Medford, OR
Performance and payment bonds in Medford, Oregon
Bid, performance, and payment bonds for contractors working in Medford, with county industry data. A quote is not a binder.
Jackson County is home to 884 construction businesses (County Business Patterns, 2023), the market in which Medford's 86,301 residents' projects get built. Public owners there require bonds on most construction contracts.
Contractors in Jackson County by the numbers
| Measure (2023) | Jackson County | Oregon |
|---|---|---|
| Construction establishments (all) | 884 | 14,907 |
| Construction employees | 5,700 | 115,773 |
| Annual payroll per construction employee | $64,298 | $76,651 |
| Commercial and institutional building contractors | 22 | 501 |
| Heavy and civil engineering contractors | 34 | 589 |
| Construction firms with fewer than 5 employees | 69% | 67% |
Census Bureau County Business Patterns, 2023 release.
Infrastructure is a bonded business: 34 heavy and civil engineering firms operate in Jackson County, bidding street, sewer, and water projects where bid bonds and final bonds are standard.
Jackson County's 22 commercial and institutional builders compete for offices, schools, and public facilities. Private owners and lenders on larger projects increasingly ask for performance and payment bonds too.
Medford's building stock and bonded work
With a median housing year of 1984, Medford has a mix of mature neighborhoods and later growth. Expect both rehabilitation of older infrastructure and new subdivision work, which can bring subdivision or site improvement bonds.
Buildings with five or more units make up 17% of Medford's housing (Oregon: 18%). Lower-density development tends to emphasize site, utility, and road work tied to subdivisions.
The Census Bureau's 2020–2024 survey puts Medford's housing stock at 36,630.0 units, 68% of them single-family homes, with 44% of occupied homes rented. Those numbers shape the mix of bonded street, utility, and facility contracts the city puts out.
Source: Census ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates; Vintage 2024 population estimates.
Statutory bonds on Medford public work
Bonds on Medford public contracts are required by ORS 279C.380 (performance and payment bonds); federal contracts use the Miller Act. Subcontractors and suppliers should note the payment bond claim deadlines in whichever law applies.
About 69% of Jackson County's construction firms have fewer than five employees. Smaller contractors can get bonded, usually starting with modest job sizes and relying on owners' credit and experience while financial statements mature.
Medford compared with other Oregon markets
In Portland, the county construction count is 1,961 establishments. Marion County, home to Salem, lists 1,560 construction businesses. Medford's county ranks 16th of 20 profiled Oregon cities for number of construction firms.
What sureties will ask Medford contractors for
- Project solicitation and required bond forms
- Contract amount, schedule, and owner
- Legal entity details and owners
- Bank line of credit details
- List of open jobs with costs and billings
- CPA-prepared statements for the last fiscal year
Medford bond FAQ
When are bonds required on Medford public work?
Generally yes, above thresholds set by Oregon law and the owner. See the Oregon page.
How many contractors work in Jackson County?
The Census Bureau counted 884 construction establishments in Jackson County in 2023.
Can a new contractor in Medford get a performance bond?
Yes, usually starting with smaller bonds. See how to get bonded.
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Last updated October 15, 2026 · How we research