A Visual Journey Through Time
I've lived in Redmond my whole life; I've never moved outside of it. However, during my 20 years here, I've moved several times within the city. With divorced parents, I bounced between a lot of houses and schools. I remember how little the town had when I was a little kid, and seeing how much has changed today is scary—especially the traffic. I love my hometown; it's a nice, small-ish place to live, but I'd rather move somewhere else that suits me better.
Redmond, Oregon, located in Deschutes County, traces its origins to 1904 when pioneers Frank and Josephine Redmond established a homestead near an irrigation canal right-of-way in the high desert landscape, formally incorporating as a city on July 6, 1910, with a modest population of 216. The community's trajectory shifted dramatically with the arrival of the railroad in 1911, transforming it into a vital service and shipping hub for the region's cattle and lumber industries, while the 1920s marked an era of architectural permanence with the construction of historic downtown structures like the three-story brick New Redmond Hotel, which replaced a wooden predecessor lost to fire, and the establishment of the airfield that would eventually evolve into Roberts Field Municipal Airport.
Today, Redmond stands as the second-largest city in Deschutes County and a rapidly expanding economic engine for Central Oregon, with its population surging to approximately 39,500 residents by 2026, representing a growth rate of over 17% since the 2020 census. The city has evolved from its agricultural roots into a diversified hub featuring a robust manufacturing sector, logistics operations, and a growing technology presence, supported by a median household income of roughly $84,000 and an employment rate that significantly exceeds the state average, all while maintaining its identity as a gateway to outdoor recreation and a strategic transportation node with a major regional airport serving millions of passengers annually.
