- Total Local Annual Income Generated: $140,065,887
- Direct Contribution: $110,596,239
- Indirect Contribution: $29,469,648
At least 1 out of every 6 Newberg residents is a George Fox student, employee, donor, parent, alumnus or spouse. Visit a local business and it’s quite possible a George Fox logo can be found on a car in the parking lot or on clothing worn by a customer. But even when invisible, George Fox is contributing to the community and economy. The university’s presence ripples through the community. Newberg wouldn’t be Newberg without George Fox, and George Fox wouldn’t be George Fox without Newberg. Together, each makes the other stronger.
What's a College Worth to a Town?
In dollars and cents, it’s worth millions to Newberg. A recent economic impact study showed George Fox University’s students, visitors and employees annually contribute more than $100 million to the surrounding community. That big of a number is hard to comprehend without considering the many almost-hidden ways George Fox brings value to the city.
Student money from outside the community flows into Newberg even before classes start. More than 5,500 prospective students, family and friends annually come to Newberg to tour campus. Of those, more than 1,000 prospective undergraduate students annually spend the night on campus in Newberg. Two out of every three prospective students come from beyond 50 miles from campus, meaning many family and friends book a hotel room and eat meals nearby.
George Fox enrolled 4,140 students this past fall at four sites in Oregon. More than 2,700 are taking classes in Newberg. Their year-after-year effect on the local economy adds up. Undergraduate students annually spend nearly $5,200 each on retail, food, recreation, real estate and other services.
Students are not the only ones supporting Newberg businesses. Alumni, parents and other family and friends often show up multiple times a year, making visits for Family Weekend, Homecoming, extracurricular events and eventually for graduation. They come for sporting events, as do thousands of opposing fans and family members. George Fox home football games averaged 2,400 fans last fall. Restaurants, hotels and retailers all benefit from the traffic.
After graduation, it’s not uncommon for out-of-town students to settle down in town. More than 1,200 of George Fox’s 27,000 alumni live in Newberg’s 97132 ZIP code. Friendsview Retirement Community has found that having George Fox next door is a big selling point. More than 200 of their residents are directly connected to George Fox as alumni, former employees or as spouses.
Even in the summer, the Newberg campus remains a magnet for visitors. More than 30,000 summer guests come to campus for conferences, camps and other events.
Additionally, George Fox employees receive more than $45 million in taxable salaries and benefits. More than 460 current and former George Fox employees live in Newberg, and many are homeowners who pay property taxes to support city services.
In dollars and cents, it’s worth millions to Newberg. A recent economic impact study showed George Fox University’s students, visitors and employees annually contribute more than $100 million to the surrounding community. That big of a number is hard to comprehend without considering the many almost-hidden ways George Fox brings value to the city.
Student money from outside the community flows into Newberg even before classes start. More than 5,500 prospective students, family and friends annually come to Newberg to tour campus. Of those, more than 1,000 prospective undergraduate students annually spend the night on campus in Newberg. Two out of every three prospective students come from beyond 50 miles from campus, meaning many family and friends book a hotel room and eat meals nearby.
George Fox enrolled 4,140 students this past fall at four sites in Oregon. More than 2,700 are taking classes in Newberg. Their year-after-year effect on the local economy adds up. Undergraduate students annually spend nearly $5,200 each on retail, food, recreation, real estate and other services.
Students are not the only ones supporting Newberg businesses. Alumni, parents and other family and friends often show up multiple times a year, making visits for Family Weekend, Homecoming, extracurricular events and eventually for graduation. They come for sporting events, as do thousands of opposing fans and family members. George Fox home football games averaged 2,400 fans last fall. Restaurants, hotels and retailers all benefit from the traffic.
After graduation, it’s not uncommon for out-of-town students to settle down in town. More than 1,200 of George Fox’s 27,000 alumni live in Newberg’s 97132 ZIP code. Friendsview Retirement Community has found that having George Fox next door is a big selling point. More than 200 of their residents are directly connected to George Fox as alumni, former employees or as spouses.
Even in the summer, the Newberg campus remains a magnet for visitors. More than 30,000 summer guests come to campus for conferences, camps and other events.
Additionally, George Fox employees receive more than $45 million in taxable salaries and benefits. More than 460 current and former George Fox employees live in Newberg, and many are homeowners who pay property taxes to support city services.
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Economic Impact on the Local Community, 2014
Local Annual Income
Student Spending
- Average Annual Spending: $5,177
- Average by Industry:
- Retail: $1,540
- Food: $789
- Recreation: $134
- Real Estate: $2,616
- Other Services: $98
- Students Residing in the Local Area, 2014: 2,461
Jobs
- Total Employment: 1,588 Full-Time Jobs
- Direct Employment: 509 Full-Time Jobs
- As well as 1,367 student workers & 494 part-time
- Indirect Employment: 1,079 Full-Time Jobs
- Direct Employment: 509 Full-Time Jobs
Giving back to Newberg
George Fox gives $500,000 to new pool
George Fox University will donate $500,000 to help cover construction costs for the new Chehalem Aquatic and Fitness Center.
Because some construction bids came in higher than expected on the Chehalem Park and Recreation District project, some proposed features were delayed or trimmed to cut costs. The university’s contribution will help CPRD cover some of the projected deficit in construction costs.
“George Fox University has been a part of Newberg for more than 125 years, and we want to continue to be a partner in the development of Newberg,” said George Fox President Robin Baker. “It is a privilege to help financially support a project that will benefit our students and advance our community as well.”
Not a bunch of rich kids:
34% of George Fox undergraduate students have a family income less than $40,000.
