Bonanza is a city in Klamath County, Oregon, United States, near Klamath Falls. The population was 415 at the 2010 census.
Geography
Bonanza is at an elevation of The town is at the east end of Oregon Route 70, a spur off Oregon Route 140. By highway, Bonanza is about from Klamath Falls and from Portland.
The Lost River flows through Bonanza.
Climate
This region experiences warm (but not hot) and dry summers, with no average monthly temperatures above . According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Bonanza has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, abbreviated Csb on climate maps.
History
The town, in a farming district, was named after the Spanish word for prosperity (literally smooth sea), apparently because of the good springs found nearby. The Bonanza post office was established in 1875.
J. P. Roberts founded the community in 1876 and opened a store there. Bonanza was formally platted in 1878. By around 1900, it was considered the third most important town in Klamath County, after Klamath Falls and Merrill. Daily mail arrived by stagecoach. The chief products of the region were cattle, horses, grain, hay, fruits, and vegetables.
Bonanza is an agricultural community with large areas of alfalfa, cattle, and dairy farm use. The Lost River runs near downtown where the Bonanza Big Springs are located. Low water levels have caused groundwater contamination through the springs and added to the regional controversies over water use, endangered suckers (fish) and struggling salmon species, and farming.
Economy
As of 2003, the four largest employers in Bonanza were the Klamath County School District, Bonanza View Dairy, Tom DeJong Dairy, and Haskins Potato. The community is home to Bonanza Schools, which include all grades from kindergarten through 12.
It is in the territory of Klamath Community College.
Demographics
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 415 people, 152 households, and 108 families residing in the town. The population density was . There were 169 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the town was 86.3% White, 0.2% African American, 0.5% Native American, 9.6% from other races, and 3.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 27.7% of the population.