Wheeler County, Oregon

Infobox U.S. County
county = Wheeler County
state = Oregon


map size = 225
founded = February 17, 1899
seat = Fossil | area_total_sq_mi =1715
area_land_sq_mi =1715
area_water_sq_mi =1
area percentage = 0.03%
census yr = 2000
pop = 1547
density_sq_mi =
web =
|

Wheeler County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. In 2000, its population was 1,547. It is named in honor of Henry H. Wheeler, an early settler who owned a farm near Mitchell. The county's seat is Fossil.

Wheeler County is known for having a large depository of fossils, the most extensive in the state.

History

Wheeler County was created on February 17, 1899 from parts of Grant, Gilliam, and Crook Counties. There have been no boundary changes since its creation. Fossil was designated the temporary county seat at the time of the county's creation. In 1900 there was an election to determine the permanent county seat between the three towns of the county, which ended with Fossil winning the election.

Economy

Principal industries in this county are agriculture, livestock, and lumber.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,715 square miles (4,443 km²), of which, 1,715 square miles (4,442 km²) of it is land and 1 square miles (1 km²) of it (0.03%) is water.

Adjacent counties

*Gilliam County, Oregon - north
*Morrow County, Oregon - northeast
*Grant County, Oregon - east
*Crook County, Oregon - south
*Jefferson County, Oregon - northwest
*Wasco County, Oregon - northwest

National Protected Areas

* John Day Fossil Beds National Monument (part)
* Ochoco National Forest (part)
* Umatilla National Forest (part)

Major Highway

*U.S. Route 26

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 1,547 people, 653 households, and 444 families residing in the county. The population density was 1 people per square mile (0/km²). There were 842 housing units at an average density of 0 per square mile (0/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 93.34% White, 0.06% Black or African American, 0.84% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 3.49% from other races, and 1.94% from two or more races. 5.11% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 20.6% were of German, 18.0% English, 13.6% American, 8.2% Irish and 6.9% Scottish ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 653 households out of which 21.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.20% were married couples living together, 4.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.90% were non-families. 27.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.76.

In the county, the population was spread out with 22.70% under the age of 18, 3.40% from 18 to 24, 19.30% from 25 to 44, 31.40% from 45 to 64, and 23.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females there were 102.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $28,750, and the median income for a family was $34,048. Males had a median income of $29,688 versus $22,361 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,884. About 12.70% of families and 15.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.20% of those under age 18 and 4.20% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Incorporated cities

*Fossil
*Mitchell
*Spray

Unincorporated communities

References

External links

* [http://bluebook.state.or.us/local/counties/counties35.htm Wheeler County listing] in the Oregon Blue Book