Black Butte Ranch, Oregon

Black Butte Ranch is a census-designated place (CDP) and unincorporated private resort community^[5] in Deschutes County, Oregon, United States.^[2] It is located in the Cascade Range, 8 miles (13 km) northwest of Sisters. The population was 366 at the 2010 census.^[6] Black Butte Ranch allows public access to its restaurant, golf courses and horse stables, but is primarily oriented to its year-round residents and seasonal guests.^[5]

Black Butte Ranch, Oregon
Census-designated place
Black Butte Ranch Lodge with South Sister in background
Coordinates: 44°22′18″N 121°39′10″W
Country	United States
State	Oregon
County	Deschutes
Area [1]
• Total	8.22 sq mi (21.29 km2)
• Land	8.20 sq mi (21.23 km2)
• Water	0.02 sq mi (0.06 km2)
Elevation [2]	3,376 ft (1,029 m)
Population  (2020)[3]
• Total	260
• Density	31.72/sq mi (12.25/km2)
Time zone	UTC-8 (Pacific)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-7 (Pacific)
ZIP code	97759
Area code	541
FIPS code	41-06650[4]
GNIS feature ID	2584407[2]
Website	www.blackbutteranch.com

History

The planned community of Black Butte Ranch was developed starting in 1970 by Brooks Resources, a subsidiary of Brooks-Scanlon Lumber Company on the site of the former Black Butte cattle ranch directly south of Black Butte.^[7] The first residents arrived in 1971 and Black Butte Ranch post office was established the same year.^[7]

Geography

A view of the ranch from atop Black Butte

Black Butte Ranch is located in northwestern Deschutes County to the southwest of U.S. Route 20; it is surrounded by Deschutes National Forest. The 6,436-foot (1,962 m) summit of Black Butte overlooks the community to the northeast.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 8.2 square miles (21.3 km²), of which 0.02 square miles (0.06 km²), or 0.29%, is water.^[6] The area drains east via Black Butte Swamp to Indian Ford Creek, then Whychus Creek, then to the Deschutes River, a north-flowing tributary of the Columbia River.

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
2020	260		—
U.S. Decennial Census[8][3]

In 2001, the estimated population of full-time, year-round residents was 337.^[5] The population was 366 at the 2010 census.^[6] During the peak tourist season, the population, including guests who do not own property but are renting residences within the community, is estimated to rise to 5,000.^[5]

Wildfire

Black Butte Ranch has been threatened by many wildfires, especially since 2002, when the Cache Mountain Fire burned two homes in the northwest corner of the ranch.^[9][10] Black Butte Ranch was once again threatened by the B&B Complex Fires in 2003,^[11] and in 2007 the GW Fire came within a quarter of a mile of some homes on the ranch.^[12][13]

Education

It is in the Sisters School District 6.^[14]