Phoenix, Oregon

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title: "Phoenix, Oregon" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["phoenix,-oregon", "cities-in-oregon", "cities-in-jackson-county,-oregon", "populated-places-established-in-1854", "1854-establishments-in-oregon-territory"] topic_path: "geography" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoenix,_Oregon" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::data[format=table title="Infobox settlement"]

Field	Value
name	Phoenix, Oregon
settlement_type	City
motto	The Other Phoenix
image_skyline	Phoenix City Hall - Phoenix Oregon.jpg
imagesize	200px
image_caption	Phoenix City Hall (2013)
image_map	Jackson_County_Oregon_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Phoenix_Highlighted.svg
mapsize	250x200px
map_caption	Location within County and State
subdivision_type	Country
subdivision_name	United States
subdivision_type1	State
subdivision_name1	Oregon
subdivision_type2	County
subdivision_name2	Jackson
leader_title	Mayor
leader_name	Al Muelhoefer
established_title	Incorporated
established_date	1910
unit_pref	Imperial
area_footnotes
area_total_sq_mi	1.43
area_total_km2	3.69
area_land_sq_mi	1.43
area_land_km2	3.69
area_water_sq_mi	0.00
area_water_km2	0.00
population_footnotes
population_as_of	2020
population_total	4475
population_density_km2	1211.42
population_density_sq_mi	3138.15
timezone	Pacific
utc_offset	-8
timezone_DST	Pacific
utc_offset_DST	-7
coordinates
elevation_footnotes
elevation_ft	1503
postal_code_type	ZIP code
postal_code	97535
area_codes	541 and 458
blank_name	FIPS code
blank_info	41-57500
blank1_name	GNIS feature ID
blank1_info	2411415
website
::

Phoenix is a city in Jackson County, Oregon, United States. The population was 4,475 at the 2020 census. Phoenix is a part of the Medford Metropolitan Statistical Area, in the Rogue Valley, and is 3 mi southeast of Medford on Interstate 5.

History

The area was settled by brothers Hiram and Samuel Colver. Samuel Colver laid out the town in 1854. Early residents included Milton Lindley, who operated a sawmill that provided timbers in 1855, for a blockhouse as well as a flouring mill owned by Sylvester M. Wait. For a time, the settlement was known locally as Gasburg after a talkative employee in the kitchen serving the mill hands. Wait, who was an agent for the Phoenix Insurance Company of Hartford, Connecticut, assigned the official name, Phoenix, to the community and, in 1857, to its post office. Waitsburg, Washington, was later named after Wait.

2020 fire

On September 8, 2020, much of Phoenix, along with neighboring Talent and parts of Medford and Ashland, were destroyed by the Almeda Drive Fire. On September 11, 2020, authorities said they were preparing for a mass fatality incident. On September 11, it was reported that 600 homes and 100 commercial buildings were destroyed by the Almeda Drive Fire, but on September 18, that number was updated to 2,800. Officials stated that the Almeda Drive Fire was human-caused. On September 11, a man was arrested for arson, for allegedly starting a fire that destroyed multiple homes in Phoenix and merged with the Almeda Drive Fire. A separate criminal investigation into the origin point of the Almeda Drive Fire in Ashland was ongoing as of September 2020.

Geography

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ac/Bear_Creek_Greenway_01.jpg" caption="The [[Bear Creek Greenway]] in Phoenix"] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/Fern_Valley_Interchange_(14067137767).jpg" caption="Interstate 5]] next to [[The Home Depot]] in Phoenix in 2014"] ::

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.44 sqmi, all land.

The city is south of Medford and north of Talent and Ashland along Interstate 5 and Oregon Route 99. This is toward the southern end of the Rogue River Valley, near the Siskiyou Mountains and the border with California.

Coleman Creek, a tributary of Bear Creek, joins the larger stream at Phoenix. The Bear Creek Greenway, a biking and hiking trail connecting Ashland, Talent, Medford, and Central Point along Bear Creek, also passes through Phoenix.

Climate

This region experiences hot and dry summers, and cool and wet winters. According to the Köppen climate classification system, Phoenix has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate, abbreviated Csa on climate maps.

Phoenix's record-high temperature is 115 F on June 27, 2021, and the record-low temperature is −8 F on December 9, 1972.

|location = Phoenix, Oregon |width = 50% |single line = Y |collapsed = Y |Jan high F = 47.1 |Feb high F = 53.2 |Mar high F = 58.6 |Apr high F = 64.5 |May high F = 71.2 |Jun high F = 78.9 |Jul high F = 86.4 |Aug high F = 87.0 |Sep high F = 79.4 |Oct high F = 67.2 |Nov high F = 51.1 |Dec high F = 45.7 |year high F= 65.9 |Jan low F = 29.8 |Feb low F = 32.2 |Mar low F = 34.4 |Apr low F = 37.7 |May low F = 42.2 |Jun low F = 47.5 |Jul low F = 51.2 |Aug low F = 50.4 |Sep low F = 44.1 |Oct low F = 37.1 |Nov low F = 32.8 |Dec low F = 30.4 |year low F= 39.2 |Jan record high F = 70 |Feb record high F = 77 |Mar record high F = 81 |Apr record high F = 93 |May record high F = 98 |Jun record high F = 115 |Jul record high F = 109 |Aug record high F = 109 |Sep record high F = 106 |Oct record high F = 95 |Nov record high F = 76 |Dec record high F = 68 |year record high F= 115 |Jan record low F = −1 |Feb record low F = −1 |Mar record low F = 11 |Apr record low F = 22 |May record low F = 25 |Jun record low F = 27 |Jul record low F = 35 |Aug record low F = 37 |Sep record low F = 26 |Oct record low F = 17 |Nov record low F = 9 |Dec record low F = −8 |year record low F= −8 |precipitation colour = green |Jan precipitation inch = 3.22 |Feb precipitation inch = 2.93 |Mar precipitation inch = 2.27 |Apr precipitation inch = 1.91 |May precipitation inch = 1.70 |Jun precipitation inch = 0.85 |Jul precipitation inch = 0.55 |Aug precipitation inch = 0.41 |Sep precipitation inch = 0.78 |Oct precipitation inch = 1.45 |Nov precipitation inch = 4.35 |Dec precipitation inch = 4.70 |year precipitation inch= 25.12 |Jan snow inch = 1.6 |Feb snow inch = 0.7 |Mar snow inch = 0.2 |Apr snow inch = 0.1 |May snow inch = 0 |Jun snow inch = 0 |Jul snow inch = 0 |Aug snow inch = 0 |Sep snow inch = 0 |Oct snow inch = 0 |Nov snow inch = 0.2 |Dec snow inch = 0.9 |year snow inch= 3.7 |source={{cite web|url=https://plantmaps.com/97535| title=Zipcode 97535|website=www.plantmaps.com|access-date=March 6, 2022}}

Demographics

|align=right |1880= 277 |1910= 250 |1920= 159 |1930= 439 |1940= 432 |1950= 746 |1960= 769 |1970= 1287 |1980= 2309 |1990= 3239 |2000= 4061 |2010= 4538 |2020= 4475 |footnote=U.S. Decennial Census | align-fn = center ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9a/PhoenixOregonShoppingCentrSign.jpg" caption="Phoenix Shopping Center sign in Phoenix"] ::

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Phoenix had a population of 4,475. The median age was 46.1 years. 17.8% of residents were under the age of 18 and 27.0% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 86.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 84.1 males age 18 and over.

99.8% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.2% lived in rural areas.

There were 2,028 households in Phoenix, of which 23.8% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 39.3% were married-couple households, 17.6% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 34.3% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 33.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 2,118 housing units, of which 4.2% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 62.9% were owner-occupied and 37.1% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 3.8%.

::data[format=table title="Racial composition as of the 2020 census{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME%2CP1_001N%2CP1_003N%2CP1_004N%2CP1_005N%2CP1_006N%2CP1_007N%2CP1_008N%2CP1_009N%2CP2_001N%2CP2_002N%2CH1_001N%2CH1_002N&for=place%3A57500&in=state%3A41|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=January 29, 2026|df=mdy}}"]

Race	Number	Percent
White	3,522	78.7%
Black or African American	51	1.1%
American Indian and Alaska Native	48	1.1%
Asian	65	1.5%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander	6	0.1%
Some other race	235	5.3%
Two or more races	548	12.2%
Hispanic or Latino (of any race)	713	15.9%
::

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 4,538 people, 2,001 households, and 1,178 families living in the city. The population density was 3151.4 PD/sqmi. There were 2,149 housing units at an average density of 1492.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 84.0% White, 0.9% African American, 1.5% Native American, 1.3% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 7.9% from other races, and 4.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 15.8% of the population.

There were 2,001 households, of which 24.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.7% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 41.1% were non-families. 33.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.87.

The median age in the city was 44 years. 20.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.8% were from 25 to 44; 26.9% were from 45 to 64; and 22% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.9% male and 53.1% female.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 4,060 people, 1,746 households, and 1,117 families living in the city. The population density was 3,249.8 PD/sqmi. There were 1,850 housing units at an average density of 1,480.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 89.95% White, 0.86% African American, 1.08% Native American, 0.67% Asian, 0.17% Pacific Islander, 4.51% from other races, and 2.76% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.89% of the population.

There were 1,746 households, out of which 28.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.6% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.0% were non-families. 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.84.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.2% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 23.5% from 45 to 64, and 21.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,701, and the median income for a family was $38,176. Males had a median income of $29,832 versus $23,719 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,828. About 8.6% of families and 11.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.3% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over.

Education

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/72/PhoenixOregonSnowExit24Interstate5.jpg" caption="Snow in Phoenix"] ::

Phoenix is part of the Phoenix-Talent School District. The city is the site of two of the five schools in the district—Phoenix Elementary School and Phoenix High School, as well as Armadillo Technical Institute, a public charter school.

Notable people

· Only people who already have a Wikipedia article may appear here. This establishes notability · The biographical article must mention how they are associated with Phoenix, whether born, raised, or residing · The fact of their association should have a reliable source cited in their article · Alphabetical by last name please

Dennis W. Day, actor and original Mickey Mouse Club (1955–57) cast member.
Tami Farrell, Miss Oregon Teen USA 2003, Miss Teen USA 2003, Miss California USA 2009
Bill Pearl, world champion bodybuilder

In popular culture

An independent film titled Phoenix, Oregon was produced in 2018 and revolves around two characters who live in the city. Despite this, the film was actually shot in Klamath Falls, Oregon. During the COVID-19 pandemic, most US movie theaters were closed. The film was re-released in theaters in smaller cities that remained opened. Because of this, Phoenix, Oregon was the highest grossing film at the US box office for three weeks in March and April 2020. Its biggest weekend was April 10–12, 2020, when it earned more than $11,000 at the box office.

References

(10 November 2024). "“Phoenix will always be Phoenix, but we're going to make it better.”: Newly elected officials embrace the future of Phoenix".
"ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau.
{{GNIS. 2411415
McArthur, Lewis A.. (2003). "[[Oregon Geographic Names]]". [[Oregon Historical Society]] Press.
Erik Neumann, and Liam Moriarty, {{usurped
Crombie, Noelle. (September 9, 2020). "Wildfire cuts swath of destruction in southern Oregon; Phoenix and Talent 'pretty well devastated'". OregonLive.
Zavala, Joe. "Talent, Phoenix wakes up to decimation". Mail Tribune.
Murphy, Paul P.. (September 10, 2020). "Satellite images show Phoenix and Talent, Oregon, have been nearly wiped out by wildfire". CNN.
(September 11, 2020). "Oregon preparing for 'mass fatality incident' in wildfire recovery".
Benda, David. "[https://www.redding.com/story/news/local/2020/09/10/almeda-fire-southern-oregon-two-confirmed-dead-600-homes-destroyed-damaged/3456818001/ Southern Oregon wildfires update: 700-plus homes, businesses destroyed as officials' investigate fire's cause]", ''[[Redding Record Searchlight]]''. September 11, 2020. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
Aldous, Vickie. (September 18, 2020). "Sheriff: More than 2,800 structures destroyed by Almeda fire". Mail Tribune.
ABC News]]. September 11, 2020. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
"US Gazetteer files 2010". [[United States Census Bureau]].
(2012). "Oregon Road & Recreation Atlas". Benchmark Maps.
"Map". Bear Creek Greenway Foundation.
"Phoenix, Oregon". CantyMedia.
"Phoenix, Oregon Climate".
"MEDFORD EXP STN, OREGON".
"Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov.
"Census Population API". United States Census Bureau.
(2021). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)".
(2023). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)".
(2021). "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)".
"U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
[http://www.armadillotech.org/ Armadillo Technical Institute]
Hillier, Bianca. (February 25, 2019). "Missing in America: Family searching for original Mickey Mouse Club Mouseketeer Dennis Day, missing from Oregon since July 2018". [[NBC News]].
"MSN _ Outlook, Office, Skype, Bing, Breaking News, and Latest Videos.html".
Bassinger, Sean. (May 8, 2018). "It's titled 'Phoenix, Oregon,' but movie shot in K Falls". The [[Mail Tribune]].
"Phoenix, Oregon Re-release - Box Office Mojo".

::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::