Gold Hill, Oregon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gold Hill, Oregon
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Rock Point Hotel, Gold Hill
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Location in Oregon
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| County | Jackson |
| Incorporated | 1895 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.76 sq mi (1.97 km2) |
| • Land | 0.76 sq mi (1.97 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,085 ft (330.7 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,335 |
| • Density | 1,751.97/sq mi (676.77/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (Pacific) |
| ZIP code |
97525
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| Area code(s) | 541 |
| FIPS code | 41-29950 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1639311 |
Gold Hill is a small city in Jackson County, Oregon, in the United States. It is located right next to a bend in the Rogue River. In 2020, about 1,335 people lived there.
Contents
Discovering Gold Hill's Past
Gold Hill got its name from a nearby hill where gold was found in the 1850s. This discovery happened on a spot called "Big Bar" along the Rogue River.
Early Gold Discoveries
In 1852, a man named Colonel William T'Vault and his family found gold. They made a claim on the south side of the Rogue River and called it Dardanelles.
A Fast-Growing Town
After gold became well-known in the area, Gold Hill quickly became a "boomtown." This means it grew very fast, almost overnight, because so many people came looking for gold. Experienced gold seekers used a method called placer mining. This involves finding gold in rivers, creeks, and streams.
Beyond Gold: Cement Production
Gold Hill also became famous around the world for making cement. This cement was produced from large deposits of limestone found in the area.
Exploring Gold Hill's Location
Gold Hill is a small city in Oregon. It covers an area of about 0.77 square miles (1.97 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
Where Gold Hill Is Located
The city sits in the Rogue River Valley. It is east of the city of Rogue River. To the northwest, you'll find Central Point and Medford. Major roads like Interstate 5 and Oregon Route 99 pass through or near Gold Hill. You can also reach Shady Cove to the northeast using Oregon Route 234.
People of Gold Hill
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 385 | — | |
| 1920 | 422 | — | |
| 1930 | 502 | 19.0% | |
| 1950 | 619 | — | |
| 1960 | 608 | −1.8% | |
| 1970 | 603 | −0.8% | |
| 1980 | 904 | 49.9% | |
| 1990 | 964 | 6.6% | |
| 2000 | 1,073 | 11.3% | |
| 2010 | 1,220 | 13.7% | |
| 2020 | 1,335 | 9.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Population in 2010
According to the census from 2010, there were 1,220 people living in Gold Hill. These people lived in 509 households, with 336 of them being families. The city had about 1,584 people per square mile.
Most of the people living in Gold Hill were White (93.5%). A smaller number were Native American (1.6%), Asian (0.5%), or African American (0.2%). About 2.7% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
The average age of people in Gold Hill was about 43.9 years old. About 19.5% of residents were under 18 years old. About 14.4% were 65 years or older. The population was almost evenly split between males (50.1%) and females (49.9%).
Fun Places to Visit in Gold Hill
Gold Hill has some interesting places to explore.
The Oregon Vortex
One unique spot is the Oregon Vortex. It's a popular roadside attraction known for its strange optical illusions and gravity-defying effects.
Nugget Falls for Adventure
North of Gold Hill, you'll find Nugget Falls. This is a great place for people who enjoy whitewater kayaking.
Gold Hill Historical Society Museum
The Gold Hill Historical Society runs a free museum. It is located in the historic 1901 Beeman–Martin House. The museum is open from Thursday to Saturday. Inside, you can see old mining equipment. They also have a special machine called the Lucky Bart Stamp Mill. This machine was built in 1892 and used to crush rocks to find gold.
