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Downtown Medford

Downtown Medford

Neighborhood in Medford, Oregon

Jackson County 97501

$377,240 Average Value

Historic neighborhood and central hub of Medford

Downtown Medford developed at the height of the American railroad revolution in 1883, when the Oregon & California Railroad laid train tracks through a relatively flat stretch of the Rogue Valley. Not long after the trains came population growth and urban expansion. Downtown Medford established dozens of residential and commercial developments throughout the decades, including the iconic Craterian Theatre in 1924. Today, the neighborhood has a prominent historic district and several modern developments like the Heart of the Rogue commercial complex. Residents live in a mix of single-family homes and apartments, and the mammoth Interstate 5 runs along the neighborhood’s eastern border. Medford’s role in the railroad industry fizzled over time, but the Oregon & California Railroad tracks still run through the city center, splitting Downtown Medford in half.

Downtown Medford is in the valley, with views of mountain ranges all around.
Downtown Medford is in the valley, with views of mountain ranges all around.
Downtown Medford is home to many amazing murals.
Downtown Medford is home to many amazing murals.
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Diverse culinary scene and local shops

Downtown Medford is at the center of the city’s shopping and dining scene. People listen to live music with lunch at the 4 Daughters Irish Pub or dig into enchiladas and carne asada at El Paraiso. Taylor Lore, a broker with Coldwell Banker Pro West Real Estate and a Medford resident, says his current favorite restaurants include Caba Empanadas, a “great downtown eatery with authentic Argentinian fare.” Jefferson Spirits, which Lore describes as an “awesome bar with an excellent atmosphere, great whisky selection and amazing food,” has cocktails like the Smoked Old Fashioned and Espresso Martinis, and residents can browse their favorite albums and records at The RetroWormhole. Second-hand clothing is for sale at Refashion Consignment Shop and graphic novels are available from Rogue City Comics. Weekly grocery shopping can be done at the nearby WinCo Foods, a chain supermarket with a deli and bakery open 24 hours a day, seven days per week.

The Retro Wormhole is a great place to buy records in Downtown Medford.
The Retro Wormhole is a great place to buy records in Downtown Medford.
El Paraiso in Downtown Medford has delicious Mexican Food.
El Paraiso in Downtown Medford has delicious Mexican Food.
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Outdoor concerts at Pear Blossom Park

Across from City Hall is Alba Park, a 1.5-acre outdoor space at the heart of downtown. The park has several statues and hard-to-miss historical landmarks, like a World War II mountain gun, a marble statue and a granite fountain. These eye-catching statues are monuments dedicated to Charlie W. Palm, a major real estate developer in Medford during the early 20th century. Next to the park is the Children’s Museum of Southern Oregon, a nonprofit with exhibits and programs focused on youth education. Pear Blossom Park is a two-block green space with a playground and a covered outdoor stage overlooking a large grassy field. Throughout the year, several city events, including wintertime holiday celebrations and summertime concerts, are hosted at the park. Bordering the neighborhood are several access points to the Bear Creek Greenway, a “biking and walking path that connects Ashland and Medford, enabling some awesome distance cycle rides through several of Medford’s parks,” Lore says.

It's common to see people walking their dogs through Downtown Medford.
It's common to see people walking their dogs through Downtown Medford.
Pear Blossom Park has a wonderful courtyard to walkthrough.
Pear Blossom Park has a wonderful courtyard to walkthrough.
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Craterian Theatre is a landmark performing arts center

The historic Craterian Theatre is a landmark Art Deco building with a 750-seat indoor auditorium surrounding a performing arts stage. Broadway shows, live concerts, symphonies and more are performed at the Craterian throughout the year. The Ghostlight Playhouse is a community theatre that hosts annual shows and film screenings, and the Rogue Gallery and Art Center was founded in 1960 as the first nonprofit visual art organization in the Rogue Valley region. Every year, the center welcomes approximately 10,000 visitors to its galleries and has about 700 students in arts workshops.

Downtown Medford is a bustling neighborhood, filled with restaurants and stores.
Downtown Medford is a bustling neighborhood, filled with restaurants and stores.
The plaza in Downtown Medford is full or art and relaxing seating.
The plaza in Downtown Medford is full or art and relaxing seating.
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Contemporary apartment buildings and townhouses

Most housing in Downtown Medford consists of apartments, townhouses and multifamily units, typically costing between $250,000 and $600,000. Apartment buildings, like the Concord Apartments, often reflect contemporary architectural styles, while townhouses, like the Evelyn Apartments, are more traditional with gabled roofs and stone exteriors. Common styles for the neighborhood’s select few single-family homes and multifamily properties include Craftsman bungalows, traditional residences and Victorian-style architecture. Residents park their cars on the streets and use well-maintained sidewalks to navigate the neighborhood and downtown area easily.

Modern Condos are abundant in Downtown Medford.
Modern Condos are abundant in Downtown Medford.
Downtown Medford has an abundance of town homes to choose from.
Downtown Medford has an abundance of town homes to choose from.
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Convenient access to Interstate 5

Interstate 5 is a major thoroughfare bordering the eastern side of Downtown Medford. Commuters can use I-5 to travel to Oregon cities, including Ashland. The Rogue Valley Transportation District operates several bus routes throughout this neighborhood. The Rogue Valley International Medford Airport is 3 miles away, offering direct flights to over a dozen major cities across the western United States.

Highway 5 is the fastest way to get from Medford to Portland.
Highway 5 is the fastest way to get from Medford to Portland.
Bus stops are easily found in Downtown Medford.
Bus stops are easily found in Downtown Medford.
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Students zoned for Medford School District

Downtown Medford students are zoned for Medford School District 549C, which receives an overall B-plus rating from Niche. Kindergarten through fifth-grade students attend the C-rated Jackson Elementary School, while sixth, seventh and eighth graders can head to McLoughlin Middle, also rated C. South Medford High School is rated B-plus and offers more than 40 honors, college-level and Advanced Placement courses. High school students can also enroll in dual enrollment courses at Southern Oregon University or Rogue Community College to earn college credits.

Jackson Elementary provides quality education to students in Medford.
Jackson Elementary provides quality education to students in Medford.
McLoughlin Middle School provides safe grounds for students in Medford.
McLoughlin Middle School provides safe grounds for students in Medford.
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Hayley Simms
Written By
Hayley Simms
Teal Mandzik
Photography Contributed By
Teal Mandzik
Anne Sheridan
Video By
Anne Sheridan

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to John Ford, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Rogue Valley International - Medford

8 min drive

Bus

Central Ave - South Of 2nd St

Bus

N Front St - South Of 5th St

Bus

Riverside - North Of 6th St

Bus

Front St - North Of 2nd St

Bus

W 8th St - East Of Grape St

Bus

4th St - East Of Bartlett St

Bus

10th St - East Of Holly St

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Downtown Medford US
Homicide 7 4
Sexual Assault 6 4
Assault with Weapon 6 4
Robbery 7 4
Burglary 9 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 7 4
Larceny 9 4
Crime Score 7 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
30
Median Year Built
1947
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,082
Significantly below the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,432
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,333
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
721
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
4,573

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to John Ford, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
858
Median Age
37
Population under 18
21.8%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
12.9%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$26,104
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$34,922

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
69.7%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
16.7%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
9.5%
% Population in Labor Force
64.4%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
18''
Average Winter Low Temperature
32°F
Average Summer High Temperature
92°F
Annual Snowfall
5''

Area Factors

Biker's Paradise

Bike Score®

90 / 100

Walker's Paradise

Walk Score®

92 / 100

Some Transit

Transit Score®

47 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

Reviews

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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Downtown Medford
John Ford
Ford Real Estate
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