches , wrens , thrushes , and grosbeaks . There are nine snake species found in Central Oregon. These include western rattlesnake , gopher snake , rubber boa , northwestern garter snake , and common garter snake . There are also numerous turtles, lizards, and frogs native to

1376-487: Is known for its annual Indian summer . Bend's growing season is short; according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture 's National Resources Conservation Service , in half of the years between 1971 and 2000, the USDA weather station in Bend recorded the last below-freezing temperatures after July 3 and the first below-freezing temperatures before August 31. Based on 1981–2010 normals, the average window for freezing temperatures

1462-480: Is located southwest of downtown, roughly between Colorado Avenue on the west, Bond Street on the east and north and Reed Market to the south. The Old Mill District formerly housed two competing lumber mills. In 1916 the Shevlin-Hixon Lumber Company built a mill on the west bank of the Deschutes River and Brooks-Scanlon Lumber Company built the "Mill A" complex on the east bank. For the next 78 years,

1548-470: Is one of three cities in the continental U.S. (with Portland, Oregon , and Jackson, Mississippi ) to have an extinct volcano within its city limits. It is reached by U.S. Route 20 . A lesser known characteristic of Bend, the Horse Lava Tube System enters and borders the eastern edge of the city. Just south of Bend is Newberry National Volcanic Monument on U.S. Route 97 . Bend's climate

1634-531: Is the Deschutes River . Its source is Little Lava Lake in the Cascade Mountains , northwest of LaPine . The Deschutes runs south to north, eventually flowing into the Columbia River . Along its way, dams control its flow creating Crane Prairie Reservoir and Wickiup Reservoir . The river runs alongside the resort community of Sunriver and through the city of Bend . It is tapped as a water source for

1720-465: Is typical of the high desert with cool nights and sunny days, classified as semi-arid ( Köppen climate classification BSk ). Annual precipitation averages 11.2 in (280 mm). Annual average snowfall is 23.8 inches (60.5 cm). The winter season in Bend provides a mean temperature of 31.1 °F (−0.5 °C) in December. Nighttime temperatures are not much lower than daytime highs during

1806-482: The 1st Oregon Volunteer Infantry Regiment led by Captain Charles Lafollett established Camp Polk . The fort was set up to protect early settlers from Indian raids. It was built 2.68 miles (4.31 km) northeast of modern-day Sisters . However, the post was soon abandoned. Not long after, homesteaders began to settle the region, making use of the wide open lands for ranches. In 1877, Prineville became

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1892-753: The Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway . Central Oregon has long been a fly-fishing center. In October 2012 Central Oregon hosted the Fly Fishing National Championships. One of the best trout and steelhead fisheries is in the Deschutes River and is one of the most regulated. Bend is a top destination for US anglers and has been named # 1 town for sportsmen. Ponds popular for fly fishing in the area include Shevlin Pond, Bend Pine Nursery Pond, Reynolds Pond, Prineville Youth Pond, Walton Lake, Fireman's Pond, Sprague Pond, and Century Pond. Central Oregon

1978-604: The Central Oregon Irrigation District which serves agricultural and municipal users. As the river continues north, it flows past the Eagle Crest Resort and the city of Redmond . North of Redmond, the Deschutes River has cut a 300 feet (91 m) deep canyon. West of Madras , Round Butte Dam impounds the Deschutes River, creating Lake Billy Chinook . The two largest tributaries of the Deschutes are

2064-511: The Hayden Homes Amphitheater and the nation's first 12-station Fly Casting Course. William Smith Properties and its partners also restored 14,000 lineal feet of the river area, which had been off limits to the public for close to 80 years. The banks were blown out to accommodate the floating logs and the river itself was mired with debris. The restored area is now a habitat for native species, such as fish, mink, otters and birds. It

2150-795: The High Desert Museum and the Des Chutes Historical Museum as well as viewing displays hosted by various art studios. Another major draw for visitors is year-round events hosted throughout Central Oregon. There are currently 10 annual craft beer festivals held in Central Oregon: Winterfest in February, Central Oregon Beer Week, Mt. Bachelor's Brewski, and Sunriver Brewfest in May, Sisters Brewfest and The Fermentation Celebration in June,

2236-657: The Metolius River and the Crooked River . The Metolius begins at Metolius Springs and runs northeast, flowing into the Deschutes from the west just south of Round Butte Dam. The Crooked River flows west from its sources in the Ochoco Mountains and the Oregon high desert . It flows into the Deschutes from the east at Cove Palisades State Park . Both rivers merge into the Deschutes River, becoming part of Lake Billy Chinook,

2322-618: The Mexican War (and for whom Todd Lake is named), purchased a land claim in the area and named it "Farewell Bend Ranch". Todd sold this to John Sisemore in 1881, who applied for a post office in 1886. Because the name "Farewell Bend" was already in use, it was shortened to "Bend" by the United States Post Office Department . Constructed in May 1901, the Pilot Butte Development Company 's little plant

2408-602: The Pole Pedal Paddle , and many sporting and charitable events throughout the year. The Hayden Homes Amphitheater - formerly known as the Les Schwab Amphitheater - is an outdoor riverfront amphitheater built in 2001 on the west bank of the Deschutes River as part at the Old Mill District development. The Amphitheater was originally named after Les Schwab , a native of Bend, Oregon. The venue accommodates approximately 8,000 people for concerts and other events. During

2494-600: The Seattle Times , single-family home prices dropped more than 40 percent from a peak of $ 396,000 in May 2007 to $ 221,000 in March 2009. Additional signs of the housing downturn include an April 2009 Deschutes county unemployment rate of 12.6 percent and in a tri-county area of Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties a 66 percent rise in homelessness from 2006 to 2,237. In May 2010, the Federal Housing and Finance Agency released

2580-688: The Shevlin-Hixon and Brooks-Scanlon mills made Bend one of the largest lumber producing towns in the world. In 1924, the Shevlin-Hixon mill alone processed 200,000,000 board feet (500,000 m ) of lumber. There were at least eight lumber mills in the Prineville areas as well. In the early 1930s, Sam Johnson opened a lumber mill in Sisters, the first of six Central Oregon mills the Johnson family owned over

2666-467: The Warm Springs tribal council and provided additional plywood and veneer-making equipment to help the tribe establish Warm Springs Forest Products Industries. The Brooks-Scanlon Lumber Company sold their remaining timber land in the 1980s. Central Oregon has a wide variety of habitats including mountain high country, conifer forest lands, riparian areas, high desert , and alkali flats. Unlike

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2752-508: The poverty line , including 13.8% of those under age 18 and 5.8% of those age 65 or over. Tourism is one of Bend's largest sectors. The Mount Bachelor ski resort brings in tourists from all over Oregon, Washington, and California. The nearby Cascade Lakes are also a large draw for tourists. Recreational activities include downhill and cross country skiing, hiking, biking, rafting, golfing, camping, fishing, picnicking, rock climbing, and general sightseeing. Transient room tax revenues through

2838-527: The 19th century, Central Oregon was inhabited by the southernmost Sahaptin tribes and the northernmost tribes of the Northern Paiute . However, with the arrival of settlers along the Oregon Trail in the mid-19th century, both tribes soon found themselves at odds with the settlers and the U.S. Army. Peter Skene Ogden led a party of Hudson's Bay Company trapping through Central Oregon in 1826, becoming

2924-476: The 2008 and 2009 XTERRA Trail Running National Championships, the 2009 and 2010 United States National Cyclo-cross Championships , the 2009 and 2010 USA Cycling Elite Road National Championships and the 2013, 2015 and 2016 USA Cross Country Championships . In 2019 and 2020, Bend hosted USA Climbing's pro and youth National Bouldering Championships. A popular spot for cycling, Bend has over 300 mi (480 km) of mountain bike trails and from 1980 to 2019

3010-467: The 5-hole course has unique challenges for beginners, intermediate or expert casters that range from right and left handed roll casts, distance targets and accuracy challenges. Free and open to the public, open daily from dawn to dusk. The Casting Course Guide brochure is available at the Ticket Mill and includes a course map, casting tips and a score card. The Old Mill Casting Course Community Partners are

3096-1073: The Bend Brewfest and the Little Woody Barrel Aged Brew Fest in August, and the Bend Oktoberfest and the Sisters Fresh Hop Festival in September. Other events include the Sisters Rodeo, summer concerts at the Hayden Homes Amphitheater , the FairWell Festival at Deschutes County Fairgrounds, Pacific Crest Weekend Sports Festival, The Bite of Bend food festival, Fourth of July bike ride, Munch and Music in Drake Park, Summerfest in Downtown Bend, Riverfest in Maupin , Hoodoo Winter Carnival,

3182-471: The Bend Casting Club, Central Oregon Fly Fishers, Deschutes River Conservancy, Oregon Council of Internal Federation of Fly Fishers, Upper Deschutes Watershed Council, Bend Parks & Recreation District, Trust for Public Land, Deschutes Land Trust and Trout Unlimited. The Old Mill District is also known for its network of trails. Four trails, ranging from 1 to 2.4 miles, loop through the area, providing

3268-549: The Bend City Building Division fell from 826 in August 2006 to 533 in August 2007, a 35 percent decrease. A large influx of new residents drawn by Bend's lifestyle amenities, along with the low interest rates and easy lending that fostered a national housing boom in 2001–05, resulted in increased activity in Bend's construction and real estate sectors and caused the rate of home price appreciation in Bend to grow substantially during that period. Median home prices in

3354-623: The Bend MSA increased by over 80% in the 2001–05 period. In June 2006, Money magazine named the Bend MSA the fifth most overpriced real estate market in the United States. By September 2006, the Bend metro area ranked second in the list of most overpriced housing markets, and in June 2007 it was named the most overpriced housing market in America. The 2008−09 housing downturn had a strong effect on Bend's housing and economic situation. According to

3440-438: The Cascade mountains. Deschutes National Forest lands cover much of Deschutes and Jefferson counties, extending into the northern parts of Klamath County and Lake County. The Ochoco National Forest is located north and east of Prineville. It covers approximately 850,000 acres (3,400 km ) in the Ochoco Mountains and surrounding areas. The timber and recreation opportunities of these two national forests are great assets to

3526-541: The Central Oregon region. Together, the two forests support many local businesses, contributing to the economic livelihood of more than 50,000 people in the region. Central Oregon is also rich with recreational activities. Both summer and winter recreation are big regional draws for sportsmen and tourists. Skiing , snowboarding , cross-country skiing , and snowmobiling are popular in the winter, while water skiing , boating , fishing , hiking , rock climbing , and several other activities draw outdoors enthusiasts during

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3612-577: The Deschutes County Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) for improving walkability and biking in the county. Bend, Oregon Bend is a city in Central Oregon and the county seat of Deschutes County , Oregon , United States. It is located to the east of the Cascade Range , on the Deschutes River . The site became known by pioneers as a fordable crossing point of

3698-1021: The Pole Pedal Paddle, Barks and Recreation Dog Festival in Drake Park , the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show, the Deschutes County Fair, Art in the High Desert at the Old Mill District, Shakespeare in the Park, Sisters Harvest Faire, and the ongoing First Friday Art Walk downtown Bend and the Old Mill District , Ironworks District Last Saturday Art Walk, and the Bend Farmers Market held Wednesdays downtown Bend from June through October. The Deschutes National Forest contains about 104 developed campsites. Many of these are right outside Bend off

3784-609: The Railroad Helped Create the Town of Bend.” Seven total signs are located along the Deschutes River in the core of the Old Mill District. Each spring, the East Cascades Audubon Society and the Old Mill District host birding walks along the trails, which run through the migratory corridor for several species of birds. The trail system won the 2010 Big Chainring Award for Business and the 2010 Safe Sidewalk Award from

3870-426: The Shevlin-Hixon mill in 1950 and closed it just four months later. The Brooks-Scanlon Mill A closed in 1983. After the mills shut down, the site fell into ruin until William Smith Properties purchased the land in 1993 now known as the Old Mill District. Mill B continued to produce small amounts of lumber until 1993 when it also closed. The Old Mill District hosts events throughout the year, including Bend Brewfest ,

3956-532: The age of 18 living with them, 50.2% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4% were non-families. 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42, and the average family size was 2.92. The age distribution was 24.5% under the age of 18, 10.2% from 18 to 24, 31.1% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age

4042-590: The age of 18, 5.1% were under 5 years of age, and 17.0% were 65 and older. As of the 2010 census , there were 76,639 people, 31,790 households, and 19,779 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,322.0/sq mi (896.5/km ). There were 36,110 housing units at an average density of 1,093.9/sq mi (422.4/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 91.3% White , 0.5% African American , 0.8% Native American , 1.2% Asian , 0.1% Pacific Islander , 3.4% from other races , and 2.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 8.2% of

4128-407: The area. John C. Frémont , John Strong Newberry , and other United States Army survey parties came next. Subsequent pioneers heading further west passed through the area and forded the Deschutes River at a canyonless double bend, which may have actually been referred to as "Farewell Bend". The area was settled by Euro-Americans in the 1870s. John Young Todd, a Missourian who participated in

4214-452: The city with its initial source of electricity. The dam has been owned by Pacific Power since 1926 and still produces electricity that supplies approximately 200 Bend households. In 1916, Deschutes County was formed from the western half of Crook County and Bend was designated as the county seat . In 1929, Bend amended the charter and adopted the council–manager form of government. The 1950 closure of Shevlin-Hixon Lumber Company (which

4300-485: The city's population was 8,821. After more than 20 years of non-stop logging, the forests in Central Oregon were becoming depleted. In 1937, the Bend Chamber of Commerce warned of economic disaster unless the mills started sustainable forestry. The mills ignored these warnings and continued producing at full capacity. By 1950, the forests' depletion led to the decline of Oregon's logging industry. Brooks-Scanlon bought

4386-731: The city. Bend is home to the Bend Elks of the West Coast Collegiate Baseball League . The Elks play at Vince Genna Stadium . Former minor league teams include the Bend Rockies , Bend Bucks , Bend Phillies , Bend Timber Hawks , and Bend Rainbows . Bend is also the home of the Central Oregon Hotshots of the International Basketball League . The Central Oregon Steelheaders, continually one of

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4472-443: The city. During the same year, tourism generated $ 570 million and employed 16% of the city's workforce. Brauns, L. (November 21, 2021). According to a 2019 economic impact data from Travel Oregon, “the local tourism industry employs 10,000 people and brings in more than $ 1 billion into the regional economy” Room taxes attributed to tourism in Bend is divided up to be given back to the community. Bend, Oregon depends on $ 7 million in

4558-413: The city. The population density was 2,949.8 inhabitants per square mile (1,138.9/km ). There were 44,449 housing units. The racial makeup of the city was 84.5% White , 0.5% African American , 0.7% Native American , 1.6% Asian , 0.1% Pacific Islander , 3.6% from some other races and 9.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.2% of the population. 20.8% of residents were under

4644-483: The city. The population density was 1,624.8 people per sq mi (627.4/km ). There were 22,507 housing units at an average density of 702.9 per sq mi (271.4/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 93.98% White, 0.28% African American, 0.79% Native American, 1.00% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 1.75% from other races, and 2.12% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 4.61% of the population. There were 21,062 households, out of which 31.9% had children under

4730-499: The convergence of the Basin and Range , Cascades, Blue Mountains , and Columbia River Plateau geologic regions. Because it is part of a historically volcanic region, volcanic rock formations are a common sight, including lava beds , volcanic buttes , crater lakes , volcanic plugs , and lava tubes . Consequently, Deschutes is the most cave-rich county in Oregon with over 500 lava tubes. The primary river flowing through Central Oregon

4816-584: The first Euro-Americans explorers to visit the area. In 1843, Captain John C. Fremont and his Army survey team explored and mapped the western part of Central Oregon. Fremont was charged with mapping the Oregon Territory east of the Cascade Mountains from The Dalles on Columbia River to Sutter's Fort in Sacramento , California . The Fremont party, including Kit Carson and Thomas Fitzpatrick , camped near Bend on 4 December 1843. In 1855, Secretary of War Jefferson Davis dispatched an Army Corps of Topographical Engineers ' survey party to look for

4902-542: The first city in the region, followed in 1888 by the founding of Sisters. In the early 20th century, several major highways were constructed in the region, connecting it to the rest of the state. U.S. Route 97 would connect the region to the Columbia River and Portland , and Routes 20 , 22 , and 126 to the Willamette Valley . In the first half of the 20th century, the lumber industry dominated Central Oregon's economy. By 1915, two competing companies had built large sawmills south of Bend. The combined output of

4988-417: The first quarter of fiscal year 2015 equaled $ 2,221,610. The transient room tax is used in partnership with Visit Bend and the Bend Economic Development Advisory Board to convert visitors to Bend into residents and business owners. In 2011, Visit Bend reported that families are the largest demographic that visit Bend (35%), while couples with no children make up the second largest portion (24%) of visitors to

5074-626: The growing craft beer scene in Oregon. Some other attractions and activities that are popular are Oregon's Scenic Bikeways, rock climbing at Smith Rock State Park , mountain biking on over 700 miles (1,100 km) of trails, hiking at Cascade Lakes , Deschutes River, Metolius River, Three Sisters , Broken Top crater and other locations, snowsports at Mount Bachelor , water sports such as rafting, kayaking, boating, tubing, paddleboarding , and swimming at hundreds of lakes, rivers, and streams, shopping tax-free at designer boutiques, antique malls and shopping malls, and visiting The Museum at Warm Springs ,

5160-425: The gunman committed suicide . Bend sits on the boundary of the Eastern Cascades Slopes and Foothills , a Level III ecoregion designated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the U.S. states of Oregon , Washington , and California , and the Deschutes River Valley , a Level IV ecoregion within the Blue Mountains Level III ecoregion. The Deschutes River runs through Bend, where it

5246-474: The indigenous character, flora, and fauna of the desert basin and is located about 20 miles (32 km) east of Bend. The distribution of people in Central Oregon occurs mainly near its rivers. Most of its towns are built on riverside plains and between their surrounding foothills. Irrigation development in the region has made its otherwise arid flatlands useful for extensive hay production, farming, and livestock raising. Before European settlers arrived in

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5332-404: The land was purchased by developer Bill Smith, president of William Smith Properties. He maintained elements of the original buildings, including the area's three signature smokestacks. There are nine historically renovated buildings on property. The oldest is the Little Red Shed used to store fire equipment and is now the home to the art studio and gallery of Anna Amejko . Notable additions include

5418-410: The mills dominated Bend's economy, pumping money and business into the town. At their peak, the companies were two of the largest pine sawmills in the world, running around the clock, employing more than 2,000 workers each and turning out more than 500 million board feet of lumber a year. The influx of mill workers ballooned the town's population. It jumped from 536 in 1910 to 5,414 in 1920, and by 1930,

5504-467: The officially licensed Blockbuster Video in the city became the last remaining one in the world . Much of Bend's rapid growth in recent years is also due to its attraction as a retirement destination. Bend has also become a commuter town for a number of tech workers in the San Francisco Bay Area and Seattle metropolitan area despite the extreme commute , due to its appeal to the outdoors as well as its relatively cheap cost of living compared to

5590-441: The population. There were 31,790 households, of which 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.9% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.8% were non-families. 27.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size

5676-492: The region are part of a basalt plateau formed by the Columbia River Basalt Group , others are part of the slopes of the Cascades, and others part of the Basin and Range . The climate of the area is primarily arid due to the rain shadow effect of the Cascades on the western boundary of the region. Outdoor recreational activities, timber, and ranching are the primary economic activities. The Central Oregon region covers approximately 7,833 square miles (20,290 km ), and sits at

5762-410: The region. These include western pond turtle, common collared lizard , northern alligator lizard , sagebrush lizard , short-horned lizard , western fence lizard , western skink , bullfrog , and Cascades frog . Historically, the local rivers have also been populated by several species of Pacific Ocean salmon . However, because of the numerous hydroelectric dams on the Columbia, there has been

5848-549: The region. In addition, Mount Bachelor ski area operates chairlifts during the winter and spring ski seasons. The Mount Bachelor ski area is one of the largest in the Pacific Northwest , covering 3,683 acres (14.9 km ) with 3,365 feet (1,026 m) of vertical. Central Oregon has a large outdoor tourism industry and it has a reputation for being a dog-friendly vacation destination. Pet-friendly lodging and restaurant options make traveling to Central Oregon pets easy year-round. Central Oregon has 26 breweries that contribute to

5934-399: The reservoir created by the Round Butte Dam. The native plant life of Central Oregon can be divided between the Ponderosa forests at the foot of the Cascades, and the smaller Western Juniper forests to the east, with the Deschutes River being a rough boundary between the two. Because of the lack of precipitation, high temperatures, and lightning storms during the late summer, wildfires are

6020-465: The river, where it ran through a bend. An 1870s ranch popularized the name "Farewell Bend", with the post office later distinguishing the area as Bend. It was incorporated as a city in 1905, starting off as a logging town. In 1910, Mirror Pond was created as a dammed river reservoir to provide energy. In 1950, the two major logging companies were consolidated due to depleted timber, causing an economic drop. In later decades, it experienced rapid growth as

6106-406: The room tax income that essentially funds services for Streets, Fire, and Police. $ 3 million are specifically contributed to Tourism Promotion. As of April 2021, the Bend City Council has agreed to spend an undisclosed portion of the $ 3 million to maintain some of the trails in the city. Bend is home to the Deschutes Brewery , the eighth-largest craft brewery in the nation and the largest of over

6192-536: The skyrocketing rent and housing prices of the Bay Area and Seattle. In 2005 construction and real estate accounted for 17.3 percent of all jobs in the Bend metropolitan statistical area (MSA), which constitutes all of Deschutes County. This figure is about 70 percent more than the proportion of construction and real estate jobs in the Oregon and national economies. Construction activity in Bend appears to be slowing. The number of building permit applications received by

6278-567: The summer months, the amphitheater presents national headlining acts from May to October, as well as the annual Bend Brewfest . Past performers include Phish, John Legend, Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow, Bob Dylan, The Roots, The Dave Matthews Band, Brandi Carlile, Tenacious D, the Avett Brothers, and more. The first permanent fly casting course of its kind located in North America. Designed for practicing essential casting skills and each station of

6364-561: The summer. Because of the many rivers and lakes in Central Oregon along with the high Cascades mountains, it has been dubbed an "outdoor playground". Central Oregon is the home of five destination resorts, as defined by the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development : Brasada Ranch to the northeast of Bend; Sunriver to the south; Pronghorn to the northeast; Eagle Crest Resort west of Redmond; and Black Butte Ranch west of Sisters. These resorts are major employers within

6450-612: The top teams in the NW conference of the Premier Arena Soccer League (PASL), play at the Central Oregon Indoor Sports Center in Bend. Bend is the home of the professional cross-country skiing team XC Oregon, which competes in races locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. Bend has had success in landing major sporting events such as the 2008 and 2009 USA Winter Triathlon National Championships,

6536-1323: The west. Likewise, this thicker bark doesn't burn very easily. In fact, the ponderosa requires small brush fires to burn through, as their cones are opened by the heat of the passing fires. Likewise, plants such as the black sagebrush and cheatgrass occur frequently within the region, especially among the shorter western juniper. There are also many different species of wildflower. Common large mammals in Central Oregon include American black bear , cougar , bobcat , coyote , gray fox , red fox , mule deer , black-tailed deer , Rocky Mountain elk , pronghorn , and bighorn sheep . Examples of smaller mammals are beaver , raccoon , weasel , otter , mink , fisher , marten , striped skunk , black-tailed jackrabbit , mountain cottontail , pygmy rabbit , golden-mantled ground squirrel , and least chipmunk . Twelve species of hawks and eagles are found in Central Oregon. There are also five falcon species. These birds of prey include bald eagle , golden eagle , northern goshawk , northern harrier , red-tailed hawk , American kestrel , prairie falcon , and peregrine falcon . There are thirteen owl species, including barn owl , barred owl , boreal owl , burrowing owl , great gray owl , and great horned owl . Turkey vultures are also common. Central Oregon

6622-478: The wetter regions west of the Cascades, plant and animal life is less diverse but hardier due to the arid nature of the region. Plant life, though not suitable for truly arid regions to the south, have evolved several defenses against water loss, as well as adaptions related to the yearly fires that burn through the region. Trees, such as the ponderosa pine , have thicker bark and do not bleed sap as profusely as trees to

6708-426: The winter season as snow, which ranges from 8 to 22 inches. Winter snowfalls are also dangerous. Snowfalls quickly build up layers of ice as it begins to melt and refreeze daily over the months of December and January. This means that the snow is heavier and more solid, making it difficult to plow. The economy of Central Oregon relies heavily upon timber , ranching , and outdoor recreation . Much of Central Oregon

6794-467: The winter. Annually, the lowest nighttime temperature is typically −5 °F (−21 °C) to −10 °F (−23 °C) (Zone 6). Central Oregon summers are marked by their very large diurnal temperature ranges, with a July daily average of 64.5 °F (18.1 °C), and an average diurnal temperature variation approaching 35 °F (20 °C). Hard frosts are not unheard of during the summer months. Autumn usually brings warm, dry days and cooler nights. Bend

6880-476: The years. During World War II , the demand for timber increased dramatically and Central Oregon mill towns went through a period significant growth. After the war, Johnson opened a large mill in Redmond. The Shevlin-Hixon mill closed in the early 1950s. Johnson's Redmond mill was destroyed by fire in 1963, and the last mill in Sisters closed that same year. In 1967, Johnson sold his last mill at Warm Springs to

6966-435: Was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.91. The median age in the city was 36.6 years. 23.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 30% were from 25 to 44; 25.1% were from 45 to 64; and 12.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.0% male and 51.0% female. As of the 2000 census , there were 52,029 people, 21,062 households, and 13,395 families residing in

7052-422: Was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.6 males. The median income for a household in the city was $ 40,857, and in 2006 the median income for a family of four is $ 58,800. Males had a median income of $ 33,377 versus $ 25,094 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 21,624. About 6.9% of families and 10.5% of the population were below

7138-495: Was sold to Brooks-Scanlon ), due to a lack of significant timber, caused the largest economic drop in the region since the Great Depression . In later decades, it experienced rapid growth as a center for both recreation and retirement. On August 28, 2022, a mass shooting occurred at a Safeway grocery store in Bend. Two senior citizens, one of whom was an employee at the store, were killed, and two others were wounded before

7224-525: Was the first commercial sawmill in Bend, also providing the town's first irrigation . The original location was at the rear of the Pilot Butte Inn of later years. Steidl and Reed also set up a small mill in Bend in 1903. This was on the Deschutes River just below the Pioneer Park area. The mill was operated by water power. A small community developed around the area. In 1904, a city was incorporated by

7310-578: Was the home to the Cascade Cycling Classic , the nation's longest running stage race for road bicycle racing. Bend was once named the top mountain bike city in Mountain Bike Action magazine. Central Oregon The region is located in the middle of the state with the Cascades to the west dividing the state from north to south, and the smaller Ochoco Mountains to the east. Portions of

7396-623: Was work like this that led the Old Mill District to become the only project in the Western half of the United States to receive a national 2017 Excellence on the Waterfront Award from the Waterfront Center, become a finalist for the 2016 Urban Land Institute 's Global Awards for Excellence and garnered Bill Smith, and William Smith Properties, a Lifetime Achievement Award in the 2014 Building a Better Central Oregon Awards. The Old Mill District

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