Myrtle Creek, Oregon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Myrtle Creek, Oregon
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| Nickname(s):
Gateway to the 100 Valleys of the Umpqua
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Location in Oregon
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| County | Douglas |
| Incorporated | 1893 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.50 sq mi (6.47 km2) |
| • Land | 2.50 sq mi (6.47 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 610 ft (190 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 3,481 |
| • Density | 1,394.07/sq mi (538.25/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (Pacific) |
| ZIP code |
97457
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| Area code(s) | 541 |
| FIPS code | 41-50950 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2411204 |
Myrtle Creek is a friendly city located in Douglas County, Oregon, in the United States. It is known as the "Gateway to the 100 Valleys of the Umpqua." In 2020, about 3,481 people lived there.
Contents
A Look at Myrtle Creek's History
Myrtle Creek got its name from the many Oregon myrtle trees (also called California laurel) that grow in the area. These trees are quite special!
The first post office opened here in 1854. Later, in 1862, a man named Lazarus Wright sold land to John Hall. John Hall then planned out the city of Myrtle Creek in 1865. The city was officially formed in 1893.
Myrtle Creek's Covered Bridges
Myrtle Creek is home to two cool covered bridges. These bridges are like tunnels made of wood that protect the bridge structure from weather.
The first one is the Neal Lane Bridge. It was built in 1939. This bridge is one of the shortest covered bridges in Oregon. It uses a special design called a kingpost truss.
In 1990, the city built another covered bridge. They used old wood from a different bridge for this one. This bridge connects a parking area to the city's Mill Site Park.
Where is Myrtle Creek Located?
Myrtle Creek is in southern Douglas County. It sits along Interstate 5, a major highway. It's south of Roseburg and north of Tri City and Canyonville.
Two smaller streams, North Myrtle Creek and South Myrtle Creek, meet in the city. They form Myrtle Creek, which then flows into the South Umpqua River. The city covers about 2.5 square miles (6.47 square kilometers) of land.
Myrtle Creek's Weather
Myrtle Creek has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate. This means it has warm, dry summers. The average monthly temperatures usually stay below 71.6°F (22°C). Winters are generally mild and wet.
Who Lives in Myrtle Creek?
Myrtle Creek has grown quite a bit over the years. Here's how its population has changed:
- 1880: 119 people
- 1900: 189 people
- 1950: 1,781 people
- 2000: 3,419 people
- 2020: 3,481 people
In 2010, there were 3,439 people living in Myrtle Creek. Most people (about 90.7%) were White. There were also people of Native American, Asian, African American, and other backgrounds. About 4.3% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
The average age in the city was about 40.5 years old. Many families live here, with about 31.2% of households having children under 18.
Getting Around Myrtle Creek
Myrtle Creek has its own small airport, the Myrtle Creek Municipal Airport. This helps people travel to and from the city.
