It lies along Interstate 5 approximately 16 miles (26 km) north of the California border and near the south end of the Rogue Valley.

Lithia Park along Ashland Creek, historic buildings, and a paved intercity bike trail provide additional visitor attractions.

Prior to the arrival of White settlers in mid-19th century, the Shasta people lived in the valley along Ashland Creek approximately where today's city is located.

[5] In 1851, gold was discovered at Rich Gulch, a tributary of Jackson Creek, and a tent city grew on its banks, today's Jacksonville.

[6] Settlers arrived in the Ashland area in January 1852, including Robert B. Hargadine, Sylvester Pease, Abel D. Helman, Eber Emery, and others.

[7] During the 1860s and 1870s the community grew, establishing a school, churches, businesses and a large employer, Ashland Woolen Mills, which produced clothing and blankets from local wool.

The discovery of lithia water near Emigrant Lake around the same time led to a plan to establish a mineral spa at the park.

Voters approved bonds to pay for the project, which included piping the mineral water from its source to Ashland.

[15] The structures include the Enders Building (home of the Columbia Hotel), which from 1910 to 1928 contained the largest mercantile establishment between Sacramento and Portland.

[24] Ashland is at 1,949 feet (594 m) above sea level[2] in the foothills of the Siskiyou and Cascade ranges, about 15 miles (24 km) north of the California border on Interstate 5 (I-5).

Of the total population, 96% of Ashland residents 25 and older had graduated from high school while 62% had a bachelor's degree or higher.

[46] In the presidential election of 1860, Ashland favored Abraham Lincoln while its neighbors strongly preferred pro-slavery candidates.

[46] In the early 1900s, Ashland voters supported women's suffrage and prohibition, generally out of step with the rest of the region.

[46] In more recent elections, Ashland has supported tax levies and environmental regulations opposed by voters elsewhere in Jackson and nearby counties.

A large number of restaurants, galleries, and retail stores cater to thousands of visitors who attend plays each year at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

[47] In addition to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and the university, health-service providers make significant contributions to the economy.

[50] The Oregon Shakespeare Festival has grown from a summer outdoor series in the 1930s to a season that stretches from February to October, incorporating Shakespearean and non-Shakespearean plays at three theaters.

Affiliated with the center is the Schneider Museum of Art, which has rotation exhibitions of works featuring professional contemporary artists.

Also affiliated with the center are chamber music concerts, a Shakespeare institute, a piano series, and other art-related events.

[56] The annual Ashland New Plays Festival (ANPF) is a nonprofit organization that encourages playwrights to develop new work through public readings.

Each year, the ANPF holds an international competition that winnows hundreds of submissions to four plays that are read to live audiences by professional actors during a five-day festival in October.

Using forensic science, experts at the laboratory help wildlife officers to investigate possible crimes against animals and to establish links between victims and suspects in cases that go to court.

[62] It includes two ponds, a Japanese garden, tennis courts, two public greens, a bandshell (outdoor stage) and miles of hiking trails.

[66][67] The 18-mile (29 km) path follows Bear Creek between Ashland and Central Point and passes through Talent, Phoenix, and Medford.

[68] Calle Guanajuato is a small park bordering Ashland Creek, with several restaurants offering outdoor dining.

[75] The Mail Tribune, a newspaper based in Medford that published print editions several days a week, served Ashland until it ceased operations on January 13, 2023.

[80] Rogue Valley Community Television, based at Southern Oregon University, serves Jackson and Josephine counties.

[88] The Klamath Falls Amtrak Station serves the Coast Starlight long-haul passenger train on track owned by the Union Pacific Railroad.

[48] The city hired a new AFN director, Joe Franell,[91] who suggested scrapping cable television service while retaining the more profitable high-speed Internet access.

[92] In October 2006, the cable television service was transferred to a local company, Ashland Home Net, while the City retained both the infrastructure and the wholesale Internet business.