Douglas County & Local Government
Douglas County was created on Jan. 7, 1852, out of the portion of Umpqua County lying east of the Coast Range. It was named Douglas County to honor U.S. Senator Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois who was a congressional advocate for Oregon statehood. In the county seat of Roseburg, the Douglas County Courthouse was built in 1929, with additions in 1956 and 1977. Douglas County is composed of 5,071 square miles (3,240,360 acres).
Legislative and administrative functions of Douglas County are in the hands of the board of three commissioners. Although these positions are non-partisan, these positions favor the Republican party. In addition to the county offices, there are 62 government entities, including 12 cities, 14 education districts, and 23 fire stations; way too many to list here. Use the links in this section to learn more about Douglas County government and contact the three commissioners with concerns.
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Location & Forest Lands
The County extends from sea level at the Pacific Ocean to 9,182 foot Mt. Thielsen in the Cascade Mountains. It has the entire Umpqua River watershed within its boundaries, and it contains nearly 2.8 million acres of commercial forest lands.
Approximately 25% of Douglas County’s labor force is employed in the forest products industry which includes numerous sawmills and veneer plants, as well as one pulp and one particle board plant, and numerous shingle, shake, pole and other wood products plants. Agriculture is an important factor in the economy with field crops, orchards, and livestock as major products. The County Parks Department, the first in Oregon, has over 50 parks in the system. They range from large facilities with overnight camping to small boat launching access points.
Over 50% of the land area of the County is owned by the Federal Government. These lands are managed by the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land management.
Douglas County Elected Officials
County Clerk
Phone: (541) 440-4325
Email: Clerk@douglascountyor.gov
County Sheriff
John Hanlin
Phone: (541) 440-4463
Email: Dcsoinfo@douglascountyor.gov
County Treasurer
Sam Lee, III
Courthouse Room CH320
Phone: (541) 440-4244
County Commissioner (Board Chair)
Chris Boice
Courthouse Room CH217
Phone: (541) 440-4201
Email: Chris.Boice@douglascountyor.gov
County Commissioner
Tim Freeman
Courthouse Room CH217
Phone: (541)-440-4201
Email: Tim.Freeman@douglascountyor.gov
County Commissioner
Tom Kress
Courthouse Room CH217
Phone: (541)-440-4201
Email: Tom.Kress@douglascountyor.gov
County Assessor
Heather Coffel
Courthouse Room CH206
Phone: (541) 440-4222
Email: assessment@douglascountyor.gov
County Surveyor
Ronald Quimby
Courthouse Room JB105
Phone: (541) 440-4272
District Attorney
Rick Wesenberg
1036 SE Douglas Avenue
Justice Building Room JB204
Roseburg, OR 97470
Phone: (541) 440-4388
Justice of the Peace - South Douglas (Canyonville)
Judge Machelle Briggs-Mayfield
249 N. Main St.
Canyonville, OR 97417
Mailing: P. O. Box 376
Canyonville, OR 97417
Phone: (541-839-4389
Justice of the Peace - Reedsport
Judge Kathleen Miller
600 Fir Avenue
Reedsport, OR 97467
Phone: (541) 271-4868
Fax: (541-271-4869
Email: ReedsportJustice@douglascountyor.gov
Judge of Circuit Court, District 16, Position 1
Ann Marie Simmons
Judge of Circuit Court, District 16, Position 2
Steve Hoddle
Judge of Circuit Court, District 16, Position 3, Presiding Judge
Kathleen Johnson
Judge of Circuit Court, District 16, Position 4
Robert Johnson
Judge of Circuit Court, District 16, Position 5
George Ambrosini
Judge of Circuit Court, Pro Tem Judge
Jason R. Thomas