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About Medford, OR

About Medford, OR

Urban center in scenic southern Oregon

Located 30 miles north of the California border, Medford is one of Oregon’s southernmost cities. In the late 19th century, it was founded around the development of the Oregon and California Railroad, which helped its population quickly soar. Medford’s economy relied on agricultural production, lumber mills and military operations throughout the following decades. In the 21st century, the railroad sits unused, and the city has expanded outward to accommodate a suburban population. “Medford is a very comfortable family and retirement community,” says Will Brake, who has lived here since 1994 and is a real estate broker with John L. Scott Real Estate. “I raised my children here and always felt that the community supported families. It has good schools, entertainment and things to do for families.” Already home to Harry & David’s flagship location, Medford’s commercial footprint is expanding. The biggest sign of that is a new 40,000-square-foot Amazon distribution center that opened in the area in September 2024.

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Medford was built around the Southern Oregon Railway.
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In early mornings you can see workers picking in the orchards in Rogue Valley.
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Medford has expanded to accommodate a growing suburban population.
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The Village is the perfect place to grab a bite to eat in College Hill.
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Older homes meet modern suburban housing

Single-family homes in Medford can range anywhere from approximately $300,000 to $1 million, although the median cost of a home falls around $425,000. Typically, the more expensive, newer homes are located in the city’s eastern suburbs, while older, lower-cost properties are found in the western and southern parts of the city. “It’s actually very simple: The freeway, Interstate 5, splits the town right in half. The east side is the pricier side, and the west side is the less costly side,” Brake says. “And when you get on the hillside, you’re looking in more of the $800,000 range.” Besides the Craftsman, mid-century moderns and traditional ranch-style homes, Medford has manufactured homes spread across about 70 mobile home parks. Townhouse complexes and condominiums aren’t common throughout Medford, but prices for apartment units range from about $200,000 to $500,000.

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Southwest Medford is a classic American suburb.
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There are plenty of larger new builds all over the Lawnview neighborhood.
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McLoughlin offers homes with spacious front yards.
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Newly Constructed condominiums are abundant in Greenhills Estates.
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Four seasons' worth of outdoor activities

Medford is an ideal spot for year-round outdoor recreation. “We do have the four seasons where we do get a little bit of snow. We have a nice hot summer and a beautiful spring and fall,” Brake says. Surrounded by mountains and table rocks, large formations that are great for hiking, Medford naturally lends itself to the outdoors. “There’s a ton of hiking in this area. It’s great for fishing and great for outdoor entertainment,” Brake says. “And then we have a lot of river rafting down the Rogue River, and there are parks throughout the whole community.” Medford has several parks in town; Bear Creek offers the most within city limits with its trails and structures for kids. “We have a new aquatic center. It is state of the art and a huge facility that has really gained very quick popularity,” Brake says. However, the 100-acre Lithia Park in Ashland is the most substantial park in the area. Locals drive 14 miles to take advantage of its state-of-the-art Japanese garden, pond, pickleball courts and beauty. “It’s just really stunning. It’s modeled after the Golden Gate Park in California. And it’s just really beautiful,” Brake says. “If we want to get out and just take a nice walk, we go to Lithia Park.” Medford residents are also only 33 miles from Mount Ashland, which offers a seasonal ski resort and a vast network of hiking and biking trails.

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Families can beat the heat with Hawthorne Parks water works park.
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It's common to see people playing Pickle Ball in Cedar Links Park.
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Rogue Valley has beautiful nature for children to play in.
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State-of-the-art athletic facilities include the Lithia and Driveway ball fields complex.
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Students attend the Medford School District

Students in this city are served by the Medford School District 549C, which receives an overall B-plus rating from Niche. The district is home to 14 elementary schools, four middle schools and two high schools: North Medford High School and South Medford High School. The district also offers Medford Online, an academy for kids in kindergarten through 12th grade. Charter schools include Kids Unlimited Academy, Logos Public Charter School, Madrone Trail Charter School and Valley Charter School. Additionally, parents can send their children to several private schools throughout Medford.

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South Medford High offers advanced placement classes & dual credit courses for driven students.
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Washington Elementary School offers quality education in Washington.
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Oakdale Middle School provides a modern education for West Main students in Medford.
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Kids Unlimited
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Rogue Valley Mall and a growing local shopping and dining scene

As Medford steadily expands outwards, so do opportunities for shopping, dining and entertainment. Shoppers head to Rogue Valley Mall, a regional mall in Medford, for the essentials. In an era where many malls struggle to remain viable, this one-stop spot still lives and breathes. “It’s not bustling, but it’s not dead yet,” Brake says. Residents can find big box stores in the area, such as Costco, Walmart, Lowe’s and Home Depot. For dining out, folks tend to head 13 miles away to Ashland for a bigger restaurant mix. Ashland also has a reputation as the home of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, which draws lots of attendees from Medford and tourists from across the nation. However, there is also an array of restaurants in Medford, ranging from quick service to fine dining, in the downtown area. “More people have moved into the area and brought diversity, which is a great thing. When I first moved here, we had one Indian restaurant; now we have four,” Brake says. “As we get more diversity, we are getting more restaurants and more events, and now we have a multicultural fair each year. It’s changing, but it takes a while.”

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Rogue Valley Mall is a popular area to get your big box retailers items at such as Macy's.
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Tap & Vine is a popular restaurant located in the Village.
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For any daily needs locals can go to Target which is in the neighborhood.
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The Village is the perfect place for date night in College Hill.
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World-renowned wineries surround the city

With a suitable climate for growing grapes, Medford has more than 125 regional wineries. Belle Fiori is a standout with a national reputation. “It’s built like a château; it’s newer. It’s stunning, a wonderful venue,” Brake says. Meanwhile, each year, the town hosts various events folks anticipate. The Pear Blossom Festival is an annual hit, renowned for its pears. People also come out for the city’s pride parade, Halloween parade and Independence Day events.

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The RoxyAnn Barn is a iconic farm in the Century Village neighborhood.
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Beautiful vineyards surround the neighborhood of Century Village.
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Southern Medford has tons of wineries such as RoxyAnn a popular vineyard in the area.
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You will find miles of vineyards in Southeast Medford.
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Health and safety in Medford

There are two major hospitals in Medford: Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center and Providence Medford Medical Center. Both facilities operate 24-hour emergency services and have dozens of specialized healthcare services. Asante Rogue is known for its orthopedic, cardiac, cancer and stroke care, while Providence is a nonprofit community hospital with a birth center, spine health programs, rehabilitation programs and more. Crime is trending downward in Jackson County. Data available on Oregon.gov show 10,398 reported offenses between Jan. 1 and Oct. 31, 2024. That’s higher than the total number of offenses in 2023, but significantly lower than the 17,854 reported incidents in 2020. Most crimes reported between 2020 and 2024 in the county were property crimes, data show.

Getting around the city and surrounding areas

Navigating traffic in Medford is a breeze. “I can’t remember the last time I may have stopped at a light and had to wait for the second light. It’s just not going to happen,” Brake says. He adds that although there is some rush hour traffic, it doesn’t stop people from leaving their homes. Medford’s main thoroughfares include Interstate 5, which splits the town in half, and state Routes 62 and 238, which shuttle motorists away from the city into rural communities. The Rogue Valley Transportation District operates public bus services in Medford, and air travelers can catch flights at the Rogue Valley International Medford Airport.

Hayley Simms
Written By
Hayley Simms
Bryant Lucero
Photography Contributed By
Bryant Lucero
Bill Jennings
Video By
Bill Jennings

Neighborhood Map

Medford by the Numbers

84,451
Population
$393K
Average Housing Value
44
Average Days on Market

Average Home Value



Source: Public Records

Top Schools in Medford, OR

Source:

Best Public Elementary Schools

Hoover Elementary School
#1 Hoover Elementary School
B+
Niche
10
GreatSchools
Jacksonville Elementary School
#2 Jacksonville Elementary School
B+
Niche
7
GreatSchools
Lone Pine Elementary School
#3 Lone Pine Elementary School
B
Niche
7
GreatSchools
Abraham Lincoln Elementary School
#4 Abraham Lincoln Elementary School
B+
Niche
4
GreatSchools
Griffin Creek Elementary School
#5 Griffin Creek Elementary School
B-
Niche
4
GreatSchools
Kennedy Elementary School
#6 Kennedy Elementary School
B-
Niche
4
GreatSchools
Roosevelt Elementary School
#7 Roosevelt Elementary School
B-
Niche
4
GreatSchools
Sams Valley Elementary School
#8 Sams Valley Elementary School
C
Niche
5
GreatSchools
Orchard Hill Elementary School
#9 Orchard Hill Elementary School
C+
Niche
4
GreatSchools

Best Public Middle Schools

Hedrick Middle School
#1 Hedrick Middle School
B+
Niche
4
GreatSchools
Scenic Middle School
#2 Scenic Middle School
C
Niche
4
GreatSchools
McLoughlin Middle School
#3 McLoughlin Middle School
B-
Niche
2
GreatSchools
Talent Middle School
#4 Talent Middle School
C
Niche
2
GreatSchools
Oakdale Middle School
#5 Oakdale Middle School
Medford Online Academy
#6 Medford Online Academy

Best Public High Schools

Phoenix High School
#1 Phoenix High School
B+
Niche
5
GreatSchools
South Medford High School
#2 South Medford High School
B
Niche
5
GreatSchools
North Medford High School
#3 North Medford High School
6
GreatSchools
Central Medford High School
#4 Central Medford High School
C
Niche
3
GreatSchools
Crater High School
#5 Crater High School

Best Private Schools

St. Mary's School
#1 St. Mary's School
A+
Niche
Sacred Heart Catholic School
#2 Sacred Heart Catholic School
A
Niche
Rogue Valley Adventist School
#3 Rogue Valley Adventist School
B+
Niche
Grace Cascade Christian Schools
#4 Grace Cascade Christian Schools
B-
Niche
Crossroads School
#5 Crossroads School
Grace Christian Schools
#6 Grace Christian Schools
Harvest Baptist Christian School
#7 Harvest Baptist Christian School
Medford Montessori School
#8 Medford Montessori School
New Dimension Christian School
#9 New Dimension Christian School

Agents Specializing in this Area

Agent Spotlight

Martin Huggins
(541) 539-4299
My name is Martin, and I am proud to call Ashland my home. With deep roots in the community and extensive knowledge of the local real estate market, I offer a personalized and hands-on approach to buying or selling your home. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer, a seasoned investor, or looking to upgrade or downsize, I am dedicated to providing you with unparalleled service and expertise.

Services Offered:
Buyer Representation: I will work tirelessly to understand your unique needs and preferences, conducting comprehensive searches to find the perfect home that aligns with your lifestyle and budget.
Seller Representation: Utilizing innovative marketing strategies and leveraging my extensive network, I will showcase your property to qualified buyers, ensuring maximum exposure and top dollar for your investment.
Market Analysis: With a keen understanding of market trends and property values in Ashland and the Rogue Valley, I provide accurate and insightful market analyses to help you make informed decisions.
Negotiation Expertise: I am a skilled negotiator who will advocate fiercely on your behalf, securing the best possible terms and conditions to meet your objectives.

Why Choose Me?
Local Expertise: As a long-time resident of the Rogue Valley, I possess an intimate knowledge of the neighborhoods, schools, amenities, and market dynamics, giving you a competitive edge in your real estate transactions.
Personalized Service: I prioritize open communication, transparency, and responsiveness, ensuring that your needs are met every step of the way.
Proven Track Record: With a track record of success and countless satisfied clients, you can trust in my expertise and dedication to achieving exceptional results.
Commitment to Excellence: I am committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and ethics in everything I do, earning your trust and confidence for life.

Let's Get Started:
Whether you're buying, selling, or investing in real estate, I am here to serve as your trusted advisor and advocate. Contact me today to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards unlocking your dream home in this extraordinary community. Let's make your real estate dreams a reality together!
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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.