Klamath County has a population of approximately 66,380 residence as of the 2010 census report (*). The average household income is $39,534 (*) with 18.6% of households living below the poverty level (*). 47.7% of all African Americans in the county live below the poverty level, 27.4% of Asians, 27.9% of Hispanics, 32.8% of Native Americans and 16.1% of Whites also live below the poverty level. (*) 22.5% of children under the age of 18 live in poverty, while 20.3% of residence between the ages of 18-64 are living in poverty and 8.3% of people over 65 are living in poverty in the county. (*) The proportion of families eligible for public assistance is _________ with 41.0% actually receiving some form of assistance (*). This may be due to the high unemployment rate of over 11% (*) The percentage of people with unmet health needs due to financial constrains is estimated at 28% (*) and a homeless population of 3%(*). Only 1.5% of the total annual budget has been allocated to public health for the year 2016(*). Payment sources for medical care include 40% private insurance, 26% Medicare, 14% Medicaid, and 20% without insurance.
DISASTER ASSESSMENT During an interview with the Emergency Manager of Klamath County, Morgan Lindsay, I was able to ascertain the following information. Klamath community does have a disaster plan that is implemented and maintained by the Klamath County Emergency Management division of the County. The purpose of the division is to implement and execute the County’s responsibility in maintaining an emergency system, planning, preparing and providing for the prevention and management of disasters or emergencies that may present a threat to the people or property of Klamath County. |
Klamath County is considered a high-risk area for earthquake activity by the United States Geological Society.
