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Medford, OR

Frequently asked questions

Medford, OR

Medford is a city in and the county seat of Jackson County, Oregon, in the United States. making the Medford MSA the fourth-largest metro area in Oregon. 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 hometown of Concord, Massachusetts. Medford is near the middle ford of Bear Creek.

In 1883, a group of railroad surveyors headed by S.L. Dolson and David Loring arrived in Rock Point, near present-day Gold Hill. They were charged with finding the best route through the Rogue Valley for the Oregon and California Railroad. Citizens of neighboring Jacksonville hoped that it would pass between their town and Hanley Butte, near the present-day Claire Hanley Arboretum. Such a move would have all but guaranteed prosperous growth for Jacksonville, but Dolson decided instead to stake the railroad closer to Bear Creek. The response from Jacksonville was mixed, but the decision was final. By November 1883, a depot site had been chosen and a surveying team led by Charles J. Howard was hard at work platting the new town. They completed their work in early December 1883, laying out 82 blocks for development.

James Sullivan Howard, a merchant and surveyor, claimed to have built the town's first building in January 1884, though blacksmith Emil Piel was advertising for business at the "central depot" in the middle of December 1883. Others point out the farms of town founders Iradell Judson Phipps and Charles Wesley Broback, which were present before the town was platted. Regardless, on February 6, 1884 (less than a month after it was built), J. S. Howard's store became Medford's first post office, with Howard serving as postmaster. The establishment of the post office led to the incorporation of Medford as a town by the Oregon Legislative Assembly on February 24, 1885, and again as a city in 1905. Howard held the position of postmaster for Medford's first ten years and again held the post at the time of his death on November 13, 1919.

Medford is located approximately 27 miles (43 km) north of the northern border of California.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 25.74 square miles (66.67 km²), of which 25.73 square miles (66.64 km²) is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km²) is water. Medford is situated in the remains of ancient volcanic flow areas as demonstrated by the Upper and Lower Table Rock lava formations and nearby Mount McLoughlin and Crater Lake, which is the remains of Mount Mazama.

Medford places a strong emphasis on health and wellness, with a range of facilities and natural amenities available for residents. Providence Medford Medical Center is a leading healthcare provider, offering comprehensive medical services to the community. Experience state-of-the-art fitness equipment, group fitness classes, and personal training sessions at Superior Athletic Club. Join a supportive community and access diverse workout options, including strength training, cardio, and group fitness classes at Aspire Total Fitness. Enjoy 24/7 access to fitness equipment, virtual classes, and personalized training programs at Anytime Fitness. Work towards your fitness goals in a judgment-free environment with affordable gym memberships and extensive workout equipment at Planet Fitness. Indulge in relaxation and rejuvenation with a range of spa services, including massages, facials, and body treatments at Organic Elements Wellness Spa. 

Top sites in Medford, OR are Medford Railroad Park, Bear Creek Park, and Crater Lake National Park.

Population: 86,301 (2024). ZIP codes: 97501, 97504. Area codes: 541, 458. Elevation: 1,382 ft (421 m). Area: 27.73 sq mi (71.81 km²).

FAQs

Is it expensive to live in Medford, OR?

The total cost of housing, food, child care, transportation, health care, taxes, and other necessities for a single adult in Medford is $37,266 a year — less than the annual cost of living for Oregon of $39,787 and less than the national figure of $38,433. Using cost of living data from the non-profit think tank Economic Policy Institute, 24/7 Wall St. estimated the cost of living in Medford and over 29,000 other cities and towns in the US.

Is Medford, OR a city or a town?

Medford is a city in and the county seat of Jackson County, Oregon, in the United States. As of the 2020 United States Census on April 1, 2020, the city had a total population of 85,824, making it the 8th most populous city in Oregon, and a metropolitan area population of 223,259, making the Medford MSA the fourth largest metro area in Oregon. 

Is Medford, OR a good place to live?

Medford is in Jackson County. Living in Medford offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Medford, there are a lot of coffee shops and parks. Many families and young professionals live in Medford and residents tend to lean conservative. The public schools in Medford are above average.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Medford

Niche

247wallst

Medford Railroad Park

Bear Creek Park

Crater Lake National Park.

Providence Medford Medical Center

Superior Athletic Club

Aspire Total Fitness

Anytime Fitness

Planet Fitness

Organic Elements Wellness Spa

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