Pendleton is a friendly Eastern Oregon town nestled in the foothills of the Blue Mountains along the Oregon Trail.

Fast Facts About Pendleton

• It has a population of about 16,600
• Recreational activities include camping, fishing, hunting, golfing, skiing, cylcing, and horseback riding to name just a few.
• It is about a 3 hour drive on I-84 from Portland, OR and 4.5 hour drive from Seattle, WA.
• Its airport (Eastern Oregon Regional Airport) is serviced by major regional carrier Horizon Airlines.
• It is home to the world famous Pendleton Round Up.
• It is approximately 4 miles from the Umatilla Indian Reservation
• Umatilla County Information
• Blue Mountain Communitiy College offers 2 year degrees and 4 year transfer programs.

History

A commercial center in the locality of Pendleton began as early as 1851 when Dr. William C. McKay established a trading post at the mouth of McKay Creek. A Post Office with the name of Marshall (named for the owner of another local store, and sometime gambler) was established April 21, 1865, and later renamed Pendleton. The city was incorporated in 1880.

By 1900, Pendleton had a population of 4,406 and was the fourth-largest city in Oregon. Like many cities in eastern Oregon, it had a flourishing Chinatown from the 1880s into the 1920s.

Pendleton Woolen Mills, founded in 1893, is known world-wide as a maker of fine Indian trading blankets and men's plaid shirts.

Pendleton is also famous for the Pendleton Round-Up. First held in 1910, the Round Up is it is part of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) sanctioned rodeo circuit.

Photo courtesy of www.eospn.com

Demographics

As of the census GR2 of 2000, there are 16,354 people, 5,964 households, and 3,727 families residing in the city. The population density is 628.3/km˛ (1,627.2/mi˛). There are 6,352 housing units at an average density of 244.0/km˛ (632.0/mi˛). The racial makeup of the city is 89.15% White, 1.53% African American, 2.52% Native American, 0.94% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 3.68% from other races, and 2.12% from two or more races. 6.00% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 5,964 households out of which 31.7% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.4% are married couples living together, 10.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 37.5% are non-families. 30.4% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.6% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.39 and the average family size is 2.98.

In the city the population is spread out with 23.5% under the age of 18, 10.9% from 18 to 24, 31.3% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 12.6% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 114.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 116.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $36,800, and the median income for a family is $47,410. Males have a median income of $31,763 versus $23,858 for females. The per capita income for the city is $17,551. 13.3% of the population and 8.7% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 16.4% of those under the age of 18 and 8.1% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.