About Rogue River
Happenings
There are variety of great happenings in and around Rogue River each year. You can learn about the activities that the Chamber helps make possible on our Community page. Many other organizations work hard to make Rogue River a special place. The local VFW installs American flags all around the city on several important days each year. Here is a great video of the flags from Veterans Day 2011 thanks to our own local videographer Randy Johnson.Another amazing group is the Rogue River Greenway. This organization continues their volunteer efforts to create a "30 mile emerald necklace of parks and public access areas along the Rogue River". The City of Rogue River features a portal to this fantastic trail system. Thank you Randy Johnson for this beautiful video of the Rogue River Greenway:
Climate
The climate is one of Rogue River’s chief attractions, offering as much of a change in seasons as is possible on the West Coast, without winter or summer extremes. Located in a valley where three mountain ranges come together, Rogue River and Wimer are spared much of the bothersome weather — wind and fog — that plague even nearby Grants Pass and Medford.Winter brings mild weather with an occasional dip below the freezing level. A snow flurry or two may make for a white Christmas, with an occasionally heavy frost creating a nearly magical and scenic winter wonderland. Average winter temperatures can range into the 50's and occasionally the 60's in the daytime. In January, traditionally the coldest month of the year, the minimums average around 33° with the maximum temperatures averaging about 47°. The rains fall primarily in the winter, but the ‘rainy season’ is anything but a time of continual downpour. Storms often are interrupted by periods of sunshine, creating the opportunity for some spectacular rainbows.
The warm, and almost completlely dry months, are June, July and August. In the summer, the temperature may climb into the 90's, and occasionally into the low 100's, but is usually accompanied by a slight breeze. Warm daytime temperatures are tempered in the summer by cool, cloudless summer nights where the temperature dips down to the 60's and sometimes 50's.
Proximity
Located in Southern Oregon on Interstate 5, Rogue River is within close proximity of numerous natural attractions along with outstanding cultural opportunities.Ashland, home of the renowned Oregon Shakespeare Festival, is 40 minutes south of Rogue River. The gorgeous Oregon Coast is only two hours from Rogue River. Just a bit further is the charming City of Eugene, the home of the University of Oregon. Portland – Oregon’s cultural center – is less than four hours from Rogue River, and the world-famous Crater Lake is less than a two-hour drive.
Reno/Tahoe, San Francisco and Seattle are all within six hours of Rogue River.
City Administration
City Council meetings are held at 7:00 pm on the last Thursday of each month and are open to the public. The City Council also holds workshop meetings at 10 am every other Thursday. Unless posted, all city meetings are open to the public.
Schools
Rogue River has four public schools. Two elementary schools, Rogue River Elementary School at 300 Pine Street (541.582.3234) and Evans Valley Elementary School at 8205 E. Evans Creek Road (541.582.3570). Rogue River Middle School is located at 301 Pine Street (541.582.3233) and Rogue River High School at 1898 E. Evans Creek Road (541.582.3297).Emergency Police and Services
Police protection is a vital part of any community. Rogue River is protected not only by the five-member city police department, but also by the Jackson County Sheriff's Office and the Oregon State Police.The Rogue River Police Department is located at 133 Broadway. There are five officers and several reserve officers. The department patrols the city limits and is often engaged in assisting all other law enforcement agencies in the area. To contact the Rogue River police department, call 541.582.4401. In case of emergency, call 911.
Fire Departments
The Rogue River Rural Fire Protection District services Rogue River, Wimer, Evans Valley and parts of Gold Hill. They are located at 5474 North River Road, 541.582.4411, The Evans Valley also has a fire department, including two full-time staff members and a long list of volunteers.The FireMed program provides year-round emergency vehicle transportation for an annual subscription fee of $40. The open enrollment for FireMed membership is October 1 - November 30 and costs $40 per year. Call to request information or stop by the fire station.
The household enrollment covers everyone in the household claimed as a dependent by the head of the household.
Library Services
An asset to any community is the local public library. Rogue River is no exception with a thriving facility.Both the Rogue River and Gold Hill libraries are part of the larger Jackson County system of libraries. Because of this, all libraries are able to share resources and materials.
Community Center
The Rogue River Community Center serves young and old residents of Rogue River and the surrounding towns with wide variety of activities, special events and services. Our facilities include a recreation room, meeting room, and kitchen facilities in the Main Building. The Annex has a large room suitable for meetings and dancing plus kitchenette area. Bargain hunters will enjoy our Thrift Store, in the building next door.The Center is busy morning to evening every week.