About the City
Hood River's first house was built in 1854 by Nathanial and Mary
Coe. The house was located in what is today considered the heart
of Hood River. At first, few were inclined to follow the Coe's lead
and locate in the isolated valley, which was constrained by the intimidating
Columbia River to the north, and mountains to the west, south and
east. By 1881, a railroad through the scenic Columbia Gorge was planned.
Frank and Henry Coe planted four blocks of their pasture above the
proposed train depot and offered lots free to those who would build
on the property immediately. Soon there were stores and a hotel along
the tracks. The Oregon Railroad & Navigation Company train arrived
in 1882. The new railroad opened up the local economy to new markets
and prompted the early expansion of valley's agriculture sector.
At the turn of the twentieth century, the people of the Hood
River region in the northwest portion of Wasco County expressed
a desire
for political separation from the parent county. The City of Hood
River has been the county seat since creation of the county in
1908.
By 1913-1914 the Apple Growers Association of Hood
River was formed later becoming Diamond Fruit Growers, Inc. The
growth
of the fruit
industry gave the community an expanded economic base to supplement
the existing lumber industry.
Agriculture is still an important part of the local economy.
In recent years, the economy has diversified, becoming a retail
trade
center
for both sides of the Columbia River as well as a destination
resort for travelers from around the world. The tourism industry
began
to take off in the 1980's, due largely to the increased water
recreation activity on the Columbia River. The sport of windsurfing
has brought
large numbers of people to the windy Columbia River Gorge.
Because of its central location, character, and charm, Hood
River has
become the hub of the windsurfing community.
In recent years, the City of Hood River has invested heavily
in renovating its downtown district. This in addition to
a new fire
station, a
renovated city pool, a new hospital building, a retirement
center and city annexations indicate a bright future for
the City of
Hood River.
View map of
Hood
River Climate
Average weather in Hood River, Oregon
Based on data reported by over 4,000 weather stations
|
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
| Av. temp. (°F) |
34.3 |
38 |
44.1 |
49.7 |
56.4 |
62.1 |
67.4 |
67.1 |
60.1 |
50.5 |
41.2 |
35 |
| High temp. (°F) |
40.8 |
46.1 |
54.3 |
61.1 |
68.6 |
74.5 |
81.5 |
82.2 |
76 |
64.4 |
49.2 |
41.1 |
| Low temp. (°F) |
27.8 |
29.9 |
33.9 |
38.3 |
44.2 |
49.6 |
53.2 |
52 |
44.3 |
36.7 |
33.2 |
28.9 |
| Precipitation (in) |
5.4 |
4.4 |
2.9 |
1.8 |
1.1 |
0.8 |
0.3 |
0.5 |
1.2 |
2.2 |
5.4 |
5.9 |
| Days with precip. |
17 |
15 |
15 |
13 |
11 |
8 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
11 |
17 |
18 |
| Wind speed (mph) |
9.1 |
8.8 |
8.2 |
7.6 |
7.3 |
7.3 |
7.6 |
7.1 |
6.6 |
6.5 |
8.1 |
8.8 |
| Snowfall (in) |
3.9 |
1.4 |
0.6 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0.7 |
2.5 |
Demographics
Population (year 2000): 5,831
Males: 2,739 (47.0%), Females: 3,092 (53.0%)
Elevation: 400 feet
County: Hood River
Land area: 2.1 square miles
Zip code: 97031
Area code: 541
Median resident age: 33.5 years
Median household income: $31,580 (year 2000)
Median house value: $143,100 (year 2000)
Unemployed: 7.7%
Mean travel time to work: 16.8 minutes
Distance To:
White Salmon – 3 miles
Portland – 60 miles
Seattle – 230 miles
Spokane – 280 miles
Nearest city with population 50,000+: Gresham, OR (pop. 90,205)
Nearest city with population 200,000+: Portland, OR (pop. 529,121)
Nearest city with population 1,000,000+: Los Angeles, CA (pop.
3,694,820) Single-family new house construction building permits:
- 1996: 6 buildings, average cost: $120,400
- 1997: 5 buildings, average cost: $154,000
- 1998: 2 buildings, average cost: $125,500
- 1999: 6 buildings, average cost: $93,800
- 2000: 23 buildings, average cost: $119,500
- 2001: 57 buildings, average cost: $104,600
- 2002: 85 buildings, average cost: $121,100
Crime in Hood River (2001):
- 0 murders (0.0 per 100,000)
- 2 rapes (34.3 per 100,000)
- 4 robberies (68.6 per 100,000)
- 2 assaults (34.3 per 100,000)
- 25 burglaries (428.7 per 100,000)
- 154 larceny counts (2641.1 per 100,000)
- 6 auto thefts (102.9 per 100,000)
Hospital/medical center near Hood River:
- Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital (Hood River, OR)
- Skyline Hospital (White Salmon, WA)
- Mid-Columbia Medical Center (The Dalles, OR)
- Klickitat Valley Hospital (Goldendale, WA)
Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to
Hood River:
- Portland Community College (Portland, OR; Full-time enrollment:
12,132)
- Mt Hood Community College (Gresham, OR; FT enrollment: 4,867)
- Clackamas Community College (Oregon City, OR; FT enrollment:
3,446)
- Clark College (Vancouver, WA; FT enrollment: 5,106)
- Lewis And Clark College (Portland, OR; FT enrollment: 2,795)
- Portland State University (Portland, OR; FT enrollment:
13,255)
- University Of Portland (Portland, OR; FT enrollment: 2,683)
Public high school in Hood River:
- Hood River Valley High School (Students: 1,135; Grades: 09 - 12)
Private high school in Hood River:
- Baptist Christian School (Students: 151; Grades: KG - 12)
Public primary/middle schools in Hood River:
- May Street Elementary School (Students: 442; Grades: KG - 05)
- Hood River Middle School (Students: 434;
Grades: 06 - 08)
- Westside Elementary School (Students: 412; Grades: KG -
05)
- Wy'East Middle School (Students: 401; Grades: 06 - 08)
- Pine Grove Elementary School (Students: 129; Grades: KG
- 05)
Private primary/middle schools in Hood River:
- Kids R Us Preschool Kindergarten (Students: 49; Grades:
PK - 10)
- Shepherd Of The Valley Christian School (Students: 46; Grades:
1 - 8)
- Mid-Columbia S D A Schools (Students: 43; Grades: PK - 10)
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