Just 27 miles north of the California Border, Medford is situated in the remains of an ancient volcanic flow area. It sites in a rain shadow between the Siskiyou Mountains and the Cascades, called the Rogue Valley, meaning it sees far less rain than most of Oregon. Medford's economy was fueled by agriculture (pears, peaches, and grapes) and timber in the past, but now relies mostly on the health care industry.