Willamina, Oregon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Willamina, Oregon
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Willamina City Hall
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| Nickname(s):
Timbertown, USA
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Location in Oregon
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| Counties | Yamhill, Polk |
| Incorporated | 1903 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.99 sq mi (2.55 km2) |
| • Land | 0.94 sq mi (2.45 km2) |
| • Water | 0.04 sq mi (0.11 km2) |
| Elevation | 233 ft (71 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 2,239 |
| • Density | 2,371.82/sq mi (915.59/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (Pacific) |
| ZIP code |
97396
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| Area code(s) | 503 |
| FIPS code | 41-82350 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2412264 |
| Website | www.willaminaoregon.gov |
Willamina is a small city located in the state of Oregon, USA. It is found in both Polk and Yamhill Counties. In 2020, about 2,239 people lived there.
The part of Willamina in Yamhill County is close to the bigger Portland area. The Polk County part is near the Salem area.
Contents
History of Willamina
Willamina got its name from Willamina Creek. The creek was named after an early settler named Willamina Williams. She was born in Ohio in 1817. In 1845, she moved to Oregon with her first husband, James Maley. They were looking for land to settle. They found a small river that flowed into the South Yamhill River and decided to name it after Mrs. Maley.
Later, in 1855, the first Willamina post office opened. It moved a couple of times before a new one was set up in 1878. Around that time, a gristmill (for grinding grain) and a sawmill (for cutting wood) also started operating. The town was officially planned in 1879. Willamina became an official city in 1903, with about 200 people living there.
Geography and Location
Willamina covers a total area of about 0.96 square miles (2.5 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.
The city is located near where several main roads meet: Oregon Route 18, Oregon Route 18 Business, and Oregon Route 22. It sits right next to the South Yamhill River. To the east of Willamina are the towns of Shipley and Sheridan. To the west, you'll find Valley Junction.
Population Facts
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 68 | — | |
| 1910 | 376 | — | |
| 1920 | 247 | −34.3% | |
| 1930 | 360 | 45.7% | |
| 1940 | 677 | 88.1% | |
| 1950 | 1,082 | 59.8% | |
| 1960 | 960 | −11.3% | |
| 1970 | 1,193 | 24.3% | |
| 1980 | 1,749 | 46.6% | |
| 1990 | 1,717 | −1.8% | |
| 2000 | 1,844 | 7.4% | |
| 2010 | 2,025 | 9.8% | |
| 2020 | 2,239 | 10.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Willamina's People in 2020
In 2020, there were 2,239 people living in Willamina. Most residents were White. There were also groups of Native Americans, people of two or more races, and people of Hispanic or Latino origin.
Many people in Willamina have family roots from different countries. The most common ancestries include German, Irish, and English.
The average age of people in Willamina was about 35.4 years old. About 14.6% of the population was over 65 years old. The average income for a household was around $49,773.
Willamina's Economy
Willamina saw a big economic boost in 1907. This happened when the Pacific Face Brick Company moved to town and opened the Willamina Clay Products plant. This factory made bricks. A special railroad, the Sheridan and Willamina Railroad, was built just for this brick plant. It operated for 82 years!
Bricks made in Willamina were used in many famous buildings. These include the Portland Art Museum, Jackson Tower, and Lloyd Center in Portland. They were also used in the Yamhill County Courthouse. The brick plant closed in 1974.
Another very important part of Willamina's economy is the timber industry. In 1939, the Pacific Plywood Corporation opened a plant. This caused the city's population to triple! Willamina became known as "The Little Town with the Big Payroll" because of all the jobs.
Today, some of the biggest employers in the area include Spirit Mountain Casino (in nearby Grand Ronde), Hampton Lumber Company, and the Willamina School District.
Education in Willamina
Children in Willamina attend schools that are part of the Willamina School District. This includes Willamina High School.
Local News
Willamina used to have its own weekly newspaper called The Sun, but it stopped printing in 2014. Now, the city gets its news from the News-Register. This newspaper covers the whole county and is based in McMinnville.
Transportation and Rail
The Sheridan and Willamina Railroad started in 1907. It later became part of the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1913. Another railroad company, the Willamina and Grand Ronde Railroad (W&GR), extended the line further south and west in 1922.
Over the years, the W&GR changed owners several times. In 1980, the Willamette Valley Railway bought it. Today, the railroad lines around Willamina are owned by the Portland and Western Railroad. However, some parts of the old line are no longer used.
See also
In Spanish: Willamina para niños
