Bend, Oregon at a Glance

“With 300 days of sunshine a year (as many as Arizona, even India!) in the high desert country of Central Oregon, Bend is an ideal place for biking of all kinds. Further enticement to self-power is the allure of beer refueling stations. Biking along the Bend Ale Trail, with seven craft breweries (and counting) within easy pedaling distance, makes for a fun weekend of sipping, sampling pub fare, and sightseeing around the bike-friendly city of Bend.” – Northwest Palate, Sept/Oct 2011

Quick Bend Facts:

Population (2010)

Bend – 83,125
Deschutes County – 172,050
Bend Property Tax Base
2010-2011 (Per $1000 assessed valuation) $15.4840

Climate

Bend enjoys the predominately dry climate of the high desert. Sunny days, low humidity and cool nights provide the most common weather pattern. The average annual precipitation in Bend is about 12 inches.

Education

Public:

BEND/LAPINE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Administrative Offices, 520 NW Wall Street, 383-6000 www.bend.k12.or.us
Bend: 5 high schools (grades 9-12), 5 middle schools (grades 6-8), 15 elementary schools (grades K-5) and 6 Private schools.

CENTRAL OREGON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
2600 NW College Way, 383-7700, www.cocc.edu

CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY
2600 NW College Way, 350-3553, www.cu-portland.edu

EASTERN OREGON UNIVERSITY
265 NW Franklin Ave, 385-1137, www.eou.edu/advising/bend

LINFIELD COLLEGE
265 NW Franklin Ave, 388-2986, www.linfield.edu/dce

OSU CASCADE CAMPUS
2600 NW College Way, 322-3100, www.osucascades.edu

Private:

There are numerous private, independent schools and preschools in the Bend area, as well as special education, business and vocational schools. The area features a wide range of educational opportunities for youth and adults.

Emergency

The Bend area is served by 9-1-1 Center for Ambulance, Fire. Police, and the Deschutes County Sheriff. Air Link is also available.

Employment

Bend Top Employers (as of March 2011. * Represents seasonal high)

St. Charles Medical Center 2,978
Les Schwab Tire Center (Region Wide) *870
Mt. Bachelor (peak season) *760
Wal-Mart (Region Wide) 591
Bend Memorial Clinic 558
Safeway 545
Fred Meyer (Region Wide) 472
Opportunity Foundation 420
TRG Customer Solutions 337
JELD-WEN Pozzi Windows & Doors 311
Ray’s Grocery Store (Region Wide) 292
Costco 286
Bank of the Cascades 259
BendBroadband 255
The Riverhouse 240
Athletic Club of Bend 220
Bend Research 213

Geography

Bend, county seat of Deschutes County, is located near the center of Oregon at the foot of the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains. Bend covers 32 square miles with an altitude of 3,628 feet. It is noted for its scenic setting, mild climate, year-round recreational opportunities and growing economy.

Government

The City of Bend adopted the City Manager-Council form of government in 1929. The current system includes a hired City Manager and seven elected councilors with one serving as Mayor.
710 NW Wall St, Bend, 97701, 541-388-5505, www.ci.bend.or.us

Deschutes County Office – 1130 NW Harriman St, Bend 97701, 541-388-6570, www.deschutes.org

Health

Top-notch professionals and superb facilities are the hallmark of Bend’s health care system. The community’s patient/physician ratio assures timely access to professional care, whatever the need.

History

Until the winter of 1824, this area was known only to native Americans who hunted and fished here. Members of a fur trapping party led by Peter Skene Ogden were the earliest visitors. John Fremont and other Army survey parties came next. Then pioneers heading further west came through and forded the Deschutes River at “Farewell Bend”. A small community developed around the bend in the river and in 1905 a city was incorporated with approximately 300 citizens. The Oregon Trunk Railroad was completed in 1911 and the community of Bend began to grow. 1914 brought two major lumber companies and timber became the mainstay of the local economy. Mt. Bachelor ski area became the catalyst for the visitor industry which simultaneously generated industrial and commercial expansion. Wood products are still the leading economic factors with tourism also being the second largest industry. Other diversified industries are developing. Bend is also the retail center of Central Oregon.

Housing

In 2010 the average home price was $245,069. The approximate range for monthly cost of rentals in the Bend area for a three bedroom, two bath home is $1,275 and up.

Libraries

Deschutes Public Library: 507 NW Wall Street, 388-6677.
COCC Library: 2600 NW College Way, 383-7560.
Deschutes County Law Library: located in 1100 NW Bond St Ste 101, (541) 388-6690

Enjoying Bend, Oregon

There are 37 developed city parks, including Farewell Bend Park, 11 acres of lawn and trees bordering the Deschutes River, Drake Park and Mirror Pond in downtown Bend and Juniper Park, with indoor and outdoor pools, whirlpool and sauna, weight room, playground, tennis courts, horseshoes, etc. For further information, contact Bend Metro Park & Recreation, 200 Pacific Park Lane, 389-7275.

Sports and Activities

There are numerous fitness/health clubs available to provide workouts from weightlifting to indoor tennis courts. Central Oregon Community College offers a gym and free public use of sports equipment.Community teams are popular and leagues are formed for a number of sports including; basketball, skiing, softball, soccer, and tennis.

Three theater groups exist in Bend to provide plays and entertainment year-round. Concerts, ranging from jazz to classical, are held throughout the year with many held outdoors at Drake Park and Les Schwab Amphitheater.  Two museums feature exhibits portraying the cultural and natural heritage of the area. There is a thriving art community supporting more than ten art galleries, juried expositions and art hop walking tours. Other entertainment options include nightclubs, dance halls, movie theaters and coffee houses.  Bend has several shopping centers, a factory outlet center, a thriving downtown shopping area and abundant specialty shops.

Bend’s celebrated annual events include Bend Winterfest (February), Pole, Pedal, Paddle race (May), Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration (July), Bend Summer Festival (July), Balloons Over Bend (July), Sunriver Music Festival (August).