With World War II and the post-war boom, southeastern Oregon changed from an isolated hinterland into a region more integrated into the economy and society of Oregon and the nation. The federal government’s role grew during the last half of the twentieth century to both the delight and dismay of local residents. Oregon’s most sparsely populated region, the high desert, has barely begun to participate in the current “New West” boom. Many challenges, from economic transformation to increasing ethnic diversity, lay ahead.
World War II and the Post-War Boom:
The federal government emerged as a major player in southeastern Oregon both during the war and as part of the post-war era of investment.
Changes and Challenges in the "New West" since 1980:
The high desert region of southeastern Oregon is hardly a major participant in what we understand as the “New West.”
Economic Uncertainty on a Global Stage:
Southeastern Oregon’s economic future remains to a great degree dependent on the uncertainties of raising cattle in a global market.
New West Tourism:
Some are turning to wilderness and heritage tourism to adjust to the region’s economic problems.
Challenges Ahead:
With a declining and aging population, an average household income that ranks below the state average, and high unemployment levels, southeastern Oregon faces economic and social challenges in the years ahead.
