Sunset at Upper Klamath Lake from Highway 97 south of Modoc Point. (Oregon State Archives Scenic Images collection)
County Seat: 305 Main St., Klamath Falls 97601
Phone: 541-883-5134 (General)
About
Established: Oct. 17, 1882
Elev. at Klamath Falls: 4,105'
Area: 6,135 sq. mi.
Average Temp.: January 29.8° July 68.0°
Assessed Value: $7,002,753,756
Real Market Value: $14,184,708,619
(includes the value of non-taxed properties)
Annual Precipitation: 14.31"
Economy: Agriculture, renewable energy, tourism, recreation, technology, forest products and medical services
Related Resources
Incorporated Cities
Points of Interest
Crater Lake National Park, Klamath Lake (Oregon’s largest lake), Collier Memorial State Park and Logging Museum, seven National Wildlife Refuges, Oregon Institute of Technology (Oregon Tech), Klamath Community College, Klamath County Museum, Favell Museum of Western Art, Ross Ragland Theatre, Spence Mountain and Moore Park trail systems
History and General Information
Klamath County is home to Kingsley Air Base, which trains F-15 fighter pilots and employs more than 1,000 people, making it the county’s third largest employer.
The Klamath (or Clamitte) Tribe, for which the county was named, has had ancestors in the area stretching back over 10,000 years. The Legislature created Klamath County in 1882 by dividing Lake County. Linkville was named the county seat and its name was changed to Klamath Falls in 1893. The early 20th century brought the railroad, and with it came American colonization. Around that time, work began on the federal Klamath Project, a reclamation draining much of the 128-square-mile Lower Klamath Lake to provide 188,000 acres of irrigable land for agriculture, a major contributor to the basin’s economy. Agriculture competes with the tribes and wildlife for available water.
Klamath County boasts more than 300 sunny days a year and is home to dozens of large-scale solar projects. Natural geothermal hot wells provide heat for many homes, businesses and the Oregon Tech campus. Oregon Tech is home of the Oregon Renewable Energy Center.
County Officials
Commissioners: Chair Kelley Minty (2027); Derrick DeGroot (2029), Andrew Nichols (2029); Dist. Atty. David Schutt (2029); Assess. Nathan Bigby (2023); Clerk Rochelle Long (2027); Justice of the Peace Karen Oakes (2027); Sheriff Shane Mitchell (2029); Surv. Sheryl Hatcher (2029); Treas.Vickie Noel (2029)