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Dayton, Oregon facts for kids

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Dayton, Oregon
Joel Palmer House
Location in Oregon
Location in Oregon
Country United States
State Oregon
County Yamhill
Incorporated 1880
Area
 • Total 0.84 sq mi (2.17 km2)
 • Land 0.84 sq mi (2.17 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
161 ft (49 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 2,678
 • Density 3,203.35/sq mi (1,236.55/km2)
Time zone UTC-8 (Pacific)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-7 (Pacific)
ZIP code
97114
Area code(s) 503
FIPS code 41-18250
GNIS feature ID 2410299
Website www.daytonoregon.gov

Dayton is a small city located in Yamhill County, Oregon, in the United States. In 2020, about 2,678 people lived there. It's a friendly community with a rich history.

Exploring Dayton's Past

Dayton was started in 1850 by two people, Andrew Smith and Joel Palmer. Joel Palmer was also in charge of Native American affairs for Oregon at the time. He built a flour mill in the new settlement. The city was named after Andrew Smith's hometown, Dayton, Ohio. The first post office in Dayton opened in 1851.

Historic Buildings and Landmarks

Dayton has many old and important buildings. The oldest one still standing is the Joel Palmer House. It was built around 1852 or 1857. This house is so special that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. It has been carefully fixed up and is now a popular restaurant.

Another important landmark is the Fort Yamhill Block House. It was moved to Dayton in 1911 to save it from being torn down. This blockhouse was built by settlers in 1855 and 1856 near the Grand Ronde Coastal Reservation. A citizen from Dayton, John G. Lewis, got permission to move the logs and rebuild it in Courthouse Square Park.

Where is Dayton Located?

Dayton is in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. It's about 25 miles (40 km) southwest of Portland, which is a much larger city. It's also about 7 miles (11 km) east of McMinnville.

The city covers a total area of about 0.84 square miles (2.17 square kilometers). All of this area is land, meaning there are no large lakes or rivers within the city limits.

How Many People Live in Dayton?

Historical population
Census Pop.
1880 368
1890 304 −17.4%
1900 293 −3.6%
1910 453 54.6%
1920 448 −1.1%
1930 375 −16.3%
1940 506 34.9%
1950 719 42.1%
1960 673 −6.4%
1970 949 41.0%
1980 1,409 48.5%
1990 1,526 8.3%
2000 2,119 38.9%
2010 2,534 19.6%
2020 2,678 5.7%
U.S. Decennial Census

The population of Dayton has grown quite a bit over the years. In 1880, only 368 people lived there. By 2020, the population had reached 2,678 people.

Dayton's Community in 2010

According to the 2010 census, there were 2,534 people living in Dayton. Many families lived in the city, with almost half of the households having children under 18. The average household had about three people. The city's population was quite diverse, with people from many different backgrounds. The average age of residents was about 32.8 years old.

What Does Dayton Do for Work?

Dayton is a rural community, which means many people work in agriculture. They grow vegetables, berries, nuts, wheat, and nursery plants. Dairy farming is also important.

The Willamette Valley AVA and Dundee Hills AVA are famous for their vineyards and wineries. These businesses bring many visitors to Dayton and help the local economy grow.

Getting Around Dayton

Dayton is connected by several important roads. These are called state highways.

Main Highways in Dayton

  • Oregon Route 18
  • Oregon Route 221
  • Oregon Route 233 (This road travels with State Route 18 for a part of its way.)

There is also an unsigned state highway:

  • Oregon Route 154 (This road is also known as SE Lafayette Highway.)

Before some new roads were built, Highway 233 used to go right through downtown Dayton. It even crossed the Yamhill River by a ferry!

Learning in Dayton

Dayton has its own school system, called the Dayton School District. There are three schools for students:

  • Dayton Grade School
  • Dayton Middle School
  • Dayton High School

The school mascot is the Pirate!

Famous People from Dayton

Some well-known people have come from Dayton:

  • Dante Rosario – an NFL player
  • Dewey Sullivan – a famous football coach at Dayton High School, who is in the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame
  • Paige VanZant – a UFC fighter

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Dayton (Oregón) para niños

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