Linn County, Oregon

Linn County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. The county was named for Lewis F. Linn, a senator from the state of Missouri, who advocated the American occupation of Oregon and was instrumental in what became the Donation Land Claim Act of 1850. As of 2000, the population was 103,069. The county seat is located at Albany.

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 emery mine in the U.S., and the production of manufactured and motor homes.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 5,983 km² (2,310 mi²). 5,937 km² (2,292 mi²) of it is land and 47 km² (18 mi²) of it (0.78%) is water.

Adjacent counties

Demographics

As of the census ² of 2000, there were 103,069 people, 39,541 households, and 28,232 families residing in the county. The population density was 17/km² (45/mi²). There were 42,521 housing units at an average density of 7/km² (19/mi²). 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.

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.

History

On December 28, 1847 the Provisional Legislature 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.

Cities and towns

Linn County, Oregon | Oregon counties | 1847 establishments