Winchester Bay, Oregon
Encyclopedia
Winchester Bay is an unincorporated
community in Douglas County
, Oregon
, United States
. For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau
has defined Winchester Bay as a census-designated place
(CDP). The census definition of the area may not precisely correspond to local understanding of the area with the same name.The population was 488 at the 2000 census.
, the CDP has a total area of 3.7 square miles (9.6 km²), of which, 2.7 square miles (7 km²) of it is land and 1 square miles (2.6 km²) of it (27.12%) is water.
of 2000, there were 488 people, 238 households, and 139 families residing in the CDP. The population density
was 183.6 people per square mile (70.8/km²). There were 362 housing units at an average density of 136.2 per square mile (52.5/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 96.11% White, 1.43% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 0.20% from other races
, and 1.84% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.43% of the population. There were 238 households out of which 16.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.8% were married couples
living together, 4.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.2% were non-families. 36.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.01 and the average family size was 2.57.
In the CDP the population was 16.8% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 18.9% from 25 to 44, 27.5% from 45 to 64, and 29.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50 years. For every 100 females there were 116.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 120.7 males. The median income for a household in the CDP was $30,139, and the median income for a family was $37,292. Males had a median income of $30,625 versus $22,321 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $17,307. About 17.9% of families and 21.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 38.1% of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those age 65 or over.
house, and crabbing in the bay as the primary attractions. Winchester Bay, formerly referred to as Whistling Basin by the small Native American
population, has seen a marked increase in tourism despite being a sparsely populated outpost.The merchant association has dubbed the community as the "Crab Capital of the World." The largest annual activity is the annual Dune Fest, usually a five-day event. In recent years, Siuslaw National Forest enforcement of alcohol consumption and under-age drinking was enacted to improve safety for participants. Medical care is available at Lower Umpqua Hospital in nearby Reedsport, Oregon
.
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...
community in Douglas County
Douglas County, Oregon
-National protected areas:* Crater Lake National Park * Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest * Siuslaw National Forest * Umpqua National Forest * Willamette National Forest -Adjacent counties:* Lane County, Oregon -...
, 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...
. For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau
United 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...
has defined Winchester Bay as a census-designated place
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
(CDP). The census definition of the area may not precisely correspond to local understanding of the area with the same name.The population was 488 at the 2000 census.
Geography
Winchester Bay is located at 43°40′30"N 124°10′45"W (43.674993, -124.179196). 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 CDP has a total area of 3.7 square miles (9.6 km²), of which, 2.7 square miles (7 km²) of it is land and 1 square miles (2.6 km²) of it (27.12%) is water.
2000 Census data
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 488 people, 238 households, and 139 families residing in the CDP. 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 183.6 people per square mile (70.8/km²). There were 362 housing units at an average density of 136.2 per square mile (52.5/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 96.11% White, 1.43% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 0.20% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.84% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.43% of the population. There were 238 households out of which 16.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.8% 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, 4.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.2% were non-families. 36.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.01 and the average family size was 2.57.
In the CDP the population was 16.8% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 18.9% from 25 to 44, 27.5% from 45 to 64, and 29.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50 years. For every 100 females there were 116.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 120.7 males. The median income for a household in the CDP was $30,139, and the median income for a family was $37,292. Males had a median income of $30,625 versus $22,321 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 CDP was $17,307. About 17.9% of families and 21.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 38.1% of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
The local Winchester Bay Merchant Association promotes economic development in the community. Tourism is a significant component of the economy with recreational vehicle use on the nearby sand dunes, tours of the Umpqua River LightUmpqua River Light
The Umpqua River Light is a lighthouse on the Oregon Coast of the United States, located at the mouth of the Umpqua River on Winchester Bay, in Douglas County, Oregon.-History:...
house, and crabbing in the bay as the primary attractions. Winchester Bay, formerly referred to as Whistling Basin by the small Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
population, has seen a marked increase in tourism despite being a sparsely populated outpost.The merchant association has dubbed the community as the "Crab Capital of the World." The largest annual activity is the annual Dune Fest, usually a five-day event. In recent years, Siuslaw National Forest enforcement of alcohol consumption and under-age drinking was enacted to improve safety for participants. Medical care is available at Lower Umpqua Hospital in nearby Reedsport, Oregon
Reedsport, Oregon
Reedsport is a city in Douglas County, Oregon, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 4,154.- History :Reedsport was established on the estuary of the Umpqua River on January 7, 1852. It was named for a local settler, Alfred W. Reed, who founded the city in 1912...
.