Powers, Oregon

Powers, Oregon
—  City  —
Powers, Oregon skyline
Location in Oregon
Coordinates:
Country United States
State Oregon
County Coos
Incorporated 1945
Government
 • Mayor Edward Hamlett
Area
 • Total 0.6 sq mi (1.6 km2)
 • Land 0.6 sq mi (1.6 km2)
 • Water 0.1 sq mi (0.04 km2)
Elevation 286 ft (87.2 m)
Population (2010[1])
 • Total 689
 • Density 1,178/sq mi (454.8/km2)
Time zone Pacific (UTC-8)
 • Summer (DST) Pacific (UTC-7)
ZIP code 97466
Area code(s) 541
FIPS code 41-59600[2]
GNIS feature ID 1147970[3]

Powers is a city in Coos County, Oregon, United States. The population was 689 at the 2010 census.[1]

It is 21 miles south of Oregon Route 42 at Myrtle Point on Powers Highway (Oregon Route 542) (also known as Forest Road 33 (Agness Road),[4] on the south fork of the Coquille River.

Contents

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.8 square miles (2.1 km2), of which 0.8 square miles (2.1 km2) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km2) (3.61%) is water. The city is in a river canyon, surrounded by towering mountains.

Climate

Powers has cool, very wet winters and warm, mostly dry summers.

The influence of the Pacific Ocean moderates the climate, especially in the summer when the temperature regularly drops into the upper forties to lower fifties at night. The coolest month, January, has an average maximum temperature of 52.7 °F (11.5 °C) and an average minimum of 35.2 °F (1.8 °C). August is the warmest month with an average maximum of 78.7 °F (25.9 °C) and an average minimum of 50.5 °F (10.3 °C). The highest temperature recorded was 104 °F (40 °C) on August 8, 1978, and the lowest temperature was 5 °F (−15 °C) on December 31, 1990. Annually, there are 6.5 days with highs of 90°F (32°C) or higher and 45.1 days with lows of 32°F (0°C) or lower.

Average annual rainfall is 60.74 inches (1,543 mm) and there are an average of 138 days with measurable precipitation. The wettest year was 1996 with 95.35 inches (2,422 mm) and the driest year was 1976 with 31.69 inches (805 mm). The most rainfall in one month was 26.99 inches (686 mm) in November 1973. The greatest 24-hour rainfall was 6.25 inches (159 mm) on November 19, 1996.

While snow is common during the winter on the mountains surrounding Powers, the city itself averages only 2.5 inches (64 mm) of snow each year. The snowiest year was 1950 when 18.4 inches (470 mm) fell, including 18.0 inches (460 mm) in January. The most snow in 24 hours was 8.0 inches (200 mm), recorded on February 2, 1989, and again on February 3, 1989.[5]

History

In 1914, according to Oregon Geographic Names, the city was named for Albert H. Powers, vice president and general manager of the Smith-Powers Logging Company. Powers post office was established in 1915.

Points of interest

The historic Wagner House, situated alongside the main road through Powers, is said to be the oldest pioneer home in the region. There is an adjacent railroad museum, as well as displays on the grounds. The United States Forest Service (USFS) Powers Ranger District office is at the north end of town along Powers Highway.[6] Powers County Park is near the USFS office. Powers is about five miles north of the Siskiyou National Forest, and its many campgrounds. The road to the national forest forms part of the Coquille-Rogue Scenic Byway. Powers holds its White Cedar Days celebration during the 4th of July.

Beyond Powers and over a watershed divide is the Rogue River, which the road follows down to the Pacific Ocean at Gold Beach. Another route along the way is the Powers-Glendale Bike Route. These backcountry routes are usually closed by snow in winter.

Education

Powers is served by two public schools; one elementary (K-6) and one high school, Powers High School (7-12).[7]

Demographics

2000 Census data

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 734 people, 334 households, and 184 families residing in the city. The population density was 921.2 people per square mile (354.2/km²). There were 403 housing units at an average density of 505.8 per square mile (194.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 84.06% White, 6.54% Native American, 0.54% Asian, 0.14% Pacific Islander, 0.14% from other races, and 8.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.32% of the population. There were 334 households out of which 22.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.2% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.9% were non-families. 38.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 21.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the city the population was 24.1% under the age of 18, 5.3% from 18 to 24, 21.3% from 25 to 44, 27.5% from 45 to 64, and 21.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 98.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.4 males. The median income for a household in the city was $21,615, and the median income for a family was $23,750. Males had a median income of $30,536 versus $27,750 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,544. About 16.3% of families and 23.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.6% of those under age 18 and 13.6% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation

References

External links