Madras, Oregon

Madras (pronounced MAD-res) is a city in Jefferson County, Oregon, United States. Originally called The Basin after the circular valley the city is located in, Madras reportedly was named in 1903 for the cotton fabric originating from around Chennai, and not the former name of Chennai city in India Entry on the Oregon History Project website. The population was 5,078 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Jefferson County.

History

Madras was incorporated as a city in 1910. A U.S. Army Air Corps base was built nearby during World War II.

People from Madras

River Phoenix - actor
Thomas Lowell Tucker - soldier, Iraqi war casualty

Geography

Madras is located at 44°37'50" North, 121°7'45" West (44.630536, -121.129128).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.6 km² (2.2 mi²), all of it land.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 5,078 people, 1,801 households, and 1,251 families residing in the city. The population density was 899.4/km² (2,326.9/mi²). There were 1,952 housing units at an average density of 345.7/km² (894.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 63.55% White, 0.59% African American, 6.14% Native American, 0.55% Asian, 0.35% Pacific Islander, 24.56% from other races, and 4.25% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 35.74% of the population.

There were 1,801 households out of which 41.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.2% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.5% were non-families. 25.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.78 and the average family size was 3.32.

In the city the population was spread out with 33.1% under the age of 18, 10.6% from 18 to 24, 29.7% from 25 to 44, 16.1% from 45 to 64, and 10.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females there were 95.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,103, and the median income for a family was $33,275. Males had a median income of $27,656 versus $19,464 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,937. About 15.2% of families and 19.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.3% of those under age 18 and 10.0% of those age 65 or over.

Sister city

Madras has one sister city ^*, as designated by Sister Cities International:

Kitamimaki, Japan

External links

References

Cities in Oregon | County seats in Oregon | Jefferson County, Oregon