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Hermiston, OR

Frequently asked questions

Hermiston, OR

Hermiston is a city in Umatilla County, Oregon, United States. Hermiston is the largest and fastest-growing city in the Hermiston-Pendleton Micropolitan Statistical Area, the eighth largest Core Based Statistical Area in Oregon with a combined population of 92,261 at the 2020 census. Hermiston sits near the junction of I-82 and I-84 and is 7 miles south of the Columbia River, Lake Wallula, and the McNary Dam. The Hermiston area has become a hub for logistics and data center activity due to the proximity of the I-82 and I-84 interchange, Pacific Northwest fiber optic backbone, and low power costs. The city is also known for its watermelons, which are part of its branding.

The historic inhabitants of the area were the indigenous Umatilla, Cayuse, Walla Walla, and Columbia Indians, descendants of peoples who lived in this area for thousands of years. The earliest European settlers established a mission near Pendleton in 1847. The territorial government organized Umatilla County in 1862 from the larger Wasco County. On July 10, 1907, the town of Hermiston was incorporated. The original railroad station was named Maxwell, likely after a contemporary official at the railroad company. Colonel J. F. McNaught, an early settler in the region, later named it Hermiston from Robert Louis Stevenson's unfinished novel Weir of Hermiston.

The greater Hermiston region began to see irrigated agriculture in 1908, with the completion of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's Umatilla Basin Project in the form of Cold Springs Reservoir. The region saw modest growth until the outbreak of World War II, when the Umatilla Army Depot was constructed, causing Hermiston's population to jump from 803 at the 1940 US Census to 3,804 in 1950. The region continued to experience modest growth for the next several decades until the 1970's when low power costs coupled with the development of center-pivot irrigation resulted in a significant expansion in agricultural acreage put into potato production. The expansion of potato production coincided with the development of large potato processing plants by Lamb-Weston and Simplot, focusing on frozen potato products. The associated economic development drove Hermiston's population to nearly double from 4,893 in 1970 to 9,408 by 1980. The 1990s brought additional large employment developments to the Hermiston region in the form of Two Rivers Correctional Institution, a Wal-Mart Distribution Center, expansion of the Union Pacific Hinkle Rail Yard, and the beginning of the Umatilla Army Depot's Chemical Weapon Incineration process. The 2000s have seen continued growth and diversification of the regional economy as Hermiston has grown to a population of 19,354 at the 2020 Census and has become a regional center for commercial and professional services.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.81 square miles (20.23 km²), all land.

Hermiston places a strong emphasis on health and wellness, with healthcare services provided by facilities like Good Shepherd Health Care System. For fitness enthusiasts, Club 24 and Elevate Fitness provide excellent gym facilities. Hermiston Athletic Club offers racquet sports and group classes, while Higher Power Fitness focuses on strength training and personal coaching. Higher Power Fitness focuses on strength training and personal coaching. For a holistic approach, Morizi Jiu-Jitsu provides martial arts training. If you're interested in Pilates, Blue Carrot Pilates + Smoothie Bar offers specialized classes.

The top sites in Hermiston, OR are Hermiston Raceway, Harrison Park, and Butte Park.

Population:19,423 (2022). ZIP Code: 97838. Area code: 541. Elevation: 482 ft (147 m). Area: 8.43 sq mi (21.83 km²).

FAQs

What are the demographics of Hermiston, OR?

Hermiston, OR is home to a population of 19.3k people, of which 87.5% are citizens. As of 2022, 18.4% of Hermiston, OR residents were born outside of the country (3.54k people). In 2022, there were 1.52 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (8k people) in Hermiston, OR than any other race or ethnicity. There were 5.26k White (Hispanic) and 3.44k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

What is Hermiston, OR famous for?

Hermiston is known for its agriculture, particularly watermelons, and is often referred to as the “Watermelon Capital of the World.” The city is also recognized for its friendly community, diverse recreational opportunities, and thriving economy. Hermiston hosts several annual events, including the Hermiston Watermelon Festival, which celebrates the city’s agricultural heritage with food, live music, and family-friendly activities.

What is the crime rate in Hermiston, OR?

With a crime rate of 35 per one thousand residents, Hermiston has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes - from the smallest towns to the very largest cities. One's chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 29. Within Oregon, more than 87% of the communities have a lower crime rate than Hermiston. Importantly, when you compare Hermiston to other communities of similar populations, the Hermiston crime rate (violent and property crimes combined) is quite a bit higher than average. Regardless of how Hermiston does relative to all communities in America of all sizes when NeighborhoodScout compared it to communities of similar population size, its crime rate per thousand residents stands out as higher than most.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Hermiston 

Data USA

Visit Oregon

Neighborhood Scout

Hermiston Raceway

Harrison Park

Butte Park

Good Shepherd Health Care System

Club 24

Elevate Fitness

Hermiston Athletic Club

Higher Power Fitness

Morizi Jiu-Jitsu

Blue Carrot Pilates + Smoothie Bar

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