This memo analyzes the socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of Gold Hill, Oregon to inform the community's parks master plan. It finds that Gold Hill's population grew slightly faster than the state and county between 2000-2010. The median age increased from 36.7 to 43.9 years, indicating more adults and seniors. Population is projected to increase 76% by 2040, requiring parks that serve all ages and abilities. The memo provides details on population trends, age distribution, ethnicity, and recommendations to ensure parks meet community needs.

1.
1209 University of Oregon | Eugene, Oregon 97403 | P: 541.346.3889 | F: 541.346.2040
http://cpw.uoregon.edu
December
3,
2014
SUMMARY
The
following
memo
outlines
memo
outlines
socio
economic
and
demographic
information,
including
characteristics
such
as
age,
income,
household
size
and
type,
and
development
trends
Gold
Hill,
Oregon.
This
memo
can
be
used
to
inform
the
Community
and
Recreation
Profile
section
of
the
Gold
Hill
Parks
Master
Plan.
An
accurate
understanding
of
the
demographics
of
Gold
Hill
is
integral
to
the
parks
planning
process.
People
of
different
social,
economic
and
cultural
backgrounds
use
parks
and
open
space
differently—teenagers
might
favor
a
skate
park,
while
citizens
25-­‐64
may
enjoy
exercise
equipment
and
citizens
65+
may
enjoy
a
walking
path.
A
snapshot
of
Gold
Hills’
demographics
accompanied
by
a
projection
of
future
changes
help
to
make
the
plan
more
useful
for
the
community
for
the
five-­‐year
planning
horizon.
The
memo
concludes
with
key
findings
from
the
analysis
and
recommendations
gleaned
from
the
Oregon
Parks
and
Recreation
Department’s
Statewide
Comprehensive
Outdoor
Recreation
Plan
(SCORP,
2008
-­‐2012).
The
SCORP
provides
research
and
recommendations
focused
on
serving
aging
populations,
youth,
and
diverse
populations
based
on
comprehensive
trend
analysis.
SOCIO ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
Population
As
seen
in
Table
1-­‐1,
between
the
2000
and
2010
Census,
Gold
Hill
has
grown
slightly
faster
than
the
State
of
Oregon
and
Jackson
County.
This
is
an
important
trend
to
monitor
as
the
population
change
between
1990
and
2000
was
much
slower
in
Gold
Hill
than
in
the
county
and
state.
The
Jackson
County
Comprehensive
Plan’s
Population
Element
determined
between
1980-­‐2005,
Gold
Hill
was
one
of
the
slowest
growing
cities
in
the
county
increasing
by
just
176
people.
If
the
population
increases
in
Gold
Hill
continue,
its
parks
will
have
added
demand
and
should
be
used
and
programed
to
the
appropriately
to
create
places
and
spaces
to
support
the
needs
of
a
growing
population.
The
population
projections
in
the
2007
Jackson
County
Comprehensive
Plan
Amendment
predict
an
increase
to
1,901
residents
by
2040.
This
is
681
more
residents
than
today’s
1,220,
a
76%
population
increase
at
an
average
annual
growth
rate
(AARG)
of
1.63%.
(The
Gold
Hill
Water
System
Master
Plan
used
the
same
AARG
to
project
the
population
by
2035.
The
Water
System
Master
Plan
determined
an
increase
to
1,754
residents
in
Gold
Hill.)
To
Galbraith
Associates
From
Ross
Peizer
and
Anya
Dobrowolski
SUBJECT
GOLD
HILL
OREGON
SOCIO
ECONOMIC
ANALYSIS
MEMO

2. Gold Hill Socio Economic Analysis December 2014 Page | 2
Table 1-1. Population Changes
Source:
U.S.
Census
Bureau,
2000
Summary
File
(SF
1)
100-­‐Percent
Data
and
2010
Demographic
Profile
Data
Age Characteristics
The
age
of
a
city’s
residents
has
important
implications
for
parks
planning.
Age
groups
have
different
needs
and
desires
for
recreational
and
park
opportunities.
It
is
important
for
parks
systems
to
meet
the
recreation
needs
of
residents
of
all
ages.
Census
data
indicates
the
average
age
of
Gold
Hill
residents
is
increasing.
In
2010,
the
median
age
of
Gold
Hill
residents
was
approximately
43.9
years,
up
from
36.7
in
2000.
Table
1-­‐3
shows
the
gender
and
age
distribution
in
Gold
Hill
for
2000
and
2010.
The
number
of
people
aged
20-­‐64
grew
24%
and
65+
grew
44%;
this
suggests
that
the
city
should
consider
adults
and
seniors
in
the
location
and
design
of
park
facilities.
These
age
groups
indicate
a
need
for
certain
open
space
and
recreational
opportunities
such
as
walking
paths
for
the
seniors
and
exercise
equipment
for
adults.
Table 1-3. Gender and Age Distribution, Gold Hill, 2010
Source:
U.S.
Census
Bureau,
2000
Summary
File
(SF
1)
100-­‐Percent
Data
and
2010
Demographic
Profile
Data
Ethnicity and Race
An
accurate
depiction
of
the
racial
background
and
ethnicities
of
a
city
are
important
to
planning
processes.
In
many
instances,
people
from
dissimilar
ethnic
backgrounds
use
parks
and
recreational
facilities
in
different
ways
than
other
residents.
For
example,
Hispanics
may
desire
sports
facilities
and
recreational
fields
that
provide
the
opportunity
to
play
competitive
or
recreational
soccer
with
friends
and
family
members.
Gold
hill
has
a
relatively
small
population
of
Hispanic
individuals—in
2000,
Hispanics
accounted
for
3.4%
of
the
total
population
with
36
individuals;
that
population
shrunk
to
33
individuals
that
currently
comprise
2.7%
of
the
total
population
of
Gold
Hill.
However,
national
and
state
demographic
statistics
indicate
the
Hispanic
population
are
growing
overall
and
will
continue
to

3. Gold Hill Socio Economic Analysis December 2014 Page | 3
grow
at
a
steady
pace.
For
example,
in
nearby
Medford,
the
Hispanic
population
between
the
2000
and
2010
census
increased
from
5,841
individuals
to
10,319
individuals.
Because
Gold
Hill
plans
to
use
its
parks
as
destinations
for
regional
tourism,
it
should
plan
to
provide
park
facilities
Hispanic
populations
traditionally
utilize.
The
following
Table
1-­‐6
displays
racial
and
ethnic
demographic
information
for
Gold
Hill
in
2000
and
2010.
Table 1-6. Race and Ethnicity, Gold Hill 2000 and 2010
Source:
U.S.
Census
Bureau,
2000
Summary
File
(SF
1)
100-­‐Percent
Data
and
2010
Demographic
Profile
Data
Persons with Disabilities
Knowing
the
percentage
of
populations
with
disabilities
can
help
plan
for
parks
that
accommodate
all
types
of
people
at
any
ability
level.
As
shown
in
table
1-­‐7,
residents
with
disabilities
in
Gold
Hill
are
6.1%
higher
overall
than
in
Jackson
County.
Gold
Hill
has
a
higher
percentage
of
residents
with
disabilities
in
all
age
categories
except
the
under
18
age
group.
The
largest
percentage
difference
between
Gold
Hill
and
the
county
is
in
the
65+
age
group,
with
20.2%
more
residents
with
disabilities
than
the
county.
This
data
implies
that
ADA
walking
paths
and
surfaces
will
be
important
to
cater
to
the
higher
percentage
of
residents
with
disabilities
in
Gold
Hill.
Table 1-7. Residents with Disabilities
Source:
2008-­‐2012
American
Community
Survey
(ACS)
5-­‐Year
Estimates.
The
ACS
classifies
residents
with
disabilities
for
anyone
who
reports
the
following
six
difficulties:
Hearing,
Vision,
Cognitive,
Ambulatory,
Self-­‐care
and
Independent
living.
Income
Income,
industries
and
jobs
in
Gold
Hill
can
inform
what
days
and
times
of
day
parks
will
be
used.
The
median
annual
household
income
in
Jackson
County
is
approximately
$6,000
higher
than
Gold
Hill’s
median
household
income.
However,
the
family
median
income
in
Gold
Hill
is
just
$800
less
than
Jackson
County’s
as
seen
in
Table
1-­‐8.
The
poverty
level
is
higher
in
Gold
Hill
than
Jackson
County
but
unemployment
is
2.5%
lower
as
show
in
Table
1-­‐8.

4. Gold Hill Socio Economic Analysis December 2014 Page | 4
Table 1-8. Selected Economic Characteristics, Jackson County and Gold Hill, 2008-12
Source:
Selected
Economic
Characteristics
2008-­‐2012
American
Community
Survey
5-­‐Year
Estimates
Economy
Gold
Hill’s
2012
Strategic
Plan
Update
Social
and
Economic
Trends
section
explains
the
history
of
the
mining
and
then
timber
industry
in
the
area.
Today,
Gold
Hill
is
a
bedroom
community
where
residents
mostly
work
in
White
City,
Medford
and
Grants
Pass.
The
largest
employers
in
Gold
Hill
are
the
local
schools,
Ray’s
Market
and
Sweed’s
Machinery,
Inc.
Gold
Hill
is
currently
prioritizing
more
tourist
activities
to
bring
travelers
off
the
highway
to
experience
wineries,
museums
and
outdoor
recreation
in
the
area.
For
example
the
Del
Rio
Vineyard
is
the
largest
planted
vineyard
track
in
Southern
Oregon
and
also
features
the
Rock
Point
Stage
Hotel.
Advanced
Aggregate
is
another
business
bringing
tourists
to
Gold
Hill
to
learn
about
Oregon
marble
production.
Gold
Hill
is
also
well
known
amongst
white
water
rafters
and
kayakers
for
the
class
4
rapids
in
the
Rogue
River
adjacent
to
Sports
Park.
With
the
removal
of
the
Gold
Hill
Dam
and
Gold
Ray
Dam
there
has
been
interest
and
a
master
plan
for
developing
the
sites
into
a
world-­‐class
white
water
facility.
If
this
happens,
a
facility
like
this
may
be
a
tourist
draw
for
Gold
Hill
in
a
state
well
known
for
outdoor
recreation.
KEY FINDINGS
Gold
Hill’s
socio
economic
trends
help
inform
the
planning
and
development
of
individual
parks
and
the
system
as
a
whole.
The
community’s
age
distribution
highlights
the
current
and
future
need
of
parks
for
children,
teenagers
and
senior
populations.
Key
findings
and
conclusions
from
the
community
profile
include:
• Gold
Hill
should
plan
to
accommodate
a
growing
population
in
their
parks
system.
• Gold
Hill
should
anticipate
the
needs
of
a
growing
baby
boomer
and
senior
population
and
plan
to
develop
park
facilities
that
accommodate
these
age
groups.
See
the
Baby
Boomers
section
below
for
more
specific
recommendations.
• Gold
Hill
should
plan
for
a
Hispanic
community
and
work
with
those
communities
to
provide
parks
that
meet
their
needs.
See
Hispanic
Populations
section
below
for
more
specific
recommendations.
• Gold
Hill
should
plan
to
accommodate
residents
with
disabilities
and
mobility
impairments
in
the
parks
system.
• Gold
Hill’s
economy
is
growing
and
looking
to
expand
to
attract
more
visitors.
Gold
Hill
needs
to
be
prepared
for
the
increase
in
use
parks
due
to
an
expanding
tourist
economy.

5. Gold Hill Socio Economic Analysis December 2014 Page | 5
POPULATION-SPECIFIC FINDINGS
This
section
includes
information
from
the
SCORP
for
serving
user
groups
identified
in
the
Gold
Hill
socio
economic
analysis.
These
findings
should
be
used
to
supplement
the
socio
economic
findings
to
best
meet
the
needs
of
specific
user
groups.
Baby Boomers
The
SCORP
indicates
that
the
most
popular
activities
for
boomer
and
pre-­‐boomer1
populations
in
(2008)
included
walking,
bird
watching,
jogging,
sightseeing,
and
bicycling.
Walking
was
a
popular
outdoor
recreation
activity
for
all
age
groups
and
was
chosen
as
the
top
activity
for
both
boomers
and
pre-­‐boomer
populations.
SCORP
makes
several
recommendations
for
serving
the
baby
boomer
population
that
are
relevant
to
Gold
Hill:
• Develop
accessible
trails
in
remote
settings
in
close
proximity
to
urban
areas
• Encourage
trail
use
by
making
sure
trails
are
safe
and
accessible
• Information
about
trail
systems
should
be
made
easily
available
to
these
users
both
online
and
hard
copy
• Facilitate
the
development
of
local
senior
walking
clubs
• Develop
volunteer
opportunities
for
the
boomer
population
Hispanic Populations
The
demographics
section
notes
the
need
to
consider
the
needs
of
an
expanding
state-­‐wide
Hispanic
population.
The
following
recommendations
were
made
by
the
State
of
Oregon
Parks
and
Recreation
Department
(OPRD)
in
SCORP
to
address
this
need:
• Encourage
organizational
culture
change
within
public
recreation
agencies/organizations
to
effectively
address
the
diversity
issue
• Create
a
pilot
project
to
identify
how
to
increase
under-­‐represented
population
access
to
outdoor
sports
fields
• Develop
recommendations
for
addressing
language
barriers
to
encourage
under-­‐represented
population
use
of
outdoor
recreation
facilities
and
programs
• For
example,
signage
and
interpretive
information
should
be
presented
in
a
bilingual
format
so
that
Hispanics
are
accommodated
in
the
park
system.
• Create
a
customer
service
training
module
related
to
serving
the
outdoor
recreation
needs
of
on
increasingly
diverse
population
• Develop
and
implement
a
regional
youth
framework
to
encourage
underrepresented
youth
participation
in
outdoor
recreation
activities
through
partnerships
and
investments
in
school
based
recreation
clubs
Youth
Even
though
Gold
Hill
has
not
shown
an
increase
in
youth
populations,
the
following
research
is
helpful
if
current
trends
shift.
SCORP
research
shows
that
children
are
spending
increasingly
1
Baby
Boomers
are
Oregon
residents
born
between
1946
through
1964,
while
PreBoomers
are
Oregon
residents
born
between
1926
and
1945.

6. Gold Hill Socio Economic Analysis December 2014 Page | 6
more
time
indoors
than
outdoors.
SCORP
conducted
surveys
and
focus
groups
to
help
determine
solutions
to
this
problem.
The
following
results
show
the
favorite
and
second
favorite
ranked
activities
by
age
range.
Table 1-9. Favorite and second favorite activities, by youth age
Source:
Statewide
Comprehensive
Outdoor
Recreation
Plan
(SCORP),
2008
SOURCES
Gold
Hill
2012
Strategic
Plan
Update
Gold
Hill
Water
Master
Plan,
2014.
Jackson
County
Comprehensive
Plan’s
Population
Element,
2007.
National
Recreation
and
Park
Association
Oregon
Parks
and
Recreation
Department
Statewide
Comprehensive
Outdoor
Recreation
Plan
(SCORP),
January
2008,
Department
of
Parks
and
Recreation
http://www.oregon.gov/oprd/PLANS/docs/scorp/2008-­‐
2012_SCORP/2008_Scorp_Final_Web.pdf
U.S.
Census
and
American
Community
Survey