Newport, Oregon Explained

Official Name:City of Newport
Newport, Oregon
Settlement Type:City
Motto:"The Friendliest"
Mapsize:250px
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:Oregon
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:Lincoln
Leader Title:Mayor
Leader Name:Jan Kaplan[1]
Established Title:Incorporated
Established Date:1882
Unit Pref:Imperial
Area Footnotes:[2]
Area Total Km2:30.35
Area Land Km2:25.84
Area Water Km2:4.52
Area Total Sq Mi:11.72
Area Land Sq Mi:9.98
Area Water Sq Mi:1.74
Population As Of:2020
Population Total:10256
Population Density Km2:396.96
Population Density Sq Mi:1028.07
Timezone:PST
Utc Offset:-8
Timezone Dst:PDT
Utc Offset Dst:-7
Coordinates:44.6°N -127°W
Elevation M:40.8
Elevation Ft:134
Postal Code Type:ZIP Codes
Postal Code:97365-97366
Area Code:541
Blank Name:FIPS code
Blank Info:41-52450
Blank1 Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank1 Info:1124669[3]
Website:City of Newport

Newport is a city in Lincoln County, Oregon, United States. It was incorporated in 1882, though the name dates back to the establishment of a post office in 1868. Newport was named for Newport, Rhode Island.[4] As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 9,989, an increase of nearly 5% over its 2000 population; as of 2019, it had an estimated population of 10,853.[5]

The area was originally home to the Yacona tribe, whose history can be traced back at least 3000 years. White settlers began homesteading the area in 1864. The town was named by Sam Case, who also became the first postmaster.[6]

Newport has been the county seat of Lincoln County since 1952, when voters approved a measure to move the center of government from nearby Toledo to Newport.[7] It is also home of the Oregon Coast Aquarium, Hatfield Marine Science Center, Nye Beach, Yaquina Head Light, Yaquina Bay Light, Newport Sea Lion Docks, Pacific Maritime Heritage Center, and Rogue Ales. The city is the western terminus of U.S. Route 20, a cross-country highway that originates in Boston and is the longest road in the United States.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.59sqmi, of which 9.05sqmi is land[5] and 1.54sqmi is water.[8] It is located 3,365 miles (5,415.44 km²) west of Boston, Massachusetts on road signs for US-20.

Climate

Newport has mild, wet weather throughout the year with the heaviest precipitation falling during the winter months. The city averages 0.4 afternoons annually with maximum temperatures equalling or exceeding 901NaN1 and 29 mornings with minimum temperatures of 32F or lower.[9] Historic extreme temperatures have varied between 1F in winter and 100F in summer.[9]

The average annual precipitation between 1961 and 1990 was 70.99inches,[9] with the wettest period being from July 1968 to June 1969 with 102.15inches and the driest, like most of Oregon, from July 1976 to June 1977 with 38.94inches. There are an average of 187 days a year with precipitation equalling or exceeding 0.011NaN1.[9] Average annual snowfall is only 1.57abbr=onNaNabbr=on.[9]

In October 1962, wind gusts at Newport reached 138mph before the wind gauge stopped working. This occurred during the Columbus Day Windstorm, which the National Weather Service has named one of Oregon's top 10 weather events of the 20th century.[10]

Another top-10 event affecting Newport occurred in December 1964, when a rainstorm caused severe flooding in many parts of the state. The Weather Service rated the storm among the most severe in western Oregon since the 1870s. About 21inches of rain fell on Newport. This was almost twice the normal amount expected in December and set a new record for the city.[10]

Also in the Weather Bureau's top-10 list for Oregon are the snowstorms of January 1950. Newport saw a total of about 6inches fall during the month, four times its normal annual snowfall.[10]

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 10,256 people, and 4,559 households in the city.[11] The population density was about 1,028 people per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 80.9% White, 1.0% African American, 1.8% Native American, 1.7% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, and 5.8% two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 15.8% of the population.

There were 4,559 households, and the average household size was 2.2 persons.

Around 16.6% of people living in Newport were under 18, with a further 4.1% of people under 5. 27.6% of the population were older than 65. The gender makeup for Newport was 51.9% female and 48.9% male.

The median household income was $52,897, and the per capita income was $30,060. 14.1% of the population were in poverty.

2010 census

As of the census[12] of 2010, there were 9,989 people, 4,354 households, and 2,479 families living in the city. The population density was about 1104PD/sqmi. There were 5,540 housing units at an average density of about 612/sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 84.1% White, 0.6% African American, 2.1% Native American, 1.6% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 7.5% from other races, and 3.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 15.3% of the population.

There were 4,354 households, of which about 25% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41% were married couples living together, 11% had a female householder with no husband present, 5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 43% were non-families. About 35% of all households were made up of individuals, and about 15% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was about 2.2 and the average family size was about 2.8.

The median age in the city was about 43 years. About 20% of residents were under the age of 18, 8% were between the ages of 18 and 24, 24% were from 25 to 44, 29% were from 45 to 64, and 19% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.1% male and 50.9% female.

Economy

In August 2011, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration moved its base for research ships from Seattle to Newport. The base boasts about 110 marine officers and a total of 175 employees. It bases four ships, including the NOAAS Bell M. Shimada and the NOAAS Rainier, and it provides support for up to two itinerant vessels.[13] NOAA has personnel at the Hatfield Marine Science Center which support the fisheries science centers for Alaska and the Northwest. The ships join the R/V Oceanus and R/V Elakha research vessels based at the center.

Newport is home to the largest fishing fleet on the Oregon Coast.

Education

Lincoln County voters established Oregon Coast Community College in 1987, in which year the college held its first classes.[14] The public schools in Newport are part of the Lincoln County School District, and include Newport High School, Newport Preparatory Academy, Newport Intermediate School, and Sam Case Primary School.

Newport is also home to the Hatfield Marine Science Center, operated by Oregon State University in collaboration with state and federal agencies. The center conducts research and educational programs associated with the marine environment and serves as a primary field station for the university's College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences.[15]

Government

Newport is a charter city (also called a home rule city) and has a council-manager form of government. The city council consists of a Mayor who chairs the meetings, and 6 councilors. The mayor and city council served staggered terms, between two and four years. Live and archived video of city council and committee meetings is available anytime on at https://newportoregon.gov/citygov/comm/cc.asp

Media

Radio stations

Newport has several locally based stations:

Newspaper

The Lincoln County Leader is published once a week

Sister city

Newport has one sister city:[16]

Notable people

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: City Government. November 21, 2023.
  2. Web site: ArcGIS REST Services Directory. United States Census Bureau. October 12, 2022.
  3. Web site: US Board on Geographic Names. January 31, 2008. United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007.
  4. Web site: Oregon's changing coastal fishing communities. Gilden . Jennifer . 1999 .
  5. Web site: Newport (city), Oregon . State & County QuickFacts . U.S. Census Bureau . June 27, 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140809040359/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/41/4152450.html . August 9, 2014 .
  6. Web site: Newport.
  7. Web site: Find a County. June 7, 2011. National Association of Counties.
  8. Web site: US Gazetteer files 2010 . United States Census Bureau . December 21, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt . January 25, 2012 .
  9. Book: Taylor, George H.. Hannan, Chris. The Climate of Oregon: From Rain Forest to Desert. Oregon State University Press. Corvallis. 131. 1999. 0-87071-468-6.
  10. Web site: Oregon's Top 10 Weather Events of 1900s. National Weather Service. March 3, 2015.
  11. Web site: Quick Facts, Newport, Oregon . census.gov . March 28, 2023.
  12. Web site: U.S. Census website . . December 21, 2012.
  13. Web site: NOAA Picks Newport For Research Base . . August 4, 2009 . August 4, 2009.
  14. Web site: College History . Oregon Coast Community College . June 27, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121030161446/http://www.oregoncoastcc.org/college-history . October 30, 2012 . dead .
  15. Web site: About Newport .
  16. Web site: Mombetsu, Newport's Sister City. newportoregon.gov. City of Newport. 2021-04-25.