Marion County, Oregon

Marion County was created by the Provisional Legislature of Oregon on July 5, 1843, as the Champooick District, one of the original four districts of the Oregon Country along with Twality (later Washington), Clackamas, and Yamhill counties. The four districts were redesignated as counties in 1845.

Originally, this political entity stretched southward to the California border and eastward to the Rocky Mountains. With the creation of Wasco, Linn, Polk, and other counties, its area was reduced in size. Marion County's present geographical boundaries were established in 1856.

In 1849, Salem was designated the county seat. The territorial capital was moved from Oregon City to Salem in 1852. The ensuing controversy over the location of the capital was settled in 1864 when Salem was confirmed as the state capital.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of {{convert|1193|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|1182|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|10|sqmi}} (0.9%) is water.{{Cite web |date=August 22, 2012 |title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files |url=http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_41.txt |access-date=February 26, 2015 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}

• Yamhill County (northwest)
• Clackamas County (north)
• Wasco County (northeast)
• Jefferson County (east)
• Linn County (south)
• Polk County (west)

• Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge
• Mount Hood National Forest (part)
• Willamette National Forest (part)

{{US Census population

|1850= 2749

|1860= 7088

|1870= 9965

|1880= 14576

|1890= 22934

|1900= 27713

|1910= 39780

|1920= 47187

|1930= 60541

|1940= 75246

|1950= 101401

|1960= 120888

|1970= 151309

|1980= 204692

|1990= 228483

|2000= 284834

|2010= 315335

|2020= 345920

|estyear=2023

|estimate=346741

|estref={{Cite web |title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023 |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.html |access-date=March 24, 2024}}

|align-fn=center

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{Cite web |title=U.S. Decennial Census |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |access-date=February 26, 2015 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}
1790–1960{{Cite web |title=Historical Census Browser |url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu |access-date=February 26, 2015 |publisher=University of Virginia Library}} 1900–1990{{Cite web |date=March 27, 1995 |editor-last=Forstall |editor-first=Richard L. |title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/or190090.txt |access-date=February 26, 2015 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}
1990–2000{{Cite web |date=April 2, 2001 |title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226035610/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=February 26, 2015 |access-date=February 26, 2015 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}} 2010–2020

}}

As of the 2020 census, there were 345,920 people, the racial and ethnic makeup of the county was 61.8% non-Hispanic white, 1.1% African American, 0.9% Native American, 2.1% Asian, 4.9% of two or more races, and 27.7% Hispanic or Latino (of any race).

As of the 2010 census, there were 315,335 people, 112,957 households, and 77,044 families living in the county.{{Cite web |title=DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US41047 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213032828/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US41047 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=February 23, 2016 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}} The population density was {{convert|266.7|PD/sqmi}}. There were 120,948 housing units at an average density of {{convert|102.3|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units |units|}}.{{Cite web |title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US41047 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213233944/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US41047 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=February 23, 2016 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}} The racial makeup of the county was 78.2% white, 1.9% Asian, 1.6% American Indian, 1.1% black or African American, 0.7% Pacific islander, 12.6% from other races, and 3.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 24.3% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 22.1% were German, 11.4% were English, 11.0% were Irish, and 4.7% were American.{{Cite web |title=DP02 Selected Social Characteristics in the United States – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US41047 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213013952/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US41047 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=February 23, 2016 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}

Of the 112,957 households, 35.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.4% were married couples living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 31.8% were non-families, and 25.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.23. The median age was 35.1 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $46,069 and the median income for a family was $54,661. Males had a median income of $39,239 versus $32,288 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,915. About 11.7% of families and 16.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.8% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.{{Cite web |title=DP03 Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US41047 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213010725/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US41047 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=February 23, 2016 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}

As of the 2000 census, there were 284,834 people, 101,641 households, and 70,437 families living in the county. The population density was {{convert|241|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 108,174 housing units at an average density of {{convert|91|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units |units|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 81.62% White, 0.89% Black or African American, 1.44% Native American, 1.75% Asian, 0.36% Pacific Islander, 10.58% from other races, and 3.35% from two or more races. 17.10% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 18.4% were of German, 9.2% English, 8.2% American and 7.4% Irish ancestry. 80.8% spoke only English at home, while 14.8% spoke Spanish and 1.4% Russian.

There were 101,641 households, out of which 34.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.70% were married couples living together, 11.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.70% were non-families. 24.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.19.

In the county, 27.40% of the population was under the age of 18, 10.30% was from 18 to 24, 28.70% from 25 to 44, 21.20% from 45 to 64, and 12.40% was 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $40,314, and the median income for a family was $46,202. Males had a median income of $33,841 versus $26,283 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,408. About 9.60% of families and 13.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.10% of those under age 18 and 7.40% of those age 65 or over.

Marion County is among the 24 of Oregon's 36 counties that operate under a board of commissioners (BOC) of three members elected countywide to 4-year terms. In Marion County these are partisan races. Commissioners, who are full-time, salaried officials, have executive, legislative, and quasi-judicial powers (the latter in land-use cases).{{Cite web |title=County Government in Marion and Polk Counties (2005) |url=http://marionpolk.or.lwvnet.org/County.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603224600/http://marionpolk.or.lwvnet.org/County.html |archive-date=June 3, 2020 |access-date=June 3, 2020 |website=LWV of Marion and Polk Counties}} The Board of Commissioners serves as the governing body. The commissioners elect their chair annually; in practice, in Marion County the chair rotates annually. The BOC is responsible for accepting funds from sources outside the county, strategic planning, and enacting ordinances as needed to carry out plans and serve the public. The BOC also prepares a county budget in cooperation with the elected heads of the various departments. The BOC is required by law to appoint a Budget Officer who presents a budget to the Budget Committee composed of the Commissioners and three public members. County commissioners appoint and oversee non-elected department heads, officers, boards, and commissions.

In addition to the Board of Commissioners, the county has non-partisan positions that are elected in county-wide elections for four year terms: Assessor, Clerk, Treasurer, District Attorney, and Sheriff. Further, the county elects one Justice of the Peace (Justice Court Judge) to a six year term.ORS 51.210 These officers are accountable to the voters, rather than to the Board of Commissioners, although they work with the Commissioners in establishing a county budget. All are full-time, paid county officers.

Although Democrats took the presidential vote with pluralities in 1996, 2008, and 2020, no Democrat has carried a majority of the county since Lyndon Johnson in 1964. Marion County is one of 13 counties to have voted for Barack Obama in 2008, Mitt Romney in 2012, Donald Trump in 2016, and Joe Biden in 2020.{{efn|The other twelve are Butte County, California; Teton County, Idaho; Kendall County, Illinois; McLean County, Illinois; Tippecanoe County, Indiana; Kent County, Michigan; Kent County, Maryland; Leelanau County, Michigan; Carroll County, New Hampshire; Rockingham County, New Hampshire; Grand County, Utah; and Albany County, Wyoming.|name=|group=}}

{{PresHead|place=Marion County, Oregon|whig=no|source1={{Cite web |last=Leip |first=David |title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections |url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS |access-date=April 11, 2018 |website=uselectionatlas.org}}|source2=The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 1,919 votes, while Socialist Eugene Debs received 580 votes, Prohibition candidate Eugene Chafin received 475 votes.}}

{{PresRow|2024|Republican|77,089|73,970|5,632|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|2020|Democratic|79,002|80,872|5,660|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|2016|Republican|63,377|57,788|15,675|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|2012|Republican|60,190|56,376|3,810|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|59,059|61,816|3,688|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|2004|Republican|69,900|57,671|2,048|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|2000|Republican|57,443|49,430|6,461|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|46,415|48,637|12,411|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1992|Republican|42,145|41,137|27,052|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1988|Republican|45,292|41,193|2,007|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1984|Republican|54,535|36,440|234|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1980|Republican|42,191|32,134|11,124|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1976|Republican|35,497|33,781|3,053|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1972|Republican|36,441|23,908|3,012|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1968|Republican|30,417|22,327|2,758|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|18,897|32,091|221|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1960|Republican|29,124|20,791|55|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1956|Republican|28,990|16,170|0|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1952|Republican|29,887|12,337|224|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1948|Republican|18,997|13,183|991|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1944|Republican|16,176|11,907|518|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1940|Republican|16,940|14,031|256|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|8,595|15,536|1,940|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|8,633|12,572|926|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1928|Republican|11,754|6,998|219|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1924|Republican|8,351|3,996|3,669|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1920|Republican|8,798|3,831|669|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1916|Republican|8,316|5,699|973|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|2,523|2,588|2,974|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1908|Republican|3,788|2,239|591|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1904|Republican|4,106|1,084|673|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1900|Republican|3,112|2,318|293|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1896|Republican|3,744|3,419|181|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1892|Republican|2,979|879|2,127|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1888|Republican|2,235|1,567|331|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1884|Republican|2,193|1,627|91|Oregon}}

{{PresFoot|1880|Republican|2,051|1,386|27|Oregon}}

Agriculture and food processing are important to the county's economy, as are lumber, manufacturing, and education. Marion County is the leader in agricultural production among all other Oregon counties.{{Cite web |title=Marion County, Oregon |url=http://www.co.marion.or.us}} Marion County has {{convert|10,640|acre|km2}} planted in orchards. The marionberry was named after the county. Government, however, is the county's main employer and economic base.{{Citation needed|date=February 2009}}

Marion County is the home of Willamette University, Corban University, and Chemeketa Community College. All of Marion County is within the Chemeketa community college district.{{Cite web |title=Oregon Community Colleges and Community College Districts |url=https://www.clatsopcc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/02-2-OR-CC-color-map.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.clatsopcc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/02-2-OR-CC-color-map.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |access-date=July 17, 2022 |publisher=Oregon Department of Community Colleges & Workforce Development}}

Public K-12 school districts include:{{Cite web |title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Marion County, OR |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st41_or/schooldistrict_maps/c41047_marion/DC20SD_C41047.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st41_or/schooldistrict_maps/c41047_marion/DC20SD_C41047.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |access-date=July 20, 2022 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st41_or/schooldistrict_maps/c41047_marion/DC20SD_C41047_SD2MS.txt Text list]

• Cascade School District 5
• Central School District 13J
• Gervais School District 1
• Jefferson School District 14J
• Mount Angel School District 91
• North Marion School District 15
• North Santiam School District 29J
• Salem-Keizer School District 24J
• Santiam Canyon School District 129J
• Silver Falls School District 4J
• St. Paul School District 45
• Woodburn School District

State-operated schools:

• Oregon School for the Deaf

The Oregon School for the Blind closed in 2009.{{Cite news |last=Hammond |first=Betsy |date=June 10, 2009 |title=Vote closes Oregon School for the Blind |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/06/final_legislative_vote_is_deci.html |access-date=March 10, 2010 |work=The Oregonian}}

Bureau of Indian Education-affiliated tribal school:

• Chemawa Indian School

{{div col|colwidth=18em}}

• Aumsville
• Aurora
• Detroit
• Donald
• Gates (part)
• Gervais
• Hubbard
• Idanha (part)
• Jefferson
• Keizer
• Mill City (part)
• Mt. Angel
• St. Paul
• Salem (county seat)
• Scotts Mills
• Silverton
• Stayton
• Sublimity
• Turner
• Woodburn

{{div col end}}

• Brooks
• Butteville
• Four Corners
• Hayesville
• Labish Village
• Marion
• Mehama

• Champoeg
• Saint Benedict

{{div col|colwidth=18em}}

• Breitenbush
• Brooks
• Butteville
• Chemawa
• Clear Lake
• Hayesville
• Macleay
• Marion
• McKee
• Mehama
• Middle Grove
• Monitor
• Niagara
• North Howell
• Pratum
• Rosedale
• Saint Louis
• Shaw
• Talbot
• Waconda
• West Stayton

{{div col end}}

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Marion County, Oregon

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

• H.O. Lang (ed.), [https://archive.org/details/historyofwillam00lang History of the Willamette Valley: Being a Description of the Valley and its Resources, with an Account of its Discovery and Settlement by White Men, and its Subsequent History; Together with Personal Reminiscences of its Early Pioneers.] Portland: Himes and Lang, 1885.
• [https://archive.org/details/portraitbiographwvor00chap Portrait and Biographical Record of the Willamette Valley, Oregon, Containing Original Sketches of Many Well Known Citizens of the Past and Present.] Chicago: Chapman Publishing Co., 1903.
• Marion County Historical Society, Marion County History. (periodical)

{{Marion County, Oregon}}

{{Oregon}}

{{coord|44.91|-122.58|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-OR_source:UScensus1990}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:1843 establishments in Oregon Country

Category:Populated places established in 1843

Category:Salem, Oregon metropolitan area