Population70,274 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
Lake Basin Communities With A Changing Name
Klamath County, OregonKlamath Falls anchors Klamath County, where Upper Klamath Lake, Crater Lake and local museums provide different starting points for exploration. The county’s identity also includes Oregon Tech, forest history and an agricultural basin whose water story connects several communities and ecosystems. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated 70,274 residents in Klamath County, Oregon, on July 1, 2025. The county has approximately 5,950 square miles of land, according to the 2020 Census Gazetteer.
Klamath County at a Glance
Population70,274 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
County SeatKlamath Falls
Largest MunicipalityKlamath Falls • Chiloquin • Malin
Established1882 (organized; NACo County Explorer)
ZIP CodesSouthern Oregon
Total Area, Including Water6,137.220 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography)
Major RoutesUS 97 • OR 140
Area Codes541 / 458
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Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
Discover Klamath County
Klamath County
Klamath County was created from Lake County in 1882 and named for the Klamath people. Its seat was originally called Linkville, becoming Klamath Falls in 1893. Railway development and the federal reclamation project later changed the basin, making water use central to the relationship between agriculture, Tribes and wildlife. The change from Linkville to Klamath Falls is a useful clue in older records. The basin's later projects also show why scenic geography and community history cannot be separated neatly.
Begin with a local museum in Klamath Falls to understand the basin before choosing a lake or trail destination. Crater Lake and city-area parks require different travel plans. Keep the region's Tribal history and water relationships visible alongside its scenic attractions. Choose one museum question, such as changing town names or basin development, to guide the outing. That focus can give a later landscape stop more meaning than a scenic checklist.
What Shapes Us
Local Character
Klamath Falls anchors Klamath County, where Upper Klamath Lake, Crater Lake and local museums provide different starting points for exploration.
Community History
Klamath County was created from Lake County in 1882 and named for the Klamath people. Its seat was originally called Linkville, becoming Klamath Falls in 1893.
Explore Locally
Begin with a local museum in Klamath Falls to understand the basin before choosing a lake or trail destination. Crater Lake and city-area parks require different travel plans.
Discover the basin through its water and community stories.
A Closer Look
Klamath County
Places and perspectives from Klamath County
OPB — Oregon & Regional News
In the first full day of loss, Bend learns more about Silver Rail shooting, mourns the victims
As Bend residents come together to mourn and ask what comes next, OPB journalists are in Central Oregon.…
Read the Story Oct 17, 2026 • 2 min read
Around Klamath County
Stories from every corner of Klamath County.
In the first full day of loss, Bend learns more about Silver Rail shooting, mourns the victims
As Bend residents come together to mourn and ask what comes next, OPB journalists are in Central Oregon.…
Oct 17, 2026 • 2 min read
OPB’s First Look: New details emerge in Bend school shooting
Multiple people tried to stop the shooter, police said. Here’s your First Look at Saturday’s news.
Oct 17, 2026 • 2 min read
Zelenskyy urges support for new US sanctions on Russia after Trump puts them on hold
Zelenskyy described the move as unfortunate, adding it would encourage Russia to continue its assault. Trump told Congress…
Oct 17, 2026 • 2 min read
Scuffles and fires break out as protesters rally across France, joining students
Demonstrators across France converged with students Saturday to protest rising living costs, as the country's fiscal crisis deepens.
Oct 17, 2026 • 2 min read
Decades after apartheid, South Africans seek justice for crimes of the past
More than three decades after the end of apartheid, families of victims of some of the worst crimes…
Oct 17, 2026 • 2 min read
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
County Resources
Find the Right Local Connection
Start with the organization responsible for the service you need. Follow its official link for current requirements, office locations and availability.
Klamath County Government
County departments, public meetings, records, and services: klamathcounty.org
County profile and official reference links: Oregon Blue Book
Population source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census. tigerweb.geo.census.gov
Schools
Public school contacts
Selected local schools from the NCES 2024-2025 directory. Contact the school or district to confirm enrollment, attendance boundaries and current services; this is not a complete school list.
Gearhart Elementary School – Elementary; grades KG-08. 61100 Metler St, Bly, OR 97622. 541-353-2417.
Joseph Conger Elementary School – Elementary; grades KG-05. 1700 California, Klamath Falls, OR 97601. 541-883-4772.
Bonanza Elementary School – Elementary; grades KG-06. 31610 Mission St, Bonanza, OR 97623. 541-545-6581.
Bonanza Junior/Senior High School – High; grades 07-12. 31610 Mission St, Bonanza, OR 97623. 541-545-6581.
Chiloquin Elementary School – Elementary; grades KG-06. 548 2nd Ave, Chiloquin, OR 97624. 541-783-2338.
Gilchrist Elementary School – Elementary; grades KG-06. 201 Mountain View Dr, Gilchrist, OR 97737. 541-433-2295.
Keno Elementary School – Elementary; grades KG-06. 11110 Keno-Worden Rd, Keno, OR 97627. 541-883-5055.
Hospitals
Local hospital contacts
Facility contacts from the CMS Hospital General Information directory, updated July 22, 2026. Contact the facility directly to confirm current services and appointment arrangements.
Sky Lakes Medical Center – Acute Care Hospitals. 2865 Daggett Avenue, Klamath Falls, OR 97601. 541-882-6311.
Public Safety
Visit Oregon State Police at Oregon government resources. Your county sheriff and local police provide local non-emergency information.
Emergency Services
For an immediate emergency, call 911. Find preparedness resources and official updates through Oregon government resources.
State Parks
Explore Oregon State Parks, park notices, and reservation information at stateparks.oregon.gov. Check the individual park before traveling.
Trails
Find walking and hiking destinations through stateparks.oregon.gov and fs.usda.gov. Check the managing agency for current trail access.
Utilities
Identify the provider serving your address before arranging service. Oregon utility consumer information is available at Oregon government resources.
Libraries
Local library contacts
Locations and public phone numbers are from the IMLS FY2024 Public Libraries Survey. Call the branch to confirm current hours and services before visiting.
Klamath County Library Service District – 126 S 3Rd St, Klamath Falls, OR 97601. 541-882-8894.
Bly Branch Library – 61100 Metler St, Bly, OR 97622. 541-353-2299.
Bonanza Branch Library – 31703 Hwy 70, Bonanza, OR 97623. 541-545-6944.
Chemult Branch Library – 120 Damon St, Chemult, OR 97731. 541-365-2412.
Chiloquin Branch Library – 140 1St St, Chiloquin, OR 97624. 541-783-3315.
Gilchrist Branch Library – 138306 Michigan Ave, Gilchrist, OR 97737. 541-433-2167.
Keno Branch Library – 15555 Hwy 66 Unit 8, Keno, OR 97627. 541-273-0750.
Courts
Find Oregon circuit courts, court locations, and public information at courts.oregon.gov.
DMV
Oregon — Schedule, Cancel or Change an Appointment
Oregon — Driver license applications for adults
Transportation
Find road conditions and travel alerts at Oregon road conditions. Oregon transportation information is available at Oregon government resources.
Postal Services
USPS location finder — Search by street address, city or ZIP Code for nearby post offices, collection boxes and available services.
USPS ZIP Code lookup — Find the mailing ZIP Code for a specific street address.
USPS Hold Mail — Arrange a temporary mail hold and review identity-verification requirements.
USPS change of address and forwarding — Review forwarding options and submit an address-change request through USPS.
USPS package pickup — Check pickup availability for your address and schedule eligible shipments.
Veterans
National services available to local residents
VA accredited representatives — Find help with VA claims and benefit applications.
VA health care applications — Review application options and supporting information.
VA disability claims — Find the official steps for submitting a disability claim.
GI Bill and education benefits — Review how to apply for VA education benefits.
Veteran career and employment support — Explore VA employment, training and career assistance.
Employment
National services available to local residents
USAJOBS federal employment — Search federal openings by location and occupation.
Apprenticeship Finder — Search apprenticeship opportunities by location and occupation.
My Next Move career exploration — Explore occupations, industries and career interests.
Government job-training resources — Find routes to state training programs and support for different job seekers.
Unemployment benefit guidance — Find your state program and its application and eligibility information.
Get to Know Klamath County
Useful answers for residents, visitors and anyone planning their next step.
Local Questions
Klamath County Questions, Answered
Explore practical details about the county and the organizations that serve it.
70,274 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate). This is a dated Census Bureau estimate, rather than a live resident count.
6,137.220 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography). The total combines land and water area.
Start with these official Oregon resources: Schedule, Cancel or Change an Appointment; Driver license applications for adults; Offices. Choose the page for the service you need, then check its office or online instructions before making a trip. These links cover state services; they do not establish that every transaction is available at a county office.
Use USPS ZIP Code Lookup for the mailing ZIP Code of a specific street address. Use the USPS location finder to search for nearby postal facilities and available services. An address lookup is more useful for mailing than assuming the entire county shares one ZIP Code.
The VA explains how to find and appoint an accredited representative for benefit claims. Contact a representative to confirm availability before appointing them. For education benefits, use the GI Bill application guidance. These are national VA services available to eligible local residents, rather than a listing of county offices.
Search USAJOBS for federal positions and the Apprenticeship Finder for apprenticeship opportunities, using location filters to narrow the results. USAGov job-training guidance points to training programs and state resources. Check each listing for current availability, eligibility and application instructions; a search result does not guarantee an opening in the county.
Klamath County was created from Lake County in 1882 and named for the Klamath people. Its seat was originally called Linkville, becoming Klamath Falls in 1893. Railway development and the federal reclamation project later changed the basin, making water use central to the relationship between agriculture, Tribes and wildlife. The change from Linkville to Klamath Falls is a useful clue in older records. The basin's later projects also show why scenic geography and community history cannot be separated neatly.
Begin with a local museum in Klamath Falls to understand the basin before choosing a lake or trail destination. Crater Lake and city-area parks require different travel plans. Keep the region's Tribal history and water relationships visible alongside its scenic attractions. Choose one museum question, such as changing town names or basin development, to guide the outing. That focus can give a later landscape stop more meaning than a scenic checklist.
The 2020 Census geography figures record 5,949.977 square miles of land and 187.243 square miles of water in Klamath County. The county’s total area includes both. These are geographic measurements for that Census vintage, not a measurement of current water levels or public recreation access.
In the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimate series, Klamath County had an estimated 69,624 residents on July 1, 2020, and 70,274 on July 1, 2025. Over that interval, the estimated population increased by 650 residents, or about 0.9%. Both figures come from the same estimate vintage, which revises earlier years for a consistent comparison.
Klamath Falls is the county seat listed for Klamath County by the National Association of Counties. For an office visit, confirm the specific department’s address before traveling. NACo county profile.
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Explore Klamath County
Places to visitStart with these local landmarks, outdoor destinations and community places in Klamath County.
- Crater Lake National Park
- Upper Klamath Lake
- Collier Memorial State Park
- Klamath County Museum
- Moore Park
- Spence Mountain
Explore the Klamath County profile in the Oregon Blue Book
County photograph: Gary Halvorson, Oregon State Archives. County profile and map: Oregon Secretary of State.
Plan your visitCheck current access and hours before heading out.