Brooks, Oregon
Encyclopedia
Brooks is an unincorporated
community in Marion County
, Oregon
, United States
. For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau
has defined Brooks as a census-designated place
(CDP). The census definition of the area may not precisely correspond to local understanding of the area with the same name. As of the 2010 census the population was 398.. Brooks is part of the Salem
Metropolitan Statistical Area.
It is located about nine miles north of Salem near Oregon Route 99E on French Prairie
.
. The station was named for early settler Linus Brooks, who came to Oregon from Illinois in 1850. He was born in Ohio in 1805. Brooks post office was established in 1871, about the time the railroad reached the community. Brooks was plat
ted with 30 blocks in 1878 and had 135 residents at that time. The community did not grow appreciably and it never incorporated
.
, the CDP has a total area of 0.5 square miles (1.3 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 410 people, 152 households, and 112 families residing in the CDP. The population density
was 807.0 people per square mile (310.4/km²). There were 158 housing units at an average density of 311.0 per square mile (119.6/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 82.68% White, 0.24% African American, 1.22% Native American, 0.24% Pacific Islander, 15.12% from other races
, and 0.49% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 22.20% of the population.
There were 152 households out of which 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.9% were married couples
living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.7% were non-families. 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.19.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 26.1% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 104.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.5 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $25,938, and the median income for a family was $26,318. Males had a median income of $27,375 versus $18,750 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $12,008. About 12.1% of families and 10.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.4% of those under age 18 and 18.9% of those age 65 or over.
runs a waste-to-energy
garbage burning facility in Brooks that handles municipal solid waste
from around the county.
. The Brooks Historical Society is located in the former Brooks Southern Pacific railroad depot on the Antique Powerland property.
-4
Brooks Elementary School. Students from Brooks attend middle and high school in Gervais
. Brooks also is the home of the private Willamette Valley Christian School
. The Chemeketa Community College
Brooks campus specializes in training of public safety students and professionals.
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
community in Marion County
Marion County, Oregon
Marion County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. It was originally named the Champooick District, after Champoeg, a meeting place on the Willamette River. On September 3, 1849, the territorial legislature renamed it in honor of Francis Marion, a Continental Army general of the...
, Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
has defined Brooks as a census-designated place
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
(CDP). The census definition of the area may not precisely correspond to local understanding of the area with the same name. As of the 2010 census the population was 398.. Brooks is part of the Salem
Salem, Oregon
Salem is the capital of the U.S. state of Oregon, and the county seat of Marion County. It is located in the center of the Willamette Valley alongside the Willamette River, which runs north through the city. The river forms the boundary between Marion and Polk counties, and the city neighborhood...
Metropolitan Statistical Area.
It is located about nine miles north of Salem near Oregon Route 99E on French Prairie
French Prairie
French Prairie is a prairie located in Marion County, Oregon, United States, in the Willamette Valley between the Willamette River and the Pudding River, north of Salem...
.
History
Brooks was a station on the Southern Pacific Railroad main line (now the Union Pacific) through the Willamette ValleyWillamette Valley
The Willamette Valley is the most populated region in the state of Oregon of the United States. Located in the state's northwest, the region is surrounded by tall mountain ranges to the east, west and south and the valley's floor is broad, flat and fertile because of Ice Age conditions...
. The station was named for early settler Linus Brooks, who came to Oregon from Illinois in 1850. He was born in Ohio in 1805. Brooks post office was established in 1871, about the time the railroad reached the community. Brooks was plat
Plat
A plat in the U.S. is a map, drawn to scale, showing the divisions of a piece of land. Other English-speaking countries generally call such documents a cadastral map or plan....
ted with 30 blocks in 1878 and had 135 residents at that time. The community did not grow appreciably and it never incorporated
Municipal corporation
A municipal corporation is the legal term for a local governing body, including cities, counties, towns, townships, charter townships, villages, and boroughs. Municipal incorporation occurs when such municipalities become self-governing entities under the laws of the state or province in which...
.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the CDP has a total area of 0.5 square miles (1.3 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 410 people, 152 households, and 112 families residing in the CDP. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 807.0 people per square mile (310.4/km²). There were 158 housing units at an average density of 311.0 per square mile (119.6/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 82.68% White, 0.24% African American, 1.22% Native American, 0.24% Pacific Islander, 15.12% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.49% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 22.20% of the population.
There were 152 households out of which 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.9% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.7% were non-families. 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.19.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 26.1% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 104.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.5 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $25,938, and the median income for a family was $26,318. Males had a median income of $27,375 versus $18,750 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the CDP was $12,008. About 12.1% of families and 10.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.4% of those under age 18 and 18.9% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
For planning purposes, Brooks and the community of Hopmere together form an Urban Unincorporated Community, as designated by Marion County. The area's economy has been traditionally based on agriculture. NORPAC, a fruit and vegetable processor, is the largest industrial property in Brooks. Covanta EnergyCovanta Energy Corporation
Covanta Energy Corporation owns and operates worldwide over forty new generation incinerators, often referred to in industry publications as waste-to-energy power generation plants. The company has been cited for numerous environmental infractions and labor violations during its history...
runs a waste-to-energy
Waste-to-energy
Waste-to-energy or energy-from-waste is the process of creating energy in the form of electricity or heat from the incineration of waste source. WtE is a form of energy recovery...
garbage burning facility in Brooks that handles municipal solid waste
Municipal solid waste
Municipal solid waste , commonly known as trash or garbage , refuse or rubbish is a waste type consisting of everyday items we consume and discard. It predominantly includes food wastes, yard wastes, containers and product packaging, and other miscellaneous inorganic wastes from residential,...
from around the county.
Museums and other points of interest
Brooks is the home of the transportation museum Antique PowerlandAntique Powerland
Antique Powerland is a collection of museums and a self-described heritage site for power equipment, such as farm machinery, trucks , trains, construction equipment, and the engines which power them. It is located in Brooks, Oregon, United States, and is operated by the non-profit Antique...
. The Brooks Historical Society is located in the former Brooks Southern Pacific railroad depot on the Antique Powerland property.
Education
Brooks is served by the Gervais School District, which includes the grade 2Second grade
In the United States, second grade is a year of primary education. Second grade is the second school year after kindergarten. Students are traditionally 7–8 years old, depending on when their birthday occurs....
-4
Fourth grade
Fourth grade is a year of education in the United States and many other nations. The fourth grade is the fourth school year after kindergarten. Students are usually 9 or 10 years old, depending on their birthday. It is a part of elementary school. In some parts of the United States, fourth grade...
Brooks Elementary School. Students from Brooks attend middle and high school in Gervais
Gervais, Oregon
Gervais is a city in Marion County, Oregon, United States. The population was 2,009 at the 2000 census. The 2007 estimate is 2,250 residents. It is part of the Salem Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
. Brooks also is the home of the private Willamette Valley Christian School
Willamette Valley Christian School
Willamette Valley Christian High School is a private Christian school in Brooks, Oregon, United States.The school has been accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International since 1984, and by the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools since 1999....
. The Chemeketa Community College
Chemeketa Community College
Chemeketa Community College is a community college located in Salem, Oregon, with smaller campuses in McMinnville, Dallas, Brooks, and Woodburn, and the Northwest Viticulture Center in Eola...
Brooks campus specializes in training of public safety students and professionals.
External links
- Historic images of Brooks from Salem Public Library
- Brooks Historical Society
- Images of Brooks from Flickr