Marion County is located in the heart of the Willamette Valley.
Located south of the Portland metropolitan area, Marion County stretches from the Willamette River to the Cascade Mountains encompassing nearly 1,200 square miles. Most of its population of 315,900 can reach the Pacific beaches in under two hours.
Our History
Marion County, then called Champooick, was created in 1843 by the Provisional Government Legislative Committee 16 years before Oregon gained statehood on February 14, 1859. In 1849 the name was changed to Marion honoring American Revolutionary General Francis Marion.
The county is located in the heart of the Willamette Valley, and the Willamette River was established as its western boundary in 1856. Salem, the county seat and the state capital, is one of the valley's oldest cities. Among its public buildings are the Courthouse, Courthouse Square, State Capitol, Capitol Mall buildings and Salem Civic Center. The county was presided over by the Marion County Court until January 1, 1963, when the court was abolished and replaced by a Board of Commissioners.
Quick Facts
Capital: Salem
Area: 1,194 square miles
Established: July 5, 1843
Population: 318,150 (PSU 2011)
Cities: 20 incorporated
Elevation: 154 feet at Salem
Average Temp: Jan. 39.3 F; July 66.3 F
Annual Precipitation: 40.35 inches
Principal Industries: Government, food processing, lumber, manufacturing, education, tourism, and agriculture.
Around Marion County
There are 20 incorporated cities and 37 unincorporated communities in Marion County. As reported by the 2010 Census, the total population of Marion County was 315,900.
Incorporated Cities
Gates
Population: 471
Idanha
Population: 134
Unincorporated Communities
Breitenbush
Broadacres
Brooks
Butteville
Central Howell
Clear Lake
Concomly
Crestwood
Downs
Drakes Crossing
Elkhorn
Fargo
Hazel Green
Hopmere
Labish Center
Little Sweden
Lone Pine Corner
Macleay
Marion
Mehama
Monitor
Niagara
North Howell
North Santiam
Orville
Pratum
Roberts
Rockie Four Corners
Rosedale
Shaw
Sidney
Skunkville
St. Louis
Sunnyside
Talbot
Waconda
West Stayton
