Jobs & Economy in Medford

Medford's economy centers on two nationally significant corporate headquarters (Lithia Motors, Harry & David) and Asante's regional healthcare hub, alongside a genuinely elevated unemployment rate this record discloses honestly.

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Lithia Motors: a real, Fortune 500 anchor

Lithia Motors, headquartered in Medford, ranked No. 123 on the 2026 Fortune 500 and, as of 2025, is the largest automotive retailer in the United States by revenue (ahead of AutoNation and Penske), employing approximately 30,000 people worldwide -- a real, nationally significant corporate anchor.

Harry & David and Asante: two more real, distinct anchors

Harry & David, founded 1910 as Bear Creek Orchards, remains headquartered and operating from Medford as a flagship premium food/gift retailer. Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center (378 beds) anchors Medford's real identity as the Rogue Valley's regional healthcare hub, part of a system serving more than 600,000 people across nine counties.

A genuinely elevated unemployment rate, disclosed honestly

Medford-area unemployment ran a genuinely elevated 5.3% as of May 2026 -- the 11th highest among 113 similarly-sized US metro areas -- alongside a genuinely lower median household income ($73,230) and higher poverty rate (13.17%) than the Portland-metro markets in this batch.

Key takeaways

Lithia Motors (Fortune 500 #123, largest US auto retailer by revenue) and Harry & David are both genuinely headquartered in Medford.
Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center anchors Medford's real identity as the Rogue Valley's regional healthcare hub.
Medford's unemployment (5.3%) runs genuinely elevated, and median household income ($73,230) genuinely lower than the Portland metro.

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Last reviewed: 2026-08-25. Independent research; not financial, tax, or legal advice -- confirm current figures with a local professional before making a decision.