Coos Bay | USA Oregon

Coos Bay is the largest city on the Oregon Coast and serves as the primary commercial and industrial port between San Francisco and the Puget Sound. It is located at the mouth of the Coos River in Coos County, approximately 220 miles southwest of Portland.

Historical Timeline

Coos Bay was originally inhabited by the Hanis and Miluk-speaking tribes. The city of Marshfield was founded in 1853 and incorporated in 1874, while the neighboring city of Empire was founded the same year. In 1944, residents voted to change the name from Marshfield to Coos Bay to align with the geographic landmark. The most significant architectural preservation is the 1925 Egyptian Theatre, restored in 2014. The primary event shaping the current urban form was the 1965 and 1983 mergers of Empire and Eastside into Coos Bay, consolidating the regional harbor settlements.

Demographics & Population

The city limits population is approximately 15,800, while the Coos Bay-North Bend micropolitan area has a population of roughly 64,300. The top three ethnic demographics are White (85.6%), Hispanic/Latino (8.7%), and Multiracial (7.9%). The median age of the population is 45.8 years.

Urban Layout & Key Districts

The city is organized along the curve of the bay, with Highway 101 serving as the primary north-south artery. The Marshfield District (Central) is the historic downtown core. Empire (West) serves as the historic waterfront and residential district along the lower bay. Eastside (East) is located across the Isthmus Slough and is characterized by industrial and residential zones.

Top City Landmarks

Egyptian Theatre

Coos History Museum

Coos Art Museum

Mingus Park

Marshfield Pioneer Cemetery

Transportation Network

Internal movement is provided by the Coos County Area Transportation District (CCATD) bus routes. There is no metro or tram system. Uber and Lyft operate with limited availability. Official taxi services include Yellow Cab and South Coast Taxi. Traffic density is low to moderate, with occasional bottlenecks on the McCullough Memorial Bridge to the north.

Safety & "Red Zones"

The general safety level is lower than the Oregon average, with high reported rates of property crime and larceny. The areas surrounding the Highway 101 corridor and specific sections of the downtown core experience higher concentrations of transient-related disturbances. The "Bear Creek Greenway" equivalent in this region is the waterfront boardwalk area, where caution is advised after dark.

Digital & Financial Infrastructure

Average internet speed is 150–400 Mbps via Spectrum (cable) or Ziply Fiber. Main mobile carriers are Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. Card acceptance is high in most retail establishments. ATMs are readily available, primarily through local branches such as First Community Credit Union and Umpqua Bank.

Climate & Air Quality

Summer temperatures range from 9°C to 21°C, while winter temperatures range from 4°C to 11°C. Air quality is generally high due to constant maritime airflow, though smoke from Inland Oregon wildfires can impact the area in late summer. The city receives 64 inches of annual rainfall, primarily from November to January.

Culture & Social Norms

Tipping is expected at 15–20% for service. Social greetings are informal. The dress code is rugged and utilitarian, reflecting the city’s industrial and maritime roots. Smoking is prohibited in all public indoor spaces. Public alcohol consumption is restricted to licensed venues, though enforcement is prominent during local festivals.

Accommodation Zones

Stay in the Marshfield/Downtown area for walking access to the Egyptian Theatre, museums, and local dining.

Stay in the Charleston area (just south of city limits) for a quiet, maritime environment with immediate access to the fishing docks and state parks.

Local Cost Index

Espresso: $4.50

Standard Lunch: $16.00

Bus Ticket: $2.00 (CCATD One-way)

Nearby Day Trips

Shore Acres State Park: 18 km (20 minutes by car)

Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area: 5 km (10 minutes by car)

Bandon: 40 km (35 minutes by car)

Florence: 78 km (1 hour 15 minutes by car)

Facts & Legends

Coos Bay is the site of the 1852 "Camp Castaway," where survivors of the shipwrecked schooner Captain Lincoln established a temporary settlement on the North Spit. A local legend concerns the "Golden Hinde"; some historians and enthusiasts believe Sir Francis Drake did not stop in California in 1579, but instead sought shelter in the Coos Bay estuary, citing the "white cliffs" of the nearby coast as evidence.