Ontario, Oregon

Cannabis legalization

Since 2019, cannabis dispensaries have been an important part of Ontario's economy and a notable example of the border effect.^[9]

In November 2018, voters overturned a ban on recreational marijuana dispensaries in the town, several years after Oregon legalized recreational marijuana use. As Ontario borders Idaho (where marijuana remains illegal for all purposes), local news outlets reported that by November 2019 the city's dispensaries were generating a significant amount of revenue from Idaho residents driving across the state line.^[10] Total cannabis sales from Ontario dispensaries topped $100 million in December 2020.^[11]

Climate

Ontario has a cold desert dry-summer continental climate, abbreviated "BSk" on climate maps.^[12] As is common with the high deserts of Oregon, winters are cold and snowy, while summers are hot, dry and sunny. The record high temperature of 113 °F (45.0 °C) was observed on August 4, 1961, and July 12, 1967, while the record low of −25 °F (−31.7 °C) was observed on January 27, 1957, and January 22, 1962.^[13] On average, Ontario experiences 60.8 days with high temperatures of at least 90 °F (32.2 °C), 10.5 days with high temperatures of at least 100 °F (37.8 °C), 128.4 days with low temperatures at or below 32 °F (0.0 °C), and 2.1 days with low temperatures at or below 0 °F (−17.8 °C).^[14]

2020 census

Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category, meaning Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.

As of the 2020 census, there were 11,645 people, 4,404 households, and 2,491 families residing in the city.^[19]

The median age was 34.8 years. 27.2% of residents were under the age of 18 and 17.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 94.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 90.6 males age 18 and over.^[19]

Of the 4,404 households, 32.9% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 37.5% were married-couple households, 20.3% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 32.9% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 31.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.^[19]

There were 4,682 housing units, of which 5.9% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 51.7% were owner-occupied and 48.3% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.3% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.1%.^[19]

99.9% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.1% lived in rural areas.^[20]

2010 census

As of the census^[22] of 2010, there were 11,366 people, 4,275 households, and 2,678 families living in the city. The population density was 2,198.5 inhabitants per square mile (848.8/km²). There were 4,620 housing units at an average density of 893.6 per square mile (345.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 69.5% White, 0.7% African American, 1.3% Native American, 2.2% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 22.6% from other races, and 3.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 41.3% of the population.

There were 4,275 households, of which 35.4% had children under age 18 living with them, 41.3% were married couples living together, 16.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.4% were non-families. 30.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.28 .

The median age in the city was 32.1 years. 28.9% of residents were under age 18; 12.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23% were from 25 to 44; 21% were from 45 to 64; and 14.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.3% male and 52.7% female.

2000 census

As of the census^[4] of 2000, there were 10,985 people, 4,084 households, and 2,634 families living in the city. The population density was 2,459.3 people per square mile (948.8/km²). There were 4,436 housing units at an average density of 993.1 per square mile (383.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 69.27% White, 0.55% African American, 2.69% Asian, 0.88% Native American, 0.15% Pacific Islander, 23.09% from other races, and 3.39% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 32.05% of the population.

There were 4,084 households, out of which 35.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.4% were married couples living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.5% were non-families. 30.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.30 .

In the city, the population was spread out, with 30.5% under age 18, 11.5% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 18.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,173, and the median income for a family was $35,625. Males had a median income of $29,775 versus $21,967 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,683. About 16.4% of families and 20.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.0% of those under age 18 and 14.3% of those age 65 or over.

Tertiary education

• Treasure Valley Community College

K-12 education

Ontario is served by the Ontario School District (8C) public schools.^[25] Schools include:^[26]

There is also a charter school:

• Four Rivers Community School (4RCC^[27]) - K-12 - It began operations in 2003.^[28]

The Annex School has an Ontario postal address but is away from Ontario, in the community of Annex.^[29]

Private schools

• Treasure Valley Christian School Pre K-12
• St. Peter's Catholic School (Roman Catholic Diocese of Baker) K-8^[30]

Ontario Community Library of the Ontario Library District is in Ontario.^[31]

Transportation

Bus

• Snake River Transit provides public transportation between points in Ontario and nearby Fruitland and Payette.^[32]
• Ontario is a stop on the Eastern POINT intercity bus line between Bend and Ontario. It makes one stop per day in each direction.^[33]
• Greyhound Lines offers service east and west on I-84 from Ontario.^[34]

Air

• Ontario Municipal Airport

Highway

• Interstate 84 - Portland - Boise - Ogden

Hospital

St. Alphonsus Medical Center is a 49-bed, acute-care hospital, serving Ontario and the surrounding communities in Eastern Oregon and southwestern Idaho; it is part of the hospital system of Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, Idaho.^[35]