Linn County, Oregon
Encyclopedia
Linn County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Oregon
. It is named
in honor of Lewis F. Linn
, a U.S. Senator from Missouri
who advocated the American occupation of the Oregon Country
. By the 2010 US census the population of Linn county was 116,672 showing a 13.2% growth since the 2000 census. Albany
has been the county seat
since 1851.
mine in the United States, and the production of manufactured and motor homes.
, the county has a total area of 2310 square miles (5,982.9 km²), of which 2292 square miles (5,936.3 km²) is land and 18 square miles (46.6 km²) (0.78%) is water.
Oregon's center of population
for the 2000 census
is located in the county, southwest of Lyons
at 44.732273°N 122.579524°W.
of 2000, there were 103,069 people, 39,541 households, and 28,232 families residing in the county. The population density
was 45 people per square mile (17/km²). There were 42,521 housing units at an average density of 19 per square mile (7/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 93.20% White
, 0.32% Black
or African American
, 1.27% Native American
, 0.78% Asian
, 0.15% Pacific Islander
, 1.80% from other races
, and 2.49% from two or more races. 4.38% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 22.2% were of German, 13.0% American
, 11.2% English
and 8.6% Irish
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 39,541 households out of which 32.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.90% were married couples
living together, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.60% were non-families. 23.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the county, the population was spread out with 26.00% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 27.00% from 25 to 44, 24.10% from 45 to 64, and 14.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 97.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $37,518, and the median income for a family was $44,188. Males had a median income of $35,586 versus $24,073 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $17,633. About 8.90% of families and 11.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.80% of those under age 18 and 7.10% of those age 65 or over.
created Linn County from the southern portion of Champoeg (later Marion
) County. The boundaries were altered in 1851 and 1854 with the creation of Lane
and Wasco
Counties. The county seat was originally located in Calapooia (later known as Brownsville
), but in 1851 the Territorial Legislature passed an act establishing Albany
as the county seat. A special election in 1856 reaffirmed Albany as the county seat.
. The Rough-skinned Newt
is a common amphibian occurring in the oak woodlands of the county.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of 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...
. It is named
Oregon Geographic Names
Oregon Geographic Names is an authoritative compilation of the origin and meaning of place names in the U.S. state of Oregon. , the book is in its seventh edition and is compiled and edited by Lewis L. McArthur, who took over from his father, Lewis A. McArthur, as of the fourth edition...
in honor of Lewis F. Linn
Lewis F. Linn
Lewis Fields Linn was a Jacksonian Democratic U.S. Senator for the state of Missouri born in Kentucky. He served in that role from 1833 to 1843. Four states named counties in his honor: Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Oregon. West Linn, Oregon and Linnton, Oregon also get their name from the ex-senator...
, a U.S. Senator from Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
who advocated the American occupation of the Oregon Country
Oregon Country
The Oregon Country was a predominantly American term referring to a disputed ownership region of the Pacific Northwest of North America. The region was occupied by British and French Canadian fur traders from before 1810, and American settlers from the mid-1830s, with its coastal areas north from...
. By the 2010 US census the population of Linn county was 116,672 showing a 13.2% growth since the 2000 census. Albany
Albany, Oregon
Albany is the eleventh largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon, and is the county seat of Linn County. It is located in the Willamette Valley at the confluence of the Calapooia River and the Willamette River in both Linn and Benton counties, just east of Corvallis and south of Salem. It is...
has been the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
since 1851.
Economy
Principal industries are wood products, agriculture, mining, and manufacturing. Linn County's economy relies heavily on the lumber and wood products industry; in 1990, this industry accounted for 40% of the county's manufacturing jobs. The climate and soil conditions provide one of Oregon's most diversified agriculture areas, allowing a wide variety of specialty crops such as common and perennial ryegrass. Linn County is also home to the only emeryEmery (mineral)
Emery is a very hard rock type used to make abrasive powder. It largely consists of the mineral corundum , mixed with other species such as the iron-bearing spinels hercynite and magnetite, and also rutile...
mine in the United States, and the production of manufactured and motor homes.
Geography
According to the U.S. 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 county has a total area of 2310 square miles (5,982.9 km²), of which 2292 square miles (5,936.3 km²) is land and 18 square miles (46.6 km²) (0.78%) is water.
Oregon's center of population
Center of population
In demographics, the center of population of a region is a geographical point that describes a centerpoint of the region's population...
for the 2000 census
United States Census, 2000
The Twenty-second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons enumerated during the 1990 Census...
is located in the county, southwest of Lyons
Lyons, Oregon
Lyons is a city in Linn County, Oregon, United States. The population was 1,008 at the 2000 census. The center of population of Oregon is located in Lyons.-Geography:...
at 44.732273°N 122.579524°W.
Adjacent counties
- Marion County, OregonMarion County, OregonMarion 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...
- (north) - Benton County, OregonBenton County, Oregon-National protected areas:*Siuslaw National Forest *William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 78,153 people, 30,145 households, and 18,237 families residing in the county. The population density was 116 people per square mile . There were 31,980...
- (west) - Lane County, OregonLane County, Oregon-National protected areas:*Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge *Siuslaw National Forest *Umpqua National Forest *Willamette National Forest -Government:...
- (south) - Deschutes County, OregonDeschutes County, Oregon-National protected areas:* Deschutes National Forest * Newberry National Volcanic Monument-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 115,367 people, 45,595 households, and 31,962 families residing in the county. The population density was 38 people per square mile . There were 54,583...
- (east) - Jefferson County, OregonJefferson County, OregonJefferson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. In 2010, its population was 21,720. It is named after Mount Jefferson. The seat of the county is Madras.-History:...
- (east) - Polk County, OregonPolk County, OregonPolk County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. The county is named for James Knox Polk, the 11th president of the United States. In 2010, its population was 75,403. The seat of the county is Dallas....
- (northwest)
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 103,069 people, 39,541 households, and 28,232 families residing in the county. 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 45 people per square mile (17/km²). There were 42,521 housing units at an average density of 19 per square mile (7/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 93.20% White
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...
, 0.32% Black
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...
or African American
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...
, 1.27% Native American
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...
, 0.78% Asian
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...
, 0.15% Pacific Islander
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...
, 1.80% 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 2.49% from two or more races. 4.38% of the population were Hispanic
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...
or Latino
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...
of any race. 22.2% were of German, 13.0% American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, 11.2% English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
and 8.6% Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 39,541 households out of which 32.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.90% 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, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.60% were non-families. 23.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the county, the population was spread out with 26.00% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 27.00% from 25 to 44, 24.10% from 45 to 64, and 14.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 97.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $37,518, and the median income for a family was $44,188. Males had a median income of $35,586 versus $24,073 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 county was $17,633. About 8.90% of families and 11.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.80% of those under age 18 and 7.10% of those age 65 or over.
History
On December 28, 1847 the Provisional LegislatureProvisional Legislature of Oregon
The Provisional Legislature of Oregon was the single-chamber legislative body of the Provisional Government of Oregon. It served the Oregon Country of the Pacific Northwest of North America from 1843 until early 1849 at a time when no country had sovereignty over the region...
created Linn County from the southern portion of Champoeg (later Marion
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...
) County. The boundaries were altered in 1851 and 1854 with the creation of Lane
Lane County, Oregon
-National protected areas:*Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge *Siuslaw National Forest *Umpqua National Forest *Willamette National Forest -Government:...
and Wasco
Wasco County, Oregon
Wasco County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. The county is named for a local tribe of Native Americans, the Wasco, a Chinook tribe who lived on the south side of the Columbia River. In 2010, its population was 25,213...
Counties. The county seat was originally located in Calapooia (later known as Brownsville
Brownsville, Oregon
Brownsville is a city in Linn County, Oregon, United States. As of the 2010 census the population was 1,668. It is the setting for the fictional Castle Rock, Oregon in the film Stand by Me.-History:...
), but in 1851 the Territorial Legislature passed an act establishing Albany
Albany, Oregon
Albany is the eleventh largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon, and is the county seat of Linn County. It is located in the Willamette Valley at the confluence of the Calapooia River and the Willamette River in both Linn and Benton counties, just east of Corvallis and south of Salem. It is...
as the county seat. A special election in 1856 reaffirmed Albany as the county seat.
Natural history
A variety of flora and fauna occur in Linn County. Fauna include mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles. Trees include a variety of oaks and conifers as well as other species such as salix sessilifoliaSalix sessilifolia
Salix sessilifolia is a species of willow known by the common name northwest sandbar willow. It is native to the west coast of North America from British Columbia to northern California, where it grows on sandy and gravelly riverbanks, floodplains, and sandbars...
. The Rough-skinned Newt
Rough-skinned Newt
The rough-skinned newt is a North American newt known for its strong poison.- Toxicity :Many newts produce toxins to avoid predation, but the toxins of the genus Taricha are particularly potent...
is a common amphibian occurring in the oak woodlands of the county.
Incorporated cities
|
Idanha, Oregon Idanha is a city on the Marion County/Linn County line in Oregon, United States, on Oregon Route 22 and the Santiam River. The population was 232 at the 2000 census.... (also 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... ) Lebanon, Oregon Lebanon is a city in Linn County, Oregon, United States. Lebanon is located in northwest Oregon, southeast of Salem. The population was 12,950 at the 2000 census and the 2008 census data shows the population at 15,397.-Geography:... Lyons, Oregon Lyons is a city in Linn County, Oregon, United States. The population was 1,008 at the 2000 census. The center of population of Oregon is located in Lyons.-Geography:... Mill City, Oregon Mill City is a city in Linn and Marion counties in the U.S. state of Oregon. The population was 1,537 at the 2000 census. It is on the North Santiam River, downstream from Detroit Lake.... Millersburg, Oregon Millersburg is a city in Linn County, Oregon, United States. Millersburg originally was the name of a station on the Southern Pacific railroad line, which was named for a local farming family... |
Scio, Oregon Scio is a city in Linn County, Oregon, United States. The population was 838 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.-History:... Sodaville, Oregon Sodaville is a city in Linn County, Oregon, United States. The population was 290 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.-Demographics:... Sweet Home, Oregon Sweet Home is a city in Linn County, Oregon, United States. The population was 8,016 at the 2000 census. Sweet Home is sometimes referred to as the "Gateway to the Santiam Playground", due to its proximity to nearby lakes, rivers and the Cascade Mountains.... Tangent, Oregon Tangent is a city in Linn County, Oregon, United States. The population 1,164 as of the 2010 US census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.-Demographics:... Waterloo, Oregon Waterloo is a city in Linn County, Oregon, United States. The population was 239 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land. The closest neighboring city is Lebanon.... |
Unincorporated communities and CDPs
|
Marion Forks, Oregon Marion Forks is an unincorporated community on the North Santiam Highway, 15 miles south of the city of Detroit, in Linn County, Oregon, United States.... Shedd, Oregon Shedd is an unincorporated community in Linn County, Oregon, United States on Oregon Route 99E.-History:In 1858, a community and gristmill was established about a mile and a half east of the present town of Shedd and called Boston, probably because one of the founders came from Boston,... South Lebanon, Oregon South Lebanon is a census-designated place and unincorporated community in Linn County, Oregon, United States. The population was 1,155 at the 2000 census.-Geography:South Lebanon is located at... |
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Linn County, OregonNational Register of Historic Places listings in Linn County, OregonThis is a list of properties and districts in Linn County, Oregon that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.-Current listings:-Former listings:...
- USS Linn CountyUSS Linn County (LST-900)USS LST-900 was an in the United States Navy during World War II. Late in her career, she was renamed Linn County —after counties in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Oregon—but saw no active service under that name....
(LST-900)