Oregon

Josephine

88,090
2020 population
1860
first census record
17
census records

About Josephine

Josephine, Oregon, first appears in the United States federal census in 1860, when it recorded a population of 1,623. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 88,090.

The county's recorded population has risen across the decades to its highest level in 2020.

On the ground today, 10 documented military engagements have been recorded within the county, among them Rogue River Massacre of 1853, Battle of Applegate River, Rogue River War — Battle of Hungry Hill (October 31–November 1, 1855), and 63 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
202088,090
201082,713
200075,726
199062,649
198058,855
197035,746
196029,917
195026,542
194016,301
193011,498
19207,655
19109,567
19007,517
18904,878
18802,485
18701,204
18601,623
Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Battles & engagements in Josephine

Military engagements that took place in Josephine, Oregon.

Rogue River Massacre of 1853
1853
Battle of Applegate River
1855
Rogue River War — Battle of Hungry Hill (October 31–November 1, 1855)
1855
Battle of Galice Creek
1855
Battle of Big Meadows
1855
Rogue River Wars — Battle of Big Meadows
1855
Rogue River War — Battle of Hungry Hill
1856
Battle of Big Meadows — Rogue River (May 27–28, 1856)
1856
Battle of Hungry Hill (Rogue River Wars)
1856
Rogue River War — Battle of Big Meadows (May 27–28, 1856)
1856

Historic places in Josephine

National Register of Historic Places listings in Josephine, Oregon.

Siskiyou Smokejumper Base (Boundary Increase)
Cave Junction
Oregon Caves Historic District
Cave Junction
Cedar Guard Station No. 1019
Cave Junction
Whisky Creek Cabin
Wolf Creek
Ahlf, John and Susanna, House
Grants Pass
Grey, Zane, Cabin
Galice
Rand Ranger Station
Merlin
Siskiyou Smokejumper Base
Cave Junction
Redwoods Hotel
Grants Pass
Oregon Caves Historic District (Boundary Increase)
Cave Junction
Osgood Ditch
Cave Junction
Grave Creek Bridge
Sunny Valley
Upper Ditch
Cave Junction
Oregon Caves Chateau
Oregon Caves National Monument
Golden Historic District
Wolf Creek
Wolf Creek Tavern
Wolf Creek
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Other counties in Oregon

Explore census history and historic records for more Oregon counties.

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Everything a full report reveals about Josephine County, Oregon

This page charts the census history of Josephine County, Oregon. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
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Frequently asked about Josephine

When does Josephine first appear in the US census?
Josephine, Oregon first appears in the federal census in 1860, with a recorded population of 1,623.
What is the population of Josephine?
At the most recent federal census (2020), Josephine had a recorded population of 88,090.
Were any battles fought in Josephine?
10 documented military engagements took place in Josephine, including Rogue River Massacre of 1853, Battle of Applegate River, Rogue River War — Battle of Hungry Hill (October 31–November 1, 1855).
How many historic places are in Josephine?
63 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Josephine, Oregon.
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