Redmond

Redmond is a full-service municipality and one of the fastest-growing industrial and residential communities in Oregon. The city encompasses 15.5 square miles (40 km²) and is on a plateau, at an elevation of 3,077 feet (938 m) Redmond is 15 miles (24 km) north of Bend, the county seat of Deschutes County. The Horse Lava Tube System enters the city at the point of the Redmond Caves. Redmond's climate is typical of the high desert with cool nights and sunny days. The average annual extreme minimum temperature in Redmond is 5 °F (21 °C) to 10 °C (23 °C). A typical Central Oregon summer is marked with daily temperatures around 75 °f (24 °C), with an average annual snowfall of 24 inches (61 cm) Redmond has a steppe climate (BSk) according to the Köppen climate classification system. Between 2000 and 2006, Redmond's population grew 74.3%, placing it among Oregon's fastest- growing cities each year. This growth continued through 2006, increasing the population to 23,500. In the 1940s, Redmond was a U.S. Army Air base and commercial air service was established at Roberts Field after World War II. According to the Western Regional Climate Center of the Desert Research Institute, the mean of the monthly average maximum temperatures in July, between 1928 and 2006 was 82.09°F (27.83°C).

History

Redmond was named after Frank T. Redmond, who settled in the area in 1905. It was platted in 1906 by a company which would become part of Central Oregon Irrigation District building a canal. By 1930, the town had grown to 1,000 and by 1940 had nearly doubled. In the 1940s, Redmond was a U.S. Army Air base and commercial air service was established at Roberts Field after World War II. Between 2000 and 2006, Redmond's population grew 74.3%, placing it among Oregon's fastest-growing cities each year. This growth continued through 2006, increasing the population to 23,500. Its growth is fueled by employment and a lower cost of living. The town is located in Deschutes County, which is home to much of the state's college and university campuses. It is also home to the University of Oregon, which was founded in 1883. The city is located on the banks of the Columbia River, which runs through the center of the town. The Oregon Trunk Railway reached Redmond in 1911. The rail link opened markets for farmers and merchants. The population remained relatively static from the 1950s through most of the 1980s, growing slowly around a small commercial/retail center and manufacturing industry. However, during the 1990s, the population began to grow along with most of Deschute County. In 2000, the city had a population of 21,000, and in 2006, it had a total of 23,000.

Geography

The Horse Lava Tube System enters the city at the point of the Redmond Caves. The lava flow that created the system continues into the Redmond Canyon to Crooked River Ranch. The system was created by a lava flow in the Redding Caves area of the San Francisco Bay Area. It is the largest lava tube system in the U.S. and one of the largest in the world. It was created in the late 1800s by the Horse L lava flow, which is believed to be the oldest lava tube in the United States. It runs through the city of San Francisco and into the Redwood Caves in the south. It also runs into the CrookedRiver Ranch in the north, where it continues to the Redwoods Canyon in the east. It ends at the Redpath Canyon, which runs through Redwood Canyon, in the city's south. The Redpath Caves are a popular tourist destination in the area, especially in the spring and summer months. It's also known as the "Redmond Caves" because of the red rock formations that line the canyon's eastern edge. It has a number of lava tubes that run through it, including one that runs from the Red River Canyon to the Crookes River Ranch, which also runs through it. The Horse L volcano flow began in the early 1900s and continues through the canyon to the north and west. It began to flow into the city in the 1930s and 1940s. It continues to this day in the southern part of the city.

Climate

Redmond has a steppe climate (BSk) according to the Köppen climate classification system. Annual precipitation averages between 8 and 10 inches (200 and 250 mm) with an average annual snowfall of 24 inches (61 cm) The winter season in Redmond provides typical daytime temperatures between 10 °F (12 °C) and 40°F (4 °C). According to the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, the average annual extreme minimum temperature in Redmond is 5 °F   (21 °C) to 10 °F (23 °C), and the mean of the monthly average maximum temperatures in July is 82.09 °F  (27.83 °C)." "Redmond's growing season is short. In half of the years between 1971 and 2000, the USDA weather station in Redmond recorded the last below-freezing temperatures after July 3 and the first below- freezing temperatures before August 31," says the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Resources Conservation Service. "The average annual average maximum temperature in July, between 1928 and 2006, was 82.08 °F [38 °C] and the average monthly average minimum temperature was 5 °C (21 °F) and 10 °C [23 °F] " " " Redmond's climate is typical of the high desert with cool nights and sunny days. Autumn usually brings warm, dry days and cooler nights. " Redmond is located in the eastern part of the Cascade Range, which runs from north to south.

Demographics

As of the census of 2010, there were 26,215 people, 9,947 households, and 6,789 families residing in the city. There were 10,965 housing units at an average density of 653.1 per square mile (252.2/km²) The racial makeup of the city was 89.0% White, 0.4% African American, 1.3% Native American, 0,8% Asian, and 0.2% Pacific Islander. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.5% of the population. The median income for a household was $33,701, and the median income. for a family was $41,481. The per capita income was $16,286. About 6.6% of families and 9.7% of people were below the poverty line, including 8.9% of those under 18 and 7.5%, those 65 or over. In the city, the population was 29.6 per cent under 18, 8.6 percent from 18 to 24, 30.6per cent from 25 to 44, 18.3 per cent from 45 to 64, and 13.0 per cent who were 65 or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.07. The city's median age was 33.9 years, with 27.9 per cent of residents under the age of 18; 8.8 per cent were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.8% were from 25-44; 21.9%, and 12.7%.

Economy

The Redmond Spokesman newspaper is the city's oldest continuously operating business, printing its first issue July 14, 1910. The Eagle Crest Resort, 6 miles (10 km) west of Redmond, is one of eight destination resorts as defined by Oregon's Department of Land Conservation and Development. The Redmond Air Center is a Forest Service smoke-jumping, firefighting and training installation. T-Mobile USA had a call center in Redmond which employed more than 700 people. The call center was subleased to Consumer Cellular, which plans to grow the facility to 650 employees. Eagle Crest is a destination resort and one of Deschutes County's largest corporate tax payers. The city is home to the University of Oregon, which is a member of the Pacific Northwest College of Arts and Sciences. The University of Washington has a chapter of the Washington State College of Art and Design, which was founded in 1903. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is based in Redmond, which has a base of operations at the Redmond Airport. The Oregon State Police Department has a station at the airport, which serves as a training center for the Oregon National Guard and the Oregon Army National Guard. The town is the home of the Oregon State Air Force, which operates a fleet of military aircraft. The state's largest employer is the Redmond Air Force Base, which employs more than 1,000 people. It is also home to a number of other major employers, including the Oregon Air National Guard, the Oregon Department of Forestry, and the Redmond Fire Department.

Education

Redmond School District encompasses 556 square miles (1,400 km²) and operates the following 11 schools. The total enrollment on September 26, 2006, was 6,892. The district's elementary schools serve grades K5, middle schools grades 68 and 912, and high schools grades 912 and 68. Private institutions include one private Christian school, one charter school, and a secondary campus of George Fox University, affiliated with the Evangelical Friends Alliance. In 2007, the district had a population of 6,917, and in 2008, it had 6,961, with an estimated population of 7,816. The school district's total enrollment in 2006 was 6.892, with a total of 11 schools in the district. It also has a charter school for grades 612 and 613, the Redmond Proficiency Academy, which serves students from Redmond and the greater Central Oregon area. In 2008, the school district had an enrollment of 5,918, with the total enrollment for that year being 6,817. The high school district has a total enrollment of 912. It has two high schools: Ridgeview High School and Redmond High School. In 2009, the high school enrollment was 9,912, with high school 912 being the highest in the state. The elementary schools have a total population of 556,000, with 7,715 students in grades 1-5. In 2010, there were 6,717 students in the school District.

Transportation

Redmond is the location of the region's only commercial airline service airport, Roberts Field. Air carriers include Avelo Airlines, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines with service operated by their respective regional airline affiliates via code sharing agreements. The U.S. Forest Service operates an air base and training center for firefighting, and Butler Aircraft, a fixed-base operator, flies DC-7 aircraft. A BNSF main line runs northsouth through the city; there are numerous spurs off of the main line which serve industrial rail customers. The closest Amtrak service is in the town of Chemult, approximately 75 miles (121 km) to the south; this station is served by the Coast Starlight route. Redmond lies at the intersection of U.S. Route 126 and U.N. Route 97. The latter runs on an expressway alignment through theCity known as the Redmond Parkway. The city is home to the University of California, Los Angeles, which has a campus of the California Institute of Technology. The University of Oregon has a chapter of the American College of Aeronautics and Astronautics, which was founded in the early 1900s. It is located in the eastern part of the city, near the city's downtown area. The university's campus is the site of the College of Oceans and Atmosphere, which opened in the late 1950s and early 1960s. The campus is located on the edge of the Redwood National Park.

Points of interest

Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center is 320 Acre multi-purpose facility hosting more than 400 unique events each year. The First Interstate Bank Center is the only facility of its type in Oregon east of the Cascade Range. Eagle Crest Resort and Smith Rock State Park are other popular attractions in Central Oregon. The Redmond Caves is a cave-like attraction that was built in the early 1900s. The Redding Caves are one of the oldest caves in the U.S. and are located in the town of Redding, Oregon. They are located on the eastern edge of the city of Redmond and are known as the "Redmond Caves" The Redden Caves were built by the Redding family in the late 1800s and are still a popular tourist attraction today. They were built on the site of the original Redding High School, which dates back to the 18th century. The Caves can be found on the outskirts of Redmond, Oregon, and can be reached by driving to the town's downtown area or by taking a train to Redmond from Redmond. They can also be found at the airport, which is on the other side of the town, on the Oregon Turnpike, and is known as "The Oregon TurnPike" It is one of only a handful of airports in the United States that offer direct flights to and from the Portland area. The Oregon State Fair & Rodeo is held at the Deschutes county fair & expo center every year.

Natural history

Some of Redmond's landmark desert flora include: The Juniper tree, which dots the surrounding brush/desert. The Sagebrush, a medium-high bush which is abundant in undeveloped areas. The junipers, which dot the surrounding scrubland. The sagebrush, which can be found in unde developed areas of the city. The pinyon pine, which is found in the southern part of the town. The cactus, which grows in the town's southern part. The redwood tree, the city's most prominent plant, is the largest tree in the city, with more than 1,000 mature trees. The desert flora includes the Sagebrush and the juniper tree. It is also known as the "Redmond Desert" because of its resemblance to the town of Redmond, Washington. The town is located in the U.S. state of Washington. It was founded in 1858 and was named after Redmond, a town in the state's south. The city's name is derived from the word Redmond, which means "redemption" or "renewal" in English. It also means "to renew" in Spanish. It has been known as "Redmonds" since the 19th century, when the town was founded. The name is still used today as a reference to the area's history and culture. It's also used as a place of pilgrimage by the townspeople of the same name, and is known for its historical significance.

Air Quality, Water Quality, Superfund Sites & UV Index

The Air Quality index is in Redmond, Deschutes County, Oregon = 84. These Air Quality index is based on annual reports from the EPA. Higher values are better (100=best). The number of ozone alert days is used as an indicator of air quality, as are the amounts of seven pollutants including particulates, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, lead, and volatile organic chemicals. The Water Quality Index is 60. A measure of the quality of an area’s water supply as rated by the EPA. Higher values are better (100=best). The EPA has a complex method of measuring the watershed quality, using 15 indicators such as pollutants, turbidity, sediments, and toxic discharges. The Superfund Sites Index is 100. Higher is better (100=best). Based upon the number and impact of EPA Superfund pollution sites in the county, including spending on the cleanup efforts. The UV Index in Redmond = 3.2 and is a measure of an area's exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays. This is most often a combination of sunny weather, altitude, and latitude. The UV Index has been defined by the WHO (www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/radiation-the-ultraviolet-(uv)-index) and is uniform worldwide.

Employed

The most recent city population of 1,253 individuals with a median age of 33.4 age the population grows by 44.21% in Redmond, Deschutes County, Oregon population since 2000 and are distributed over a density of 1,812.21 residents per square mile of area (699.70/km²). There are average 2.53 people per household in the 7,655 households with an average household income of $46,302 a year. The unemployment rate in Alabama is 13.60% of the available work force and has dropped -1.98% over the most recent 12-month period and the projected change in job supply over the next decade based on migration patterns, economic growth, and other factors will increase by 22.44%. The number of physicians in Redmond per 100,000 population = 256.2.

Weather

The annual rainfall in Redmond = 8.7 inches and the annual snowfall = 19.9 inches. The annual number of days with measurable precipitation (over .01 inch) = 77. The average number of days per year that are predominantly sunny = 162. 85 degrees Fahrenheit is the average daily high temperature for the month of July and 22 degrees Fahrenheit is the average daily low temperature for the month of January. The Comfort Index (higher=better) is 68, where higher values mean a more pleasant climate. The Comfort Index measure recognizes that humidity by itself isn't the problem. (Have you noticed nobody ever complains about the weather being 'cold and humid?) It's in the summertime that we notice the humidity the most, when it's hot and muggy. Our Comfort Index uses a combination of afternoon summer temperature and humidity to closely predict the effect that the humidity will have on people.

Median Home Cost

The percentage of housing units in Redmond, Deschutes County, Oregon which are owned by the occupant = 59.10%. A housing unit is a house, apartment, mobile home, or room occupied as separate living quarters. The average age of homes = 12 years with median home cost = $151,370 and home appreciation of -27.44%. This is the value of the years most recent home sales data. Its important to note that this is not the average (or arithmetic mean). The median home price is the middle value when you arrange all the sales prices of homes from lowest to highest. This is a better indicator than the average, because the median is not changed as much by a few unusually high or low values. The property tax rate of $10.86 shown here is the rate per $1,000 of home value. If for simplification for example the tax rate is $14.00 and the home value is $250,000, the property tax would be $14.00 x ($250,000/1000), or $3500. This is the 'effective' tax rate.

Study

The local school district spends $3,974 per student. There are 21.3 students for each teacher in the school, 596 students for each Librarian and 412 students for each Counselor. 5.65% of the area’s population over the age of 25 with an Associate Degree or other 2-year college degree, 10.78% with a master’s degree, Ph.D. or other advanced college degree and 4.47% with high school diplomas or high school equivalency degrees (GEDs).