Like many communities on the Oregon coast, Bandon had significant fishing and timber industries, which were greatly diminished by the 1980s, though some remnants still exist. Bandon's current economy revolves around wood products, fishing, tourism, and agriculture. The five largest employers in the area include Bandon Dunes Golf Course, Southern Coos Health District, School District #54C, Oregon Overseas Timber, and Hardin Optical.
Tourism
In tourism literature the city is often referred to as Bandon-by-the-Sea.
One popular tourist activity is storm watching.
West Coast Game Park Safari is located just south of Bandon.
Cranberry industry
Currently, Bandon is a center of cranberry production. More than 100 growers harvest about 1,600 acres (6.5 km) around Bandon, raising 95 percent of Oregon's cranberries, and about 5% of the national crop. Production averages about 30 million pounds of berries. Harvest is in the fall. In 1994, 304,000 barrels (48,300 m) were harvested�a record for Bandon. Some berries are trucked to Eugene and Albany. Others are taken to an Ocean Spray facility in Prosser, Washington, to be concentrated. This crop was introduced in 1855 by Charles McFarlin, for whom the McFarlin hybrid is named.
Cranberry Festival
The Annual Cranberry Festival takes place in the second weekend of September to celebrate the Cranberry harvest. The event draws tourists and participants from all areas of the Oregon coast, Washington and California. Begun in 1946, to honor the cranberry industry, 2010 will mark the 64th year of the event. Bandon has long been known as the "Cranberry Capital of Oregon".
Bandon cheese
Between 1928 and 2000, dairy production and cheesemaking were an integral part of Bandon's economy. The Bandon facility was damaged by fire in 1936, and rebuilt as the Surfside Dairy in 1937. In 2000, Tillamook County Creamery Association bought the Bandon
