Spray, Oregon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Spray, Oregon
|
|
|---|---|
Spray City Hall in 2011
|
|
| Nickname(s):
The City by the River
|
|
Location in Oregon
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| County | Wheeler |
| Incorporated | 1958 |
| Named for | John Fremont Spray and Mary E. Spray, early settlers |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.29 sq mi (0.75 km2) |
| • Land | 0.29 sq mi (0.75 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,772 ft (540.1 m) |
| Population
(2020)
|
|
| • Total | 139 |
| • Density | 479.31/sq mi (185.28/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (Pacific) |
| ZIP code |
97874
|
| Area code(s) | 541 |
| FIPS code | 41-69450 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1127403 |
| Website | www.sprayoregon.us |
Spray is a small city located in Wheeler County, Oregon, in the United States. In 2020, about 139 people lived there. It's a quiet place known for its natural beauty and community spirit.
Contents
Discovering Spray's Past
Spray got its name from John Fremont Spray and his wife, Mary E. Spray. They were among the first settlers in the area. John Spray was also the community's first postmaster.
In 1900, John Spray helped the community grow. He started a ferry service to cross the John Day River. He also helped set up a school and a store for the people living there.
Becoming a City: Spray's Incorporation
When Wheeler County was formed in 1899, people thought about where the main county office, called the county seat, should be. Spray was one of the places suggested. However, in an election held in 1900, Fossil received the most votes.
Later, in 1958, Spray officially became a city. This process is called incorporation. Spray was the last community in Wheeler County to become an incorporated city. John Butler was the first mayor of Spray.
Exploring Spray's Location and Area
Spray is found along the John Day River in the middle of northern Oregon. It's a small town, covering an area of about 0.29 square miles (0.75 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
Roads and Connections to Spray
Two main roads, Oregon Route 19 and Oregon Route 207, meet just east of Spray. They both pass through the city. Spray is about 30 miles (48 km) southeast of Fossil if you take Route 19. It's also about 55 miles (89 km) south of Heppner on Route 207.
Understanding Spray's Climate
Spray experiences different temperatures throughout the year. In January, the average temperature is around 33°F (1°C). In July, it warms up to about 72°F (22°C).
The hottest temperature ever recorded in Spray was 116°F (47°C) in 2007. The coldest was -26°F (-32°C) in 1962. May is usually the wettest month in Spray.
| Climate data for Spray, Oregon | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 43 (6) |
50 (10) |
58 (14) |
65 (18) |
74 (23) |
81 (27) |
92 (33) |
92 (33) |
83 (28) |
68 (20) |
52 (11) |
42 (6) |
67 (19) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 23 (−5) |
25 (−4) |
30 (−1) |
35 (2) |
41 (5) |
47 (8) |
51 (11) |
50 (10) |
42 (6) |
33 (1) |
29 (−2) |
23 (−5) |
36 (2) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 1.38 (35) |
1.22 (31) |
1.46 (37) |
1.44 (37) |
1.75 (44) |
1.35 (34) |
0.59 (15) |
0.61 (15) |
0.61 (15) |
1.08 (27) |
1.54 (39) |
1.63 (41) |
14.66 (370) |
People Living in Spray
The number of people living in Spray has changed over the years. Here's how the population has been recorded during different U.S. Census counts:
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1960 | 194 | — | |
| 1970 | 161 | −17.0% | |
| 1980 | 155 | −3.7% | |
| 1990 | 149 | −3.9% | |
| 2000 | 140 | −6.0% | |
| 2010 | 160 | 14.3% | |
| 2020 | 139 | −13.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Population Details from 2010
In 2010, the census showed 160 people living in Spray. Most of the people were White (95%). A small number were Native American, Asian, or from two or more racial backgrounds.
The average age of people in Spray was about 50 years old. Around 19% of the residents were under 18. About 27% were 65 years old or older. The population was almost evenly split between males (49.4%) and females (50.6%).
Fun Events in Spray
Spray hosts a special event every year around Memorial Day weekend. It includes a half marathon race and a rodeo. The half marathon starts in Service Creek and ends in downtown Spray.
After the race, there's a rodeo parade. The rodeo itself continues into Sunday. High school graduation also happens the week before these events, marking the end of the school year.
Learning in Spray: Education
The Spray School and its main office are located right in the city. In the 2011-2012 school year, 44 students attended the school, from kindergarten all the way through 12th grade.
The county where Spray is located does not have its own community college district.
See also
In Spanish: Spray (Oregón) para niños
