Depoe Bay is a city in Lincoln County, Oregon, United States, located on U.S. Route 101 on the Pacific Ocean. The population was 1,398 at the 2010 census. The bay of the same name is a 6-acre (2.4 ha) harbor that the city promotes as the world's smallest navigable harbor.[5][6][a]
Depoe Bay was named for Siletz Indian Charles "Charley" Depoe (born Ki-sa Che-wes-cla) who was originally allotted the land in 1894 as part of the Dawes Act of 1887.[8] One says he was given the name "Depot Charley" for working at the military depot near Toledo, Oregon.[9][10] The family was later known as "DePoe" after his son, Robert DePoe attended the Carlisle Indian School.[11] His original tribal affiliation was Josua/Tututni.[12]
On August 21, 2017, Depoe Bay became one of the first places in the United States to witness totality of the North American solar eclipse of that year.
As of the census of 2010, there were 1,398 people, 714 households, and 411 families living in the city. The population density was 772.4 inhabitants per square mile (298.2/km2). There were 1,158 housing units at an average density of 639.8 per square mile (247.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 92.9% White, 1.5% Native American, 1.2% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 1.5% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.8% of the population.[4]
There were 714 households, of which 10.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.7% were married couples living together, 6.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.4% were non-families. 32.8% 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 1.96 and the average family size was 2.39.[4]
The median age in the city was 56.6 years. 9.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 16.5% were from 25 to 44; 38.9% were from 45 to 64; and 29.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.1% male and 51.9% female.[4]
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,174 people, 584 households, and 359 families living in the city. The population density was 652.2 inhabitants per square mile (251.8/km2). There were 911 housing units at an average density of 506.1 per square mile (195.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 92.50% White, 0.34% African American, 1.70% Native American, 0.60% Asian, 0.17% Pacific Islander, 1.02% from other races, and 3.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.58% of the population.[4]
The city entrance sign over the harbor
There were 584 households, out of which 17.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.4% were married couples living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.5% were non-families. 31.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.01 and the average family size was 2.43.[4]
In the city, the population was spread out, with 14.4% under the age of 18, 3.9% from 18 to 24, 22.1% from 25 to 44, 35.7% from 45 to 64, and 23.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.6 males.[4]
The median income for a household in the city was $35,417, and the median income for a family was $43,967. Males had a median income of $28,750 versus $25,469 for females. The per capita income for the city was $24,994. About 5.5% of families and 8.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.1% of those under age 18 and 2.1% of those age 65 or over.[4]
Depoe Bay is served by radio station KPPT-FM, licensed to broadcast at 100.7 MHz.[16] Owned by Agpal Broadcasting, the station specializes in classic hits.
^Strictly speaking, Depoe Bay can only claim to be the world's smallest natural navigable harbor. For example, Seacliff in Scotland is smaller, but was built artificially.[7]
^"Depoe Bay History". City of Depoe Bay. Retrieved June 17, 2012. One of those who were forcibly removed to the Coast Reservation from his ancestral home in the Rogue (Tutuni) River Valley, was a young Tutuni/Joshua Indian named Charles. Minutes from the Council held at the Siletz Agency on December 15, 1873 with Chiefs of the Confederated Tribes reflect the following statement by "Depot Charlie".
^Depoe Bay History, "The July 12, 1918 edition of the Lincoln County Leader reported: Charlie Depoe, a leading man among the Indians, was a chief of the Joshua tribe and was noted for his good sense and wise councils and hospitality among the Indians. No one ever went away hungry from the home of Depoe Charlie."
^Schwartz, E.A. (1997). The Rogue River Indian War and Its Aftermath, 1850–1980. Norman, Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press. pp. 303–04. ISBN0-8061-2906-9.
^Helen Jung and Jeff Manning, "Waves bring destruction to Oregon's south coast", The Oregonian, March 12, 2011, p. 1+
