Gold Hill Socio Economic Analysis Memo_Final

1209 University of Oregon | Eugene, Oregon 97403 | P: 541.346.3889 | F: 541.346.2040 http://cpw.uoregon.edu

December 3, 2014

SUMMARY The following memo outlines memo outlines socio economic and demographic information, including characteristics such as age, income, household size and type, and development trends Gold Hill, Oregon. This memo can be used to inform the Community and Recreation Profile section of the Gold Hill Parks Master Plan.

An accurate understanding of the demographics of Gold Hill is integral to the parks planning process. People of different social, economic and cultural backgrounds use parks and open space differently—teenagers might favor a skate park, while citizens 25-‐64 may enjoy exercise equipment and citizens 65+ may enjoy a walking path. A snapshot of Gold Hills’ demographics accompanied by a projection of future changes help to make the plan more useful for the community for the five-‐year planning horizon.

The memo concludes with key findings from the analysis and recommendations gleaned from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department’s Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP, 2008 -‐2012). The SCORP provides research and recommendations focused on serving aging populations, youth, and diverse populations based on comprehensive trend analysis.

SOCIO ECONOMIC ANALYSIS Population

As seen in Table 1-‐1, between the 2000 and 2010 Census, Gold Hill has grown slightly faster than the State of Oregon and Jackson County. This is an important trend to monitor as the population change between 1990 and 2000 was much slower in Gold Hill than in the county and state. The Jackson County Comprehensive Plan’s Population Element determined between 1980-‐2005, Gold Hill was one of the slowest growing cities in the county increasing by just 176 people. If the population increases in Gold Hill continue, its parks will have added demand and should be used and programed to the appropriately to create places and spaces to support the needs of a growing population.

The population projections in the 2007 Jackson County Comprehensive Plan Amendment predict an increase to 1,901 residents by 2040. This is 681 more residents than today’s 1,220, a 76% population increase at an average annual growth rate (AARG) of 1.63%. (The Gold Hill Water System Master Plan used the same AARG to project the population by 2035. The Water System Master Plan determined an increase to 1,754 residents in Gold Hill.)

To Galbraith Associates From Ross Peizer and Anya Dobrowolski SUBJECT GOLD HILL OREGON SOCIO ECONOMIC ANALYSIS MEMO

Gold Hill Socio Economic Analysis December 2014 Page | 2

Table 1-1. Population Changes

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Summary File (SF 1) 100-‐Percent Data and 2010 Demographic Profile Data

Age Characteristics

The age of a city’s residents has important implications for parks planning. Age groups have different needs and desires for recreational and park opportunities. It is important for parks systems to meet the recreation needs of residents of all ages. Census data indicates the average age of Gold Hill residents is increasing.

In 2010, the median age of Gold Hill residents was approximately 43.9 years, up from 36.7 in 2000. Table 1-‐3 shows the gender and age distribution in Gold Hill for 2000 and 2010. The number of people aged 20-‐64 grew 24% and 65+ grew 44%; this suggests that the city should consider adults and seniors in the location and design of park facilities. These age groups indicate a need for certain open space and recreational opportunities such as walking paths for the seniors and exercise equipment for adults.

Table 1-3. Gender and Age Distribution, Gold Hill, 2010


Ethnicity and Race

An accurate depiction of the racial background and ethnicities of a city are important to planning processes. In many instances, people from dissimilar ethnic backgrounds use parks and recreational facilities in different ways than other residents. For example, Hispanics may desire sports facilities and recreational fields that provide the opportunity to play competitive or recreational soccer with friends and family members.

Gold hill has a relatively small population of Hispanic individuals—in 2000, Hispanics accounted for 3.4% of the total population with 36 individuals; that population shrunk to 33 individuals that currently comprise 2.7% of the total population of Gold Hill. However, national and state demographic statistics indicate the Hispanic population are growing overall and will continue to


grow at a steady pace. For example, in nearby Medford, the Hispanic population between the 2000 and 2010 census increased from 5,841 individuals to 10,319 individuals. Because Gold Hill plans to use its parks as destinations for regional tourism, it should plan to provide park facilities Hispanic populations traditionally utilize. The following Table 1-‐6 displays racial and ethnic demographic information for Gold Hill in 2000 and 2010.

Table 1-6. Race and Ethnicity, Gold Hill 2000 and 2010


Persons with Disabilities

Knowing the percentage of populations with disabilities can help plan for parks that accommodate all types of people at any ability level. As shown in table 1-‐7, residents with disabilities in Gold Hill are 6.1% higher overall than in Jackson County. Gold Hill has a higher percentage of residents with disabilities in all age categories except the under 18 age group. The largest percentage difference between Gold Hill and the county is in the 65+ age group, with 20.2% more residents with disabilities than the county. This data implies that ADA walking paths and surfaces will be important to cater to the higher percentage of residents with disabilities in Gold Hill.

Table 1-7. Residents with Disabilities

Source: 2008-‐2012 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-‐Year Estimates. The ACS classifies residents with disabilities for anyone who reports the following six difficulties: Hearing, Vision, Cognitive, Ambulatory, Self-‐care and Independent living.

Income

Income, industries and jobs in Gold Hill can inform what days and times of day parks will be used. The median annual household income in Jackson County is approximately $6,000 higher than Gold Hill’s median household income. However, the family median income in Gold Hill is just $800 less than Jackson County’s as seen in Table 1-‐8. The poverty level is higher in Gold Hill than Jackson County but unemployment is 2.5% lower as show in Table 1-‐8.


Table 1-8. Selected Economic Characteristics, Jackson County and Gold Hill, 2008-12

Source: Selected Economic Characteristics 2008-‐2012 American Community Survey 5-‐Year Estimates

Economy

Gold Hill’s 2012 Strategic Plan Update Social and Economic Trends section explains the history of the mining and then timber industry in the area. Today, Gold Hill is a bedroom community where residents mostly work in White City, Medford and Grants Pass. The largest employers in Gold Hill are the local schools, Ray’s Market and Sweed’s Machinery, Inc.

Gold Hill is currently prioritizing more tourist activities to bring travelers off the highway to experience wineries, museums and outdoor recreation in the area. For example the Del Rio Vineyard is the largest planted vineyard track in Southern Oregon and also features the Rock Point Stage Hotel. Advanced Aggregate is another business bringing tourists to Gold Hill to learn about Oregon marble production.

Gold Hill is also well known amongst white water rafters and kayakers for the class 4 rapids in the Rogue River adjacent to Sports Park. With the removal of the Gold Hill Dam and Gold Ray Dam there has been interest and a master plan for developing the sites into a world-‐class white water facility. If this happens, a facility like this may be a tourist draw for Gold Hill in a state well known for outdoor recreation.

KEY FINDINGS Gold Hill’s socio economic trends help inform the planning and development of individual parks and the system as a whole. The community’s age distribution highlights the current and future need of parks for children, teenagers and senior populations. Key findings and conclusions from the community profile include:

• Gold Hill should plan to accommodate a growing population in their parks system. • Gold Hill should anticipate the needs of a growing baby boomer and senior population and plan

to develop park facilities that accommodate these age groups. See the Baby Boomers section below for more specific recommendations.

• Gold Hill should plan for a Hispanic community and work with those communities to provide parks that meet their needs. See Hispanic Populations section below for more specific recommendations.

• Gold Hill should plan to accommodate residents with disabilities and mobility impairments in the parks system.

• Gold Hill’s economy is growing and looking to expand to attract more visitors. Gold Hill needs to be prepared for the increase in use parks due to an expanding tourist economy.


POPULATION-SPECIFIC FINDINGS This section includes information from the SCORP for serving user groups identified in the Gold Hill socio economic analysis. These findings should be used to supplement the socio economic findings to best meet the needs of specific user groups.

Baby Boomers

The SCORP indicates that the most popular activities for boomer and pre-‐boomer1 populations in (2008) included walking, bird watching, jogging, sightseeing, and bicycling.

Walking was a popular outdoor recreation activity for all age groups and was chosen as the top activity for both boomers and pre-‐boomer populations. SCORP makes several recommendations for serving the baby boomer population that are relevant to Gold Hill:

• Develop accessible trails in remote settings in close proximity to urban areas • Encourage trail use by making sure trails are safe and accessible • Information about trail systems should be made easily available to these users both online and

hard copy • Facilitate the development of local senior walking clubs • Develop volunteer opportunities for the boomer population

Hispanic Populations

The demographics section notes the need to consider the needs of an expanding state-‐wide Hispanic population. The following recommendations were made by the State of Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) in SCORP to address this need:

• Encourage organizational culture change within public recreation agencies/organizations to effectively address the diversity issue

• Create a pilot project to identify how to increase under-‐represented population access to outdoor sports fields

• Develop recommendations for addressing language barriers to encourage under-‐represented population use of outdoor recreation facilities and programs

• For example, signage and interpretive information should be presented in a bilingual format so that Hispanics are accommodated in the park system.

• Create a customer service training module related to serving the outdoor recreation needs of on increasingly diverse population

• Develop and implement a regional youth framework to encourage underrepresented youth participation in outdoor recreation activities through partnerships and investments in school based recreation clubs

Youth

Even though Gold Hill has not shown an increase in youth populations, the following research is helpful if current trends shift. SCORP research shows that children are spending increasingly

1 Baby Boomers are Oregon residents born between 1946 through 1964, while PreBoomers are Oregon residents born between 1926 and 1945.


more time indoors than outdoors. SCORP conducted surveys and focus groups to help determine solutions to this problem. The following results show the favorite and second favorite ranked activities by age range.

Table 1-9. Favorite and second favorite activities, by youth age

Source: Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP), 2008

SOURCES Gold Hill 2012 Strategic Plan Update

Gold Hill Water Master Plan, 2014.

Jackson County Comprehensive Plan’s Population Element, 2007.

National Recreation and Park Association

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department

Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP), January 2008, Department of Parks and Recreation http://www.oregon.gov/oprd/PLANS/docs/scorp/2008-‐2012_SCORP/2008_Scorp_Final_Web.pdf

U.S. Census and American Community Survey

Gold Hill Socio Economic Analysis Memo_Final

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