PORT ORFORD is the most westerly-incorporated
city in the contiguous United States. Established in 1851, Port Orford was the
first town settled on the Oregon Coast. For over 100 years, the population has
remained around 1,000 citizens. The coastline is one of the most rugged, and yet
beach access is at a maximum.
LOCATION
Port Orford occupies the northern section of Oregon's Wild Rivers Coast, located
just 70 miles north of the Oregon-California border. Battle Rock and
the Port of Port Orford occupy the southern part of town, while Port Orford Head
juts west into the sea from the center. Garrison Lake, an 83-acre freshwater
lake, occupies the northwest section of town, separated from the ocean by a sand
dune.
WEATHER
The natural air-conditioned
effect of the Pacific Ocean produces a very mild year round climate, with an
average temperature of 52.4 degrees. Cloudiness and frequent rains
occur during the late fall, winter and early spring months, accounting for 72%
of the 73 inch annual precipitation. January brings winter storms
with gale force winds occurring out of the south. Spring rain
decreases sharply in May, as prevailing winds switch to the northwest. June,
July, August and September are usually sunny, clear and blue-skied with
northwest winds averaging up to 14-16 mph and persisting 40-65% of the time.
During the summer months the temperatures are rarely more than 65-75 degrees and
not usually less than 45-55 degrees.
POPULATION
City of Port Orford 2000
population is 1153, (1990 - 1,040), while the surrounding area adds another
3,500+- to the population total. Curry County 2000 population is
21,137 (1990 - 22,050) (1970 - 13,006). Curry County includes 1,648 square miles
of the most pristine coastal landscape in Oregon. Estimated population is 13
people per square mile. As of 2000, there were 662 available housing units in
the City of Port Orford, with a total of 11,406 in the county. (Population in
the 97465 zip code is noted at 2,133 in 2000. )
GOVERNMENT
The
City of Port Orford has an elected mayor, paid city administrator and
elected city council. Three elected commissioners operate
Curry County. Property taxes range from $11.00 to $13.00 per
thousand-accessed value.
LAW ENFORCEMENT / FIRE / AMBULANCE:
The
City of Port Orford Police Department has a staff of four, plus volunteers. The
Curry County Sheriff's Office (Emergency: 911 All other calls: 541 247
3242 or 541 247 7011 Press 1) and Oregon State Police also serve the
area. The Port Orford Volunteer Fire Department, Port Orford Rural
Fire Department and Sixes Rural Fire Department provide area fire support.
Stations are located at City Hall, Cedar Terrace, Elk River and Sixes. Ambulance
Service provided by the Port Orford Volunteer Ambulance Service.
Emergency Services are obtained by
dialing 911.
UTILITIES
The
City of Port Orford (541-332-3681) is served by a Water and Sewer
district with offices located in City Hall. Outlying areas are served by
private wells and septic systems.
Coos Curry Electric Cooperative provides power. (541-332-3931).
Waste Disposal is through Curry Transfer and Recycling (541-469-2425). Verizon
provides local phone service.(1-800-483-4100). Television service is through
www.directtv.com;
www.dishtv.com or Charter Cable
(www.chartercom.com) (1 800 922 2588).
RELOCATION
Additional relocation
information can be obtained from any of our Real Estate offices.
Please refer to our
Business Directory for available real estate agents. They will be happy
to send you relocation information. Demographic information can be found in the
U.S. Census.
MEDICAL
Curry Family Medical Clinic, and
Curry County Health Department serve Port Orford. Curry General Hospital is
located in Gold Beach, Southern Coos Hospital is located in Bandon, each about
27 miles. Bay Area Hospital in Coos Bay (50 miles north) also serves the south
coast area. Within the Coos Bay/North Bend communities are two major medical
clinics: Bay Clinic and North Bend Clinic.
EDUCATION
Port Orford, Sixes and Langlois
are served by School District 2CJ.
Schools: Driftwood Elementary (K-8) Port Orford, Blanco School (K-8) Langlois,
and Pacific High School (9-12) located in Sixes. Southwestern
Oregon Community College provides a number of local outreach programs.
Southwestern is located in Coos Bay, 50 miles north.
LIBRARIES
Two libraries serve the area,
the Port Orford Library located in City Hall and the Langlois Community Library
located in a new building on Highway 101. Libraries are equipped with computer
services and both offer children's programs. Port Orford began a fund raising
project in 2002 to build a new library, which will be located on Highway 101.
INDUSTRY
Major industries include
ranching, cranberry farming, forestry, retail sales, tourism and fishing, both
sport and commercial. Commercial fishing: The Port of Port Orford is unique, in
that it is an open water port. Among species harvested are: Crab, Tuna,
Halibut, Salmon, Black Cod and Sea Urchins. Sea urchins are processed for sale
to the Japanese market. For Employment opportunities visit:
Oregon Employment Department.
RECREATION
Exciting recreational opportunities
are abundant in this coastal community. Beachcombing, whale watching, boating,
fishing, clamming, crabbing, hiking, bird watching, surfing and scuba diving are
regular pastimes. Kayaks are often found on the lake and off the Port in the
calm coves. As the oldest townsite on the Oregon Coast, the area has several
historic properties including the Historic Hughes House, Cape Blanco Lighthouse
and the Port Orford Lifeboat Station. Additional information on local
activities can be found on our Visitor Guide
pages.
RELOCATION PACKET
Additional information is
provided by local real estate agents. Visit our
Business Directory and contact the Real Estate Office of your choice.
They will be happy to mail you an relocation packet.
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