Central Oregon is a geographic region in the
U.S. state of
Oregon and is traditionally considered to be made up of
Deschutes,
Jefferson, and
Crook counties. Other definitions include larger areas, often encompassing areas to the north towards the
Columbia River, eastward towards
Burns, or south towards
Klamath Falls. These three counties have a combined population of 153,558 as of the 2000 census, with Deschutes the largest of the three counties, having approximately four times the population of the other two counties combined. As of 2008, the most populous city in the region is Bend, with an estimated 80,995 residents. As defined by the three county definition, Central Oregon covers of land. Central Oregon has had 3 record tourism years beginning in 2012. Over 2.2 million people visited Central Oregon in 2012 and again in 2013.