Established in 1868, Prineville is the oldest community in Central Oregon, and one of the state’s first incorporated cities. Prineville was the primary place of trade until 1911, when the Union Pacific and Oregon Trunk Railways extended south from the Columbia River to Bend. Still today Prineville’s origins are tied to the land in agriculture, forest products, the railroad, and manufacturing. Prineville’s population growth has been the highest in the state in recent years. Much of that growth is attributed to the small, rural feel of Crook County, recreational opportunities, relatively mild climate, and more affordable housing compared with other Central Oregon communities.
Prineville is the gateway to the Ochoco National Forest, Painted Hills National Monument, and a host of lakes and reservoirs popular with boaters and fishermen. Just as other cities in Central Oregon, there is no shortage of recreational activities to take advantage of.
An attractive aspect of doing business in Prineville is the low cost and abundance of industrial lands. Prineville boasts over 2,000 acres of industrial land with large tracts of land available, an enterprise zone and a renewable energy zone in place and a large supply of electric power. Companies with big power requirements, like Facebook who began construction on a 147,000 SF datacenter in Prineville in January 2010, may consider Prineville for relocation or expansion.
Prineville, Oregon - Stats at a Glance | |
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Elevation: | 2868’ |
Population (July 2008) | 10,370 (Prineville); 26,845 (Crook County) |
Median Resident Age | 39.4 |
Estimated Median Hh Income (2007) | $44,951 |
Median single family home price (YTD thru Dec 2008) | $177,500 (Crook County) |
Average household size | 2.49 |
Property Tax Rate 2007/2008 | $13.10 per $1000 assessed value |
Assessed Value 2008 | $1,494,834,473 (Crook County) |
Telecommunications Infrastructure | BendBroadband (commercial), Crestview Cable (residential & commercial), Quantum Communications (commercial), Qwest (residential & commercial) |
Top Five Private Largest Employers (in 2007, in order) | Les Schwab, Contact Industries, Woodgrain Millwork, Central Oregon Trucking, Pioneer Memorial Hospital |
Top 5 Crook County Taxpayers in 2008-09 (in order) | Les Schwab Warehouse Center, Brasada Ranch, Clear Pine Moulding, Norman K Ross, Ironhorse Development |
Prineville, Oregon Quick Links | |
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Prineville/Crook County Economic Development, Inc. | Jason Carr, Manager 541-233-2015 187 NE 2nd Street, Prineville OR 97754 |
Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO) | Roger Lee, Executive Director 541-388-3236 109 NW Greenwood Ave., Suite #102, Bend OR 97701 |
City of Prineville | 541-447-5627 387 NE 3rd Street, Prineville OR 97754 |
Crook County | 541-447-6555 300 NE 3rd Street, Prineville OR 97754 |
Prineville/Crook County Chamber of Commerce | 541-447-6304 390 NE Fairview Street, Prineville OR 97754 |
Work Source Oregon | 541-548-8196 2158 SE College Loop, Suite B, Redmond OR 97756 |
Oregon Employment Department Office | 541-388-6070 1645 NE Forbes Rd #100, Bend, OR 97701 |
The Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council (COIC) | 541-548-8163 2363 SW Glacier Place, Redmond OR 97756 |
MidOregon Personnel Services | 541-447-1299 187 NW 2nd Street, Prineville OR 97754 |
Central Oregonian newspaper | 541-447-6205 558 N. Main Street, Prineville OR 97754 |