Requesting Bend growth update (crime, home, unemployment rate)

[snaketotem]

For those of you living in or near Bend, OR, what's happening with the growth rate there? We know that it's growing rapidly but is it being well-managed, or is it out of control? Are they planning for open spaces or is it like Southern Oregon where very square inch is being built on? We have thought of relocating to Bend, but we're trying to get away from insane growth. Thanks.

Christina

[Clear2land]

You are right. It is on the grow...

Population (year 2000): 52,029. Estimated population in July 2005: 67,152 (+29.1% change)

More on Bend can be found here..

http://www.city-data.com/city/Bend-Oregon.html

I have only been to Bend a few times. It is a very pretty area and they do have a nice airport.

[Clear2land]

As of 2005, Bend's population is 62,937. Since 2000, it has had a population growth of 21.48%. The median home cost $221,700 up 13.23%. The cost of living is 4% higher than the US average. The unemployment rate is 5.5%. Property crime is twice the national average. They get 13 inches of rain and 41 inches of snow each year. The property tax rate is $11.47 per thousand.

Hope this helps!

[bobmulk]

The 150,000 population is roughly the population of Deschutes County of which Bend is the county seat. Oregon's Population Research Center estimated Bend's 2005 population at just over 70,000, an increase of more than 5,000 from 2004. Deschutes County's population increased by more than 8,000. New preliminary figures will be released in November. Clearland's figures are from the Census Bureau.

It's growing like nuts, but starting to slow. Sprawl is subjective, there's lots of subdivisions, but also incredible neighborhoods. Bend is surrounded by millions of acres of national forests, etc. so it will never be an Orange County where I used to live.