West Salem, Salem, Oregon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
West Salem, Oregon
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Neighborhood
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Old commercial district on Edgewater Street
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| County | Polk County |
| City | Salem |
| Elevation | 144 ft (44 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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34,148 |
| Time zone | Pacific |
| ZIP code |
97304
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| Area code(s) | 503 and 971 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1163343 |
West Salem is a neighborhood in Salem, Oregon, United States. It is located in the far northwest part of the city. West Salem is special because it is the only part of Salem that is in Polk County.
The Willamette River separates West Salem from the rest of Salem. This river forms West Salem's southeast border. You can find many businesses on Edgewater Street and Wallace Road. In 2020, about 34,148 people lived in the part of Salem that is in Polk County.
Contents
West Salem's History
West Salem started as a planned area in 1889. A special map, called a plat, was made to divide the land. It officially became its own town in 1913. This means it had its own government.
Later, in 1949, West Salem joined with the larger city of Salem. It even had its own post office from 1938 to 1952. The old West Salem City Hall building is now a historic place. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.
Schools in West Salem
Students in West Salem go to schools in the Salem-Keizer School District. This district includes several schools right in West Salem.
The main high school is West Salem High School. There are also two middle schools: Walker Middle School and Straub Middle School. For younger students, there are several elementary schools. These include Brush College, Myers, Harritt, Chapman Hill, and Kalapuya elementary schools. Straub Middle School and Kalapuya Elementary School both opened in 2011. They were built using money from a special school district fund.
Getting Around West Salem
West Salem is connected to the rest of Salem by two main bridges. These are the Marion Street Bridge and the Center Street Bridge. Both bridges carry Oregon Route 22 over the Willamette River.
Another bridge, the Union Street Railroad Bridge, also crosses the Willamette River. However, this bridge is only for people walking or riding bikes, not for trains or cars. The two main state highways in West Salem are Oregon 22 and Oregon Route 221 (also known as Wallace Road).
What Makes West Salem Unique?
People who live in West Salem often call their area "West Salem." They do not just say "Salem." This shows how special the neighborhood is to them. West Salem has its own unique ZIP code. It also has its own high school and even its own weather reports.
West Salem is known for being a well-off area. The average price for a home here is about $538,000. The area also has modern buildings and roads. Homes, schools, and roads are often kept very clean and up-to-date.
See also
In Spanish: West Salem para niños
