city, seat (1854) of Douglas county, southwestern Oregon, U.S., on the South Umpqua River, between the Coast (west) and Cascade (east) ranges. Settled in 1851, it was known as Deer Creek but was renamed for Aaron Rose, who laid out the town site in 1854. The city's economy was based for many years on wood-products industries and sawmills; sheep raising and wine making are other economic factors. There is some nickel mining and smelting. Headquarters for Umpqua National Forest, Roseburg is a gateway to Crater Lake National Park and mountain resorts, and tourism is an important source of income. Umpqua Community College (1964) is located there, as is the Douglas County Museum of History and Natural History (1968). Inc. 1872. Pop. (1990) 17,032; (2000) 20,017.