Joseph, Oregon

Joseph was platted in 1883, and the economy was originally based on the land, especially grain and stock. In 1896 the First Bank of Joseph was robbed; one robber was shot and killed, another shot and captured, and a third escaped with the money.{{cite web|url=http://www.oregonpioneers.com/RussellMcCully.htm|website=Reminiscence of the Joseph Bank Robbery|publisher=OregonPioneers|access-date=15 February 2018|title=Reminiscence of the Joseph, Oregon Bank Robbery of 1896}} On occasion there have been reenactments of the robbery. After a railroad line was completed to Joseph in 1908, a lumber mill opened, bolstering the economy.{{cite book|last=Bailey|first=Barbara Ruth|title=Main Street: Northeastern Oregon|publisher=Oregon Historical Society|year=1982|isbn=0-87595-073-6|pages=29, 30, 111}}

When the timber industry collapsed in the 1980s, local unemployment rate approached 17%. However, in 1982 a new industry was born as three bronze foundries opened in the local area.

The city sponsors the annual Chief Joseph Days Rodeo in late July,{{cite web |url=http://www.chiefjosephdays.com/rodeo/ |publisher=Chief Joseph Days |title=Rodeo |access-date=April 6, 2016 |archive-date=March 28, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160328182853/http://www.chiefjosephdays.com/rodeo/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=JI9TAAAAIBAJ&sjid=n4YDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4765%2C1284654 |newspaper=The Bulletin |location=Bend, Oregon |title=Chief Joseph Days |last=Hopper |first=Ila Grant |date=August 22, 1982 |page=B6 }}{{cite news |url=http://www.eastoregonian.com/eo/community-news/20150714/chief-joseph-days-celebrates-70-years-of-western-heritage |newspaper=East Oregonian |location=Pendleton |title=Chief Joseph Days celebrates 70 years of Western heritage |date=July 14, 2015 |access-date=April 6, 2016}} Bronze, Blues and Brews in August since 2001, and Alpenfest in September, a Swiss-Bavarian festival staged in Joseph and at nearby Wallowa Lake. Alpenfest resembles an Oktoberfest but has more yodeling and alphorn playing, reflecting the area's reputation as "Oregon's Little Switzerland."{{Cite web|url=http://josephoregon.com|title=The Official Joseph Oregon site featuring Eagle Cap Wilderness and Wallowa Lake Oregon - Home|website=josephoregon.com|language=en-gb|access-date=2018-10-12}}

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|0.88|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, all of it land.{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=2012-12-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=2012-01-25 }}

This climatic region is typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Joseph has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps.{{cite web|title=Joseph, Oregon|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=49457&cityname=Joseph%2C+Oregon%2C+United+States+of+America&units=|work=Weatherbase|publisher=CantyMedia|access-date=2015-06-07}} The hottest temperature recorded in Joseph was {{convert|100|F|C|1}} in July 1919, while the coldest temperature recorded was {{convert|-34|F|C|1}} in December 1924.

{{Weather box

|location = Joseph, Oregon, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–2012

|single line = Yes

|Jan record high F = 61

|Feb record high F = 61

|Mar record high F = 70

|Apr record high F = 85

|May record high F = 98

|Jun record high F = 97

|Jul record high F = 100

|Aug record high F = 97

|Sep record high F = 95

|Oct record high F = 85

|Nov record high F = 71

|Dec record high F = 72

|Jan avg record high F = 49.4

|Feb avg record high F = 50.5

|Mar avg record high F = 60.8

|Apr avg record high F = 71.6

|May avg record high F = 79.8

|Jun avg record high F = 85.7

|Jul avg record high F = 92.7

|Aug avg record high F = 91.1

|Sep avg record high F = 85.8

|Oct avg record high F = 75.3

|Nov avg record high F = 59.9

|Dec avg record high F = 51.5

|year avg record high F = 93.1

|Jan high F = 34.9

|Feb high F = 39.1

|Mar high F = 46.3

|Apr high F = 51.8

|May high F = 61.0

|Jun high F = 68.4

|Jul high F = 79.3

|Aug high F = 79.7

|Sep high F = 70.6

|Oct high F = 56.1

|Nov high F = 42.7

|Dec high F = 34.7

|year high F =

|Jan mean F = 26.9

|Feb mean F = 29.2

|Mar mean F = 36.3

|Apr mean F = 41.1

|May mean F = 49.7

|Jun mean F = 56.3

|Jul mean F = 64.0

|Aug mean F = 64.5

|Sep mean F = 57.0

|Oct mean F = 45.0

|Nov mean F = 33.9

|Dec mean F = 26.2

|year mean F =

|Jan low F = 18.8

|Feb low F = 19.3

|Mar low F = 26.2

|Apr low F = 30.4

|May low F = 38.5

|Jun low F = 44.3

|Jul low F = 48.8

|Aug low F = 49.4

|Sep low F = 43.4

|Oct low F = 33.9

|Nov low F = 25.1

|Dec low F = 17.7

|year low F =

|Jan avg record low F = -5.1

|Feb avg record low F = 0.6

|Mar avg record low F = 8.5

|Apr avg record low F = 17.8

|May avg record low F = 24.4

|Jun avg record low F = 30.5

|Jul avg record low F = 36.3

|Aug avg record low F = 35.0

|Sep avg record low F = 27.9

|Oct avg record low F = 20.5

|Nov avg record low F = 9.3

|Dec avg record low F = 0.4

|year avg record low F = -10.6

|Jan record low F = -29

|Feb record low F = -25

|Mar record low F = -13

|Apr record low F = -3

|May record low F = 18

|Jun record low F = 22

|Jul record low F = 22

|Aug record low F = 28

|Sep record low F = 11

|Oct record low F = 5

|Nov record low F = -17

|Dec record low F = -34

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation inch = 1.26

|Feb precipitation inch = 1.06

|Mar precipitation inch = 1.43

|Apr precipitation inch = 1.92

|May precipitation inch = 2.61

|Jun precipitation inch = 1.91

|Jul precipitation inch = 0.85

|Aug precipitation inch = 0.70

|Sep precipitation inch = 1.12

|Oct precipitation inch = 1.39

|Nov precipitation inch = 1.39

|Dec precipitation inch = 1.29

|year precipitation inch =

|Jan snow inch = 10.7

|Feb snow inch = 9.2

|Mar snow inch = 10.1

|Apr snow inch = 6.3

|May snow inch = 1.1

|Jun snow inch = 0.0

|Jul snow inch = 0.0

|Aug snow inch = 0.0

|Sep snow inch = 0.1

|Oct snow inch = 1.2

|Nov snow inch = 7.3

|Dec snow inch = 8.2

|year snow inch =

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in

|Jan precipitation days = 12.0

|Feb precipitation days = 10.5

|Mar precipitation days = 13.4

|Apr precipitation days = 13.7

|May precipitation days = 13.8

|Jun precipitation days = 11.2

|Jul precipitation days = 4.9

|Aug precipitation days = 4.8

|Sep precipitation days = 6.5

|Oct precipitation days = 11.1

|Nov precipitation days = 11.8

|Dec precipitation days = 13.8

|unit snow days = 0.1 in

|Jan snow days = 7.9

|Feb snow days = 6.4

|Mar snow days = 7.7

|Apr snow days = 4.1

|May snow days = 0.7

|Jun snow days = 0.0

|Jul snow days = 0.0

|Aug snow days = 0.0

|Sep snow days = 0.1

|Oct snow days = 0.9

|Nov snow days = 4.3

|Dec snow days = 9.0

|source 1 = NOAA

{{cite web

|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00354329&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL

|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access - Station: Joseph, OR

|access-date = October 31, 2022

}}

|source 2 = National Weather Service (mean maxima and minima 1893-2012)

{{cite web

|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=pdt

|publisher = National Weather Service

|title = NOAA Online Weather Data - NWS Pendleton

|access-date = October 31, 2022

}}

}}

{{US Census population

|1890= 249

|1900= 237

|1910= 725

|1920= 770

|1930= 504

|1940= 593

|1950= 666

|1960= 788

|1970= 839

|1980= 999

|1990= 1073

|2000= 1055

|2010= 1081

|2020= 1154

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{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}}{{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}}

}}

As of the census of 2010, there were 1,081 people, 509 households, and 305 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|1228.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 590 housing units at an average density of {{convert|670.5|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 94.7% White, 0.7% African American, 0.9% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.5% Pacific Islander, 0.7% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.0% of the population.{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=2012-12-21}}

There were 509 households, of which 22.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.6% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.1% were non-families. 34.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.06 and the average family size was 2.57.

The median age in the city was 51 years. 17% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 18.2% were from 25 to 44; 36.1% were from 45 to 64; and 22.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.9% male and 52.1% female.

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,054 people, 450 households, and 288 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,234.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 543 housing units at an average density of {{convert|636.2|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 94.88% White, 0.47% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 1.42% from other races, and 2.94% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.23% of the population.

There were 450 households, out of which 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.6% were married couples living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.8% were non-families. 31.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.84.

In the city, the population dispersal was 24.2% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 22.4% from 25 to 44, 27.0% from 45 to 64, and 21.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,310, and the median income for a family was $36,250. Males had a median income of $25,938 versus $21,563 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,163. About 7.9% of families and 12.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.8% of those under age 18 and 13.0% of those age 65 or over.

File:Joseph, Oregon.jpg

• Joseph State Airport
• Wallowa Lake Tramway

• Chief Joseph
• Rod Scribner
• Walter Brennan
• Margaret Osborne duPont{{cite news |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/26/sports/margaret-osborne-dupont-94-tennis-champion-dies.html?pagewanted=2&_r=0 |last=Finn |first= Robin |title= Margaret Osborne duPont, Tennis Champion, Dies at 94 |newspaper= The New York Times |date= October 25, 2012 |access-date= April 28, 2014}}
• Joseph, a band started by Natalie, Allison, and Meegan Closner, named after the town.{{Cite web|url=http://shorefire.com/releases/entry/sibling-trio-joseph-ato-records-debut-im-alone-no-youre-not-august-26|title=Sibling Trio Joseph Conjure Vocal Alchemy On ATO Records Debut 'I'm Alone, No You're Not' Out August|website=Shore Fire Media|access-date=2016-06-02}}

{{reflist|2}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{wikivoyage inline|Joseph}}
• [https://sos.oregon.gov/blue-book/Pages/local/cities/e-k/joseph.aspx Entry for Joseph] in the Oregon Blue Book
• [http://www.josephoregon.org/ City of Joseph]
• [http://www.josephoregon.com/ Joseph Chamber of Commerce]
• [http://www.chiefjosephdays.com/ Chief Joseph Days] – official site

{{Wallowa County, Oregon}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Cities in Oregon

Category:Cities in Wallowa County, Oregon

Category:1883 establishments in Oregon

Category:Populated places established in 1883