Editing Oakridge, Oregon

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Oakridge, Oregon
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|motto                    = Center of Oregon Outdoor Recreation, Mountain Biking Capital of the Northwest<ref name=motto>{{cite web|url=http://www.ci.oakridge.or.us/|title=Mountain Biking Capital of the Northwest|publisher=City of Oakridge|access-date=2013-04-19}}</ref>
|image_skyline            = Oakridge, Oregon.jpg
|imagesize                = 250px
|image_caption            = Highway 58 in Oakridge
|image_map                = Lane_County_Oregon_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Oakridge_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location in [[Oregon]]
<!-- Location -->
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Oregon]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Oregon|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Lane County, Oregon|Lane]]
<!-- Government -->
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name              = 
|established_title        = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
|established_date         = 1912
<!-- Area -->
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_total_sq_mi         = 2.18
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer/5/query?where=STATE='41'&outFields=NAME,STATE,PLACE,AREALAND,AREAWATER,LSADC,CENTLAT,CENTLON&orderByFields=PLACE&returnGeometry=false&returnTrueCurves=false&f=json|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref>
|area_total_km2           = 5.65
|area_land_sq_mi          = 2.16
|area_land_km2            = 5.60
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.02
|area_water_km2           = 0.05
|area_urban_sq_mi         = 
|area_urban_km2           = 
|area_metro_sq_mi         = 
|area_metro_km2           = 
<!-- Population -->
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="USCensusDecennial2020CenPopScriptOnly"/>
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_total         = 3206
|population_note          = 
|population_density_km2   = 572.58
|population_density_sq_mi = 1482.89
<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[Pacific Standard Time Zone|Pacific]]
|utc_offset               = -8
|timezone_DST             = Pacific
|utc_offset_DST           = -7
|coordinates              = {{coord|43|44|46|N|122|27|48|W|type:city_region:US-OR|display=inline,title}}
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_ft             = 1211
<!-- Area/postal codes and others -->
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 97463
|area_code                = [[Area codes 541 and 458|458 and 541]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 41-54100<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref>
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 2411297<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2411297}}</ref>
|website                  = [http://www.ci.oakridge.or.us/ www.ci.oakridge.or.us]
|footnotes                = 
}}
'''Oakridge''' is a city in [[Lane County, Oregon|Lane County]], [[Oregon]], United States. The population was 3,205 as of the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]].<ref name="Census 2010">{{cite web| url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/1600000US4154100| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212154941/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/1600000US4154100| url-status=dead| archive-date=2020-02-12| title=Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=2013-03-21}}</ref> It is located east of [[Westfir, Oregon|Westfir]] on [[Oregon Route 58]], about {{convert|40|mi}} east of [[Eugene, Oregon|Eugene]] and {{convert|150|mi}} southeast of [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]].  Surrounded by the [[Willamette National Forest]] and the [[Cascade Range]], Oakridge is popular with outdoor enthusiasts for its [[hiking]], [[mountain biking]], [[wildflower]]s, [[fly fishing]], [[birding]], [[watersports]], and the nearby [[Willamette Pass Resort]].<ref name=motto/><ref name=ormtb>{{cite web|url=http://www.ormtb.com/index.html|title=Oregon Mountain Biking|publisher=Oregon Mountain Biking|access-date=2013-04-19}}</ref>

The city was originally a community called "Hazeldell", and its post office was established on July&nbsp;26, 1888. When a station on the [[Southern Pacific Transportation Company|Southern Pacific Railroad]] opened in May 1912, it was named "Oak Ridge" by a railroad executive for the surrounding topography, and on July&nbsp;19 of that year the name was changed to be spelled as a single word.<ref name=OGN>{{Cite OGN|7th|page=715}}</ref>

The economy of Oakridge and that of nearby Westfir is centered on recreation. Since the lumber mills closed in the 1980s, the economy has been transitioning, with a new general store opening in 2010, a bakery in 2011, and a brewery and mercantile.<ref name=oregonian>{{cite news|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2009/10/oakridge_a_mill_town_on_the_me.html |title= Oakridge: A mill town on the mend |newspaper= The Oregonian | location = Portland, Oregon | first=Doug | last=Bates | date=2009-10-10 | access-date=2010-11-24}}</ref><ref name=bakery>{{cite web|url=http://www.yelp.com/biz/lion-mountain-bakery-oakridge|title=Lion Mountain Bakery|publisher=Yelp|access-date=2013-03-21}}</ref><ref name=brewpub>{{cite web|url=http://www.brewersunion.com/pub/|title=Anglo-American Public House and Brewery|publisher=Brewers Union Local 180|access-date=2013-03-21}}</ref><ref name=nytimes>{{cite news |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/20/us/20poverty.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1 |title= Rural Oregon Town Feels Pinch of Poverty |newspaper= The New York Times | first=Erik | last=Eckholm | date=2006-08-20 | access-date=2010-05-20}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Oakridge Ore. Highway 58.jpg|thumb|left|Highway 58 in Oakridge, {{Circa|1940}}]]
[[File:Oakridge, Oregon, from the North Fork Trail.JPG|thumb|right|alt=Oakridge as seen from a hill to the north|Oakridge as seen from the north, along the North Fork Trail, with snow-capped Diamond Peak in the distance]]
The area now known as Oakridge was first explored by Euro-Americans in 1852 as a possible route for pioneers coming from [[Central Oregon]] to the [[Willamette Valley]]. Before that Oakridge was the land of the [[Kalapuya]] who had villages on the rivers since time immemorial. A post office was named "Hazeldell" in 1888, and the place's name later changed to "Big Prairie", and then "Oak Ridge".<ref name=oregonbusiness>{{cite news |url= http://www.oregonbusiness.com/articles/72-november-2009/2478-trouble-in-timber-town |title= Trouble in Timber Town |work= Oregon Business |first= Ben |last= Jacklet |access-date= 2010-12-13 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091030064514/http://www.oregonbusiness.com/articles/72-november-2009/2478-trouble-in-timber-town |archive-date= 2009-10-30 |url-status= dead }}</ref><ref name=citywebsite>{{cite web|url=http://www.ci.oakridge.or.us/Default.aspx?tabid=1728|title=History|publisher=City of Oakridge|access-date=2013-03-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last= Engeman |first= Richard H. |title= The Oregon Companion: An Historical Gazetteer of The Useful, The Curious, and The Arcane |year= 2009 |publisher= Timber Press |location= Portland, Oregon |isbn= 978-0-88192-899-0 |page= 274}}</ref> In 1912, a new community was formed and officially named Oakridge.  Since its beginnings as a mountain ranch, Oakridge has been a [[Southern Pacific Transportation Company|railroad]] boomtown, a [[Lumberjack|logger]]s' haven,<ref name=oregonbusiness/> and an [[outdoor recreation|outdoor enthusiast's]] destination.<ref name=motto/><ref name=npr>{{cite news |url= https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129186583 |title= Former Oregon Lumber Town Tries To Reinvent Itself |work= National Public Radio | first= Al |last=Letson |date=2010-08-14 |access-date=2010-12-04}}</ref>

The early boom for Oakridge can be attributed to the [[Southern Pacific Transportation Company|Southern Pacific Railroad]].  By 1910, work had already begun on Tunnel 22, a short route connecting Oakridge to the area now known as [[Westfir, Oregon|Westfir]]. Oakridge was a station on Southern Pacific's Cascade subdivision, a line that goes over [[Willamette Pass]] via the Natron Cutoff that was built in 1926, and the railroad played an integral part of the economy and lifestyle in Oakridge. The [[Union Pacific Railroad]] still operates the rails and trains are a common sight in Oakridge.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.frograil.com/railroad/or.htm |title= Railfan Sites in Oregon |publisher= Frograil Rail Tours | access-date=2010-12-04}}</ref> Today, Amtrak's ''[[Coast Starlight]]'' passes through the town but does not stop.

On July&nbsp;2, 1946, the Pope and Talbot Lumber Company purchased [[timber]]land near Oakridge.  By 1948, the company had built a large [[sawmill]] and had begun a massive timber [[logging]] operation.  While the railroad and Westfir's [[Edward Hines Lumber Company|Hines]] sawmill began to slow down, the Pope and Talbot mill expanded and eventually employed more than 500 people.  The combined economic base of the railroad and sawmills accounted for the population growth of the 1960s and 1970s, when the community of Willamette City was consolidated into Oakridge.<ref name=citywebsite/><ref name=tobe>{{cite news |url= http://www.sierrainstitute.us/neai/OR_case_studies/Oakridge%20OR.pdf |title= Oakridge, Oregon |publisher= Sierra Institute |first1= Lisa |last1= Tobe |first2= Lita |last2= Buttolph |access-date= 2010-12-04 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120306031806/http://www.sierrainstitute.us/neai/OR_case_studies/Oakridge%20OR.pdf |archive-date= 2012-03-06 |url-status= dead }}</ref> However, in 1978, the Hines mill in Westfir closed, and by 1985 the Pope and Talbot Mill had laid off all of its workers.  The City of Oakridge now owns the property that formerly housed the Pope and Talbot sawmill.<ref name=tobe/>

In February 2019, an [[Amtrak]] ''Coast Starlight'' train was stranded near Oakridge for over 36 hours, after a rare heavy snowstorm.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/2019/02/26/698089129/180-amtrak-passengers-on-the-move-after-36-hours-stranded-in-oregon-amid-heavy-s |title=183 Amtrak Passengers Rescued After 36 Hours Stranded In Oregon Amid Heavy Snow |newspaper=NPR |date=February 26, 2019 |first=Amy |last=Held}}</ref>

==Geography==
Oakridge sits at an [[elevation]] ranging from {{convert|1200|to|1600|ft}} [[AMSL|above sea level]]. According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|2.20|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|2.10|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.10|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web |title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=2012-12-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112090031/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=January 12, 2012 }}</ref>

Oakridge lies in a small valley in the [[foothills]] of the [[Cascade Range]] and is completely surrounded by the [[Willamette National Forest]].  Five streams are located in and around Oakridge; they are Salmon Creek, [[Salt Creek (Middle Fork Willamette River)|Salt Creek]], [[Hills Creek (Oregon)|Hills Creek]], and the [[Middle Fork Willamette River|Middle]] and [[North Fork Middle Fork Willamette River|North]] forks of the [[Willamette River]], the latter of which has been designated [[National Wild and Scenic Rivers System|Wild and Scenic]].  [[Diamond Peak (Oregon)|Diamond Peak]], a [[shield volcano]] located in the nearby [[Diamond Peak Wilderness]] to the southeast, can be seen from various spots in and around Oakridge.  [[Waldo Lake]], known as one of the purest lakes in the world, and [[Salt Creek Falls]], one of the largest waterfalls in Oregon, are located about {{convert|20|mi}} east of town.<ref>{{cite news|title=Snow isn't essential to enjoy Willamette Pass in Oregon|date=2014-01-12|author=Richard, Terry|url=http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20140112/NEWS03/140119753|work=The Herald|location=Everett, Washington|access-date=2014-02-17}}</ref><ref name="usfs">{{cite web|url=http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/willamette/recreation/recarea/?recid=4482|title=Waldo Lake Wilderness|publisher=U.S. Forest Service|access-date=2013-03-21}}</ref>

===Climate===
This region experiences warm and dry summers, with average monthly temperatures around {{convert|71.6|F|C}}.  According to the [[Köppen Climate Classification]] system, Oakridge has a [[Mediterranean climate#Warm-summer Mediterranean climate|warm-summer Mediterranean climate]], abbreviated ''Csb'' on climate maps.<ref>[http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=152653&cityname=Oakridge%2C+Oregon%2C+United+States+of+America&units= Climate Summary for Oakridge, Oregon]</ref> Oakridge is located below the snow line for the Cascades, making it the last stop from Eugene on Highway 58 where chains are not necessary.

{{weather box
|single line=yes
|collapsed=yes
|precipitation colour=green
|width=auto
|location=Oakridge Fish Hatchery, Oregon, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1923–present
|Jan record high F = 71
|Feb record high F = 79
|Mar record high F = 86
|Apr record high F = 97
|May record high F = 106
|Jun record high F = 110
|Jul record high F = 112
|Aug record high F = 108
|Sep record high F = 108
|Oct record high F = 99
|Nov record high F = 78
|Dec record high F = 66
|year record high F= 
|Jan avg record high F = 53.9
|Feb avg record high F = 62.8
|Mar avg record high F = 72.2
|Apr avg record high F = 79.7
|May avg record high F = 86.3
|Jun avg record high F = 88.4
|Jul avg record high F = 93.2
|Aug avg record high F = 95.3
|Sep avg record high F = 92.2
|Oct avg record high F = 78.1
|Nov avg record high F = 61.7
|Dec avg record high F = 53.5
|year avg record high F= 97.3
|Jan high F = 43.8
|Feb high F = 49.2
|Mar high F = 54.5
|Apr high F = 59.3
|May high F = 65.8
|Jun high F = 71.2
|Jul high F = 80.0
|Aug high F = 81.0
|Sep high F = 75.8
|Oct high F = 62.8
|Nov high F = 49.0
|Dec high F = 42.4
|year high F= 61.2
|Jan mean F = 37.6
|Feb mean F = 40.7
|Mar mean F = 44.3
|Apr mean F = 48.3
|May mean F = 54.2
|Jun mean F = 59.1
|Jul mean F = 65.4
|Aug mean F = 65.5
|Sep mean F = 60.7
|Oct mean F = 51.3
|Nov mean F = 42.1
|Dec mean F = 37.0
|year mean F= 50.5
|Jan low F = 31.4
|Feb low F = 32.2
|Mar low F = 34.1
|Apr low F = 37.4
|May low F = 42.6
|Jun low F = 47.0
|Jul low F = 50.7
|Aug low F = 50.0
|Sep low F = 45.5
|Oct low F = 39.9
|Nov low F = 35.2
|Dec low F = 31.6
|year low F= 39.8
|Jan record low F = -1
|Feb record low F = 2
|Mar record low F = 18
|Apr record low F = 25
|May record low F = 21
|Jun record low F = 29
|Jul record low F = 33
|Aug record low F = 31
|Sep record low F = 28
|Oct record low F = 20
|Nov record low F = 14
|Dec record low F = -1
|year record low F= 
|Jan avg record low F = 23.2
|Feb avg record low F = 24.8
|Mar avg record low F = 27.1
|Apr avg record low F = 30.1
|May avg record low F = 33.5
|Jun avg record low F = 39.7
|Jul avg record low F = 44.2
|Aug avg record low F = 43.3
|Sep avg record low F = 37.4
|Oct avg record low F = 30.3
|Nov avg record low F = 26.5
|Dec avg record low F = 22.4
|year avg record low F= 19.4
|Jan precipitation inch = 6.23
|Feb precipitation inch = 4.57
|Mar precipitation inch = 5.01
|Apr precipitation inch = 4.26
|May precipitation inch = 3.23
|Jun precipitation inch = 1.95
|Jul precipitation inch = 0.53
|Aug precipitation inch = 0.56
|Sep precipitation inch = 1.58
|Oct precipitation inch = 3.63
|Nov precipitation inch = 6.66
|Dec precipitation inch = 7.54
|year precipitation inch= 45.75
|Jan snow inch = 1.3
|Feb snow inch = 1.3
|Mar snow inch = 0.6
|Apr snow inch = 0.1
|May snow inch = 0.0
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 0.0
|Nov snow inch = 0.3
|Dec snow inch = 1.6
|year snow inch = 5.2
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 15.7
|Feb precipitation days = 14.0
|Mar precipitation days = 15.2
|Apr precipitation days = 15.8
|May precipitation days = 11.3
|Jun precipitation days = 6.7
|Jul precipitation days = 2.0
|Aug precipitation days = 2.1
|Sep precipitation days = 4.4
|Oct precipitation days = 10.4
|Nov precipitation days = 15.8
|Dec precipitation days = 16.8
|year precipitation days= 130.2
|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 0.9
|Feb snow days = 0.8
|Mar snow days = 0.6
|Apr snow days = 0.1
|May snow days = 0.0
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.0
|Nov snow days = 0.2
|Dec snow days = 1.0
|year snow days= 3.6
|source 1 = NOAA<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=pqr|title = NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data|publisher= [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]|access-date = October 15, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00356213&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL|title = Summary of Monthly Normals 1991-2020|publisher= National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|access-date = October 15, 2022}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1940= 520
|1950= 1562
|1960= 1973
|1970= 3422
|1980= 3729
|1990= 3063
|2000= 3148
|2010= 3205
|2020= 3206
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref><ref name="USCensusDecennial2020CenPopScriptOnly">{{cite web|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=P1_001N,NAME&for=place:*&in=state:41&key=5ccd0821c15d9f4520e2dcc0f8d92b2ec9336108|title=Census Population API|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=Oct 12, 2022}}</ref>
}}
As of the [[census]]<ref name="Census 2010"/> of 2010, there were 3,205 people (up from 3,148 people at the 2000 census), 1,437 households, and 849 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was about {{convert|1526|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 1,605 housing units at an average density of about {{convert|764|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was about 91% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 1.8% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.6% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 1.5% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 4.5% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 5.4% of the population.

There were 1,437 households, of which about 24% had children under the age of 18 living with them, about 42% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, about 11% had a female householder with no husband present, about 6% had a male householder with no wife present, and about 41% were non-families. About 34% of all households were made up of individuals, and about 16% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was about 2.2 and the average family size was about 2.8.

The median age in the city was about 48 years. Twenty&nbsp;percent of residents were under the age of 18; about 7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; about 19% were from 25 to 44; 32% were from 45 to 64; and about 23% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.2% male and 49.8% female.

==Economy==
The town's two largest employers are the Oakridge School District and the [[United States Forest Service]].  However, in recent years{{When|date=July 2024}} there has been a cultural and economic revival centered on the outdoor recreational activities and local artists and craftspeople in the Oakridge area.  Many new small businesses have opened, including a bicycle shop/ski shop/mercantile, an outdoor guide service, a microbrewery, and a bakery.  The Uptown business district has formed the Uptown Business Revitalization Association (UBRA) and has worked to attract new businesses to the district. Oakridge is less than an hour from Eugene; as such, many people commute.<ref name=nytimes/>

==Transportation==
=== Land ===
[[Oregon Route 58|State Highway 58]], a designated [[freight]] route,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://egov.oregon.gov/ODOT/TD/TDATA/gis/docs/statemaps/FreightSystem.pdf |title=State Highway Freight System |date=March 2006 |publisher=Oregon Department of Transportation |access-date=2013-03-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212031704/http://egov.oregon.gov/ODOT/TD/TDATA/gis/docs/statemaps/FreightSystem.pdf |archive-date=February 12, 2012 }}</ref> serves as a major connection between [[U.S. Route 97|Highway 97]] and [[Interstate 5]].  Running east–west, Highway 58 links the [[Willamette Valley]] with [[Central Oregon]] while crossing through the [[Willamette National Forest]] and Cascade Range.

=== Rail ===
[[Union Pacific Railroad]]'s main north–south line in the western two-thirds of the United States, with [[freight|cargo]] shipping services, runs through Oakridge.  [[Amtrak]] shares the rail line and provides passenger train service to nationwide destinations from [[Eugene, Oregon|Eugene]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=am/am2Station/Station_Page&code=EUG|title=Eugene, OR (EUG): Station Building (with waiting room)|publisher=Amtrak|access-date=2013-03-21}}</ref>

=== Bus ===
[[Lane Transit District]]'s Diamond Express runs three trips inbound and outbound on weekdays to the Eugene/[[Springfield, Oregon|Springfield]] area.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ltd.org/diamondex/index.html|title=Diamond Express: Your Ride to Eugene|publisher=Lane Transit District|access-date=2013-03-21}}</ref>

=== Air ===
[[File:Oakridge State Airport.JPG|thumb|Oakridge State Airport]]
[[Oakridge State Airport]] is a public airport located {{Convert|1|mi|km}} west of Oakridge. [[Eugene Airport]], located {{convert|45|mi}} west, is the closest regional terminal providing passenger and cargo air services with access to all world markets.

=== Ports ===
The closest [[Shipping|international shipping port]]s to Oakridge are the [[Port of Coos Bay]], located {{convert|145|mi}} to the west in [[Coos Bay, Oregon|Coos Bay]], and the [[Port of Portland (Oregon)|Port of Portland]], located {{convert|149|mi}} to the north in [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]].

==Education==
The Oakridge School District consists of two schools and serves the children of Oakridge, [[Westfir, Oregon|Westfir]], and outlying areas including High Prairie.    
* Oakridge Elementary School - Grades K–6
* [[Oakridge High School (Oregon)|Oakridge High School]] - Grades 7–12
In 2008, Oakridge High School was recognized as one of the best high schools in America by ''[[U.S. News & World Report]]''.<ref name=oregonian/>

The [[University of Oregon]] and [[Lane Community College]] are located {{convert|40|mi}} to the west.

The Oakridge Public Library was built at 48318&nbsp;E. First St., next to the city hall, in 2012. It was paid for with a federal grant of $800,000 and replaced a smaller library that had been located in the city hall building.<ref name=library>{{cite web|url=http://www.ci.oakridge.or.us/Default.aspx?tabid=1704|title=Library|publisher=City of Oakridge|access-date=2013-03-21}}</ref><ref name=markstrom>{{cite news|first=Serena|last=Markstrom|title=Oakridge writes a new chapter in saga of public library|url=http://www.registerguard.com/web/news/sevendays/29376342-41/library-oakridge-building-public-grant.html.csp|newspaper=The Register-Guard|location=Eugene, Oregon|date=2013-02-18|access-date=2013-03-21}}</ref>
<!-- need to add some background on city politics, definitely something about the city manager budget scandal -->

==Notable people==
* [[Tony Corcoran (politician)|Tony Corcoran]], represented Oakridge in the Oregon Legislature
* [[Laddie Gale]], American basketball player
* [[Mason Williams]], composer, "[[Classical Gas]]"
* [[Maximo Yabes]], Medal of Honor recipient

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Oakridge, Oregon}}
* [https://sos.oregon.gov/blue-book/Pages/local/cities/l-r/oakridge.aspx Entry for Oakridge] in the ''[[Oregon Blue Book]]''
* [http://stateofthereunion.com/home/season-2/oakridge-or/ Oakridge featured] on NPR's ''[[State of the Re:Union]]''

{{Lane County, Oregon}}

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[[Category:Cities in Oregon]]
[[Category:Cities in Lane County, Oregon]]
[[Category:1888 establishments in Oregon]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1888]]
[[Category:Populated places on the Willamette River]]