Medford

Medford, Oregon, the county seat of Jackson County, is located in the Rogue River Valley, approximately 27 miles north of the California border. As of 2020, the city had a population of 85,824, making it the eighth-most populous city in Oregon. The Medford Metropolitan Statistical Area has a population of over 223,000, making Medford the primary retail, health, government, and service center for the Rogue Valley and parts of Northern California. Medford's economy is diverse, with major employment sectors including healthcare, retail trade, and other services. Key industries include timber, pears, and tourism. Prominent national businesses such as Harry & David and Lithia Motors are headquartered in Medford. The city has dedicated resources to urban renewal since the 1990s, revitalizing the downtown area. Medford was founded in 1883 and named after Medford, Massachusetts. The city's development was spurred by the arrival of the Oregon and California Railroad, which connected Medford to broader markets and facilitated its growth as a shipping hub. Medford is known for its access to outdoor recreation, with nearby natural attractions such as the Rogue River, Table Rocks, and the Siskiyou Mountains.