75-581: Harney County is one of the 36 counties in the U.S. state of Oregon . As of the 2020 census , the population was 7,495, making it the sixth-least populous county in Oregon. The county seat is Burns . Established in 1889, the county is named in honor of William S. Harney , a military officer of the period, who was involved in the Pig War and popular in the Pacific Northwest . Harney County
150-473: A Third Party candidate or wrote in a candidate . These numbers show a small but definite shift towards the Democratic candidate when compared to the 2004 presidential election , in which 78.9% of Grant County voters voted for George W. Bush , while 19.2% voted for John Kerry , and 1.9% of voters either voted for a Third Party candidate or wrote in a candidate . The 2008 presidential election, however,
225-463: A Third Party candidate or wrote in a candidate . In 1992, the incumbent, George H. W. Bush won with 40.84% of the vote, over Ross Perot , who finished second with 30.37%, and Bill Clinton , who finished third with 28.86%. In the 2020 United States presidential election , Donald J. Trump won about 78 percent of Harney County's votes, and Joseph R. Biden won about 20 percent. [REDACTED] Three industries have traditionally provided
300-430: A family was $ 43,521. Males had a median income of $ 40,603 versus $ 27,326 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 22,041. About 11.4% of families and 14.4% of the population were below the poverty line , including 19.3% of those under age 18 and 11.9% of those age 65 or over. As of the 2000 census , there were 7,935 people, 3,246 households, and 2,233 families residing in the county. The population density
375-495: A few stands of Western White Pine . Cottonwoods grow along some rivers and streams, and there are small groves of birch and Quaking Aspen at higher elevations. There is also a rare and isolated stand of Alaska Yellow Cedar in the Aldrich Mountains. Other flora includes a wide variety of native grasses and wildflowers, huckleberries, wild strawberries, elderberries, several types of edible mushrooms and Oregon-grape ,
450-645: A fur brigade for Hudson's Bay Company . On January 2, 2016, the headquarters building of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge was seized by armed protesters related to the Bundy standoff . The group protested the prison sentences of two ranchers convicted of arson in wildfires set in 2001 and 2006, which the ranchers claimed spread from their land into the wildlife reserve. Militia leaders, including Ammon Bundy and Jon Ritzheimer , were arrested on January 26, 2016, in an event that included
525-402: A household in the county was $ 30,957, and the median income for a family was $ 36,917. Males had a median income of $ 27,386 versus $ 21,773 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 16,159. About 8.60% of families and 11.80% of the population were below the poverty line , including 12.70% of those under age 18 and 13.90% of those age 65 or over. Like most counties in eastern Oregon,
600-640: A need for county government. Grant County's government operates in accordance with the Oregon Constitution which was ratified by the People of Oregon in November 1857, and the revised Statutes of Oregon. It employs the old-western county government system: the County Court, with a County Judge and two Commissioners. While the County Court no longer exercises much judicial authority, it serves as
675-472: A need to transact business at the courthouse. In 1889, more than half of the southern part of the original Grant County was taken to form Harney County . Also in 1899, a small part of northwestern Grant County was taken (along with parts of Crook and Gilliam counties) to form Wheeler County . After gold was discovered in 1862 on Whiskey Flat, it has been estimated that within ten days 1,000 miners were camped along Canyon Creek. This increased population created
750-522: A priest named Joseph Nadeau. The men came aboard a Spanish supply ship and left from San Diego on a transcontinental tour to Quebec. Instead of reaching Canada, the men arrived at southern Harney County and continued towards Idaho. In the late 1820s, Peter Skene Ogden made a description of the natural features and Indian culture from Klamath County to Harney County, following the Sylvaille River , and turning up afterwards towards Walla Walla leading
825-404: Is a rural county in southeastern Oregon. It is a five-hour drive from Portland, Oregon and a three-hour drive from Boise, Idaho . The county is bordered by Grant County (to the north), Malheur County (to the east); Washoe County, Nevada and Humboldt County, Nevada (to the south); and Lake , Deschutes , and Crook counties (to the west). At 10,226 square miles (26,490 km) in size,
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#1732771975064900-568: Is an arid to temperate region, with average annual precipitation ranging from 9 inches (230 mm) near Picture Gorge, to over 40 inches (1,000 mm) in the Strawberry Mountains. Annual precipitation in the valleys averages between 12 and 14 inches (360 mm), while the uplands or highlands of the county average between 16 and 24 inches (610 mm). Grant County averages between 40 and 60 days each year that see more than 0.10 inches (2.5 mm) of precipitation. A great deal of
975-405: Is bordered by a total of eight Oregon counties. This is the most of any county in the state. As of the 2010 census , there were 7,445 people, 3,352 households, and 2,167 families residing in the county. The population density was 1.6 inhabitants per square mile (0.62/km ). There were 4,344 housing units at an average density of 1.0 units per square mile (0.39 units/km ). The racial makeup of
1050-657: Is controlled by the Federal Government, most of which is controlled by the U.S. Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management. Grant County contains most of the Malheur National Forest and sections of the Wallowa–Whitman , Umatilla and Ochoco National Forests, and has more than 150,000 acres (610 km ) of federally designated Wilderness Areas. Grant County contains the headwaters of
1125-403: Is dispersed throughout the countryside, mostly dwelling on large ranches. There were 3,036 households, out of which 29.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.00% were married couples living together, 6.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.00% were non-families. 25.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.20% had someone living alone who
1200-623: Is far different than in prehistoric times. Fossil records show that, in the Paleozoic and early Mesozoic eras, much of the county was an ancient seabed. After emerging, the absence of the Cascade Mountains allowed the region to experience a relatively wet temperate climate. Ancient Tertiary rivers flowed through the area on courses that would be impossible today. During the Cenozoic Era, volcanic activity and extensive lava flows in
1275-462: Is included in the eight-county definition of Eastern Oregon . Grant County was established on October 14, 1864, from parts of old Wasco and old Umatilla counties. Prior to its creation, cases brought to court were tried in The Dalles , county seat of the vast Wasco County. The great distance to The Dalles made law enforcement a difficult problem, and imposed a heavy burden on citizens who had
1350-544: Is located in Burns. [REDACTED] Media related to Harney County, Oregon at Wikimedia Commons 43°04′N 118°58′W / 43.07°N 118.97°W / 43.07; -118.97 List of counties in Oregon There are 36 counties in the U.S. State of Oregon . The Oregon Constitution does not explicitly provide for county seats ; Article VI, covering the "Administrative Department" of
1425-545: Is one of the 36 counties in the U.S. state of Oregon . As of the 2020 census , the population was 7,233, making it Oregon's fourth-least populous county. The county seat is Canyon City . It is named for President Ulysses S. Grant , who served as an army officer in the Oregon Territory , and at the time of the county's creation was a Union general in the American Civil War . Grant County
1500-429: Is said to have boasted the largest population of any community in Oregon. Mining and ranching, along with timber and then the service and public works that followed, brought people into the area and communities grew around the natural centers of industry and agriculture. Canyon City hosts an annual summer festival called "'62 Days" (referencing the local gold discovery in 1862) to celebrate its history and residents. Since
1575-653: Is water. It is the largest county in Oregon by area and the tenth-largest county in the United States (excluding boroughs and census areas in Alaska ). Steens Mountain is the county's most prominent geographical feature, rising to 9,700 feet (3,000 m) above sea level and spanning many miles across a region that is otherwise fairly flat. To its southeast is the Alvord Desert —the driest place in Oregon—and
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#17327719750641650-498: The 2000 census , there were 7,609 people, 3,036 households, and 2,094 families residing in the county. The population density was 1 people per square mile (0.39 people/km). There were 3,533 housing units at an average density of 0 units per square mile (0/km). The racial makeup of the county was 91.93% White , 3.97% Native American , 0.51% Asian , 0.13% Black or African American , 0.07% Pacific Islander , 1.30% from other races , and 2.09% from two or more races. 4.15% of
1725-522: The Carey act of 1894, arid land in Harney County was donated to the state for irrigation and settlement, but all water development efforts failed. Eventually all land claims filed under the reclamation legislation were abandoned or nullified. Malheur National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1908 and expanded in 1936. The refuge now includes 159,872 acres (646.98 km). Borax has been mined in
1800-588: The John Day River , which has more miles of Wild and Scenic River designation than any other river in the United States. The elevation of the county varies from 1,820 on the John Day River near Kimberly , to 9,038 feet (2,755 m) at the summit of Strawberry Mountain . The terrain of the county varies from grassland steppes and rangelands in relatively open or rolling hills and valleys, to steep, rugged, rocky high-alpine landscapes. Between these,
1875-602: The Mountain Time Zone . As of the 2010 census , there were 7,422 people, 3,205 households, and 2,069 families residing in the county. The population density was 0.7 inhabitants per square mile (0.27/km). There were 3,835 housing units at an average density of 0.4 units per square mile (0.15 units/km). The racial makeup of the county was 91.9% white, 3.1% American Indian, 0.5% Asian, 0.3% black or African American, 1.3% from other races, and 3.0% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 4.0% of
1950-644: The Steens area, and uranium has been found on its south side. School districts include: The county formerly had the Trout Creek School, which in 1969 had two students, making it the smallest school by enrollment in the state. Harney County is not in a community college district but has a "contract out of district" (COD) with Treasure Valley Community College . TVCC operates the Burns Outreach Center in Burns. The Harney County Library
2025-736: The Trout Creek Mountains , which extend south into Nevada . South of Steens Mountain, the Pueblo Mountains are another remote range in Oregon and Nevada. North of Steens Mountain lies the Harney Basin , which contains Malheur Lake and Harney Lake . Although the county is officially in the Pacific Time Zone , unincorporated Drewsey , just west of the Malheur County line unofficially observes
2100-400: The county is the largest in Oregon, and one of the largest in the United States; it is larger in area than six U.S. states. The county is the most sparsely populated in Oregon, with a population density of 0.72 per square mile (0.28/km). The county has just two incorporated cities: Burns , the county seat and the larger city, with 40 percent of the population, and Hines , with 20 percent of
2175-479: The 1930s, the city of John Day has served as the main economic center of the county, and boasts the largest population. According to the United States Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 4,529 square miles (11,730 km ), of which 4,529 square miles (11,730 km ) is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km ) (0.02%) is water. Approximately 63% of the land area of the county
2250-552: The City of Burns; this 760-acres reservation of the Burns Paiute Tribe is a remnant of the former Malheur Indian Reservation . Harney County has a " high desert " topography, with low levels of precipitation. About 500 ranches and farms producing cattle , dairy products and hay operate within the county; in the county, cattle outnumber people 14-to-1. Besides ranching and farming, forestry evolves important industries in
2325-796: The United States. The river system in Grant County includes the upper 100 miles (160 km) of the Main Stem, all of the 112 miles (180 km) of the North Fork, all 75 miles (121 km) of the Middle Fork, and all 60 miles (97 km) of the South Fork of the John Day River. From Grant County, the lower John Day River flows another 184 miles (296 km) to its confluence with the Columbia River. The southeastern corner of
Harney County, Oregon - Misplaced Pages Continue
2400-622: The absences of underbrush, and the wide spacing of the trees, made it possible to drive a wagon and team of horses virtually anywhere the grade would permit. The forested land of the county vary from sparse stands of Western Juniper in more arid, open, or rocky ground, to spruce-fir stands in the highest terrain. Other forested areas (mainly above 3,200 feet (980 m) in elevation) are marked by stands of Ponderosa Pine , Douglas-fir , hybrid Grand x White Fir , Western Larch and Lodgepole Pine . At high elevations there are stands of Engelmann Spruce , Subalpine Fir , and Whitebark Pine , as well as
2475-406: The age of 18 living with them, 54.1% were married couples living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 35.4% were non-families, and 30.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.69. The median age was 50.0 years. The median income for a household in the county was $ 35,974 and the median income for
2550-428: The age of 18 living with them, 57.90% were married couples living together, 7.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.20% were non-families. 27.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.89. In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.80% under
2625-467: The age of 18, 5.60% from 18 to 24, 24.00% from 25 to 44, 27.90% from 45 to 64, and 16.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 99.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.10 males. The median income for a household in the county was $ 32,560, and the median income for a family was $ 37,159. Males had a median income of $ 31,843 versus $ 22,253 for females. The per capita income for
2700-511: The area in the late 19th century, and one small glacier on Strawberry Mountain often remains year-round. The geology of Grant County is rich, including one of the largest fossil concentrations in North America: The John Day Fossil Beds , which the U.S. Congress designated as a National Monument in 1974. Valuable metals, including gold, silver, platinum group elements, chrome, copper and cobalt, are found in
2775-412: The area's economy, with increasing lode-ore production annually, until October 1942 when the U. S. War Labor Board made gold mining illegal by Executive Order, Public Law L-208. This effectively led to several mining towns being abandoned and the demise of the mining industry in eastern Oregon and elsewhere; idle equipment was removed as scrap drives during World War II literally dismantled a great deal of
2850-475: The area. The eminent geologist, Waldemar Lindgren , who visited the area in 1900, estimated that approximately $ 16 million in gold had been mined from the Canyon City area alone by that time. (In 1900, the value of gold was fixed at $ 20.67 per ounce, so that $ 16 million in gold would have been roughly 800,000 ounces—worth today [at $ 1,600 an ounce] about $ 1.28 Billion) Mining remained the dominant sector of
2925-405: The best fish runs recorded in the past half-century. Most of Grant County is drained by the four forks of the John Day River, all of which have their headwaters in the county. The John Day River system drains some 7,900 square miles (20,000 km ). It is the third longest free-flowing river in the "lower 48" and has more miles of federal "Wild and Scenic River" designation than any other river in
3000-487: The county contains heavily timbered land, many rolling hills, canyons and mountainous terrain. Portions of the county are technically high desert, dominated by sagebrush and sparse grasses. Grant County includes the southern part of the Blue Mountains . One unique characteristic of the typical forestland of the area is the relatively low density of underbrush. Travelers and emigrants of the 19th century remarked that
3075-805: The county includes the headwaters of the Malheur and Little Malheur rivers, which find their way to the Snake River. The southern part of Grant County includes the northernmost reaches of the Great Basin, including the Silvies River watershed, which flows south into Harney Lake in the High Desert of Eastern Oregon. A small area in the southwestern corner of Grant County is in the Crooked River and Deschutes River watersheds. Grant County
Harney County, Oregon - Misplaced Pages Continue
3150-495: The county show 30-year highs/lows of: 103°/-37 °F at Austin; 112°/-23 °F at John Day; 108°/-25 °F at Long Creek; 112°/-26 °F at Monument; and 100°/-48 °F at Seneca. Grant County has an estimated 200 days of clear sunny or mostly sunny days, or an estimated 300 days of clear sunny, mostly sunny, or partly sunny days each year. The county experiences an estimated 65 days of overcast skies, with about 165 days of partly to mostly cloudy days annually. Grant County
3225-1070: The county was $ 16,794. About 11.20% of families and 13.70% of the population were below the poverty line , including 16.60% of those under age 18 and 10.20% of those age 65 or over. 2000 U.S. Census statistics for Grant County show that the total workforce for Grant County was 3,800, or 62% of the total population over age 16. These people were employed as follows: 56.9% private wage/salaried positions; 14.7% private self-employed (not incorporated business); 0.8% private unpaid family workers; 27.6% public employees (municipal, county, state, federal governments); By industry: 20.6% education, health, social services; 17.3% agriculture, forestry, mining; 10.0% manufacturing; 9.8% retail trade; 7.6% arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodations, and food; 6.9% public administration; 6.5% construction; 5.9% other services; 5.1% transportation, warehousing, utilities; 4.1% professional, administrative, and waste management; 3.1% finance, insurance, real estate, leasing; 1.7% information; 1.5% wholesale trade; Like
3300-425: The county was 95.0% white, 1.2% American Indian, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 0.9% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.8% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 27.7% were German , 16.3% were English , 12.6% were Irish , 7.5% were American and 5.4% were Scottish . Of the 3,352 households, 22.8% had children under
3375-428: The county's economic base: ranching, sheep raising, and timber. The railroad , which extended into the area in 1883, served as a catalyst to the cattle industry but later contributed to its decline. By bringing farmers and sheep men to the area, it created increased competition for productive land. Harvesting and breeding of wild horses was lucrative for a period. Harney County shares the largest Ponderosa Pine forest in
3450-421: The county's mining infrastructure. In Oregon, Grant County's gold production was second only to Baker County . Because of the wealth of natural resources found in Grant County, agriculture, ranching, and timber industries naturally grew with and contributed to the development of the county. In the early days, sheep formed a large part of the agricultural base and the area boasted some of the largest sheep bands in
3525-640: The county's population. About 75 percent of the county's area is federal land , variously managed by the Bureau of Reclamation , Bureau of Land Management , U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service , and U.S. Forest Service . About 10 percent of Harney County's area is part of the Ochoco National Forest and Malheur National Forest . The county also contains the Burns Paiute Indian Reservation within and immediately north of
3600-620: The county's precipitation comes in the form of winter snow in the mountains. This snow pack is vital to recharge aquifers, resulting in spring run-off, and in-stream flows of water throughout the year. Average temperatures in the county range from the warmest community, Monument, with average daily highs/lows of 90°/50 °F in July and 42°/22 °F in January; to the coolest community, Seneca, with average daily highs/lows of 80°/38 °F in July and 33°/8 °F in January. Extreme temperatures in
3675-604: The county, one of which continues to operate in Prairie City. Due mainly to federal land management policies and global market pressures affecting timber and agricultural production and extraction, the county has experienced the second highest unemployment rate in Oregon for more than 30 years. The county has experienced some growth in recreational activities (including hunting) and tourism, as well as cottage industry, but residents have struggled to develop new productive industries and to diversify their economy. Slightly more than
3750-473: The county. The county is of ecological as well as recreational importance. Along with neighboring Grant County, Harney County has the nation's largest Ponderosa pine forest . The county was also a focus of recent efforts to conserve the sage grouse ; in 2014, Harney County ranchers signed 30-year agreements with the federal government to protect the sage grouse. Visitors are attracted to the county for its hunting, fishing, and camping activities. According to
3825-532: The executive branch of county government. The third man to serve as County Judge of Grant County was Cincinnatus Hiner "Joaquin" Miller (1837–1913), the noted poet, playwright, and western naturalist, called the "Poet of the Sierras" and the "Byron of the Rockies." The county seat is Canyon City, which served as the chief community of the county for many years. In 1864, when the county was organized, Canyon City
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#17327719750643900-499: The historic volcanic activity in the region. Hydrothermal resources are still present, with a number of hot and warm springs. The remnants of ferns, semi-tropical and temperate deciduous forests, shellfish, saber-toothed cats, extinct horse and camel species, and giant sloth, among other extinct species found in the John Day Fossil Beds, are a reminder that the flora and fauna of the region has changed significantly over
3975-533: The late 19th century and early 20th century, but declined during World War II due to changing market and labor pressures. The commercial timber industry in Grant County grew rapidly in the 1920s, and again during and after World War II. Livestock raising and timber harvesting remain important sectors of Grant County's economy, although the production and profitability of these industries has declined in recent years due mainly to political and expanding-market factors. Two wood-fired co-gen electric plants have been built in
4050-515: The lower John Day River; and migratory salmon and steelhead are found in the county seasonally. While salmon and steelhead returns to the John Day Basin experienced a sharp decline during the past 50 years, mainly due to the construction of large dams on the Columbia River, the major watercourses of John Day Basin remain free of physical obstructions, and the numbers of returning salmon and steelhead have improved in recent years, marking some of
4125-503: The majority of registered voters who are part of a political party in Harney County are members of the Republican Party . No Democrat has carried Harney County in a presidential election since Lyndon Johnson in 1964. The last time a Democrat was even close to carrying Harney County in a presidential election was Jimmy Carter in 1976 when he lost it by 85 votes. Since 2000, every Republican nominee has received at least 70% of
4200-457: The millennia. While deer, elk, pronghorn, cougar, bear and upland game bird populations thrive today, some of these animals were remarkably scarce 200 years ago. Explorers and trappers traveling through the region in the early 19th century remarked on the scarcity of game animals and their ability (or inability, as the case were) to find food. Native fish in the region include several trout species; warm water fish such as bass and perch are found in
4275-403: The nation with Grant County . Its abundance of game, numerous campsites and excellent fishing have stimulated fast-growing recreational activities. Although county lands were open to homesteading from 1862 to 1934, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management still owns more than 3 million acres (12,000 km), or 62%, of the lands within the county boundaries. Facilitated on the national level by
4350-502: The other counties in eastern Oregon, the majority of registered voters who are affiliated with a political party in Grant County are members of the Republican Party . George W. Bush's performance here in 2000 marked the strongest of any Republican in the county, carrying just over 80% of Grant's votes in it. In the 2008 presidential election , 70.97% of Grant County voters voted for Republican John McCain , while 26.05% voted for Democrat Barack Obama and 3.94% of voters either voted for
4425-568: The population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 21.1% were of German , 11.1% American , 10.3% Irish and 9.7% English ancestry. There is a small, but significant Spanish Basque community. Approximately 75% of the population of Harney County lives in the Burns-Hines municipal district. Crane is the only other localised population center, with less than 7% of the population of Harney County. Lawen and Riley have no localised populations. The remaining population of Harney County
4500-459: The population. In terms of ancestry, 28.7% were German , 18.6% were English , 15.0% were Irish , 6.7% were Scottish , 5.1% were Dutch , and 4.5% were American . Of the 3,205 households, 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.0% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 35.4% were non-families, and 30.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size
4575-678: The region dramatically changed the landscape. The John Day Fault (one of the only major faults in North America to run east–west) runs along the southern edge of the John Day Valley, caused an uplift, forming the Strawberry and Aldrich mountain ranges and the northern boundary of the Great Basin. Relatively recently in geological terms, during the last Ice age and shortly thereafter, large lakes were present in southeastern Oregon. Continual glaciers were still clinging to mountains in
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#17327719750644650-546: The region. It was this mineral wealth, and the development of gold mines in particular, that spurred the permanent settlement of the area. Large zones of serpentine, a metamorphic rock, dating from the Triassic period, are found in numerous locations. Strawberry Mountain (an extinct volcano), the granite peaks and boulders of the Elkhorn Mountains, and numerous rim rocks, lava flows and basalt outcrops are evidence of
4725-814: The reservation after the Bannock War of 1878. Descendants of these people form a federally recognized tribal entity, the Burns Paiute Tribe , which had 341 members in 2008. Fewer than 35.5% of the tribal members live on the Burns Paiute Indian Colony near Burns. The tribe formerly earned revenue from a small casino, the Old Camp Casino , before its closure in 2012, and renting out communal tribal lands for grazing rights to local ranchers. The first white people to arrive through Harney County were French explorers, circa 1750ː Narceese Charbonneau (father of Toussaint Charbonneau ), LaValle and
4800-421: The shooting death of militant LaVoy Finicum by law enforcement at a highway blockade between Burns and John Day. The following day, only four militants remained, and they surrendered on February 11, 2016. According to the United States Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 10,226 square miles (26,490 km), of which 10,133 square miles (26,240 km) is land and 93 square miles (240 km) (0.9%)
4875-604: The state of Oregon , simply states that: More details on the etymologies of Oregon county names and place names in general are documented in Oregon Geographic Names . Oregon's postal abbreviation is OR and its FIPS state code is 41 . The Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) code, which is used by the United States government to uniquely identify counties, is provided with each entry. The FIPS code for each county links to census data for that county. Grant County, Oregon Grant County
4950-589: The state plant. Non-native Cheatgrass is also prevalent in many areas of the county. Grant County is also home to what may be one of the largest living organism in the world, a giant fungus of the species Armillaria solidipes that lives within the Malheur National Forest. It was found to span 8.9 square kilometres (2,200 acres). Its total mass has been estimated to be between 8,500 and 10,500 tons, and its age at somewhere between 2,000 and 8,500 years. The physical terrain one encounters today
5025-550: The vote in Harney County in presidential elections. In the 2008 presidential election 70.45% of Harney County voters voted for Republican John McCain , while 25.79% voted for Democrat Barack Obama and 3.73% of voters either voted for a Third Party candidate or wrote in a candidate . These numbers show a slight shift towards the Democratic candidate when compared to the 2004 presidential election , in which 76% of Harney Country voters voted for George W. Bush , while 22.7% voted for John Kerry , and 1.3% of voters either voted for
5100-660: The website of the Harney County Sheriff's Office, the sheriff has a staff of six law enforcement officers . Burns has a separate police department but, as of 2008, did not employ enough officers to provide "24-hour" coverage. The Native Americans living in this region at the time of the Lewis and Clark Expedition were the Northern Paiute , who fought with the Tenino and Wasco peoples. Peter Skene Ogden
5175-475: The world, supplying a great volume of wool to, among others, the world-renowned Pendleton Wool Works in Pendleton . Cattle ranchers and sheep ranchers were often at odds and physical confrontations were not uncommon. By the 1920 and 1930s, however, cattle ranching became—and continues to be—the dominant sector of the agricultural industry. Crop farming, dairy production and orchards operated on small scales during
5250-584: Was 2 people per square mile (0.77 people/km ). There were 4,004 housing units at an average density of 1 units per square mile (0.39/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 95.69% White , 0.10% Black or African American , 1.60% Native American , 0.19% Asian , 0.04% Pacific Islander , 0.68% from other races , and 1.70% from two or more races. 2.05% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 17.5% were of English , 17.1% German , 14.3% American and 9.0% Irish ancestry. There were 3,246 households, out of which 30.10% had children under
5325-465: Was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.81. The median age was 45.2 years. The median income for a household in the county was $ 39,036 and the median income for a family was $ 46,626. Males had a median income of $ 40,218 versus $ 31,046 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 20,849. About 14.1% of families and 18.5% of the population were below the poverty line , including 27.5% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over. As of
5400-458: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.94. In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.00% under the age of 18, 6.40% from 18 to 24, 26.60% from 25 to 44, 26.10% from 45 to 64, and 15.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 102.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.20 males. The median income for
5475-509: Was carved out of the southern two-thirds of Grant County on February 25, 1889. A fierce political battle, with armed "night riders" who spirited county records from Harney to Burns , ended with Burns as the county seat in 1890. The Malheur River Indian Reservation was created by executive order on March 14, 1871, and the Northern Paiute within the Oregon state boundaries were settled there. The federal government "discontinued"
5550-632: Was the first known European to explore this area in 1826 when he led a fur brigade for the Hudson's Bay Company . In September 3, 1855 Brigadier General Harney led the U.S. Army and surrounded and ambushed a Lakota village killing 86 people and taking many others as prisoners. This site, located in Nebraska, is now known as the Blue Water Massacre or the Battle of Ash Hollow. Harney County
5625-595: Was the last time a Democratic nominee won over 1,000 votes in the county. In the 2020 election, the county had shifted back to the Republican candidate Donald Trump , who received 77.28% of the votes, compared to Joe Biden 's share of 20.17%. The remaining 2.55% of voters chose either a Third Party candidate or wrote in a candidate . [REDACTED] With the discovery of gold near Canyon City in June 1862, and near Granite in July 1862, gold miners streamed into
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