Medford, OR

The seventh-largest community in Oregon, Medford sits 28 miles north of the California border. Medford was established on the remains of an ancient volcanic-flow area. Area visitors can see evidence of this in the lava formations that are found within the city's limits.

Medford is a haven for outdoor activities, among the most popular being floating the Rogue River, bird and wildlife watching, caving, fishing, hiking, hunting and sightseeing. A popular tourist destination, Medford is home to the Upper and Lower Table Rocks, which are visited by more then 10,000 people annually. Spring offers the best time for viewing the many different wild flowers and birds.

Medford is surrounded by pear-growing country, and Harry & David, a pioneer in mail-order fruit shipping, is based near the town.

EDUCATION

More than 21 percent of Medford residents have attained a bachelor's degree or a higher level of education. This number exceeds the national average of 14 percent.

The Medford Public School District educates more than 11,000 students, and private schools educate close to 2,000 students. More than 500 teachers are employed in public schools, and 127 teachers are employed in private schools.

Public schools in the city include Abraham Lincoln Elementary School, Griffin Creek Elementary School, Hoover Elementary School, Howard Elementary School, Jackson Elementary School, Hedrick Junior High School, McLoughlin Junior High School, Medford Opportunity High School, North Medford High School, and South Medford High School.

Institutes of higher learning include Abdill Career College, Pacific Bible College, Phagans Medford Beauty School, and Real Estate and Insurance Schools of Oregon.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

Medford is a popular shopping area for many people who reside in the southern Oregon and northern California region. In addition to its retail stores, Medford's industries include health care, agriculture, timber, natural resources and mining, construction, manufacturing, information services, finances, education, and government. A number of top employers in the city contribute to Medford's economy:

• Avista Corp. is an energy company. This company is involved in the production, transmission, and distribution of energy. The company is committed to fostering its employees and allowing them to turn their ideas into business opportunities.
• Harry & David is a direct marketing/e-commerce company with more than 130 stores located throughout the country. Headquartered in Medford, the company employs more than 2,500 employees for yearlong positions. The company adds 8,000 employees during its seasonal rush periods.
• Lithia Motors, Inc., is headquartered in Medford, and its vehicle dealerships are located in 15 states. This company employs more than 6,000 individuals in total.
• Musician's Friend is the nation's largest direct-response retailer when it comes to musical instruments and related gear.
• Tom's Bronco Parts is the nation's leader for replacement parts in Ford Broncos that were manufactured between 1966 and 1977.
• Benchmark Maps is responsible for the production of detailed atlases and maps for ten of the western states in the country.
• Falcon Northwest is a personal computer manufacturing company and has been in Medford since 2002.

BEST BETS

Medford offers unique area attractions:

• Ballet Rogue (formerly the State Ballet of Oregon) puts on ballet performances and is famous throughout southern Oregon.
• The Ginger Rogers Craterian Theater is a live performance theater in downtown Medford, centrally located on Central Avenue and Main Street.
• Orchards and wine-tasting markets are open to visitors. They include Eden Valley Orchards, which is open six days a week; the100-year-old Hillcrest Orchard, which grows premium fruit; and RoxyAnn Winery, which is known for its award-winning wines.

LOCAL MEDIA

Medford is home to the Mail Tribune. This newspaper has served the area faithfully for more than a century.

The city also has a number of television and radio stations:

• KOBI, Channel 5 (NBC)
• KSYS, Channel 8 (PBS)
• KTVL, Channel 10 (CBS)
• KDRV, Channel 12 (ABC)
• KAKT 105.1 FM (country)
• KBOY 95.7 FM (classic rock)
• KCNA 102.7 FM (classic hits)
• KCMX 101.9 FM (soft adult contemporary)
• KCMX 880 AM (talk radio)