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Polk County, Oregon

Coordinates: 44°55′N 123°25′W / 44.91°N 123.42°W / 44.91; -123.42
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Polk County, Oregon
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
Coordinates: 44°55′N 123°25′W / 44.91°N 123.42°W / 44.91; -123.42
Country United States
State Oregon
FoundedDecember 22, 1845
Named afterJames K. Polk
SeatDallas
Largest citySalem (portion)
Area
 • Total
744 sq mi (1,930 km2)
 • Land741 sq mi (1,920 km2)
 • Water3.1 sq mi (8.0 km2)  0.4%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
87,433
 • Estimate 
(2024)
90,549 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 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

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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

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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

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National protected areas

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Demographics

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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%
2024 (est.)90,549[4]3.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
1790–1960[6] 1900–1990[7]
1990–2000[8] 2010–2020[1]

2020 census

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Polk County, Oregon – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 1980[9] Pop 1990[10] Pop 2000[11] Pop 2010[12] Pop 2020[13] % 1980 % 1990 % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 42,439 45,145 53,394 60,702 64,719 93.89% 91.13% 85.59% 80.50% 74.02%
Black or African American alone (NH) 155 192 229 394 682 0.34% 0.39% 0.37% 0.52% 0.78%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 542 704 1,078 1,380 1,579 1.20% 1.42% 1.73% 1.83% 1.81%
Asian alone (NH) 243 653 671 1,403 1,702 0.54% 1.32% 1.08% 1.86% 1.95%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) x [14] x [15] 152 201 344 x x 0.24% 0.27% 0.39%
Other race alone (NH) 236 45 57 79 412 0.52% 0.09% 0.09% 0.10% 0.47%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) x [16] x [17] 1,319 2,156 5,265 x x 2.11% 2.86% 6.02%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1,588 2,802 5,480 9,088 12,730 3.51% 5.66% 8.78% 12.05% 14.56%
Total 45,203 49,541 62,380 75,403 87,433 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 87,433. Of the residents, 22.6% were under the age of 18 and 19.4% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 38.6 years. For every 100 females there were 94.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 91.6 males.[18] 79.6% of residents lived in urban areas and 20.4% lived in rural areas.[19]

The racial makeup of the county was 78.1% White, 0.8% Black or African American, 2.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.0% Asian, 0.4% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 5.8% from some other race, and 10.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 14.6% of the population.[20]

There were 32,135 households in the county, of which 31.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 24.4% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 22.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[18]

There were 33,828 housing units, of which 5.0% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 65.6% were owner-occupied and 34.4% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.7%.[18]

2010 census

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As of the 2010 census, 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.

2000 census

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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

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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.[21]

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.[22] 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.[23] 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.[24]

United States presidential election results for Polk County, Oregon[25]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1904 1,380 63.65% 521 24.03% 267 12.32%
1908 1,456 51.87% 1,113 39.65% 238 8.48%
1912 1,043 32.07% 1,201 36.93% 1,008 31.00%
1916 2,899 47.89% 2,844 46.98% 311 5.14%
1920 2,709 58.97% 1,653 35.98% 232 5.05%
1924 2,755 52.75% 1,621 31.04% 847 16.22%
1928 3,244 64.44% 1,724 34.25% 66 1.31%
1932 2,548 39.12% 3,705 56.88% 261 4.01%
1936 2,246 34.56% 3,694 56.85% 558 8.59%
1940 4,211 50.44% 4,077 48.84% 60 0.72%
1944 3,904 53.19% 3,318 45.20% 118 1.61%
1948 4,328 54.02% 3,451 43.07% 233 2.91%
1952 6,850 69.41% 2,983 30.23% 36 0.36%
1956 6,404 61.28% 4,047 38.72% 0 0.00%
1960 6,709 59.38% 4,578 40.52% 11 0.10%
1964 4,319 37.14% 7,292 62.71% 18 0.15%
1968 6,997 55.66% 4,961 39.46% 613 4.88%
1972 8,985 57.56% 5,908 37.85% 716 4.59%
1976 8,528 48.65% 8,141 46.44% 861 4.91%
1980 10,006 48.74% 7,833 38.15% 2,692 13.11%
1984 12,678 59.15% 8,709 40.64% 45 0.21%
1988 10,553 51.18% 9,626 46.68% 442 2.14%
1992 10,082 39.36% 9,551 37.29% 5,981 23.35%
1996 11,478 45.31% 10,942 43.20% 2,911 11.49%
2000 14,988 52.68% 11,921 41.90% 1,540 5.41%
2004 19,508 54.97% 15,484 43.63% 497 1.40%
2008 17,714 48.92% 17,536 48.43% 957 2.64%
2012 17,819 50.54% 16,292 46.21% 1,146 3.25%
2016 18,940 47.00% 16,420 40.75% 4,935 12.25%
2020 23,732 49.14% 22,917 47.46% 1,642 3.40%
2024 23,768 49.94% 22,034 46.30% 1,791 3.76%

Economy

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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

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Cities

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Census-designated places

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Unincorporated communities

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Education

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K-12 school districts include:[26]

All of Polk County is within the Chemeketa Community College district.[27]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "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. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
  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. ^ "1980 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Oregon - Table 58 - Persons by Race and Table 59 - Total Persons and Spanish Origin Persons by Type of Spanish Origin and Race (p. 39/24-39/32)" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  10. ^ "1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Oregon - Table 5 - Race and Hispanic Origin" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. p. 9-30.
  11. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Polk County, Oregon". United States Census Bureau.
  12. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Polk County, Oregon". United States Census Bureau.
  13. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Polk County, Oregon". United States Census Bureau.
  14. ^ included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
  15. ^ included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
  16. ^ not an option in the 1980 Census
  17. ^ not an option in the 1990 Census
  18. ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
  19. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
  20. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
  21. ^ "Voter Registration by County" (PDF). Oregon Secretary of State. February 2014. p. 1. Retrieved March 20, 2014.
  22. ^ "November 6, 2012, General Election Abstract of Votes: United States President" (PDF). Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved March 20, 2014.
  23. ^ "November 4, 2008, General Election Abstracts of Votes: United States President" (PDF). Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved March 20, 2014.
  24. ^ Menendez, Albert J.; The Geography of Presidential Elections in the United States, 1868–2004, pp. 284–285 ISBN 0786422173
  25. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  26. ^ Geography Division (December 18, 2020). 2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Polk County, OR (PDF) (Map). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2022. - Text list
  27. ^ "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

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  • Media related to Polk County, Oregon at Wikimedia Commons

44°55′N 123°25′W / 44.91°N 123.42°W / 44.91; -123.42

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