Yamhill County, Oregon | |
|---|---|
 Yamhill County Courthouse in McMinnville | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofOregon | |
| Coordinates:45°14′N123°19′W / 45.23°N 123.31°W /45.23; -123.31 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Oregon |
| Founded | July 5, 1843 |
| Named after | Yamhela people of theKalapuya |
| Seat | McMinnville |
| Largest city | McMinnville |
| Area | |
• Total | 718 sq mi (1,860 km2) |
| • Land | 716 sq mi (1,850 km2) |
| • Water | 2.5 sq mi (6.5 km2) 0.3% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 107,722 |
• Estimate (2024) | 110,886 |
| • Density | 139/sq mi (54/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−8 (Pacific) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−7 (PDT) |
| Congressional district | 6th |
| Website | www |
Yamhill County is one of the36 counties in theU.S. state ofOregon. As of the2020 census, the population was 107,722.[1] Thecounty seat isMcMinnville.[2] Yamhill County was named after the Yamhelas, members of theKalapuya Tribe.[3]
Yamhill County is part of thePortland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WAMetropolitan Statistical Area. It is in theWillamette Valley.
The earliest known inhabitants of the area were the Yamhill (Yamhelas Indian Tribe, part of the Kalapooian family[4]) Indians, who have inhabited the area for over 8,000 years. They are one of thetribes incorporated into theConfederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde. In 1857 they were forced to migrate to theGrand Ronde Indian Reservation created in Oregon'sCoastal Range two years earlier.
The earliest non-native settlers were employees of the various fur companies operating inOregon Country, who started settling there around 1814. But it was the establishment of theOregon Trail that led to significant migration to the area.
Yamhill District (later county) was created on July 5, 1843, five years before theOregon Territory was established. It was one of the original four districts created by Oregon's firstProvisional Legislature, along with Twality (laterWashington),Clackamas, and Champooick (laterMarion) counties. The district was originally spread over 12,000 square miles (31,000 km2), an area that was broken up into twelve present-day counties.
Lafayette, the principal trading center of the westernWillamette Valley in early Oregon history, was made thecounty seat in 1847. The county government was later (1889) moved toMcMinnville where it remains today.
TheMount Hebo Air Force Station was aCold War air defense installation from 1956 to 1980. Located next to Tillamook County, at the top of 3,154-foot (961 m) highMount Hebo, Air Force radars operated by the689th Radar Squadron and the14th Missile Warning Squadron were essential parts of the nation's integrated air defenses. The largeradomes protecting the radars from adverse weather effects could be seen silhouetted against the sky from many parts of Yamhill County.
In 1900 theYamhill River lock and dam was completed about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) downriver fromLafayette, Oregon. The lock was decommissioned in 1954. The dam was demolished in 1963 to allow better passage forsalmon on the river. The site of the lock and dam is now a county park.
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 718 square miles (1,860 km2), of which 716 square miles (1,850 km2) is land and 2.5 square miles (6.5 km2), or 0.3%, is water.[5] It is the fifth-smallest county in Oregon by area.
The tallest mountain in the county isTrask Mountain in the northwest corner of the county.[6]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1860 | 3,245 | — | |
| 1870 | 5,012 | 54.5% | |
| 1880 | 7,945 | 58.5% | |
| 1890 | 10,692 | 34.6% | |
| 1900 | 13,420 | 25.5% | |
| 1910 | 18,285 | 36.3% | |
| 1920 | 20,529 | 12.3% | |
| 1930 | 22,036 | 7.3% | |
| 1940 | 26,336 | 19.5% | |
| 1950 | 33,484 | 27.1% | |
| 1960 | 32,478 | −3.0% | |
| 1970 | 40,213 | 23.8% | |
| 1980 | 55,332 | 37.6% | |
| 1990 | 65,551 | 18.5% | |
| 2000 | 84,992 | 29.7% | |
| 2010 | 99,193 | 16.7% | |
| 2020 | 107,722 | 8.6% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 110,886 | [7] | 2.9% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[8] 1790–1960[9] 1900–1990[10] 1990–2000[11] 2010–2020[1] | |||
As of the2020 census, the county had a population of 107,722. Of the residents, 21.7% were under the age of 18 and 18.5% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 39.5 years. For every 100 females there were 99.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 97.6 males. 73.5% of residents lived in urban areas and 26.5% lived in rural areas.[12][13]
The racial makeup of the county was 77.7% White, 0.8%Black or African American, 1.8%American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%Asian, 0.2%Native Hawaiian andPacific Islander, 7.6% from some other race, and 10.4% fromtwo or more races.Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 16.5% of the population.[14]
There were 38,011 households in the county, of which 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 23.6% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 21.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[13]
There were 40,123 housing units, of which 5.3% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 68.5% were owner-occupied and 31.5% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.2%.[13]
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 1980[15] | Pop 1990[16] | Pop 2000[17] | Pop 2010[18] | Pop 2020[19] | % 1980 | % 1990 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 52,389 | 59,538 | 71,684 | 78,448 | 79,352 | 94.68% | 90.83% | 84.34% | 79.09% | 73.66% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 135 | 344 | 592 | 784 | 849 | 0.24% | 0.52% | 0.70% | 0.79% | 0.79% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 424 | 756 | 1,134 | 1,272 | 1,346 | 0.77% | 1.15% | 1.33% | 1.28% | 1.25% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 396 | 760 | 889 | 1,418 | 1,523 | 0.72% | 1.16% | 1.05% | 1.43% | 1.41% |
| Native Hawaiian orPacific Islander alone (NH) | x[20] | x[21] | 91 | 163 | 189 | x | x | 0.11% | 0.16% | 0.18% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 157 | 24 | 76 | 143 | 615 | 0.28% | 0.04% | 0.09% | 0.14% | 0.57% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | x[22] | x[23] | 1,509 | 2,373 | 6,055 | x | x | 1.78% | 2.39% | 5.62% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1,831 | 4,129 | 9,017 | 14,592 | 17,793 | 3.31% | 6.30% | 10.61% | 14.71% | 16.52% |
| Total | 55,332 | 65,551 | 84,992 | 99,193 | 107,722 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the2010 census, there were 99,193 people, 34,726 households, and 25,020 families living in the county.[24] The population density was 138.6 inhabitants per square mile (53.5/km2). There were 37,110 housing units at an average density of 51.8 units per square mile (20.0 units/km2).[25] The racial makeup of the county was 85.4% white, 1.5% Asian, 1.5% American Indian, 0.9% black or African American, 0.2% Pacific islander, 7.2% from other races, and 3.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 14.7% of the population.[24] In terms of ancestry, 23.6% wereGerman, 13.7% wereEnglish, 12.2% wereIrish, and 5.0% wereAmerican.[26]
Of the 34,726 households, 35.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.0% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 28.0% were non-families, and 21.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.12. The median age was 36.8 years.[24]
The median income for a household in the county was $52,485 and the median income for a family was $61,524. Males had a median income of $44,946 versus $33,717 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,017. About 9.0% of families and 12.7% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 16.8% of those under age 18 and 7.7% of those age 65 or over.[27]
As of the2000 census, there were 84,992 people, 28,732 households, and 21,376 families living in the county. Thepopulation density was 119 people per square mile (46 people/km2). There were 30,270 housing units at an average density of 42 units per square mile (16/km2). Theracial makeup of the county is 88.98%White, 1.47%Native American, 1.07%Asian, 0.85%Black orAfrican American, 0.12%Pacific Islander, 5.08% fromother races, and 2.42% from two or more races. 10.61% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race. 19.6% were ofGerman, 11.4%English, 9.5%American and 8.4%Irish ancestry.
There were 28,732 households, out of which 37.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.00% weremarried couples living together, 9.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.60% were non-families. 19.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.78 and the average family size was 3.17.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.90% under the age of 18, 11.40% from 18 to 24, 28.50% from 25 to 44, 21.40% from 45 to 64, and 11.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.30 males.
Themedianincome for a household in the county is $44,111, and the median income for a family was $50,336. Males had a median income of $35,686 versus $25,254 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $18,951. About 6.00% of families and 9.20% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 10.10% of those under age 18 and 7.50% of those age 65 or over.
In the United States House of Representatives, Yamhill County lies inOregon's 6th congressional district, which also covers Polk County and portions of Marion, Clackamas, and Washington counties.[28] In theOregon State Senate, the county is split between the 12th and 13th districts.[29] Within theOregon House of Representatives, Yamhill County is part of the 23rd, 24th, and 26th districts.[30]
Although located west of the Cascades, Yamhill has remained a Republican-leaning county in Presidential elections at the same time as other Western Oregon counties have become solidly to powerfully Democratic. No Democratic presidential candidate has won Yamhill County sinceLyndon Johnson's 1964 landslide, and the only other Democrats to carry the county since Oregon's statehood have beenFranklin Roosevelt in 1940, 1936 and 1932, along withWoodrow Wilson in 1912 when the Republican vote was divided.[31]
Yamhill County is currently one of 11 counties in Oregon in which therapeutic psilocybin is legal.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1880 | 1,057 | 52.88% | 942 | 47.12% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1884 | 1,184 | 52.23% | 1,034 | 45.61% | 49 | 2.16% |
| 1888 | 1,298 | 54.33% | 994 | 41.61% | 97 | 4.06% |
| 1892 | 1,469 | 46.15% | 682 | 21.43% | 1,032 | 32.42% |
| 1896 | 1,782 | 48.93% | 1,736 | 47.67% | 124 | 3.40% |
| 1900 | 1,583 | 52.40% | 1,235 | 40.88% | 203 | 6.72% |
| 1904 | 2,004 | 63.14% | 652 | 20.54% | 518 | 16.32% |
| 1908 | 1,980 | 54.49% | 1,246 | 34.29% | 408 | 11.23% |
| 1912 | 1,312 | 31.27% | 1,378 | 32.84% | 1,506 | 35.89% |
| 1916 | 4,010 | 49.95% | 3,342 | 41.63% | 676 | 8.42% |
| 1920 | 4,102 | 59.49% | 2,353 | 34.13% | 440 | 6.38% |
| 1924 | 3,803 | 53.11% | 2,015 | 28.14% | 1,342 | 18.74% |
| 1928 | 5,248 | 67.97% | 2,382 | 30.85% | 91 | 1.18% |
| 1932 | 3,584 | 41.11% | 4,798 | 55.03% | 337 | 3.87% |
| 1936 | 3,443 | 35.88% | 5,366 | 55.92% | 787 | 8.20% |
| 1940 | 5,545 | 49.48% | 5,566 | 49.67% | 96 | 0.86% |
| 1944 | 5,672 | 51.39% | 5,067 | 45.91% | 298 | 2.70% |
| 1948 | 6,379 | 55.33% | 4,794 | 41.59% | 355 | 3.08% |
| 1952 | 9,332 | 67.27% | 4,472 | 32.24% | 68 | 0.49% |
| 1956 | 8,555 | 61.96% | 5,253 | 38.04% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 8,295 | 59.98% | 5,528 | 39.97% | 6 | 0.04% |
| 1964 | 5,508 | 38.08% | 8,949 | 61.88% | 6 | 0.04% |
| 1968 | 7,936 | 55.55% | 5,487 | 38.41% | 862 | 6.03% |
| 1972 | 9,660 | 58.51% | 6,008 | 36.39% | 841 | 5.09% |
| 1976 | 9,885 | 50.38% | 8,881 | 45.27% | 854 | 4.35% |
| 1980 | 12,054 | 51.15% | 8,694 | 36.89% | 2,820 | 11.97% |
| 1984 | 15,797 | 62.31% | 9,450 | 37.28% | 104 | 0.41% |
| 1988 | 13,321 | 52.47% | 11,423 | 44.99% | 644 | 2.54% |
| 1992 | 11,693 | 37.23% | 11,148 | 35.50% | 8,565 | 27.27% |
| 1996 | 13,900 | 44.64% | 13,078 | 42.00% | 4,157 | 13.35% |
| 2000 | 19,193 | 54.01% | 14,254 | 40.11% | 2,092 | 5.89% |
| 2004 | 23,839 | 56.57% | 17,572 | 41.70% | 731 | 1.73% |
| 2008 | 21,390 | 49.14% | 20,797 | 47.78% | 1,339 | 3.08% |
| 2012 | 22,045 | 51.38% | 19,260 | 44.89% | 1,602 | 3.73% |
| 2016 | 23,250 | 47.69% | 19,301 | 39.59% | 6,202 | 12.72% |
| 2020 | 29,551 | 50.15% | 27,174 | 46.12% | 2,198 | 3.73% |
| 2024 | 29,536 | 51.10% | 26,011 | 45.00% | 2,253 | 3.90% |
In 2019 the Oregon International Air Show switched to the McMinnville Municipal Airport. The Air Show promotes aviation while honoring the military and veterans. In addition to the economic surge provided by the Air Show, the Oregon International Air Show involves the community and provides grants for McMinnville. Since 1988 more than $3 million has donated back throughout McMinnville (Yamhill County), Hillsboro (Washington County), and throughout Oregon. Express Employment Professionals, Stoller Family Estates, and Xenium are the lead sponsors for the upcoming 2020 Air Show.[35]
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The major industries of the county are agriculture, forest products, manufacturing, and education. Yamhill County's economy is supported largely by its many unionized facilities such as Cascade Steel in McMinnville and Decommissioned White Birch Paper now owned byWestRock in Newberg. It boasts a thriving wine industry and was the home of Evergreen Aviation.
Yamhill County ranks seventh out of Oregon's thirty-six counties in annual market value of its agricultural production.[citation needed] This agricultural production includeswheat,barley,horticulture, anddairy farming, with 13,201 acres or 53.42 square kilometres in 1997 planted inorchards. One-third of the county is covered with commercialtimber, and the economic mainstay of the western part of the county islogging and timber products.
Yamhill County is a significant focus ofOregon's wine industry, having the largest area of any Oregon county planted invineyards. Six of the state'sAmerican Viticultural Areas are wholly or partly in the county:Chehalem Mountains AVA,Dundee Hills AVA,Eola-Amity Hills AVA,McMinnville AVA,Ribbon Ridge AVA, andYamhill-Carlton District AVA. Over 80 wineries and 200 vineyards represent the largest concentration of wine growers and producers in any county in the state. Vineyards often specialize inPinot noir, but other varieties grown includePinot gris,Pinot blanc,Chardonnay,Riesling, andGewürztraminer.
Yamhill County Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) includeLinfield University andChemeketa Community College McMinnville Campus, along withGeorge Fox University andPortland Community College in Newberg.
All of Yamhill County is within the Chemeketa Community College district.[36]
K-12 school districts include:[37]
For private secondary education the county is served byThe Delphian School in Sheridan.
Places adjacent to Yamhill County, Oregon | ||||||||||||||||
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Municipalities and communities ofYamhill County, Oregon,United States | ||
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| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
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