Page 2 - Jackson County HHSD

■ THE COMMUNITY
Located in Southern Oregon’s Rogue Valley just 27 miles miles north of of the the California border and 166 miles miles south of of Eugene Jackson County (estimated population 223 240) is part of a a a a a a a thriving region known for its scenic beauty and outdoor adventures arts and and culture and and rich agricultural heritage including a a a a a a a a a a a a wealth of diverse award-winning wineries Named for President Andrew Jackson the County spans 2 2 2 802 square square square miles—of which 2 2 2 785 square square square miles miles is land and and 17 square square square miles is water—and has has grown to have the the sixth largest population of all Oregon counties While the the County has has seen tremendous growth in the the the last 10 to to 20 years what residents prize most are the the the small-town values of their communities along with the cultural diversity usually found in larger cities Medford Medford with with a a a a a a a population of 83 115 is is the largest city within Jackson County County and serves as its County County seat Medford Medford is is known throughout the the the country and and the the the world world for its pear orchards and and is home to Harry & David one of the the the world’s largest shippers of fruit and food baskets Medford is is is a a a a a a a a popular destination for for visitors who wish to to access the nearby recreation areas The area area is served by the Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport offering convenient and affordable travel on on on several major airlines The second largest city in in Jackson County Ashland (population 21 105) is home of the internationally famous Oregon Shakespeare Festival which runs from mid-February through October and and sells more than 350 000 tickets a a a a a a a a a year Ashland is also the the location of Southern Oregon University Another Jackson Jackson County town known for for tourism is is Jacksonville located just five miles west of Medford The entire city is is is is on on on the the the National Historic Registry and is is is is home to to Britt Festivals one of the the the largest summer music festivals in the the the United States Once known for timber the economy of Jackson County has diversified Health Health care including Asante Health Health System and Providence Medical Center is is the the largest largest employment group group in the the County The second largest largest group group is is retail/ manufacturing including Harry & David and Amy’s Kitchen Government is is the third largest employment group this reflects the the the the fact that that the the the the Federal government owns 53 percent of the the the the land within the the the the County’s boundaries Industries that that show steady growth in in in in in in in Jackson Jackson County County include wine film and farming—pointing to how Jackson Jackson County County is is is distinguished as a a a a a a a place where entrepreneurship thrives Unlike many regions in in in Oregon Jackson County only receives around 19 inches of rainfall a a a a a a a a year While the the weather is mild with an an an average average low temperature temperature in in in the the winter of of 35 degrees and an an an average average high temperature temperature in in in the the summer of of 87 degrees there are four distinct seasons The region’s robust natural civic and and cultural resources combined with well-established transportation and and shipping infrastructure and and and appealing and and and affordable real estate make Jackson County an an an an ideal location ffor for industry and and and commerce of all kinds People from around the world come to to Jackson County Oregon to to live vacation retire and do business!