About Hood River:
Hood River is a town in and county seat of Hood River County, Oregon, and a port on the Columbia River. The town was named for the nearby stream, Hood River. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 5,831.
Hood River Geography:
Hood River is located at 45°42'24" North, 121°31'18" West (45.706665, -121.521719) on the Columbia River directly opposite White Salmon, Washington.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.5 km2 (2.9 mi2). 5.3 km2 (2.0 mi2) of it is land and 2.2 km2 (0.8 mi2) of it is water. The total area is 28.97% water.
Hood River Demographics:
As of the census of 2000, there are 5,831 people, 2,429 households, and 1,442 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,098.2/km2 (2,839.4/mi2). There are 2,645 housing units at an average density of 498.2/km2 (1,288.0/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 80.83% White, 1.15% Asian, 0.99% Native American, 0.60% African American, 0.19% Pacific Islander, 13.58% from other races, and 2.66% from two or more races. 23.17% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 2,429 households out of which 32.3% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.1% are married couples living together, 11.6% have a female householder with no husband present, and 40.6% are non-families. 32.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 14.8% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.38 and the average family size is 3.06.
In the city the population is 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, and 13.1% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 34 years. For every 100 females there are 88.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 87.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $31,580, and the median income for a family is $35,568. Males have a median income of $31,583 versus $24,764 for females. The per capita income for the city is $17,609. 17.3% of the population and 12.1% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 28.7% of those under the age of 18 and 14.3% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Hood River History:
A Post office was established at the site of the present town in September 30, 1850, and the town itself was incorporated in 1881.
Long an agricultural center, Hood River experienced a boom of growth with its discovery as a gateway to world-class windsurfing in the Columbia River Gorge. The rapid increase in the cost of housing has forced many less affluent long-time residents to nearby communities, some as far away as The Dalles.
Hood River is also the home for the International Museum of Carousel Art and the employee-owned Full Sail Brewing Company, a major Oregon microbrewery.
It is also the western gateway to the Mt. Hood Scenic Byway and to a major section of the Columbia River Highway.
SOURCE: Hood River County Website
PHOTOS BY: Peter Marbach
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