Editing Harney County, Oregon

{{short description|County in Oregon, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Harney County
 | state                = Oregon
 | seal                 = Harney County, Oregon seal.png
 | seal size            = 150px
 | founded date         = February 23
 | founded year         = 1889
 | seat wl              = Burns
 | largest city wl      = Burns
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 10226
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 10133
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 93
 | area percentage      = 0.9%
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 7495
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2024
 | population_est       = 7402 {{decrease}}
 | density_sq_mi        = 0.7
 | district             = 2nd
 | time zone            = Pacific
 | web                  = www.co.harney.or.us
 | ex image             = HarneyCountyCourthouse.jpg
 | ex image size        = 240
 | ex image cap         = [[Harney County Courthouse]] in Burns
 | named for            = [[William S. Harney]]
}}
[[File:Harney County.svg|alt=Map of Harney County|thumb|Map of Harney County]]

'''Harney County''' is one of the [[List of counties in Oregon|36 counties]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Oregon]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 7,495,<ref name="QF">{{Cite web |title=State & County QuickFacts |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/harneycountyoregon/PST045222 |access-date=May 20, 2023 |website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> making it the sixth-least populous county in Oregon. The [[county seat]] is [[Burns, Oregon|Burns]].<ref name="GR6">{{Cite web |title=Find a County |url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |website=National Association of Counties}}</ref> Established in 1889, the county is named in honor of [[William S. Harney]], a military officer of the period, who was involved in the [[Pig War (1859)|Pig War]] and popular in the [[Pacific Northwest]].

Harney County is a rural county in southeastern Oregon.<ref name="CrombieCountyProfile">Crombie, Noelle (January 3, 2016). [http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2016/01/where_is_burns_harney_county_h.html "Where is Burns? Harney County home to more cattle than people"].  ''[[The Oregonian]]''. Portland. Retrieved December 17, 2024.</ref><ref name="SystemPlan">[http://co.harney.or.us/PDF_Files/HC%20TSP%202001.pdf "Harney County Transportation System Plan: Revised Final Draft"]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303223034/http://co.harney.or.us/PDF_Files/HC%20TSP%202001.pdf |date=March 3, 2016}}. ''Harney County Planning Department''. (June 2001). pp. 9-10.</ref> It is a five-hour drive from [[Portland, Oregon]]<ref name="CrombieCountyProfile" /> and a three-hour drive from [[Boise, Idaho]]. The county is bordered by [[Grant County, Oregon|Grant County]] (to the north), [[Malheur County, Oregon|Malheur County]] (to the east); [[Washoe County, Nevada]] and [[Humboldt County, Nevada]] (to the south); and [[Lake County, Oregon|Lake]], [[Deschutes County, Oregon|Deschutes]], and [[Crook County, Oregon|Crook]] counties (to the west).<ref name="SystemPlan" />

At {{convert|10,226|sqmi|km2}} in size, the [[County (United States)|county]] is the largest in Oregon, and one of the largest in the United States; it is larger in area than six U.S. states.<ref name="CrombieCountyProfile" /><ref name="SystemPlan" /> The county is the most sparsely populated in Oregon, with a population density of {{convert|0.72|/sqmi|/km2}}. The county has just two incorporated cities: [[Burns, Oregon|Burns]], the [[county seat]] and the larger city, with 40% of the population, and [[Hines, Oregon|Hines]], with 20% of the county's population.<ref name="SystemPlan" /> About 75% of the county's area is [[federal land]],<ref name="CrombieCountyProfile" /> variously managed by the [[Bureau of Reclamation]], [[Bureau of Land Management]], [[U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service]], and [[U.S. Forest Service]].<ref name="Township Map">[http://www.co.harney.or.us/PDF_Files/GIS/Downloadable%20Maps/Harney%20County%20with%20Township%208.5x11.pdf "Harney County with Townships 8.5 x 11"]. ''Harney County [[Geographic information system|GIS]]''. Harney County/Bureau of Land Management.</ref> About 10 percent of Harney County's area is part of the [[Ochoco National Forest]] and [[Malheur National Forest]].<ref name="CrombieCountyProfile" /> The county also contains the [[Burns Paiute Indian Reservation]] within and immediately north of the City of Burns; this 760-acre reservation of the [[Burns Paiute Tribe]] is a remnant of the former [[Malheur Indian Reservation]].<ref name="SystemPlan" /><ref name="Township Map" /><ref name="Russell">Russell, Steve (January 3, 2016). [http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2016/01/03/bundy-militia-musters-again-over-paiute-land-162939 "Bundy Militia Musters Again Over Paiute Land"]. ''[[Indian Country Today Media Network]]''. Retrieved December 17, 2024.</ref>

Harney County has a "[[High Desert (Oregon)|high desert]]" topography, with low levels of precipitation.<ref name="CrombieCountyProfile" /> About 500 ranches and farms producing [[cattle]], dairy products and hay operate within the county; in the county, cattle outnumber people 14-to-1.<ref name="CrombieCountyProfile" /> Besides ranching and farming, [[forestry]] evolves important industries in the county.<ref name="SystemPlan" />

The county is of ecological as well as recreational importance. Along with neighboring Grant County, Harney County has the nation's largest [[Ponderosa pine forest]].<ref name="SystemPlan" /> The county was also a focus of recent efforts to [[conservation movement|conserve]] the [[sage grouse]]; in 2014, Harney County ranchers signed 30-year agreements with the federal government to protect the sage grouse.<ref name="CrombieCountyProfile" /> Visitors are attracted to the county for its hunting, fishing, and camping activities.<ref name="SystemPlan" />

According to the website of the Harney County Sheriff's Office, the sheriff has a staff of six [[law enforcement officer]]s.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sheriff |url=http://www.co.harney.or.us/sheriff.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131173938/http://www.co.harney.or.us/sheriff.html |archive-date=January 31, 2016 |access-date=January 3, 2016 |website=co.harney.or.us |publisher=Harney County, Oregon}}</ref> {{Failed verification|date=January 2016}} Burns has a separate police department but, as of 2008, did not employ enough officers to provide "24-hour" coverage.<ref>{{cite news |last=Brown |first=Lauren |date=February 20, 2008 |title=Burns, Hines set to share police chief |url=http://burnstimesherald.info/2008/02/20/burns-hines-set-to-share-police-chief/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723161505/http://burnstimesherald.info/2008/02/20/burns-hines-set-to-share-police-chief/ |archive-date=July 23, 2011 |access-date=January 3, 2016 |newspaper=[[Burns Times-Herald]]}}</ref>

==History==
The [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]]s living in this region at the time of the [[Lewis and Clark Expedition]] were the [[Northern Paiute]], who fought with the [[Tenino people|Tenino]] and [[Wasco-Wishram|Wasco]] peoples. [[Peter Skene Ogden]] was the first known European to explore this area in 1826 when he led a fur brigade for the [[Hudson's Bay Company]]. 

In September 3, 1855 Brigadier General Harney led the U.S. Army and surrounded and ambushed a Lakota village killing 86 people and taking many others as prisoners. This site, located in Nebraska, is now known as the Blue Water Massacre or the Battle of Ash Hollow. 

Harney County was carved out of the southern two-thirds of [[Grant County, Oregon|Grant County]] on February 25, 1889. A fierce political battle, with armed "night riders" who spirited county records from Harney to [[Burns, Oregon|Burns]], ended with Burns as the county seat in 1890.

The [[Malheur River Indian Reservation]] was created by executive order on March&nbsp;14, 1871, and the Northern Paiute within the Oregon state boundaries were settled there. The federal government "discontinued" the reservation after the [[Bannock War]] of 1878. Descendants of these people form a federally recognized tribal entity, the [[Burns Paiute Tribe]], which had 341 members in 2008.<ref name="Wadatika">{{cite web |date=September 15, 2008 |title=Wadatika Today |url=http://www.burnspaiute-nsn.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=64:wadatika-today&catid=37:history&Itemid=57 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120220031648/http://www.burnspaiute-nsn.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=64:wadatika-today&catid=37:history&Itemid=57 |archive-date=February 20, 2012 |access-date=April 8, 2013 |website=Burns Paiute Tribe}}</ref> Fewer than 35.5% of the tribal members live on the [[Burns Paiute Indian Colony]] near Burns.<ref name=Wadatika/> The tribe formerly earned revenue from a small casino, the [[Old Camp Casino]], before its closure in 2012, and renting out communal tribal lands for grazing rights to local ranchers.

The first white people to arrive through Harney County were French explorers, circa 1750ː Narceese Charbonneau (father of [[Toussaint Charbonneau]]), LaValle and a priest named Joseph Nadeau. The men came aboard a Spanish supply ship and left from San Diego on a transcontinental tour to Quebec. Instead of reaching Canada, the men arrived at southern Harney County and continued towards Idaho. In the late 1820s, Peter Skene Ogden made a description of the natural features and Indian culture from Klamath County to Harney County, following the [[Sylvaille River]], and turning up afterwards towards [[Walla Walla, Washington|Walla Walla]] leading a fur brigade for [[Hudson's Bay Company]].<ref name="PSO">{{Cite web |title=Harney County - County Information |url=https://www.oacclerks.org/oacc/county.aspx?countyid=24 |access-date=April 25, 2022 |publisher=Oregon Association of County Clerks}}</ref>

===2016 militia occupation===
{{main|Occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge}}
On January 2, 2016, the headquarters building of the [[Malheur National Wildlife Refuge]] was seized by armed protesters related to the [[Bundy standoff]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Zaitz |first=Les |date=January 3, 2016 |title=Militia takes over Malheur National Wildlife Refuge headquarters |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2016/01/drama_in_burns_ends_with_quiet.html#incart_big-photo |access-date=January 3, 2016 |newspaper=The Oregonian |location=Portland}}</ref> The group protested the prison sentences of two ranchers convicted of arson in wildfires set in 2001 and 2006, which the ranchers claimed spread from their land into the wildlife reserve.<ref>{{cite press release |date=October 7, 2015 |title=Eastern Oregon Ranchers Convicted of Arson Resentenced to Five Years in Prison |url=https://www.justice.gov/usao-or/pr/eastern-oregon-ranchers-convicted-arson-resentenced-five-years-prison |access-date=October 7, 2015 |publisher=U. S. Attorney's Office; District of Oregon}}</ref> Militia leaders, including [[Ammon Bundy]] and [[Jon Ritzheimer]], were arrested on January 26, 2016, in an event that included the shooting death of militant [[LaVoy Finicum]] by law enforcement at a highway blockade between Burns and John Day.<ref name="JohnsonBlankstein">{{cite news |last=Johnson |first=Alex |last2=Blankstein |first2=Andrew |date=January 26, 2016 |title=Oregon Occupation Leaders Ammon and Ryan Bundy Arrested, One Dead |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/oregon-occupation-leader-ammon-bundy-arrested-law-enforcement-sources-n504911 |access-date=January 26, 2016 |work=[[NBC News]]}}</ref> The following day, only four militants remained, and they surrendered on February 11, 2016.<ref>{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Alexander |last2=Erik |first2=Ortiz |date=February 11, 2016 |title=Four Remaining Oregon Occupiers, Surrounded by FBI, Surrender |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/oregon-occupiers-surrounded-fbi-surrender-after-six-weeks-protest-n516336 |access-date=February 11, 2016 |work=NBC News}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Harney County, Oregon, sign.JPG|thumb|Sign welcoming drivers to Harney County]]
[[File:Denmark vs Harney County.png|thumb|right|upright|Harney County has a population of less than 8,000 occupying a land area about two-thirds the size of [[Denmark]], shown in this overlay.]]
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|10226|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|10133|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|93|sqmi}} (0.9%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web |date=August 22, 2012 |title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files |url=http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_41.txt |access-date=February 25, 2015 |website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> It is the largest county in Oregon by area and the [[List of the largest counties in the United States by area|tenth-largest county]] in the United States (excluding [[List of boroughs and census areas in Alaska|boroughs and census areas in Alaska]]).

[[Steens Mountain]] is the county's most prominent geographical feature, rising to {{convert|9700|ft|m}} above sea level and spanning many miles across a region that is otherwise fairly flat.<ref name="conkling">Conkling, C., Jackman, E. R., & Scharff, J. (1967). [https://books.google.com/books?id=xgT9cTwimWsC Steens Mountain in Oregon's high desert country]. Caxton Press. Retrieved April 25, 2022</ref> To its southeast is the [[Alvord Desert]]—the driest place in Oregon<ref>{{cite book |last=Lorain |first=Douglas |title=100 Classic Hikes in Oregon |publisher=The Mountaineers Books |year=2011 |isbn=978-1-59485-492-7 |edition=Second |location=Seattle |page=239}}</ref>—and the [[Trout Creek Mountains]], which extend south into [[Nevada]]. South of Steens Mountain, the [[Pueblo Mountains]] are another remote range in Oregon and Nevada. North of Steens Mountain lies the [[Harney Basin]], which contains [[Malheur Lake]] and [[Harney Lake]].

===Adjacent counties===
* [[Crook County, Oregon|Crook County]] - northwest
* [[Grant County, Oregon|Grant County]] - north
* [[Malheur County, Oregon|Malheur County]] - east/Mountain Time Border
* [[Humboldt County, Nevada|Humboldt County]], [[Nevada]] - south
* [[Washoe County, Nevada|Washoe County]], [[Nevada]] - southwest
* [[Lake County, Oregon|Lake County]] - west
* [[Deschutes County, Oregon|Deschutes County]] - northwest

===Time Zones===
{{Further|Time in Oregon}}
Although the county is officially in the [[Pacific Time Zone]], unincorporated [[Drewsey, Oregon|Drewsey]], just west of the [[Malheur County, Oregon|Malheur County]] line unofficially observes the [[Mountain Time Zone]].

===National protected areas===
*[[Malheur National Forest]] (part)
*[[Malheur National Wildlife Refuge]]
*[[Ochoco National Forest]] (part)

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1890= 2559
|1900= 2598
|1910= 4059
|1920= 3992
|1930= 5920
|1940= 5374
|1950= 6113
|1960= 6744
|1970= 7215
|1980= 8314
|1990= 7060
|2000= 7609
|2010= 7422
|2020= 7495
|estyear=2024
|estimate=7402
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2024">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html|title=County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 15, 2025}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web |title=U.S. Decennial Census |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |access-date=February 25, 2015 |website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref><br />1790–1960<ref>{{cite web |title=Historical Census Browser |url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu |access-date=February 25, 2015 |website=University of Virginia Library}}</ref> 1900–1990<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 27, 1995 |editor-last=Forstall |editor-first=Richard L. |title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/or190090.txt |access-date=February 25, 2015 |website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref><br />1990–2000<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 2, 2001 |title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226035610/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=February 26, 2015 |access-date=February 25, 2015 |website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 2010–2020<ref name="QF" />
}}

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], there were 7,422 people, 3,205 households, and 2,069 families residing in the county.<ref name="census-dp1">{{Cite web |title=DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US41025 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213013036/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US41025 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=February 23, 2016 |website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> The population density was {{convert|0.7|PD/sqmi}}. There were 3,835 housing units at an average density of {{convert|0.4|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}.<ref name="census-density">{{cite web |title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US41025 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213190131/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US41025 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=February 23, 2016 |website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> The racial makeup of the county was 91.9% white, 3.1% American Indian, 0.5% Asian, 0.3% black or African American, 1.3% from other races, and 3.0% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 4.0% of the population.<ref name="census-dp1" /> In terms of ancestry, 28.7% were [[German Americans|German]], 18.6% were [[English Americans|English]], 15.0% were [[Irish Americans|Irish]], 6.7% were [[Scottish Americans|Scottish]], 5.1% were [[Dutch Americans|Dutch]], and 4.5% were [[American ancestry|American]].<ref name="census-dp2">{{cite web |title=DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US41025 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213011959/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US41025 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=February 23, 2016 |website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref>

Of the 3,205 households, 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.0% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 35.4% were non-families, and 30.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.81. The median age was 45.2 years.<ref name="census-dp1" />

The median income for a household in the county was $39,036 and the median income for a family was $46,626. Males had a median income of $40,218 versus $31,046 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,849. About 14.1% of families and 18.5% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 27.5% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over.<ref name="census-dp3">{{cite web |title=DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US41025 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213015344/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US41025 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=February 23, 2016 |website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref>

===2000 census===
As of the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]], there were 7,609 people, 3,036 households, and 2,094 families residing in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people|}}. There were 3,533 housing units at an average density of {{convert|0|/mi2|/km2|adj=pre|units&nbsp;}}. The racial makeup of the county was 91.93% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 3.97% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.51% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.13% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.07% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.30% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 2.09% from two or more races. 4.15% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race. 21.1% were of [[German Americans|German]], 11.1% [[American ancestry|American]], 10.3% [[Irish Americans|Irish]] and 9.7% [[English Americans|English]] ancestry.

There is a small, but significant [[Spain|Spanish]] [[Basque people|Basque]] community.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Basques |encyclopedia=[[The Oregon Encyclopedia]] |publisher=Portland State University |url=http://oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/basques/ |date=September 7, 2022| access-date=December 17, 2024 |last=Etulain |first=Richard W.}}</ref>

Approximately 75% of the population of Harney County lives in the Burns-Hines municipal district. [[Crane, Oregon|Crane]] is the only other localised population center, with less than 7% of the population of Harney County. [[Lawen, Oregon|Lawen]] and [[Riley, Oregon|Riley]] have no localised populations. The remaining population of Harney County is dispersed throughout the countryside, mostly dwelling on large ranches.

There were 3,036 households, out of which 29.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.00% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 6.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.00% were non-families. 25.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.00% under the age of 18, 6.40% from 18 to 24, 26.60% from 25 to 44, 26.10% from 45 to 64, and 15.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 102.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,957, and the median income for a family was $36,917. Males had a median income of $27,386 versus $21,773 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $16,159. About 8.60% of families and 11.80% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 12.70% of those under age 18 and 13.90% of those age 65 or over.

==Communities==

===Cities===
*[[Burns, Oregon|Burns]] (county seat)
*[[Hines, Oregon|Hines]]

===Census-designated place===
*[[Crane, Oregon|Crane]]

===Unincorporated communities===
{{div col|colwidth=12em}}

*[[Buchanan, Oregon|Buchanan]]
*[[Diamond, Oregon|Diamond]]
*[[Drewsey, Oregon|Drewsey]]
*[[Fields, Oregon|Fields]]
*[[Frenchglen, Oregon|Frenchglen]]
*[[Harney, Oregon|Harney]]
*[[Lawen, Oregon|Lawen]]
*[[New Princeton, Oregon|New Princeton]]
*[[Riley, Oregon|Riley]]
*[[Suntex, Oregon|Suntex]]
*[[Trout Creek, Harney County, Oregon|Trout Creek]]
*[[Van, Oregon|Van]]
*[[Venator, Oregon|Venator]]
*[[Voltage, Oregon|Voltage]]
*[[Wagontire, Oregon|Wagontire]]
{{div col end}}

===Ghost towns===
*[[Andrews, Oregon|Andrews]]
*[[Blitzen, Oregon|Blitzen]]
*[[Dunnean, Oregon|Dunnean]]
*[[Frost Mill, Oregon|Frost Mill]]
*[[Sodhouse, Oregon|Sodhouse]]

==Politics==
Like most counties in eastern Oregon, the majority of registered voters who are part of a [[political party]] in Harney County are members of the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]]. No Democrat has carried Harney County in a presidential election since [[Lyndon Johnson]] in 1964. The last time a Democrat was even close to carrying Harney County in a presidential election was [[Jimmy Carter]] in 1976 when he lost it by 85 votes. Since 2000, every Republican nominee has received at least 70% of the vote in Harney County in presidential elections. In the [[2008 United States presidential election|2008 presidential election]] 70.45% of Harney County voters voted for Republican [[John McCain]], while 25.79% voted for [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] [[Barack Obama]] and 3.73% of voters either voted for a [[Third party (politics)|Third Party]] candidate or [[write-in candidate|wrote in a candidate]].<ref>{{cite web |date=November 4, 2008 |title=Harney County, Oregon, General Election &ndash; (Official Results) |url=http://co.harney.or.us/PDF_Files/County%20Clerk/Election%20Results%20Update%202008/Eection%20Results%20Nov%204%202008%20General.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://co.harney.or.us/PDF_Files/County%20Clerk/Election%20Results%20Update%202008/Eection%20Results%20Nov%204%202008%20General.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |access-date=April 21, 2009 |website=Harney County}}</ref> These numbers show a slight shift towards the Democratic candidate when compared to the [[2004 United States presidential election|2004 presidential election]], in which 76% of Harney Country voters voted for [[George W. Bush]], while 22.7% voted for [[John Kerry]], and 1.3% of voters either voted for a Third Party candidate or [[write-in candidate|wrote in a candidate]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Harney County, Oregon detailed profile - houses, real estate, cost of living, wages, work, agriculture, ancestries, and more |url=http://www.city-data.com/county/Harney_County-OR.html |access-date=April 21, 2009 |website=www.city-data.com}}</ref> In 1992, the incumbent, [[George H. W. Bush]] won with 40.84% of the vote, over [[Ross Perot]], who finished second with 30.37%, and [[Bill Clinton]], who finished third with 28.86%.<ref>[https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/state.php?year=1992&fips=41&f=0&off=0&elect=0 1992 Presidential General Election Results - Oregon], Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Elections, 2019. Retrieved December 4, 2020.</ref> In the [[2020 United States presidential election]], [[Donald Trump]] won about 78% of Harney County's votes, and [[Joe Biden]] won about 20%.<ref>{{cite web |title=Harney County, Oregon, General Election: November 3, 2020 |url=https://www.co.harney.or.us/PDF_Files/County%20Clerk/Elections%202020/2020-161%20Abstract%20of%20Votes%20Cast%20for%202020%20General%20Election%20November%203.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109103840/https://www.co.harney.or.us/PDF_Files/County%20Clerk/Elections%202020/2020-161%20Abstract%20of%20Votes%20Cast%20for%202020%20General%20Election%20November%203.pdf |archive-date=January 9, 2021 |access-date=January 7, 2021 |website=Harney County}}</ref>

[[File:Political orientations in Harney County, Oregon (2009).gif]]<ref>{{cite web |date=April 10, 2009 |title=Voter Registration by County: March 2009 |url=http://records.sos.state.or.us/ORSOSWebDrawer/Recordpdf/6812402 |access-date=September 22, 2014 |website=Oregon Secretary of State |page=1 |format=PDF}}</ref>

{{PresHead|place=Harney County, Oregon|whig=no|source1=<ref>{{cite web |last=Leip |first=David |title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections |url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS |access-date=April 8, 2018 |website=uselectionatlas.org}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|3,307|797|151|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|3,475|894|112|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|2,912|683|379|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|2,607|832|144|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|2,595|950|138|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|2,815|839|48|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|2,799|766|169|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|1,948|980|587|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|1,350|973|1,049|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|1,833|1,379|118|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|2,197|1,290|25|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|2,313|1,110|362|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|1,652|1,567|188|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|1,693|1,004|166|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|1,617|1,036|205|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|1,172|1,577|10|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|1,464|1,220|7|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|1,512|1,212|0|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|1,378|983|5|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|784|802|38|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|787|997|10|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|912|1,214|10|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|546|1,262|132|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|687|1,276|105|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|952|600|19|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|851|436|294|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|1,026|479|117|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|872|1,239|213|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|377|538|317|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|450|329|80|Oregon}}
{{PresFoot|1904|Republican|395|190|92|Oregon}}

==Economy==
Three industries have traditionally provided the county's economic base: ranching, sheep raising, and timber. The [[railroad]], which extended into the area in 1883, served as a catalyst to the cattle industry but later contributed to its decline. By bringing farmers and sheep men to the area, it created increased competition for productive land. Harvesting and breeding of wild horses was lucrative for a period. Harney County shares the largest [[Ponderosa Pine]] forest in the nation with [[Grant County, Oregon|Grant County]]. Its abundance of game, numerous campsites and excellent fishing have stimulated fast-growing recreational activities.

Although county lands were open to homesteading from 1862 to 1934, the U.S. [[Bureau of Land Management]] still owns more than {{convert|3|e6acre|km2}}, or 62%, of the lands within the county boundaries. Facilitated on the national level by the [[Carey act]] of 1894, arid land in Harney County was donated to the state for irrigation and settlement, but all water development efforts failed.

Eventually all land claims filed under the reclamation legislation were abandoned or nullified. [[Malheur National Wildlife Refuge]] was established in 1908 and expanded in 1936. The refuge now includes {{convert|159,872|acre|km2}}. Borax has been mined in the [[Steens Mountain|Steens]] area, and uranium has been found on its south side.

==Healthcare==
[[File:HarneyDistrictHospitalBurnsOR.jpg|thumb|left|[[Harney District Hospital]]]]
[[Harney District Hospital]] is located in Burns.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://harneydh.com/|title=Home|publisher=Harney District Hospital|access-date=2025-04-07}}</ref> A [[public hospital]], it is under a separate taxing district and has been since 1990, and previously was a part of the county government.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://harneydh.com/about/history/|title=History|publisher=Harney District Hospital|access-date=2025-04-07}}</ref> In 2005 the hospital provided a traveling doctor in a mobile trailer for southern parts of the county and for [[Denio, Nevada]]. The southern part of the county, in 2005, had, in the words of Matthew Preusch of the [[Associated Press]], a "particularly acute" absence of healthcare services.<ref name=Preuschmatthew>{{cite news|last=Preusch|first=Matthew|title=Doctor does house calls for entire Oregon towns|agency=[[Associated Press]]|newspaper=[[Statesman Journal]]|date=2005-05-29|page=[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/169800834/ 10C]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> In 2005 Matthew Preusch of ''The Oregonian'', citing the lack of doctors and long distances between the southern part of the county and the hospital, described the area as "the most medically underserved area of all."<ref>{{cite news|last=Preusch|first=Matthew|title=Tax aid aims to recruit rural health workers|newspaper=[[The Oregonian]]|date=2005-05-23|pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/169802246/ B1], [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/169802314/ B4]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>

==Education==
School districts include:<ref>{{cite map |author=Geography Division|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Harney County, OR |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st41_or/schooldistrict_maps/c41025_harney/DC20SD_C41025.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st41_or/schooldistrict_maps/c41025_harney/DC20SD_C41025.pdf|date=2020-12-18 |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |access-date=July 15, 2022 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st41_or/schooldistrict_maps/c41025_harney/DC20SD_C41025_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>
* K-12: [[Harney County School District 3]] (Burns and Hines)
* High school: [[Harney County Union High School District 1J]]
; Elementary school districts:
* [[Harney County School District 4]] (Crane Elementary)
* [[Diamond School District 7]]
* [[Double O School District 28]]
* [[Drewsey School District 13]]
* [[South Harney School District 33]] (Fields)
* [[Frenchglen School District 16]]
* [[Pine Creek School District 5]]
* [[Suntex School District 10]]

The county formerly had the Trout Creek School, which in 1969 had two students, making it the smallest school by enrollment in the state.<ref>{{cite news |date=January 1, 1969 |title=Desert School Enrolls 2 |newspaper=[[Statesman Journal]] |location=[[Salem, Oregon]] |page=5; Section 1 | url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105730804/ | via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> It was a part of its own school district, Trout Creek School District No. 53.<ref name=OregonSchoolDir7576p93>{{cite book|title=Oregon school directory 1974/75|publisher=[[Oregon State Superintendent of Education]]|via=[[HathiTrust]]|page=[https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112119606652&seq=93 93/308]}}</ref> In 1975 it became a part of the Fields Trout Creek School District 33.<ref>{{cite book|title=Oregon school directory 1975/76|publisher=[[Oregon State Superintendent of Education]]|via=[[HathiTrust]]|page=[https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112119606645&seq=87 87/308]}}</ref>

The county also formerly had the Lawen Elementary School District, which operated Lawen Elementary School.<ref>{{cite news|last=Manzano|first=Phil|title=Voters kill most Oregon school measures|newspaper=[[The Oregonian]]|date=1985-03-27|page=[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/169367332/ B1]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> The Lawen school never reopened after a 1984 flooding, and the Lawen district merged into the Crane elementary district in 1988.<ref>{{cite news|title=Lawen School District merges with Crane|newspaper=[[Statesman Journal]]|date=1988-06-28|page=[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/169369996/ 1B]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> The Burns Union High School District, the Burns Elementary School District, and the Hines Elementary School District merged into Harney County District 3 in 1989.<ref>{{cite news|title=Former school chief moves to Yakima Valley|newspaper=[[Baker City Herald]]|date=1992-07-08|page=[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/169453884/ 3]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>

There was also the Sodhouse School District No. 32, based in Princeton.<ref name=OregonSchoolDir7576p93/>

Harney County is not in a community college district but has a "contract out of district" (COD) with [[Treasure Valley Community College]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Oregon Community Colleges and Community College Districts |url=https://www.clatsopcc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/02-2-OR-CC-color-map.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.clatsopcc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/02-2-OR-CC-color-map.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |access-date=July 17, 2022 |website=[[Oregon Department of Community Colleges & Workforce Development]]}}</ref> TVCC operates the Burns Outreach Center in Burns.<ref>{{cite web |title=Burns Outreach Center |url=http://harneycounty.chambermaster.com/list/member/tvcc-burns-outreach-center-217 |access-date=July 17, 2022 |website=[[Treasure Valley Community College]]}}</ref>

The Harney County Library is located in Burns.<ref>{{cite web |title=Home |url=https://www.harneycountylibrary.org/ |access-date=July 16, 2022 |website=Harney County Library |quote=80 West "D" Street Burns, OR 97720}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Oregon}}
*[[National Register of Historic Places listings in Harney County, Oregon]]
{{-}}

==Footnotes==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
* George Francis Brimlow, ''Harney County, Oregon, and Its Range Land.'' Burns, OR: Gail Graphics, 1980.
* Dorsey Griffin, ''Starting at the Narrows: A History of Harney County, Oregon.'' Netarts, OR: Griffin Press, 1990.
* Harney County Chamber of Commerce, ''A Lively Little History of Harney County: A Centennial Souvenir Album, 1889-1989.'' Burns, OR : Harney County Chamber of Commerce, 1989.
* Harney County Historical Society, ''Harney County Historical Highlights.'' Burns, OR: Harney County Historical Society & Museum, 1997. <small>—Periodical.</small>
* Royal G. Jackson and Jennifer A. Lee, ''Harney County: An Historical Inventory.'' Burns, OR: Harney County Historical Society, 1978.
* Margaret Justine Lo Piccolo, ''Some Aspects of the Range Cattle Industry of Harney County, Oregon, 1870–1900.'' MA thesis. University of Oregon, 1962.
* Karen Nitz and Claire McGill Luce, ''Harney County.'' San Francisco, CA: Arcadia Pub., 2008.
* Peter K. Simpson, ''The Community of Cattlemen: A Social History of the Cattle Industry in Southeastern Oregon, 1869–1912.'' Moscow, D: University of Idaho Press, 1987.
* {{Cite book |last=Turnbull |first=George S. |title=[[wikisource:en:History of Oregon Newspapers|History of Oregon Newspapers]] |publisher=[[Binfords & Mort]] |year=1939 |chapter=[[wikisource:en:History of Oregon Newspapers/Harney County|Harney County]]}}
* [https://archive.org/details/illustratedhis00chic ''An Illustrated History of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties, with a Brief Outline of the Early History of the State of Oregon.''] Chicago: Western Historical Publishing Company, 1902.

==External links==
{{commons category-inline}}
* [https://harneycountyor.gov/ Harney County Government]
{{Geographic location
|Centre    = Harney County, Oregon
|North     = [[Grant County, Oregon|Grant County]]
|Northeast =
|East      = [[Malheur County, Oregon|Malheur County]]
|Southeast =
|South     = [[Humboldt County, Nevada]]
|Southwest = [[Washoe County, Nevada]]
|West      = [[Lake County, Oregon|Lake County]]
|Northwest = [[Deschutes County, Oregon|Deschutes County]] and [[Crook County, Oregon|Crook County]]
}}

{{Harney County, Oregon}}
{{Oregon}}
{{authority control}}
{{coord|43.07|-118.97|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-OR_source:UScensus1990}}

[[Category:Harney County, Oregon| ]]
[[Category:1889 establishments in Oregon]]
[[Category:Basque-American culture in Oregon]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1889]]