La Pine is part of the Bend, Oregon Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 5,799 at the 2000 census, at which time it was a census-designated place (CDP). La Pine is in an isolated area of Central Oregon, consisting of a loose collection of homes and businesses along U.S. Highway 97 about 30 miles southeast of Bend. Most of the residential development is concealed from the highway itself. Several peaks of the Cascade Range are prominently visible from the community.
La Pine is in the valley of the Little Deschutes River, a tributary of the Deschutes River. The river provides recreational opportunities such as fishing, swimming, canoeing, and other leisure activities.
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,799 people, 2,331 households, and 1,699 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 197.7 people per square mile (76.3/km²). There were 2,975 housing units at an average density of 101.4/sq mi (39.2/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 95.84% White, 0.09% African American, 1.28% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 0.55% from other races, and 1.90% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.22% of the population.
There were 2,331 households out of which 26.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.3% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.1% were non-families. 20.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.82.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 23.0% under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 22.5% from 25 to 44, 28.8% from 45 to 64, and 20.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 99.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.7 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $29,859, and the median income for a family was $33,938. Males had a median income of $30,457 versus $20,186 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $15,543. About 9.5% of families and 13.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.4% of those under age 18 and 11.5% of those age 65 or over.