Lane County, Oregon

Lane County is one of the 36 counties in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2020 census, the population was 382,971,[3] making it the fourth-most populous county in Oregon. The county seat is Eugene, the state's second most populous city.[4] It is named in honor of Joseph Lane, Oregon's first territorial governor.

"Eugene-Springfield" redirects here. For the individual cities, see Eugene, Oregon and Springfield, Oregon.

Lane County
County
Lane County Courthouse in Eugene, built in 1898 and demolished in 1959
Lane County Courthouse in Eugene, built in 1898 and demolished in 1959[2]
Map of Oregon highlighting Lane County
Location within the U.S. state of Oregon
Map of the United States highlighting Oregon
Oregon's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 43°57′N 122°53′W
Country United States
State Oregon
FoundedJanuary 29, 1851
Named forJoseph Lane
SeatEugene
Largest cityEugene
Area
 • Total4,722 sq mi (12,230 km2)
 • Land4,553 sq mi (11,790 km2)
 • Water169 sq mi (440 km2)  3.6%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total382,971
 • Estimate 
(2022)
382,353 Decrease
 • Density77/sq mi (30/km2)
Time zoneUTC−8 (Pacific)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−7 (PDT)
Congressional district4th
Websitewww.lanecounty.org

Lane County comprises the Eugene, OR Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is the third-largest MSA in Oregon, and the 144th-largest in the country.[5][6]

History

Lane County was established on January 29, 1851. It was created from the southern part of Linn County and the portion of Benton County east of Umpqua County. It was named after the territory's first governor, Joseph Lane.[7] Originally it covered all of southern Oregon east to the Cascade Mountains and south to the California border. When the Territorial Legislature created Lane County, it did not designate a county seat. In the 1853 election, four sites competed for the designation, of which the "Mulligan donation" received a majority vote; however, since it was contiguous to the "Skinner claim" both became part of the new county seat known as Eugene.

In 1846, Elijah Bristow and his wife, the former Susannah Gabbart, had become the first white settlers to build a claim cabin within the present-day boundaries of Lane County, near Pleasant Hill. They had crossed the plains to California in the previous year, and came north with Eugene F. Skinner, Captain Felix Scott, and William Dodson.[8] As their party entered the valley between the Coast Fork and Middle Fork of the Willamette River, Bristow gazed around and exclaimed, "What a pleasant hill! Here is my home!"[9]

In 1852, John Diamond and William Macy led an exploration party to survey a shortcut for the Oregon Trail across the Cascade Range. The shortcut over the Willamette Pass became known as the Free Emigrant Road. Around 250 wagons with 1,027 people left the usual Oregon Trail route at Vale, Oregon, and followed Elijah Elliott through the central Oregon high desert. This became known as the Elliott Cutoff. When they reached what is now Bend, they sent scouts to the south to look for the road. Once settlers in the Willamette Valley discovered the emigrants were coming, a huge rescue effort was launched as the emigrants were out of supplies and in dire condition. The emigrants of this wagon train doubled the population of Lane County in 1853.[10]

The county has been vastly reduced from its original size by several boundary changes. One of the first changes gave it access to the Pacific Ocean, when it acquired the northern part of Umpqua County in 1853. With the creation of Wasco County in 1854, it lost all of its territory east of the Cascade Mountains. Minor boundary changes occurred with Douglas County in 1852, 1885, 1903, 1915, and 1917; with Linn County in 1907 and with Benton County in 1923.

Geography
Map of Lane County
Map of Lane County
Heceta Head on the coastline of Lane County
Aerial view of the Eugene-Springfield metropolitan area

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 4,722 square miles (12,230 km2), of which 4,553 square miles (11,790 km2) is land and 169 square miles (440 km2) (3.6%) is water.[11] Lane County is one of two Oregon counties that extend from the Pacific Ocean to the Cascades (the other is Douglas County.)[12] A portion of the Umpqua National Forest is in Lane County. Portions of the Willamette, McKenzie, and Siuslaw rivers run through the county.

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18604,780—
18706,42634.4%
18809,41146.5%
189015,19861.5%
190019,60429.0%
191033,78372.3%
192036,1667.1%
193054,49350.7%
194069,09626.8%
1950125,77682.0%
1960162,89029.5%
1970213,35831.0%
1980275,22629.0%
1990282,9122.8%
2000322,95914.2%
2010351,7158.9%
2020382,9718.9%
2022 (est.)382,353[13]−0.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[14]
1790–1960[15] 1900–1990[16]
1990–2000[17] 2010–2020[3]

2000 census

As of the census[18] of 2000, there were 322,959 people, 130,453 households, and 82,185 families living in the county. The population density was 71 people per square mile (27 people/km2). There were 138,946 housing units at an average density of 30 units per square mile (12/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 90.64% White, 0.78% Black or African American, 1.13% Native American, 2.00% Asian, 0.19% Pacific Islander, 1.95% from other races, and 3.32% from two or more races. 4.61% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 130,453 households, out of which 28.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.90% were married couples living together, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.00% were non-families. 26.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.90% under the age of 18, 12.00% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 24.40% from 45 to 64, and 13.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 96.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,942, and the median income for a family was $45,111. Males had a median income of $34,358 versus $25,103 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,681. About 9.00% of families and 14.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.10% of those under age 18 and 7.50% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 351,715 people, 145,966 households, and 86,938 families living in the county.[19] The population density was 77.2 inhabitants per square mile (29.8/km2). There were 156,112 housing units at an average density of 34.3 units per square mile (13.2 units/km2).[20] The racial makeup of the county was 88.3% white, 2.4% Asian, 1.2% American Indian, 1.0% black or African American, 0.2% Pacific islander, 2.8% from other races, and 4.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 7.4% of the population.[19] In terms of ancestry, 21.8% were German, 14.9% were English, 13.8% were Irish, and 5.3% were American.[21]

Of the 145,966 households, 26.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.3% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 40.4% were non-families, and 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.87. The median age was 39.0 years.[19]

Graph of the change in county population from 1860 to 2010

The median income for a household in the county was $42,923 and the median income for a family was $55,817. Males had a median income of $43,383 versus $32,745 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,869. About 10.0% of families and 16.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.1% of those under age 18 and 8.7% of those age 65 or over.[22]

Lane County is the fourth-most populous county in Oregon. It grew more slowly from 2000 to 2010 than did the three larger counties, Multnomah (the most populous Oregon county), Washington and Clackamas.[23]

2020 Census

The racial and ethnic make up of the county was 77.9% non-Hispanic White, 1.1% African American, 0.9% Native American, 2.5% Asian, 6.9% mixed race of two or more, and 9.9% Hispanic.

Government

Lane County is governed by a County commission. Commissioners are elected officials and serve four-year terms. The current commissioners are:

  • Joe Berney, Springfield
  • Jay Bozievich, West Lane
  • Heather Buch, East Lane
  • Laurie Trieger, South Eugene
  • Pat Farr, North Eugene

In presidential elections, while Lane County has mostly leaned towards Republican candidates in the past, it has become solidly Democratic since 1984. It is one of many counties dominated by college towns that swung heavily Democratic in this period.

Lane County is currently one of 11 counties in Oregon in which therapeutic psilocybin is legal.

United States presidential election results for Lane County, Oregon[24][25]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 80,336 36.15% 134,366 60.46% 7,551 3.40%
2016 67,141 34.98% 102,753 53.53% 22,056 11.49%
2012 62,509 36.37% 102,652 59.73% 6,689 3.89%
2008 63,835 34.90% 114,037 62.35% 5,038 2.75%
2004 75,007 40.35% 107,769 57.98% 3,096 1.67%
2000 61,578 40.46% 78,583 51.64% 12,027 7.90%
1996 48,253 34.52% 69,461 49.69% 22,073 15.79%
1992 41,789 27.52% 74,083 48.78% 35,990 23.70%
1988 47,563 39.73% 69,883 58.38% 2,256 1.88%
1984 61,493 48.86% 63,999 50.85% 360 0.29%
1980 54,750 43.59% 52,240 41.59% 18,614 14.82%
1976 46,245 42.67% 56,479 52.12% 5,643 5.21%
1972 47,739 48.62% 46,177 47.03% 4,271 4.35%
1968 39,563 49.12% 34,521 42.86% 6,465 8.03%
1964 24,139 32.53% 49,785 67.10% 276 0.37%
1960 36,148 52.49% 32,596 47.34% 118 0.17%
1956 35,264 56.15% 27,534 43.85% 0 0.00%
1952 35,693 63.83% 19,960 35.69% 266 0.48%
1948 20,843 55.27% 15,606 41.39% 1,260 3.34%
1944 17,690 54.60% 14,375 44.37% 332 1.02%
1940 15,349 48.13% 16,286 51.07% 255 0.80%
1936 8,309 34.31% 13,926 57.51% 1,980 8.18%
1932 10,547 43.70% 11,073 45.88% 2,517 10.43%
1928 13,647 74.96% 4,213 23.14% 345 1.90%
1924 8,551 59.90% 3,255 22.80% 2,469 17.30%
1920 7,714 61.97% 3,986 32.02% 747 6.00%
1916 7,253 51.70% 5,880 41.92% 895 6.38%
1912 1,986 26.43% 2,596 34.55% 2,931 39.01%
1908 3,313 54.91% 2,174 36.04% 546 9.05%
1904 3,501 65.88% 1,166 21.94% 647 12.18%
1900 2,521 53.13% 2,037 42.93% 187 3.94%
1896 2,215 44.94% 2,594 52.63% 120 2.43%
1892 1,902 45.71% 828 19.90% 1,431 34.39%
1888 1,593 51.60% 1,368 44.31% 126 4.08%
1884 1,251 48.92% 1,232 48.18% 74 2.89%
1880 1,012 47.05% 1,092 50.77% 47 2.19%

Economy

Growth in the next decades is predicted to shift away from timber and agriculture to services, manufacturing of transportation equipment, printing and publishing, and high technology. As of July 2008, PeaceHealth Medical Group is the largest private employer in Lane County.[26]

Communities
Downtown Eugene
Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park and part of Cleawox Lake, Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, south of Florence

Incorporated cities

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

Former communities

See also

References
  1. "About Us". Lane County Historical Society. Archived from the original on February 21, 2013. Retrieved October 30, 2012. Lane County Courthouse, NE corner of 8th Avenue and Oak Street, Eugene; Lane County Jail on left. Lane County Courthouse was built in 1898 and torn down in 1959. — Catalog Number: CS284
  2. "About Us". Lane County Historical Society. Archived from the original on February 21, 2013. Retrieved October 30, 2012. Lane County Courthouse, NE corner of 8th Avenue and Oak Street, Eugene; Lane County Jail on left. Lane County Courthouse was built in 1898 and torn down in 1959. — Catalog Number: CS284
  3. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  4. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  5. "Archived copy". www.census.gov. Archived from the original on July 31, 2009. Retrieved January 13, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. "OMB Bulletin No. 10-02: Update of Statistical Area Definitions and Guidance on Their Uses" (PDF). United States Office of Management and Budget. December 1, 2009. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
  7. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Government Printing Office. p. 180.
  8. Walling, Albert G. (1884). Illustrated History of Lane County Oregon. Lane County, Oregon: Printing house of A. G. Walling. p. 476. ASIN B009QBROJE.
  9. Friedman, Ralph (1990). In Search of Western Oregon. Caldwell, Idaho: Caxton Press. p. 707. ISBN 0-87004-332-3. Elijah Bristow.
  10. Sullivan, William L. (2002). Thurman, Paula (ed.). Exploring Oregon's Wild Areas (3rd ed.). The Mountaineers Books.
  11. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  12. "About Lane County". Official Lane County web site. Archived from the original on October 16, 2008.
  13. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022". Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  14. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  15. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  16. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  17. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 26, 2015. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  18. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  19. "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  20. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  21. "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  22. "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  23. Buri McDonald, Sherri (February 24, 2011). "Low-growth pains". The Register-Guard. Archived from the original on February 1, 2013. Retrieved June 2, 2011.
  24. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  25. The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 1,815 votes, while Socialist Eugene Debs received 773 votes, Prohibition candidate Eugene Chafin received 343 votes.
  26. "Are Lane County's Top 10 employer's hiring?". www.kval.com. January 8, 2009.

Further reading
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43.95°N 122.88°W / 43.95; -122.88

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