Since the 1970s, Creswell has grown rapidly as it has increased in appeal as a bedroom community due to the development of transportation infrastructure between Creswell and the Eugene-Springfield area, comparatively low housing costs, and its appeal as a small town (Ross et al., 1993; ECONorthwest, 2005). Creswell has had a higher growth rate than Lane County and Oregon during every decade since the 1970s, and the city is projected to continue growing faster than Lane County and every city in it other than Coburg between 2004 and 2025 (ECONorthwest, 2005). The average annual growth rate between 1970 and 2005 was 3.9%, equaled in Lane County only by Florence  (Lane Council of Governments [LCOG], 2006). This population growth rate is paralleled by Creswell’s sharp increase in the number of single family homes between 2000 and 2005  (LCOG, 2006). Today, the city has 5,360 inhabitants, and is expected to reach 7,300 by 2025 (LCOG, 2005; Revised Oregon 2010 Population Estimates).

ECONorthwest. (2005). Creswell Economic Opportunities Analysis.

Lane Council of Governments [LCOG]. (2005). Lane County Coordinated Population Projections.

Lane Council of Governments [LCOG]. (2006). Regional Trends: Data for Sound Decision Making in Lane County.

Revised Oregon 2010 Population Estimates. (2010). Portland State University Population Research Center.

Ross, G. W., Campbell, J.H., and Wilson, S.H. (1993). The Blue Valley: A History of Creswell. Creswell, OR: Creswell Area Historical Society.