Spray, Oregon
Encyclopedia
Spray is a city in Wheeler County
, Oregon
, United States
. The population was 160 at the 2010 census
.
, the city has a total area of 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²), all of it land.
, and he helped establish a school and a store in the community.
After formation of Wheeler County in 1899, Spray was suggested as a possible county seat
. A county-wide election held in 1900 produced 436 votes for Fossil
, 267 for Twickenham
, and 82 for Spray. In 1958, Spray became the last Wheeler County community to incorporate
as a city. John Butler was the first mayor.
of 2000, there were 140 people, 67 households, and 39 families residing in the city. The population density
was 618.7 people per square mile (235.0/km²). There were 88 housing units at an average density of 388.9 per square mile (147.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.86% White, 0.71% Asian, and 1.43% from two or more races.
There were 67 households out of which 14.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.2% were married couples
living together, 3.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.3% were non-families. 34.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.00 and the average family size was 2.55.
In the city the population was spread out with 18.6% under the age of 18, 3.6% from 18 to 24, 17.9% from 25 to 44, 27.1% from 45 to 64, and 32.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 51 years. For every 100 females there were 112.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $23,250, and the median income for a family was $24,500. Males had a median income of $19,250 versus $20,000 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $14,955. There were 11.4% of families and 21.0% of the population living below the poverty line, including 43.5% of under eighteens and 13.2% of those over 64.
weekend. The half marathon begins at Service Creek
on Saturday and finishes in downtown Spray. The rodeo parade begins roughly three hours later, followed by the rodeo which continues on Sunday. High school graduation also occurs the week before, and the school year ends the week of the rodeo.
Wheeler County, Oregon
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,547 people, 653 households, and 444 families residing in the county. The population density was 1 people per square mile . There were 842 housing units at an average density of 0 per square mile...
, Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 160 at the 2010 census
United States Census, 2010
The Twenty-third United States Census, known as Census 2010 or the 2010 Census, is the current national census of the United States. National Census Day was April 1, 2010 and is the reference date used in enumerating individuals...
.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²), all of it land.
History
Spray was named for John Fremont Spray, the community's founder and first postmaster, and his wife, Mary E. Spray. The post office was established in 1900. In that same year, John Spray established a ferry to carry people across the John Day RiverJohn Day River
The John Day River is a tributary of the Columbia River, approximately long, in northeastern Oregon in the United States. Undammed along its entire length, the river is the third longest free-flowing river in the conterminous United States. There is extensive use of its waters for irrigation. Its...
, and he helped establish a school and a store in the community.
After formation of Wheeler County in 1899, Spray was suggested as a possible county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
. A county-wide election held in 1900 produced 436 votes for Fossil
Fossil, Oregon
Fossil is a city in and the county seat of Wheeler County, Oregon, United States. The name was chosen by the first postmaster, Thomas B. Hoover, who had found some fossil remains on his ranch. The population was 473 at the 2010 census.- History :...
, 267 for Twickenham
Twickenham, Oregon
Twickenham is an unincorporated community in Wheeler County, in the U.S. state of Oregon. It is located along the John Day River between Service Creek and Clarno. A bridge at Twickenham carries North Twickenham Road over the river....
, and 82 for Spray. In 1958, Spray became the last Wheeler County community to incorporate
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
as a city. John Butler was the first mayor.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 140 people, 67 households, and 39 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 618.7 people per square mile (235.0/km²). There were 88 housing units at an average density of 388.9 per square mile (147.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.86% White, 0.71% Asian, and 1.43% from two or more races.
There were 67 households out of which 14.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.2% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 3.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.3% were non-families. 34.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.00 and the average family size was 2.55.
In the city the population was spread out with 18.6% under the age of 18, 3.6% from 18 to 24, 17.9% from 25 to 44, 27.1% from 45 to 64, and 32.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 51 years. For every 100 females there were 112.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $23,250, and the median income for a family was $24,500. Males had a median income of $19,250 versus $20,000 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $14,955. There were 11.4% of families and 21.0% of the population living below the poverty line, including 43.5% of under eighteens and 13.2% of those over 64.
Annual cultural events
Spray features an annual half marathon and rodeo on Memorial DayMemorial Day
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War...
weekend. The half marathon begins at Service Creek
Service Creek, Oregon
Service Creek is an unincorporated community in Wheeler County, in the U.S. state of Oregon. Service Creek lies on Oregon Route 19 near its intersection with Oregon Route 207. It is also near the mouth of a stream, Service Creek, formerly Sarvis Creek, that empties into the John Day River.A...
on Saturday and finishes in downtown Spray. The rodeo parade begins roughly three hours later, followed by the rodeo which continues on Sunday. High school graduation also occurs the week before, and the school year ends the week of the rodeo.
External links
- City of Spray (official website)
- Entry for Spray in the Oregon Blue BookOregon Blue BookThe Oregon Blue Book is the official directory and fact book for the U.S. state of Oregon copyrighted by the Oregon Secretary of State and published by the Office of the Secretary's Archives Division. As Governor Ted Kulongoski notes in his introduction for the 2005–2006 edition, it "provides...