Hood River, Oregon
—  City  —
Aerial photo of the city of Hood River
Seal
Nickname(s): Windsurfing Capital of the World[1]
Location in Oregon
Coordinates: 45°42′24″N 121°31′18″W / 45.70667°N 121.52167°W / 45.70667; -121.52167Coordinates: 45°42′24″N 121°31′18″W / 45.70667°N 121.52167°W / 45.70667; -121.52167
Country	United States
State	Oregon
County	Hood River
Incorporated	1895
Government
• Mayor	Arthur Babitz
Area[2]
• Total	3.35 sq mi (8.68 km2)
• Land	2.55 sq mi (6.60 km2)
• Water	0.80 sq mi (2.07 km2)
Elevation	160 ft (48.8 m)
Population (2010)[3]
• Total	7,167
• Estimate (2011[4])	7,214
• Density	2,810.6/sq mi (1,085.2/km2)
Time zone	Pacific (UTC-8)
• Summer (DST)	Pacific (UTC-7)
ZIP code	97031
Area code(s)	458 and 541
FIPS code	41-34900[5]
GNIS feature ID	1136388[6]
Website	www.ci.hood-river.or.us

The city of Hood River is the seat of Hood River County, Oregon, United States. It is a port on the Columbia River, and is named for the nearby Hood River. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 7,167.^[7]

History [edit]

Hood River post office was established at the site of the present city on September 30, 1858,^[8] and the city itself was incorporated in 1895.^[9]

Geography [edit]

Hood River is located at the confluence of the Hood River and the Columbia River in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge. About 30 miles south is the famous Mount Hood, the tallest peak in the state, while looking north one can see Mount Adams in Washington. South of the city is the Hood River Valley, known for its production of apples, pears, and cherries.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.35 square miles (8.68 km²), of which, 2.55 square miles (6.60 km²) is land and 0.80 square miles (2.07 km²) is water.^[2]

Demographics [edit]

2010 census [edit]

As of the census^[3] of 2010, there were 7,167 people, 2,972 households, and 1,728 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,810.6 inhabitants per square mile (1,085.2 /km²). There were 3,473 housing units at an average density of 1,362.0 per square mile (525.9 /km²). The racial makeup of the city was:

• 62.9% White only
• 24.4% Hispanic or Latino,
• 0.5% African American,
• 0.6% Native American,
• 1.5% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander,
• 7.4% from other races, and
• 3.0% from two or more races.

There were 2,972 households out of which 33.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.2% were married couples living together, 11.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 41.9% were non-families. 33.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.8% 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 3.12.

The median age in the city was 36.3 years. 25.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 30.6% were from 25 to 44; 23.5% were from 45 to 64; and 12.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.9% male and 52.1% female.

2000 census [edit]

As of the census^[5] of 2000, there were 5,831 people, 2,429 households, and 1,442 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,839.4 people per square mile (1,098.2 per km²). There were 2,645 housing units at an average density of 1,288.0 per square mile (498.2 per km²). The racial makeup of the city was:

• 57.66% White
• 23.17% Hispanic or Latino
• 1.15% Asian
• 0.99% Native American
• 0.60% African American
• 0.19% Pacific Islander
• 13.58% from other races
• 2.66% from two or more races.

There were 2,429 households out of which 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.1% were married couples living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.6% were non-families. 32.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the city the population was spread out with:

• 26.2% under the age of 18
• 9.7% from 18 to 24
• 32.6% from 25 to 44
• 18.5% from 45 to 64
• 13.1% 65 years of age or older

The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 88.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,580, and the median income for a family was $35,568. Males had a median income of $31,583 versus $24,764 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,609. About 12.1% of families and 17.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.7% of those under age 18 and 14.3% of those age 65 or over.

Climate [edit]

Sitting at the transition zone between wet temperate rainforest to the west, and dry shrub-steppe desert to the east, Hood River has a moderate climate, receiving rainy winters and warm summers, although rainfall here is somewhat less than Portland and other nearby areas in the Willamette Valley. Hood River averages around 30 inches of precipitation a year, while Cascade Locks, just 20 miles west receives over 75 inches,^[12] and the Dalles, only 20 miles east, less than 15 inches.^[13] The area is known for its consistently high winds channeling down the Columbia River Gorge.

Economy [edit]

Windsurfers on the Columbia River

Hood River's economy has traditionally been based on three industries: agriculture, tourism, and sports recreation, but since the late 1990s, high-tech industries, such as aerospace engineering (e.g. Insitu and Hood Technologies), have become the largest employer.^[15][16] Long an agricultural center of the Pacific Northwest, Hood River is home to numerous apple and pear orchards, as well as many wineries.^[17] Hood River first experienced a boom in tourism after being discovered as a site for world-class windsurfing, and more recently kiteboarding.^[18] Hood River County also has some of the best kayaking, mountain biking, skiing, and hiking areas in the United States.^[19]

Situated in the Columbia Gorge, and surrounded by fields, orchards, vineyards, and at the foot of Mount Hood, Hood River is gaining popularity as a tourism destination.^[20]

All of these factors have led to positive news coverage in publications such as National Geographic Adventure, US-Budget Travel, Sunset Magazine, Outside Magazine, Backpacker Magazine, Smithsonian magazine, numerous times in the New York Times travel section, and others.^[21][22] Hood River has received numerous awards from national magazines, such as "coolest small town" to "fifth best ski-town in America".^[21] Most recently, Hood River was featured on CNN as one of "11 great riverfront towns" in the USA.^[23]

Hood River is also home to industries like the employee-owned Full Sail Brewing Company, a major Oregon microbrewery, the clothing and sports equipment manufacturer DaKine, and vegetarian food manufacturer Turtle Island Foods, producer of Tofurky. The Hood River Valley is also home to more than a dozen wineries^[24] and coincidentally permits possession and consumption of open containers of alcoholic beverages on the street (although not in vehicles).^[25]

Arts and culture [edit]

Hood River Bicyclists

Annual cultural events [edit]

Annual events include the Hood River Valley Blossom Festival, which takes place in April,^[26] and the Hood River Hops Fest^[27] and the Hood River Valley Harvest Fest, both in October.^[28] Recently, FoodandWine.com picked HR Harvest Fest as one of Top 10 Fall Festivals.^[29] During the summer, the Mount Hood Cycling Classic takes place,^[30] as well as the annual Gorge Games, which feature professional competitions in ten sports such as windsurfing, kitesurfing, outrigger canoeing, rock climbing. It airs on Fox Sports in August.^[31] Hood River also hosted the 2009 US Windsurfing National Championships.^[32]

Museums and other points of interest [edit]

Columbia Gorge Hotel, listed on the National Register of Historic Places

Hood River is home to the History Museum of Hood River County, the International Museum of Carousel Art, and the Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum (WAAAM). Hood River has over two dozen sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Columbia Gorge Hotel, built in 1920 by Portland timber baron and Columbia Gorge booster Simon Benson. The oldest house in the city is the Ezra L. Smith home, which he built in 1886 for his family.^{[citation needed]} Smith was influential in state politics, in Oregon agricultural development, in Hood River city administration, and in banking. Many farmers and businessmen came to his home seeking advice. The house later served as a funeral home for over forty years and is now the site of wine production and tastings for Stoltz Vineyards.^{[citation needed]}

Parks and recreation [edit]

Hood River is the western gateway to the Mount Hood Scenic Byway and to a major section of the Historic Columbia River Highway. Hood River is considered a "sports mecca" and offers some of the best spots for windsurfing, kitesurfing, kayaking, skiing and mountain biking—all for which it draws considerable national attention from many media outlets, such as National Geographic Adventure.^[33][34] The Port Commission has built a protected harbor for learning windsurfing called "The Hook".^[35] The city also features the family and kiteboard friendly Waterfront Park, a public pool, skate park, biking trails, and several small public parks and ball fields.^[36][37] The valley is also home to two 18 hole golf courses.

Education [edit]

Public primary and secondary schools in Hood River are part of the Hood River County School District. Representing the change in town culture is the new garden, greenhouse and zero-energy Music and Science building at Hood River Middle School as part of the new Outdoor Classroom Project. The city is also served by an extension campus of Columbia Gorge Community College, based in The Dalles. Horizon Christian School is a private school serving grades kindergarten through twelfth grade (K-12). Horizon competes at the 1A level of the Oregon School Activities Association, while the public Hood River Valley High School competes at the 5A level. The city also is home to the small Mid-Columbia Adventist School.

Media [edit]

Newspapers [edit]

The Hood River News is a biweekly paper published by Eagle Newspapers on Wednesday and Saturday.^[38]

Radio [edit]

• KZAS FM 95.1 Radio Tierra
• KIHR AM 1340
• KODL AM 1440
• KQHR FM 90.1
• KMSW FM 92.7
• KACI-FM 97.7
• KCGB-FM 105.5

Television [edit]

• K34KE-D translator for KGW Portland, NBC affiliate
• K38KV-D translator for KOIN Portland, CBS affiliate
• CGN-7 Gorge TV

Magazines [edit]

Columbia Gorge Magazine is a monthly magazine featuring recreation, dining, shopping, weddings, architecture, arts and entertainment taking place in the Columbia Gorge area (primarily Hood River, The Dalles, and Troutdale).^[39]

Infrastructure [edit]

Hood River Bridge

Transportation [edit]

Air

Hood River has one airport, the Ken Jernstedt Airfield: it has no scheduled airlines and light general aviation use.

Highway

Interstate 84 and Oregon Route 35 pass through Hood River.

Rail

Hood River is the northern terminus of the Mount Hood Railroad, a heritage railway that offers passenger excursions as well as shipping a small amount of freight. Union Pacific Railroad provides freight service to the city.^[40]

Bus

Hood River receives national bus service from Greyhound Lines.

Marine

The Port of Hood River, founded in 1933, manages a public marina and waterfront economic development projects.^[41] The port commission also manages the airport and the Hood River-White Salmon Interstate Bridge.

Utilities [edit]

Water and wastewater treatment are supplied by the City of Hood River.^[40] Natural gas is provided by NW Natural and electricity comes from PacifiCorp.^[40]

Healthcare [edit]

Hood River has one hospital, Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital.^[40]

Notable people [edit]

• Cecil D. Andrus, politician
• Alex Arrowsmith, musical artist
• Andrew Baldwin, professional baseball player
• Timothy K. Beal, Religious scholar, author, and professor
• Sammy Carlson, freeskier, X-Games medalist
• D. J. Conway, fantasy author
• Edward Hill, poet, songwriter and newspaper correspondent
• George Hitchcock (1914–2010), poet, publisher
• Jesse Merz, professional actor, director and theatre professor
• Marcus W. Robertson, war hero and Medal of Honor recipient
• Bobby Gene Smith, professional baseball player from 1957–1965
• Brooke Struck, television personality
• Suzanne VanOrman, politician
• Don Wakamatsu, professional baseball player and manager
• Greg Walden, politician
• Minoru Yasui, lawyer, civil rights activist

Sister cities [edit]

Hood River has one sister city,^[42] as designated by Sister Cities International:

• Tsuruta, Japan

References [edit]

External links [edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Hood River, Oregon

• City of Hood River (official website)
• Hood River County Chamber of Commerce
• Entry for Hood River in the Oregon Blue Book
• Hood River-area webcam from the KATU website

v t e Municipalities and communities of Hood River County, Oregon, United States County seat: Hood River Cities Cascade Locks Hood River CDPs Odell Mount Hood Parkdale Other unincorporated communities Dee Lenz Pine Grove Wyeth

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