Gresham, Oregon encyclopedia topics

History

The city of Gresham could not establish itself as a city unless given a post office and postal code. A local store owner offered to use his store as a post office and offered to name the city after Postmaster General Walter Quinton Gresham if a post office was granted. Until that time the city had simply been known as Campground because this forested site was where pioneers often stopped to spend the night and compose themselves before moving on to Portland. Although a post office was established in May, 1884, Gresham was not incorporated as a city until 1905. Lewis Shattuck, son of a pioneer family, was the first mayor.

Geography

Gresham is located at 45°30'13" North, 122°26'22" West (45.503692, -122.439425).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 22.2 square miles (57.6 km²), of which, 22.1 square miles (57.4 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.2 km²) of it is water. The total area is 0.40% water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 90,205 people, 33,327 households, and 22,695 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,071.6 people per square mile (1,572.4/km²). There were 35,309 housing units at an average density of 1,593.8/sq mi (615.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 82.72% White, 1.89% African American, 0.94% Native American, 3.33% Asian, 0.27% Pacific Islander, 7.02% from other races, and 3.82% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.90% of the population.

There were 33,327 households out of which 36.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.9% were married couples living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.9% were non-families. 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.8% had someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.17.

In the city the population was spread out with 27.5% under the age of 18, 11.1% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 21.2% from 45 to 64, and 9.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 97.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $43,442, and the mean income for a family was $51,126. Males had a median income of $37,701 versus $27,744 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,588. About 8.4% of families and 12.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.2% of those under the age of 18 and 6.7% of those 65 and older.

Infrastructure

Government

The City of Gresham operates under the Council-Manager form of government. Under the Council-Manager form of government the City Council is elected by residents to be the legislative and policy-making body for the City government. The City Council appoints a professional City Manager that is responsible for day-to-day City operations.

The city council consists of the mayor and six councilors who are elected at large to four year terms.

Education

Gresham is served by three school districts: Centennial, Gresham-Barlow, and Reynolds. Mount Hood Community College is also located in Gresham.

Transportation

Highways

Gresham is accessed from Interstate 84 and U.S. Route 26.

Mass transit

The city of Gresham is serviced by TriMet's bus system, MAX Light Rail line as well as the fareless Sandy Area Metro (SAM) shuttle bus to Sandy, Oregon. The Blue Line contains the following MAX stations:

Local attractions

Mount Hood Jazz Festival

Notable residents

Brian Burres, MLB pitcher, attended Sam Barlow High School and Mt. Hood Community College
Randy Couture, professional Mixed Martial Arts fighter and current UFC Heavyweight Champion
Nikki Fuller, professional female bodybuilder, attended Gresham High School
Katie Harman, Miss America 2002
Fred Jones, NBA player, moved to Gresham in middle school
Angela Via, singer, moved to Gresham as a child
Greg Smith, Oregon State Representative, District 57, graduated from East Gresham Grade School, Dexter McCarty Middle School, and Sam Barlow High School.
Ronald A. Marks, former CIA official, born and raised in Gresham