What County is Grants Pass Oregon in?
Grants Pass is a city located in Josephine County, Oregon and famous for its views of the Rogue River and nearby Oregon Caves National Monument.
According to July 2017, Josephine County had a population of 37,135 residents.
Josephine County
Josephine County, Oregon is a rural county situated in Southwestern Oregon that extends south to the California border, west to Curry County, north to Douglas County and east to Jackson County. It’s renowned for its rugged mountains and narrow river valleys.
Over 1 million acres of land make up this region, much of it wilderness managed for timber production. There is also an increasing interest in agriculture and viticulture activities.
Josephine County is home to a wide array of racial and ethnic groups, with an especially large Hispanic or Latino population. Other major ethnicities represented include Native American, Asian, African American as well as Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander individuals.
These populations are not necessarily representative of the overall population in a county, but instead illustrate characteristics specific to those who live there. They can be useful for internet research and understanding the diversity within that region.
The racial and ethnic composition of the county is represented by the percentages of Hispanic/Latino, Asian, Native American, and African American residents. These percentages follow 1997 Office of Management and Budget standards for these categories.
Hispanic or Latino households make up 7.9% of the total household population in El Paso County, less than other counties but still within the middle range for other racial and ethnic groups.
Asian households make up 0.7% of the overall population, making them the second smallest Asian group among all other counties in the area.
African American population, at 6.7% of the total, is higher than other racial groups but still in the middle range. Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander peoples make up 13.9% of this total.
The percentage of people who have never married is the second smallest among all other counties in the area and nearly one-twelfth the size of those divorced or widowed. While it’s slightly below the United States average of 49%, it’s 8.3% smaller than Del Norte County which has the highest percentage of singles by any measure.
Downtown Grants Pass
If you’re searching for a home that embraces natural beauty, Grants Pass is an ideal destination. The city offers plenty of outdoor activities and boasts a vibrant downtown filled with fun shops and restaurants.
The city boasts a range of museums, parks and open spaces as well as several theaters. Local companies include Rogue Theatre, Barnstormers Theater, Stardust Repertory Theatre, Connect the Dots Theatre and Rogue Music Theatre.
There are also a number of annual events in the area. One of the best is Bear Fest, where larger-than-life bears decorated by local artists are placed on streets and sidewalks throughout town.
Local musicians such as Rogue Music Theatre and Grants Pass Chamber Orchestra often perform at these concerts, providing you with a chance to enjoy live music while getting acquainted with the culture of Grants Pass.
Another fun event in the area is Magical Musical Holiday Murals, which illuminate downtown from mid November until December 31st. Take a leisurely walk while listening to Jingle Bells or other festive tunes as you take in sights of this vibrant city!
Downtown Grants Pass is filled with historic sites that you can explore on the Historic District Map available at many downtown businesses. It’s an excellent way to learn more about Grants Pass’ past, as well as give yourself some ideas of things to do while you’re here.
In addition to historic buildings, downtown Grants Pass offers an array of restaurants, bars, shopping areas and entertainment venues. Visit the Downtown Welcome Center at 6th & G Streets for a map of the Historic District so that you can plan your trip around what you’d like to see.
If you’re visiting the area, be sure to visit the Grants Pass Museum of Art and Josephine County Historical Society Museum. These museums provide a range of programs and events suitable for all ages. Furthermore, there are plenty of outdoor recreation areas nearby which offer fun activities for the whole family; examples include Westholm Park, Tussing Park, George Eckstein Park, Lawnridge Park and Riverside Park.
Wine Country
Grants Pass, Oregon is home to Oregon’s third-largest wine country with over 350 wineries ranging from family-owned small batch operations to internationally recognized large scale players. Navigating this vast landscape of Oregon wineries can be both thrilling and overwhelming; but with some guidance and insider tips you’ll make the most out of your trip by exploring terroirs ranging from world renowned Willamette Valley to those far more intimate and unique.
The Willamette Valley is Oregon’s most renowned wine region and widely regarded as one of the top Pinot noir producing regions in the world. Additionally, this picturesque appellation boasts the largest concentration of wineries and vineyards in all of Oregon.
In the Willamette Valley, there are plenty of American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) to discover. From Chehalem Mountains near Southwest Portland and Eola-Amity Hills outside Salem to Rogue Valley’s lower and middle areas and Yamhill-Carlton AVA in Yamhill-Carlton, there’s sure to be a wine for every palate here.
As you can see, Oregon’s wine region is growing and evolving, providing more tasting rooms, restaurants, lodging and other experiences for travelers to discover a more genuine experience than ever before. It all stems from an influx of knowledgeable oenophiles who are revolutionizing Oregon’s traditional wine-tour routes while reinvigorating local economies.
In Oregon’s Willamette Valley, winery ethos can be just as influential as their vineyards or product. Here you’ll find winemakers dedicated to crafting wines that capture a specific place and time while balancing environmental needs with their passion for crafting top-notch wines that capture Oregon’s distinct terroir and cultural history.
No better way to explore the region’s wine culture than by visiting one of its wineries. In summertime, many will open their doors for visitors to sample their latest vintage and often invite them on a tour of their facilities or help select grapes from their vineyards.
Rogue River
The Rogue River is one of Oregon’s most stunning natural attractions. Here, you can relax and unwind, letting the world slip away from your mind as you savor its serenity.
The river runs through an impressive landscape of steep mountains and canyons, beginning in the Klamath Mountains before flowing west through Medford and Grants Pass before entering Siskiyou National Forest and flowing down Hellgate Canyon (pictured). From there it takes a wild and scenic journey across coastal range until joining with Applegate River near Gold Beach.
Along the way, it provides habitat for salmon, steelhead trout and other native fish species. It serves as a major food source for wild elk and deer, and supports an abundance of bird species.
Rapids on the Rogue River draw an ever-increasing crowd of paddlers from around the globe, but it also has a gentler side that draws visitors in droves. The upper segment flows through spectacular canyons filled with lava rock chasms before impounding 10 miles of this upper section into Lost Creek Lake via large flood control dam. To protect this area from overuse, special use permits restrict boat numbers each day.
Along its course, the Rogue River passes through national forests, industrial timberlands and cities like Shady Cove in Jackson County and Galice and Agness in Josephine County. These regions support a diverse array of wildlife species that depend on healthy river conditions for their survival.
At its oceanic climax, the Rogue River serves as a major breeding ground for Chinook salmon and steelhead trout – both listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. To survive in this cold water from the Rogue, these fish rely on clean oxygen from its banks.
The Rogue River is one of the nation’s most beloved recreational streams, drawing half a million visitors each year to experience fishing, boating, rafting and more. Many trips are accompanied by an experienced guide so that you can have an exciting yet safe journey down the river.