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Polk County, Oregon
Polk County Courthouse in Dallas
Map of Oregon highlighting Polk County
Location in the state of Oregon
Map of the U.S
Oregon's location in the U.S.
Founded December 22, 1845
Named for James K. Polk
Seat Dallas
Largest city Salem (portion)
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water

744 sq mi (1,927 km²)
741 sq mi (1,919 km²)
3.1 sq mi (8 km²), 0.4%
Population
 - (2020)
 - Density

87,433
118/sq mi (46/km²)
Congressional district 5th
Time zone Pacific: UTC-8/-7
Website www.co.polk.or.us

Polk County is one of the 36 counties in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2020 census, the population was 87,433.[1] The county seat is Dallas.[2] The county is named for James Knox Polk, the 11th president of the United States.

Polk 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.

History[]

Lone tree near Perrydale Oregon

Agricultural field and tree near Perrydale

The Oregon Provisional Legislature created Polk County from Yamhill District on December 22, 1845, granting to it the entire southwestern portion of present-day Oregon to the California border. County boundaries were periodically changed to reflect the creation of Benton and Lincoln counties. Many other counties were subsequently carved out of these as settlement spread towards the south, leaving Polk County many counties away from its former border with California.

The first county seat was a settlement on the north side of Rickreall Creek named Cynthian (also known as Cynthia Ann). In 1852 city officials renamed Cynthian to Dallas after Vice President George M. Dallas, vice president (1845–1849) to James Polk. During the 1880s and 1890s, there were a series of unsuccessful efforts to move the county seat to nearby Independence.

Geography[]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 744 square miles (1,930 km2), of which 741 square miles (1,920 km2) is land and 3.1 square miles (8.0 km2) (0.4%) is water.[3]

About two thirds of Polk County, the western part, is forest, mostly of the coniferous and mixed varieties, bordering on temperate rain forest around Laurel Mountain, the wettest place in Oregon.[4]

The eastern half of the county lies in the Willamette Valley. The Willamette River forms the eastern border of the county, separating it from neighboring Marion County.

Adjacent counties[]

National protected areas[]

  • Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge
  • Siuslaw National Forest (part)

Demographics[]

Historical populations
Census Pop.
1860 3,625
1870 4,701 29.7%
1880 6,601 40.4%
1890 7,858 19.0%
1900 9,923 26.3%
1910 13,469 35.7%
1920 14,181 5.3%
1930 16,858 18.9%
1940 19,989 18.6%
1950 26,317 31.7%
1960 26,523 0.8%
1970 35,349 33.3%
1980 45,203 27.9%
1990 49,541 9.6%
2000 62,380 25.9%
2010 75,403 20.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
1790–1960[6] 1900–1990[7]
1990–2000[8] 2010–2020[1]

2000 census[]

As of the census[9][10] of 2010, there were 75,403 people, 28,288 households, and 19,545 families living in the county. The population density was 102 people per square mile (39/km2). There were 30,302 housing units at an average density of 41 per square mile (16/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 85.9% White, 0.6% Black or African American, 2.1% Native American, 1.9% Asian, 0.3% Pacific Islander, 5.4% from other races, and 3.8% from two or more races. 12.1% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 28,288 households in 2010, out of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.2% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.9% were non-families. 23% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.3% under the age of 18 and 14.8% 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.8 males.

As of the 2000 census, the median income for a household in the county was $42,311, and the median income for a family was $50,483. Males had a median income of $36,667 versus $26,272 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,282. About 6.30% of families and 11.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.50% of those under age 18 and 5.50% of those age 65 or over.

2020 census[]

As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 87,433 people, 30,305 households,.[11] The population density was 101.8 inhabitants per square mile (39.3 /km2). There were 30,302 housing units at an average density of 40.9 per square mile (15.8 /km2).[12] The racial makeup of the county was 85.9% white, 2.1% American Indian, 1.9% Asian, 0.6% black or African American, 0.3% Pacific islander, 5.4% from other races, and 3.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 12.1% of the population.[11] In terms of ancestry, 22.4% were German, 16.4% were English, 10.4% were Irish, and 6.4% were American.[13]

Of the 28,288 households, 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.2% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.9% were non-families, and 23.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.06. The median age was 37.1 years.[11]

The median income for a household in the county was $50,975 and the median income for a family was $61,418. Males had a median income of $46,616 versus $35,371 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,345. About 8.8% of families and 12.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.2% of those under age 18 and 6.8% of those age 65 or over.[14]

Politics[]

Though Polk County is located in western Oregon, politically it falls in line with the eastern side of the state. The majority of registered voters who are part of a political party in Polk County, as well as most rural counties in Oregon, are members of the Republican Party.[15]

In the 2012 presidential election, 50.54 percent of Polk County voters voted for Republican Mitt Romney, while 46.21 percent voted for Democrat Barack Obama, and 3.25 percent either voted for a Third Party candidate or wrote in a candidate.[16] These numbers show a shift toward the Republican candidate when compared to the 2008 presidential election, in which 48.92% of Polk County voters voted for Republican John McCain, while 48.43 percent voted for Barack Obama, and 2.64 percent either voted for a Third Party candidate or wrote in a candidate.[17] Obama's 2008 performance was the best by a Democrat since Lyndon Johnson carried the county in 1964; the only other Democrats to ever carry Polk County have been Franklin Roosevelt in 1932 and 1936, Woodrow Wilson in 1912, and William Jennings Bryan in 1896.[18]

United States presidential election results for Polk County, Oregon[19]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 23,732 49.14% 22,917 47.46% 1,642 3.40%
2016 18,940 47.00% 16,420 40.75% 4,935 12.25%
2012 17,819 50.54% 16,292 46.21% 1,146 3.25%
2008 17,714 48.92% 17,536 48.43% 957 2.64%
2004 19,508 54.97% 15,484 43.63% 497 1.40%
2000 14,988 52.68% 11,921 41.90% 1,540 5.41%
1996 11,748 45.89% 10,942 42.74% 2,911 11.37%
1992 10,082 39.36% 9,551 37.29% 5,981 23.35%
1988 10,553 51.18% 9,626 46.68% 442 2.14%
1984 12,678 59.15% 8,709 40.64% 45 0.21%
1980 10,006 48.74% 7,833 38.15% 2,692 13.11%
1976 8,528 48.65% 8,141 46.44% 861 4.91%
1972 8,985 57.56% 5,908 37.85% 716 4.59%
1968 6,997 55.66% 4,961 39.46% 613 4.88%
1964 4,319 37.14% 7,292 62.71% 18 0.15%
1960 6,709 59.38% 4,578 40.52% 11 0.10%
1956 6,404 61.28% 4,047 38.72% 0 0.00%
1952 6,850 69.41% 2,983 30.23% 36 0.36%
1948 4,328 54.02% 3,451 43.07% 233 2.91%
1944 3,904 53.19% 3,318 45.20% 118 1.61%
1940 4,211 50.44% 4,077 48.84% 60 0.72%
1936 2,246 34.56% 3,694 56.85% 558 8.59%
1932 2,548 39.12% 3,705 56.88% 261 4.01%
1928 3,244 64.44% 1,724 34.25% 66 1.31%
1924 2,755 52.75% 1,621 31.04% 847 16.22%
1920 2,709 58.97% 1,653 35.98% 232 5.05%
1916 2,899 47.89% 2,844 46.98% 311 5.14%
1912 1,043 32.07% 1,201 36.93% 1,008 31.00%
1908 1,456 51.87% 1,113 39.65% 238 8.48%
1904 1,380 63.65% 521 24.03% 267 12.32%
1900 1,163 50.59% 991 43.11% 145 6.31%
1896 1,253 47.34% 1,334 50.40% 60 2.27%
1892 943 42.81% 432 19.61% 828 37.59%
1888 785 49.53% 729 45.99% 71 4.48%
1884 759 48.28% 748 47.58% 65 4.13%
1880 771 51.71% 712 47.75% 8 0.54%



Economy[]

The major industries of the county are agriculture, forest products, manufacturing, and education. Polk County has the second-largest area devoted to viticulture in Oregon, at 1,322 acres (5.350 km2). Western Oregon University in Monmouth is a major employer.

Communities[]

Cities[]

  • Dallas (county seat)
  • Falls City
  • Independence
  • Monmouth
  • Salem (part)
  • Willamina (part)

Census-designated places[]

  • Eola
  • Fort Hill
  • Grand Ronde
  • Rickreall

Unincorporated communities[]

  • Airlie
  • Ballston
  • Bethel
  • Black Rock
  • Bridgeport
  • Brunks Corner
  • Buena Vista
  • Crowley
  • Ellendale
  • Lewisville
  • McCoy
  • Modeville
  • Pedee
  • Perrydale
  • Salt Creek
  • Suver
  • Valley Junction
  • Valsetz
  • Zena

See also[]

  • National Register of Historic Places listings in Polk County, Oregon

References[]

  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/41/41053.html. 
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx. 
  3. ^ "QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_41.txt. 
  4. ^ "Geography & Climate". U.S Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/polkcountyoregon/PST045219. 
  5. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html. 
  6. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu. 
  7. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/or190090.txt. 
  8. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf. 
  9. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov. 
  10. ^ "Polk County, Oregon". State & County QuickFacts. United States Census Bureau. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/41/41053.html. 
  11. ^ a b c "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2020 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US41053. 
  12. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US41053. 
  13. ^ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US41053. 
  14. ^ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US41053. 
  15. ^ "Voter Registration by County" (PDF). Oregon Secretary of State. February 2014. p. 1. http://records.sos.state.or.us/ORSOSWebDrawer/Recordpdf/6812454. 
  16. ^ "November 6, 2012, General Election Abstract of Votes: United States President" (PDF). Oregon Secretary of State. http://records.sos.state.or.us/ORSOSWebDrawer/RecordView/6873690. 
  17. ^ "November 4, 2008, General Election Abstracts of Votes: United States President" (PDF). Oregon Secretary of State. http://records.sos.state.or.us/ORSOSWebDrawer/Recordpdf/6873598. 
  18. ^ Menendez, Albert J.; The Geography of Presidential Elections in the United States, 1868–2004, pp. 284–285 ISBN 0786422173
  19. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS. 

Further reading[]

External links[]

Template:Polk County, Oregon

Coordinates: 44°55′N 123°25′W / 44.91, -123.42

This page uses content from the English language Wikipedia. The original content was at Polk County, Oregon. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with this Familypedia wiki, the content of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons License.
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