Canyon City, Oregon

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Canyon City, Oregon
settlement_type = City
nickname =
motto =

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imagesize =
image_caption = Grant County Courthouse in Canyon City


image_



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mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location in Oregon


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Oregon
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Grant
government_type =
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Don Mooney
established_title = Incorporated
established_date = 1891
area_magnitude =
area_total_sq_mi = 1.4
area_total_km2 = 3.6
area_land_sq_mi = 1.4
area_land_km2 = 3.6
area_water_sq_mi = 0
area_water_km2 = 0
area_urban_sq_mi =
area_urban_km2 =
area_metro_sq_mi =
area_metro_km2 =
population_as_of = 2000
population_note =
population_total = 669
population_metro =
population_urban =
population_density_km2 = 158.8
population_density_sq_mi = 430.3
timezone = Pacific
utc_offset = -8
timezone_DST = Pacific
utc_offset_DST = -7
latd = 44 |latm = 23 |lats = 27 |latNS = N
longd = 118 |longm = 56 |longs = 56 |longEW = W
elevation_m = 973.5
elevation_ft = 3194
website =
postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 97820
area_code = 541
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 41-10950GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 1139318GR|3
footnotes =

Canyon City is a city in Grant County, Oregon, United States. It is the county seat of Grant County, and is about a mile south of John Day on U.S. Highway 395. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 669.

History

Canyon City was established in June 1862 as a result of the discovery of gold in Canyon Creek, which flows through the town. The discovery led to land between Canyon City and John Day being worth $500 per square yard ($598/m²). ["Oregon's Golden Years" (ISBN 0-87004-254-8)] Panning for gold could yield several ounces in each pan of sediment. At the peak of the local gold rush, it is claimed that 10,000 people lived in Canyon City, making it larger than Portland at the time.

The preeminent geologist, Waldemar Lindgren, during his 1900 visit to the gold belt of the Blue Mountains, estimated that no more than $16 million in gold had been recovered from Canyon Creek by then. This would correspond to roughly 800,000 ounces, worth today (at $600 an ounce) $480 million.

The town was platted in 1862 and was chosen as the county seat two years later, when Grant County was split from Wasco County. It was incorporated in 1891.

Geography

Canyon City is located at 44°23'27" North, 118°56'56" West (44.390829, -118.948990)GR|1, a few miles northwest of Canyon Mountain, at an altitude of over 3100 feet (940 m).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.4 square miles (3.6 km²); none of the area is covered with water.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there are 669 people in the town, organized into 257 households and 180 families. The population density is 480.3 people per square mile (185.8/km²). There are 294 housing units at an average density of 211.1/sq mi (81.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town is 90.58% White, 2.84% Native American, 0.15% Black or African American, 2.09% from other races, and 4.33% from two or more races. No one identified himself as Asian or Pacific Islander. 4.63% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 257 households out of which 37.7% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.1% are married couples living together, 11.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 29.6% are non-families. 24.9% of all households are made up of individuals and 8.6% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.46 and the average family size is 2.94.

In the town the population is spread out with 28.7% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 31.2% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.2% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 35 years. For every 100 females there are 99.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 107.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town is $29,940, and the median income for a family is $41,458. Males have a median income of $31,167 versus $23,438 for females. The per capita income for the town is $14,404. 7.8% of the population and 5.7% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 9.2% of those under the age of 18 and 0.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Notable residents

*Joaquin Miller [ [http://www.ghosttowns.com/states/or/canyoncity.html ghosttowns.com] ] , poet and essayist

References

External links

* [http://www.gcoregonlive.com/bus_display.php/133 Canyon City] by the Grant County Chamber of Commerce
* [http://bluebook.state.or.us/local/cities/ad/canyoncity.htm Oregon Blue Book listing for Canyon City]