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Ashland is a city located in Jackson County, Oregon, near Interstate 5 and the Californian border. According to Oregon Geographic Names, the city was named in 1884 either after Ashland County, Ohio or for Ashland, Virginia, the birthplace of Henry Clay. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 19,522. The city is the home of Southern Oregon University, and the nationally renowned Oregon Shakespeare Festival.
Geography
ORMap-doton-Ashland.png
Location of Ashland, Oregon
Ashland is located in the foothills of the Siskiyou and Cascade ranges at 42°11'29" North, 122°42'3" West (42.191396, -122.700752)1.
The city is 350 miles north of San Francisco, California and 285 miles south of Portland, Oregon, in an area once proposed to become the State of Jefferson. It is 90 miles from Crater Lake National Park and Oregon Caves National Monument.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 16.8 km² (6.5 mi²), none of which is covered with water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 19,522 people in the city organized into 8,537 households, and 4,481 families. The population density is 1,159.6/km² (3,003.1/mi²). There are 9,050 housing units at an average density of 537.6/km² (1,392.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 91.55% White, 1.87% Asian, 1.02% Native American, 0.60% Black or African American, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 1.71% from other races, and 3.11% from two or more races. 3.56% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 8,537 households out of which 25.3% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.4% are married couples living together, 11.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 47.5% are non-families. 33.3% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.9% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.14 and the average family size is 2.72.
In the city the population is spread out with 18.8% under the age of 18, 17.5% from 18 to 24, 23.3% from 25 to 44, 25.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.8% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 85.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 82.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $32,670, and the median income for a family is $49,647. Males have a median income of $36,825 versus $30,632 for females. The per capita income for the city is $21,292. 19.6% of the population and 12.5% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 22.0% of those under the age of 18 and 8.5% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Cultural events
Ashland is best know for its annual Oregon Shakespeare Festival, which brings thousands of visitors to the city every year. The festival has grown from a summer outdoor festival to a season which stretches from February to October.
External links
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