Butte Falls, Oregon Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools

Butte Falls is a small town located in Jackson County, Oregon. It has a population of around 600 people. Geographically, the town is located near the Rogue River and the Siskiyou Mountains. Its climate is generally mild and dry with warm summers and cool winters.

The history of Butte Falls dates back to the 1800s when settlers first came to the area to log and mine for gold. The town was officially incorporated in 1908 and has since grown steadily in population. Politically, Butte Falls is part of Jackson County which leans heavily Democratic in local elections.

The economy of Butte Falls relies heavily on the timber industry as well as tourism from visitors who come to experience its natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities such as fishing, hunting, camping, hiking, rafting, kayaking, and more. There are several schools in the town including an elementary school, middle school, high school, and community college.

Notable landmarks include Butte Creek Mill which was built by pioneers in 1872 and is still operating today as a museum showcasing Oregon’s early pioneer history; Butte Falls City Park which offers picnic areas; Lake of the Woods which is a popular spot for fishing; Rogue River Gorge which offers stunning views of this wild river; and Crater Lake National Park which features one of Oregon’s most iconic landmarks – Crater Lake – formed from an ancient volcanic eruption thousands of years ago.

Population: 439. Estimated population in July 2024: 433 (-1.4% change)
Males: 224 (51.0%), Females: 215 (49.0%)

Jackson County

Zip code: 97522

Demographics

Median resident age: 32.7 years
Median household income: $23,750
Median house value: $78,300

Population by Race

Races in Butte Falls:

  • White Non-Hispanic (93.2%)
  • American Indian (3.6%)
  • Hispanic (2.5%)
  • Two or more races (2.3%)
  • Other race (0.9%)

Ancestries: Irish (17.3%), United States (14.8%), German (13.7%), English (10.9%), French (9.8%), Dutch (2.7%).

Elevation: 2536 feet

Land area: 0.4 square miles

Population by Education

Butte Falls, Oregon is a small town of approximately 800 people located in Jackson County. It is approximately 20 miles east of Medford and is a great place to live for those looking for a peaceful, rural lifestyle. The population is mostly older adults and families, with a few young professionals as well. The median household income in Butte Falls is around $33,000, making it an affordable place to live. The cost of living in Butte Falls is low compared to other cities in Oregon. Housing costs are particularly affordable; the median home value in Butte Falls is around $140,000 which is much lower than the state average of $314,000. Renting can be even more affordable; the median rent price for a two-bedroom apartment in Butte Falls was around $1,200 per month as of 2021. Utilities are also low compared to other cities in Oregon due to its rural location; electricity and natural gas bills average around $120 per month while internet service typically costs around $50 per month or less. There are several local restaurants and stores within walking distance from most homes, so groceries and daily necessities are easily accessible without having to travel far.

For population 25 years and over in Butte Falls

  • High school or higher: 83.7%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 5.3%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 1.9%
  • Unemployed: 8.8%
  • Mean travel time to work: 44.2 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Butte Falls town

  • Never married: 22.4%
  • Now married: 56.8%
  • Separated: 1.6%
  • Widowed: 6.5%
  • Divorced: 12.7%

1.4% Foreign born

Population change in the 1990s: +192 (+77.7%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Butte Falls:

  • PROVIDENCE MEDFORD MEDICAL CENTER (about 24 miles; MEDFORD, OR)
  • ROGUE VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER (about 24 miles; MEDFORD, OR)
  • ASHLAND COMMUNITY HOSPITAL (about 26 miles; ASHLAND, OR)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Butte Falls:

  • ROGUE VALLEY INTERNATIONAL – MEDFORD (about 24 miles; MEDFORD, OR; Abbreviation: MFR)
  • KLAMATH FALLS (about 65 miles; KLAMATH FALLS, OR; Abbreviation: LMT)
  • MAHLON SWEET FIELD (about 118 miles; EUGENE, OR; Abbreviation: EUG)

Other public-use airports nearest to Butte Falls:

  • PROSPECT STATE (about 15 miles; PROSPECT, OR; Abbreviation: 64S)
  • ASHLAND MUNI-SUMNER PARKER FIELD (about 26 miles; ASHLAND, OR; Abbreviation: S03)
  • PINEHURST STATE (about 33 miles; PINEHURST, OR; Abbreviation: 24S)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Butte Falls:

  • SOUTHERN OREGON UNIVERSITY (about 26 miles; ASHLAND, OR; Full-time enrollment: 4,424)
  • OREGON INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (about 51 miles; KLAMATH FALLS, OR; Full-time enrollment: 2,183)
  • ROGUE COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 56 miles; GRANTS PASS, OR; Full-time enrollment: 2,289)
  • LANE COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 108 miles; EUGENE, OR; Full-time enrollment: 5,853)
  • UNIVERSITY OF OREGON (about 109 miles; EUGENE, OR; Full-time enrollment: 16,239)
  • SHASTA COLLEGE (about 128 miles; REDDING, CA; Full-time enrollment: 5,251)
  • CENTRAL OREGON COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 138 miles; BEND, OR; Full-time enrollment: 2,274)

Schools

Public high school in Butte Falls:

  • BUTTE FALLS MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 125; Location: 625 FIR ST; Grades: 07 – 12)

Public primary/middle school in Butte Falls:

  • BUTTE FALLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 104; Location: 239 MAIN ST; Grades: KG – 06)