Polk County, Oregon

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
County
Polk County Courthouse in Dallas
Polk County Courthouse in Dallas
Map of Oregon highlighting Polk County
Location within the U.S. state of Oregon
Map of the United States highlighting Oregon
Oregon's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 44°55′N 123°25′W
Country United States
State Oregon
FoundedDecember 22, 1845
Named forJames K. Polk
SeatDallas
Largest citySalem (portion)
Area
 • Total744 sq mi (1,930 km2)
 • Land741 sq mi (1,920 km2)
 • Water3.1 sq mi (8 km2)  0.4%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total87,433
 • Estimate 
(2022)
89,614 Increase
 • Density118/sq mi (46/km2)
Time zoneUTC−8 (Pacific)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−7 (PDT)
Congressional district6th
Websitewww.co.polk.or.us
Map of Polk County
Map of Polk County

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
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 United States 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.

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

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18603,625—
18704,70129.7%
18806,60140.4%
18907,85819.0%
19009,92326.3%
191013,46935.7%
192014,1815.3%
193016,85818.9%
194019,98918.6%
195026,31731.7%
196026,5230.8%
197035,34933.3%
198045,20327.9%
199049,5419.6%
200062,38025.9%
201075,40320.9%
202087,43316.0%
2022 (est.)89,614[4]2.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
1790–1960[6] 1900–1990[7]
1990–2000[8] 2010–2020[1]

2020 census

As of the census of 2020, there were 87,433 people, 30,305 households,.[9] 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 units per square mile (15.8 units/km2).[10] 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.[9] In terms of ancestry, 22.4% were German, 16.4% were English, 10.4% were Irish, and 6.4% were American.[11]

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.[9]

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.[12]

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 75,403 people, 28,288 households, and 19,545 families living in the county. The population density was 102 inhabitants per square mile (39/km2). There were 30,302 housing units at an average density of 41 units per square mile (16 units/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.

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.[13]

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.[14] 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.[15] 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. However, Polk's Republican lean has been thinning in recent years. Republicans managed to win 50% or more of the county's vote only three times since 1992.[16]

Presidential Elections
United States presidential election results for Polk County, Oregon[17]
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 11,478 45.31% 10,942 43.20% 2,911 11.49%
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%

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 (5.35 km2). Western Oregon University in Monmouth is a major employer.

Communities

Cities

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Education

K-12 school districts include:[18]

All of Polk County is within the Chemeketa Community College district.[19]

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. "QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  4. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022". Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  5. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  6. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  7. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  8. "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 28, 2015.
  9. "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2020 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  10. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  11. "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.
  12. "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.
  13. "Voter Registration by County" (PDF). Oregon Secretary of State. February 2014. p. 1. Retrieved March 20, 2014.
  14. "November 6, 2012, General Election Abstract of Votes: United States President" (PDF). Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved March 20, 2014.
  15. "November 4, 2008, General Election Abstracts of Votes: United States President" (PDF). Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved March 20, 2014.
  16. Menendez, Albert J.; The Geography of Presidential Elections in the United States, 1868–2004, pp. 284–285 ISBN 0786422173
  17. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  18. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Polk County, OR" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  19. "Oregon Community Colleges and Community College Districts" (PDF). Oregon Department of Community Colleges & Workforce Development. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved July 17, 2022.

Further reading

44.91°N 123.42°W / 44.91; -123.42

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