Marion County
Profiles on individual cities are located at bottom of this page.
Located 60 miles south of the Portland metropolitan area, Marion County stretches from the Willamette River to the Cascade Mountains encompassing nearly 1,200 square miles. Most of its population of 315,900 can reach the Pacific beaches in under two hours. The county was created by the territorial legislature in 1843, and named for Francis Marion, a general in the Revolutionary War.
Marion County has 20 cities, including the State Capital, Salem. It is the largest producer of agriculture among Oregon’s 36 counties. Marion County’s economy is also based on government, with 38 of the largest state agencies based here, and on education as the site of Willamette University, Chemeketa Community College, and Corban College.
About
Population (2009): 318,170
Established: July 5, 1843
Elev. at Salem: 154′
Area: 1,194 sq. mi.
Average Temp.: January 39.3° July 66.3°
Assessed Value: $19,627,632,200
Real Market Value: $34,978,576,014
Annual Precipitation: 40.35″
Economy: Government, agriculture, food processing, forest products, manufacturing, education and tourism
Points of Interest
State Capitol, Champoeg State Park, Silver Falls State Park, The Oregon Garden, Wheatland Ferry, Buena Vista Ferry, Detroit Dam and Santiam River, Breitenbush Hot Springs, Mt. Angel Abbey, food processing plants, Willamette University, Chemeketa Community College, Mission Mill Museum Village, Bush House, Deepwood House and the Gilbert House Children’s Museum
History and General Information
Marion County, then called Champooick, was created by the Provisional Government in 1843, 16 years before Oregon gained statehood. In 1849, the name was changed to Marion in honor of General Francis Marion.
The county, located in the heart of the Willamette Valley, has the Willamette River as its western boundary and the Cascade Range on the east. Salem, the county seat, is one of the valley’s oldest cities. Among its public buildings are the State Capitol, Capitol Mall buildings and Salem Civic Center. The county was presided over by the Marion County Court until January 1, 1963, when the court was abolished and replaced by a Board of Commissioners.
Marion and Polk County
Comprehensive Statistics from Oregon State University … .xls file
Aumsville
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Aurora
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Detroit
Community Profile … read more >>
Comprehensive statistics from Oregon State University … .xls file
Donald
Community Profile … read more >>
Keizer
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Mt. Angel
Community Profile … read more >>
Comprehensive statistics from Oregon State University … .xls file
Salem
Community Profile … read more >>
Silverton
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Comprehensive statistics from Oregon State University … .xls file
St. Paul
Community Profile … read more >>
Stayton
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Comprehensive statistics from Oregon State University … .xls file
Sublimity
Community Profile … read more >>
Comprehensive statistics from Oregon State University … .xls file
Woodburn
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Comprehensive statistics from Oregon State University … .xls file
