Coos County

PORTS, FARMING, & TIMBER

Coos county is located in the Southwestern region of Oregon, and the western part of the county borders the Oregon coast. It was founded in 1853 from parts of Umpqua and Jackson Counties. It was named after a local Indian tribe, the Coos. The county seat is Coquille City. As early as 1828, the county was known for timber /  logging, fishing, shellfishing, and dairy farming. Its terrain and climate is excellent for farming and dairy farming. There are several ports among the county, but Coos Bay is the most well known today. Coos Bay was founded in 1909, and is considered the best natural harbor between San Francisco Bay and the Puget Sound. Gold mining was also a draw in the 19th century and there are still rich deposits of iron, lead and coal. 

Today, the major industries in Coos county are Recreational / Tourism, Agriculture, Commercial Fisheries, Forestry and Wood Production. There are over 675 farms in Coos county, and they comprise over 16% of the total area. Since the temperature rarely drops below 34 degrees, the growing season is over 200 days a year. The county is ranked 9th in dairy production and produces milk for local creameries. The majority of seafood processing is done along the southern ports of Oregon- which includes Coos county. Most of its processing is sold to California, the East Coast, or Japan. Lush and productive forests dominate much of the Coos County landscape. There are approximately 610,000 acres of non-federal forest lands in Coos County, with 16% owned by Coos County and the State of Oregon, 23% owned by small woodland owners, and the remaining 61% owned by wood products corporations.

Tourism and recreational activities are increasing in Coos county which support over 3,300 jobs, and generate over $1.5 million dollars in local tax revenue. New facilities, attractions, recreational activities, and restoration projects are in the planning stages to make the area even more attractive to new and returning visitors. There is plenty to do in Coos County whether it’s sightseeing or hiking the state parks (Cape Arago or Shore Acres), visiting the Oregon Coast Historical Railway and local museums, or taking a walk down the Coos Bay boardwalk and visiting the local restaurants and shops. 

There are 10 school districts in Coos County, and 26 public schools serving 10,950 students in Coos County, OR (there are also 6 private schools, serving 294 private students). The top ranked public schools are Hillcrest Elementary School, Harbor Lights Middle School and Coquille Valley Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.

The median household income in Coos County is $52,548, the median price per square foot is $238, and the median house price is $349,000.