Marion County, Oregon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Marion County
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Marion County Courthouse in Salem
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Location within the U.S. state of Oregon
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 Oregon's location within the U.S. |
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Oregon |
| Founded | July 5, 1843 |
| Named for | Francis Marion |
| Seat | Salem |
| Largest city | Salem |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1,194 sq mi (3,090 km2) |
| • Land | 1,184 sq mi (3,070 km2) |
| • Water | 10 sq mi (30 km2) 0.85% |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 345,920 |
| • Estimate
(2023)
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346,741  |
| • Density | 267/sq mi (103/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−8 (Pacific) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−7 (PDT) |
| Congressional districts | 5th, 6th |
Marion County is one of the 36 counties in the U.S. state of Oregon. The population was 345,920 at the 2020 census, making it the 5th most populous county in Oregon. The county seat is Salem, which is also the state capital of Oregon. The county was originally named the Champooick District, after Champoeg (earlier Champooick), a meeting place on the Willamette River. On September 3, 1849, the territorial legislature renamed it in honor of Francis Marion, a Continental Army general from South Carolina who served in the American Revolutionary War.
Marion County is part of the Salem, OR Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Portland-Vancouver-Salem, OR-WA Combined Statistical Area. It is located in the Willamette Valley.
Contents
History
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.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,193 square miles (3,090 km2), of which 1,182 square miles (3,060 km2) is land and 10 square miles (26 km2) (0.9%) is water.
Adjacent counties
- Yamhill County (northwest)
- Clackamas County (north)
- Wasco County (northeast)
- Jefferson County (east)
- Linn County (south)
- Polk County (west)
National protected areas
- Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge
- Mount Hood National Forest (part)
- Willamette National Forest (part)
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1850 | 2,749 | — | |
| 1860 | 7,088 | 157.8% | |
| 1870 | 9,965 | 40.6% | |
| 1880 | 14,576 | 46.3% | |
| 1890 | 22,934 | 57.3% | |
| 1900 | 27,713 | 20.8% | |
| 1910 | 39,780 | 43.5% | |
| 1920 | 47,187 | 18.6% | |
| 1930 | 60,541 | 28.3% | |
| 1940 | 75,246 | 24.3% | |
| 1950 | 101,401 | 34.8% | |
| 1960 | 120,888 | 19.2% | |
| 1970 | 151,309 | 25.2% | |
| 1980 | 204,692 | 35.3% | |
| 1990 | 228,483 | 11.6% | |
| 2000 | 284,834 | 24.7% | |
| 2010 | 315,335 | 10.7% | |
| 2020 | 345,920 | 9.7% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 346,741 | 10.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2020 |
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2020 census
As of the 2020 census, there were 345,920 people, the racial make up of the county was 61.8% non-Hispanic white, 1.1% African American, .9% Native American, 2.1% Asian, 4.9% of two or more races, and 27.7% Hispanic.
2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 315,335 people, 112,957 households, and 77,044 families living in the county. The population density was 266.7 inhabitants per square mile (103.0/km2). There were 120,948 housing units at an average density of 102.3 units per square mile (39.5 units/km2). 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.
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.
Economy
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. Marion County has 10,640 acres (43.1 km2) planted in orchards. The marionberry was named after the county. Government, however, is the county's main employer and economic base.
Education
Tertiary education
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.
K-12 schools
Public K-12 school districts include:
- 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.
Bureau of Indian Education-affiliated tribal school:
Communities
Cities
Census-designated places
Unincorporated communities
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Marion (Oregón) para niños
