Established: Oct. 17, 1882

Elev. at Klamath Falls: 4,105'

Area: 6,135 sq. mi.

Average Temp.: January 29.8° July 68.0°

Assessed Value: $6,528,021,059

Real Market Value: $10,360,016,883

(includes the value of non-taxed properties)

Annual Precipitation: 14.31"

Economy: Agriculture, renewable energy, tourism/recreation, technology, forest products, and medical services

Klamath County is the proud home of Kingsley Air Base, that trains F-15 fighter pilots and employs more than 1,000 people, making it the third largest employer in the county.

The Klamath or “Clamitte” Tribe, for which Klamath County was named, has had a presence for thousands of years. The Legislature created Klamath County by dividing Lake County in 1882. Linkville was named county seat, and its name was changed to Klamath Falls in 1893. The railroad came in the early 1900s. Also, work began on the federal Klamath Project, a reclamation which drained much of the 128 square mile Lower Klamath Lake to provide 188,000 acres of irrigable land for agriculture, a major contributor to the basin’s economy, despite competing with the tribes and fish for available water.

Klamath boasts more than 300 sunny days a year and is home to dozens of large-scale solar projects.  Natural geothermal hot wells provide heat for many homes, businesses and the Oregon Tech campus. 

Oregon Tech was the first university in the country to be powered completely by renewable energy and is home to Oregon Renewable Energy Center.