Southern Oregon facts for kids

This map shows the counties that are part of Southern Oregon. The dark red areas are always included, while the light red areas are sometimes included.

Southern Oregon is a special part of the U.S. state of Oregon. It's located in the southern area, generally west of the tall Cascade Range mountains. This region does not include the very southern part of the Oregon Coast.

The main counties that are always considered part of Southern Oregon are Douglas, Jackson, Klamath, and Josephine. This area is also home to the Southern Oregon American Viticultural Area, which is a place known for growing grapes and making wine. It includes the areas around the Umpqua and Rogue River.

In 2020, about 492,000 people lived in these four main counties. If you include a few other counties that are sometimes part of the definition, the total population for Southern Oregon was around 588,000 people.

What Counties Make Up Southern Oregon?

Southern Oregon is made up of several counties, each with its own unique features. Some counties are always included when people talk about Southern Oregon, while others are sometimes added to the definition.

Counties Always Included

These four counties are always considered part of Southern Oregon:

• Jackson County: This is the most populated county in the region, with about 223,259 people.
• Douglas County: Home to about 111,201 people.
• Josephine County: Around 88,090 people live here.
• Klamath County: This county has about 69,413 residents.

Together, these four counties have a total population of about 491,963 people.

Counties Sometimes Included

Sometimes, these additional counties are also considered part of Southern Oregon, especially when talking about a larger area:

• Coos County: About 64,929 people live here.
• Curry County: This county has around 23,446 residents.
• Lake County: The smallest of these, with about 8,160 people.

If you add these three to the main four, the total population for the wider Southern Oregon area is about 588,498 people.

Major Cities in Southern Oregon

Southern Oregon has many towns and cities, from busy centers to smaller, quieter communities. Here are some of the largest cities in the region, based on their population in 2020:

• Medford: This is the biggest city in Southern Oregon, located in Jackson County, with 85,824 people.
• Grants Pass: Found in Josephine County, it has a population of 39,189.
• Roseburg: Located in Douglas County, about 23,683 people live here.
• Klamath Falls: This city in Klamath County has 21,813 residents.
• Ashland: Also in Jackson County, it is home to 21,360 people and is famous for its Shakespeare Festival.
• Central Point: Another city in Jackson County, with 18,997 people.
• Coos Bay: Located in Coos County, it has 15,985 residents and is a coastal city.

There are many other smaller cities and towns throughout Southern Oregon, each adding to the unique character of the region.