Fossil is a city in, and the county seat of, Wheeler County, Oregon⁶. The name was chosen by the first post master, Thomas B. Hoover, who had found some fossil remains on his ranch. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 469.

History

The Fossil post office was established on February 28, 1876. The city was incorporated in 1891, and became the county seat upon the creation of Wheeler County in 1899.

Geography

Fossil is located at 44°59'59" North, 120°12'51" West (44.999595, -120.214239)¹.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.0 km² (0.8 mi²). 2.0 km² (0.8 mi²) of it is land and none of the area is covered with water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 469 people, 208 households, and 128 families residing in the city. The population density is 238.3/km² (614.5/mi²). There are 245 housing units at an average density of 124.5/km² (321.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 94.24% White, 0.00% African American, 1.28% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.21% Pacific Islander, 2.13% from other races, and 1.92% from two or more races. 3.62% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 208 households out of which 16.8% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.8% are married couples living together, 4.8% have a female householder with no husband present, and 38.0% are non-families. 33.2% of all households are made up of individuals and 16.8% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.18 and the average family size is 2.73.

In the city the population is spread out with 18.1% under the age of 18, 4.7% from 18 to 24, 17.1% from 25 to 44, 32.8% from 45 to 64, and 27.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 52 years. For every 100 females there are 89.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 91.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $30,250, and the median income for a family is $37,125. Males have a median income of $29,688 versus $20,893 for females. The per capita income for the city is $16,236. 12.0% of the population and 12.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 9.2% of those under the age of 18 and 3.3% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

External links

• Maps and aerial photos
  • Street map from Mapquest (http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?latlongtype=decimal&latitude=44.999595&longitude=-120.214239&zoom=6)
  • Topographic map from Topozone (http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=44.999595&lon=-120.214239&s=200&size=m&layer=DRG100)
  • Aerial photograph from Terraserver (http://terraservice.net/map.aspx?t=1&s=14&lon=-120.214239&lat=44.999595&w=750&h=500)