Located in Lane County, Florence was incorporated in 1893. It was named after a lumber ship that wrecked in 1875. A popular tourist spot, Old Town Florence offers restaurants and gifts shops overlooking the harbor. Retirees, too, have discovered Florence and have moved here en masse, helping boost the community's average age to 55. Just outside their doors are vast, uncrowded beaches and the community is located on the northern edge of the geologically unique Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. The Florence area attracts its share of rain, averaging approximately 70 inches of rain per year. The average annual temperature is about 52 degrees, with the coldest month being January. July, August and September claim the most sun.