Douglas County

Umpqua River & Timberland

Douglas county was created in 1852 and was part of Umpqua County at the time. Douglas county was named after the U.S. Senator, Steven A. Douglas, who was an enthusiastic Oregon supporter in the Congress. Today, the county seat is Roseburg. Douglas county has the entire Umpqua River watershed within its boundaries, and it contains nearly 2.8 million acres of commercial forest lands. The forest products industry continues to play a significant economic role in the county. The timber industry has been the main employer since the beginning. At its height, Douglas county was home to over 270 mills. Agriculture, featuring mainly field crops, orchards, and livestock was and still is important to the economy. 

Today, Douglas County’s population is about 112,000, and the largest city is Roseburg which has a population of over 19,000. The principal industries include Agriculture, Fishing, Forest Products, and Tourism. Approximately 25 percent of the labor force is employed in the forest products industry. Agriculture includes field crops, orchards, vineyards, and livestock. Over 50 percent of the land area of the county is federal public land. 

Roseburg is the largest city in Douglas County, and was once considered the timber capital of the world. Roseburg has always heavily relied on the timber industry to support their local economy. Forest products are still the number one employer in Roseburg. Mercy Medical Center is the second largest employer in Roseburg with over 1,200 employees. The medical field is a large provider of jobs with over 15% of employees in Roseburg being in the healthcare industry.

Tourism and recreational activities are a highlight in Douglas county. There are many outdoor activities available for all ages, all year around. Some activities include Dean Creek elk viewing, Diamond Lake, Douglas County Museum, Loon Lake, white water rafting, kayaking, and hiking many scenic trails. You will also find many wineries, micropubs, and breweries. Locals and visitors alike are drawn to the blend of good food, unique atmosphere and the wide array of locally crafted beers, ales, and brewpubs throughout the land of Umpqua.

There are 14 school districts in Douglas County. The districts have over 80 schools and about 67,000 students. There are also 10 private schools serving over 13,000 students.

The median household income in Douglas county is $52,479, the median price per square foot is $252, and the median house price is $369,900.