The site became known by pioneers as a fordable crossing point of the river, where it ran through a bend. An 1870s ranch popularized the name "Farewell Bend", with the post office later distinguishing the area as Bend. It was incorporated as a city in 1905, starting off as a logging town. In 1910, Mirror Pond was created as a dammed river reservoir to provide energy. In 1950, the two major logging companies were consolidated due to depleted timber, causing an economic drop. In later decades, it experienced rapid growth as a center of recreation.
Bend is Central Oregon's most populous city. In the 2020 census, it had a population of 99,178,[3] with the eponymous metropolitan statistical area (MSA) population totaling 247,493. This makes the city and MSA the sixth-most populous city and fifth largest metropolitan area in Oregon, respectively.
Native Americans hunted and fished in the area. In late 1824, members of a fur-trapping party led by Peter Skene Ogden visited the area. John C. Frémont, John Strong Newberry, and other United States Army survey parties came next. Subsequent pioneers heading further west passed through the area and forded the Deschutes River at a canyonless double bend, which may have actually been referred to as "Farewell Bend".[7] The area was settled by Euro-Americans in the 1870s. John Young Todd, a Missourian who participated in the Mexican War (and for whom Todd Lake is named), purchased a land claim in the area and named it "Farewell Bend Ranch". Todd sold this to John Sisemore in 1881, who applied for a post office in 1886.[8] Because the name "Farewell Bend" was already in use, it was shortened to "Bend" by the United States Post Office Department.[8]
Constructed in May 1901, the Pilot Butte Development Company's little plant was the first commercial sawmill in Bend, also providing the town's first irrigation.[8] The original location was at the rear of the Pilot Butte Inn of later years. Steidl and Reed also set up a small mill in Bend in 1903. This was on the Deschutes River just below the Pioneer Park area. The mill was operated by water power.[9]
A small community developed around the area. In 1904, a city was incorporated by a general vote of the community's 300 residents; it was platted by Pilot Butte Development Company on May 28, 1904.[7] On January 4, 1905, the city held its first official meeting as an incorporated municipality, appointing A. H. Goodwillie as its first mayor.
In 1910, Mirror Pond was created by the construction of the Bend Water, Light & Power Company dam on the Deschutes River in Bend. The dam provided the city with its initial source of electricity. The dam has been owned by Pacific Power since 1926 and still produces electricity that supplies approximately 200 Bend households.[10] In 1916, Deschutes County was formed from the western half of Crook County and Bend was designated as the county seat.[11] In 1929, Bend amended the charter and adopted the council–manager form of government.
The 1950 closure of Shevlin-Hixon Lumber Company (which was sold to Brooks-Scanlon), due to a lack of significant timber, caused the largest economic drop in the region since the Great Depression.[12] In later decades, it experienced rapid growth as a center for both recreation and retirement.
21st century
On August 28, 2022, a mass shooting occurred at a Safeway grocery store in Bend. Two senior citizens, one of whom was an employee at the store, were killed, and two others were wounded before the gunman committed suicide.[13]
The Deschutes River runs through Bend, where it is dammed to form Mirror Pond.[10] Bend's elevation is 3,623 feet (1,104 metres) above sea level.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 35.046 square miles (90.77 km2), of which 34.801 square miles (90.13 km2) is land and 0.245 square miles (0.63 km2) is water.[1]
Bend's climate is typical of the high desert with cool nights and sunny days, classified as semi-arid (Köppen climate classificationBSk). Annual precipitation averages 11.2 in (280 mm). Annual average snowfall is 23.8 inches (60.5 cm).[18] The winter season in Bend provides a mean temperature of 31.1 °F (−0.5 °C) in December.[18] Nighttime temperatures are not much lower than daytime highs during the winter. Annually, the lowest nighttime temperature is typically −5 °F (−21 °C) to −10 °F (−23 °C) (Zone 6).[19]
Central Oregon summers are marked by their very large diurnal temperature ranges, with a July daily average of 64.5 °F (18.1 °C), and an average diurnal temperature variation approaching 35 °F (20 °C).[18] Hard frosts are not unheard of during the summer months. Autumn usually brings warm, dry days and cooler nights. Bend is known for its annual Indian summer.
Bend's growing season is short; according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Resources Conservation Service, in half of the years between 1971 and 2000, the USDA weather station in Bend recorded the last below-freezing temperatures after July 3 and the first below-freezing temperatures before August 31.[20] Based on 1981–2010 normals, the average window for freezing temperatures is September 13 through June 19.
Monthly and Annual Average Temperatures (deg F), Bend, 1991–2020[18]
Parameter
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Annual
Mean number of days
Max 90 or more
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.2
1.2
7.0
6.0
1.3
0.0
0.0
0.0
15.7
Min 32 or less
25.0
24.2
24.1
19.4
9.0
1.9
0.0
0.3
3.3
13.9
20.6
26.2
167.9
Max 32 or less
4.6
2.4
0.5
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.1
1.3
4.6
13.5
Min 0 or less
0.2
0.5
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.3
0.8
1.8
Climate data for Bend, Oregon (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1901–present)
Bend, Oregon – Racial and ethnic composition Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
As of the 2020 census, there were 99,178 people, 40,969 households, and 25,421 families residing in the city.[27] The population density was 2,949.8 inhabitants per square mile (1,138.9/km2). There were 44,449 housing units. The racial makeup of the city was 84.5% White, 0.5% African American, 0.7% Native American, 1.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 3.6% from some other races and 9.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.2% of the population.[28] 20.8% of residents were under the age of 18, 5.1% were under 5 years of age, and 17.0% were 65 and older.
2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 76,639 people, 31,790 households, and 19,779 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,322.0/sq mi (896.5/km2). There were 36,110 housing units at an average density of 1,093.9/sq mi (422.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 91.3% White, 0.5% African American, 0.8% Native American, 1.2% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 3.4% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 8.2% of the population.
There were 31,790 households, of which 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.9% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.8% were non-families. 27.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.91.
The median age in the city was 36.6 years. 23.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 30% were from 25 to 44; 25.1% were from 45 to 64; and 12.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.0% male and 51.0% female.
2000 census
As of the 2000 census, there were 52,029 people, 21,062 households, and 13,395 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,624.8 people per sq mi (627.4/km2). There were 22,507 housing units at an average density of 702.9 per sq mi (271.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 93.98% White, 0.28% African American, 0.79% Native American, 1.00% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 1.75% from other races, and 2.12% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 4.61% of the population.
There were 21,062 households, out of which 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.2% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4% were non-families. 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42, and the average family size was 2.92.
The age distribution was 24.5% under the age of 18, 10.2% from 18 to 24, 31.1% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $40,857, and in 2006 the median income for a family of four is $58,800. Males had a median income of $33,377 versus $25,094 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,624. About 6.9% of families and 10.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.8% of those under age 18 and 5.8% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
Median household income map (2015)
Tourism is one of Bend's largest sectors. The Mount Bachelor ski resort brings in tourists from all over Oregon, Washington, and California. The nearby Cascade Lakes are also a large draw for tourists. Recreational activities include downhill and cross country skiing, hiking, biking, rafting, golfing, camping, fishing, picnicking, rock climbing, and general sightseeing. Transient room tax revenues through the first quarter of fiscal year 2015 equaled $2,221,610.[29]
The transient room tax is used in partnership with Visit Bend and the Bend Economic Development Advisory Board to convert visitors to Bend into residents and business owners.[30] In 2011, Visit Bend reported that families are the largest demographic that visit Bend (35%), while couples with no children make up the second largest portion (24%) of visitors to the city.[31] During the same year, tourism generated $570 million and employed 16% of the city's workforce.[31] Brauns, L. (November 21, 2021). According to a 2019 economic impact data from Travel Oregon, “the local tourism industry employs 10,000 people and brings in more than $1 billion into the regional economy” [32]
Room taxes attributed to tourism in Bend is divided up to be given back to the community. Bend, Oregon depends on $7 million in the room tax income that essentially funds services for Streets, Fire, and Police. $3 million are specifically contributed to Tourism Promotion.[33][non-primary source needed] As of April 2021, the Bend City Council has agreed to spend an undisclosed portion of the $3 million to maintain some of the trails in the city.[34]
Bend is home to the Deschutes Brewery, the eighth-largest craft brewery in the nation and the largest of over a dozen microbreweries in the city.[35] Each year the city hosts many events celebrating its brewing culture, including the Bend Oktoberfest, the Little Woody Barrel Aged Brew and Whiskey Fest, Bend Brewfest, and Central Oregon Beer Week. Beer aficionados can also visit many of the breweries along the Bend Ale Trail. As of 2018, there were 23 breweries in Bend[36][unreliable source?] and 4 hard cider companies. Since 2017, Bend's Worthy Brewing has hosted an observatory with a 16-inch reflecting Ritchey–Chrétien telescope.[37][unreliable source?][38]
In 2005, Bend's economic profile comprised five industry categories: tourism (7,772 jobs); healthcare and social services (6,062 jobs); professional, scientific and technical services (1,893 jobs); wood products manufacturing (1,798 jobs); and recreation and transportation equipment (1,065 jobs).[41]
Much of Bend's rapid growth in recent years is also due to its attraction as a retirement destination.[citation needed]
Bend has also become a commuter town for a number of tech workers in the San Francisco Bay Area and Seattle metropolitan area despite the extreme commute, due to its appeal to the outdoors as well as its relatively cheap cost of living compared to the skyrocketing rent and housing prices of the Bay Area and Seattle.[44][45]
Lumber mill and Pilot Butte
Construction and real estate
In 2005 construction and real estate accounted for 17.3 percent of all jobs in the Bend metropolitan statistical area (MSA), which constitutes all of Deschutes County.[46] This figure is about 70 percent more than the proportion of construction and real estate jobs in the Oregon and national economies.[47] Construction activity in Bend appears to be slowing. The number of building permit applications received by the Bend City Building Division fell from 826 in August 2006 to 533 in August 2007, a 35 percent decrease.[48]
A large influx of new residents drawn by Bend's lifestyle amenities, along with the low interest rates and easy lending that fostered a national housing boom in 2001–05, resulted in increased activity in Bend's construction and real estate sectors and caused the rate of home price appreciation in Bend to grow substantially during that period.[49] Median home prices in the Bend MSA increased by over 80% in the 2001–05 period.[50]
In June 2006, Money magazine named the Bend MSA the fifth most overpriced real estate market in the United States.[51] By September 2006, the Bend metro area ranked second in the list of most overpriced housing markets, and in June 2007 it was named the most overpriced housing market in America.[52][53]
The 2008−09 housing downturn had a strong effect on Bend's housing and economic situation. According to the Seattle Times,[54] single-family home prices dropped more than 40 percent from a peak of $396,000 in May 2007 to $221,000 in March 2009. Additional signs of the housing downturn include an April 2009 Deschutes county unemployment rate of 12.6 percent and in a tri-county area of Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties a 66 percent rise in homelessness from 2006 to 2,237.[54]
In May 2010, the Federal Housing and Finance Agency released a report in which Bend had the largest price drop in the country, 23 percent, from first quarter of 2009 to the first quarter of 2010.[55]
The city is becoming known for its burgeoning art scene, and is home to numerous visual and fine art galleries,[56] as well as the independent BendFilm Festival, which launched in 2004.[57]
There are numerous public art displays, including the Roundabout Art Route tour of outdoor sculptures throughout the city.[58]
Bend is the home of the professional cross-country skiing team XC Oregon, which competes in races locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.[59]
Bend has had success in landing major sporting events such as the 2008 and 2009 USA Winter Triathlon National Championships, the 2008 and 2009 XTERRA Trail Running National Championships, the 2009 and 2010 United States National Cyclo-cross Championships, the 2009 and 2010 USA Cycling Elite Road National Championships and the 2013, 2015 and 2016 USA Cross Country Championships.[60]
In 2019 and 2020, Bend hosted USA Climbing's pro and youth National Bouldering Championships.[61][62]
A popular spot for cycling, Bend has over 300 mi (480 km) of mountain bike trails and from 1980 to 2019 was the home to the Cascade Cycling Classic, the nation's longest running stage race for road bicycle racing. Bend was once[when?] named the top mountain bike city in Mountain Bike Action magazine.
Bend is also home to the Deschutes County Rocks Boxing Team, a USA Boxing program ran by Level III USA Boxing coach Richard Miller, who is also the Golden Gloves & Silver Gloves President. February of each year Coach Miller hosts the Oregon State Golden Gloves Boxing Championship at Eagle Crest resort, a two-day event that highlights the best Olympic-bound boxers in the Northwest while bringing hundreds of boxing fans to the area. The program is non-profit and raises money for youth in the community.[63]
Parks and recreation
Farewell Bend Park
The Bend Park & Recreation District protects the parks, natural areas, recreational facilities, gardens, and trails of Bend.
Within Bend-LaPine, additional special schools include an environmentally focused middle school and high school called Realms. Charter schools include Desert Sky Montessori and the K-8 Bend International School.[64]
Private schools
Private schools in the area include Eastmont School, Cascades Academy of Central Oregon, Seven Peaks, Waldorf School of Bend, St. Francis of Assisi, Morning Star Christian, and Trinity Lutheran School.
KTVZ 21 (NBC) - The region's first broadcast TV station (launched in 1977).
KFXO-CD 39 (FOX) - On April 17, 2006, the station launched a local news broadcast. The station later was purchased by KTVZ's parent firm, News-Press and Gazette Co.
KOHD 51 (ABC) - Chambers Communications (Eugene, Oregon) recently purchased a broadcast license for the market and began its local newscasts in the fall of 2007.[65]
KBNZ-LD 7 (CBS) - TDS, parent company of Bend Broadband, has purchased KBNZ. KOIN-TV Portland's news is offered with no local cut-ins.
NTVZ-CW (CW). KTVZ (DT2). Broadcast by NPG of Oregon, The CW carries popular entertainment programming. First local on-air broadcast was September 2006.
KQRE-TM (Telemundo). Subchannel of KFXO-CD. Spanish language television broadcast by NPG of Oregon since 2007.
COTV 11 - Carries RSN (Resort Sports Network), local events (parades, city council meetings, candidate forums). In addition, COTV airs local sports, including the Central Oregon Hotshots, Bend Elks, and local high school teams.
Bend was previously the only metropolitan area west of the Mississippi River without a public bus system. A measure that would have created a transit district was on the November 2004 ballot, but was defeated 53 to 41 percent. As of August 2006, however, funding was acquired and the B.A.T. (Bend Area Transit) bus service began on a limited basis. Buses have been running since September 27, 2006.[68]
During summer 2007, not a single bus purchased was in operation (though several were due to weak A/C systems) and litigation was underway.[69]
There are currently nine fixed bus routes offered by Cascades East Transit[70] in Bend. The city is also started experimenting with a shared-ride van in 2019.[71] The project was initially designed to find a replacement for a cancelled route that had limited riders.[72]
In an effort to improve the safety of the city's non-driving residents, Bend has been implementing roundabouts within the city.[73]
Rail
A BNSF main line runs north–south through the city; there are numerous spurs off of the main line which serve industrial rail customers. The Spokane, Portland and Seattle Railway ran passenger service six days a week on a mixed train along that line from Bend to Wishram, Washington until some point between 1968 and 1970.[74][75] The closest Amtrak station is in Chemult, approximately 65 mi (105 km) to the south; it is served by the Seattle–Los Angeles Coast Starlight.
Sustainable practices
In 2016, Bend adopted the Transportation System Plan, which is a 20-year plan that strives to achieve a healthy, equitable future for the entire community. The city is using community input to help this plan move forward, using experiments and data to drive their decisions on how people move within the city while incorporating land use throughout.[76]
In July 2019, Oregon State University Cascade launched a ride share program as part of a study called Ride Bend, which was active until March 2020. Ride Bend hired the transit company Downtowner to help set up and implement an on demand, app based, electric van service in Bend's west side. Part of Ride Bend's study was to see whether people prefer sharing rides to get to their destination over fixed bus routes.[77]
Ride Bend noticed that few people were using public transportation within the city, and many bus systems, such as Cascades East Transit, had to cancel their services because not enough people were taking the bus. Ride Bend not only succeeded in getting people to use public transportation again, effectively helping with traffic calming, but they also brought people to broader areas within the city.[77]
An estimated 40,000 people have moved to Bend since the Transportation System Plan was written, and most of them brought cars with them.[78]
While Ride Bend is directly addressing carbon emissions, plenty of other businesses surrounding Bend are reducing the amount of impact a car has on the environment after its use. Tires can be processed and reused, batteries and oil can be treated so no toxic waste gets put into the surface runoff in the streets and landfill.[78]
While the Transportation System Plan just began in 2016, the city looks towards a 20-year investment in creating a brighter future in transportation use and waste management.
^Phil F. Brogan. "Visitor Information Service"(PDF). Deschutes National Forest. 1969 (pg 116). Archived from the original(PDF) on August 18, 2017. Retrieved April 19, 2011.
^"Bend Selected County Seat". The Bend Bulletin. Vol. XIV, no. 4. Bend, OR: University of Oregon Libraries - Historic Oregon Newspapers. December 20, 1916. p. 1. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
^Hello Bend! Central Oregon Revisited – 1950–2000: A Pictorial History (2021). Pediment. p. 7
^"Spokane, Portland and Seattle Railway, Table 3". Official Guide of the Railways. 101 (1). National Railway Publication Company. June 1968.
^"Spokane, Portland and Seattle Railway, Table 3, freight only". Official Guide of the Railways. 102 (12). National Railway Publication Company. May 1970.
^"Oregon Sister Relationships". [Economic and Community Development Department / Way Back Machine]. Archived from the original on March 13, 2005. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
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