Dallas, Oregon
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Dallas, Oregon | |
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| Motto: Commitment to Community - People Serving People | |
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| County | Polk |
| Incorporated | 1874 |
| Government | |
| - Mayor | Jim Fairchild |
| Area | |
| - Total | 4.4 sq mi (11.5 km²) |
| - Land | 4.4 sq mi (11.5 km²) |
| - Water | 0 sq mi (0 km²) |
| Elevation | 325 ft (99.1 m) |
| Population (2007) | |
| - Total | 15,065 |
| - Density | 2,797.7/sq mi (1,081.0/km²) |
| Time zone | Pacific (UTC-8) |
| - Summer (DST) | Pacific (UTC-7) |
| ZIP code | 97338 |
| Area code(s) | 503 |
| FIPS code | 41-17700[1] |
| GNIS feature ID | 1162930[2] |
| Website: http://www.ci.dallas.or.us | |
The city of Dallas is the county seat of Polk County, Oregon, United States. Originally named either Cynthia Ann or Cynthian (evidence supports either form), Dallas was later named after George M. Dallas, Vice President of the United States (1845 - 1849) under James Knox Polk, the same person for whom Dallas, Texas is thought to be named. The population was 12,459 at the 2000 census. The 2007 estimate is 15,065 residents.[3]
Dallas is located on the Rickreall Creek, approximately 15 miles west of Salem, at an altitude of 325 feet above sea level.
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[edit] History
Dallas was first settled in 1845, on the north side of Rickreall Creek, but was moved just over a mile south due to an inadequate supply of water in 1856. It was incorporated as a town in 1874, and was successful in keeping nearby Independence from becoming the county seat in the 1880s and 1890s. It was ranked as a city in 1901.
Louis Gerlinger, Sr., incorporated the Salem, Falls City and Western Railway Company late in October 1901 and announced plans to build a railroad from the Willamette River at Salem to the mouth of the Siletz River on the Oregon Coast, a distance of 65 miles.[4] In 1902, Louis's son George T. Gerlinger organized a group of investors to build railroad lines in the area.
On May 29, 1903, the first train ran from Dallas to Falls City. At the end of June, passenger trains began regularly scheduled trips to and from Dallas and Falls City each day; the nine-mile, forty-minute, one-way trip cost 35 cents.
Willamette Industries was founded in Dallas in 1906. At that time the company name was Willamette Valley Lumber Company.[5] Louis Gerlinger, Sr. was president of the new company and H.L. Pittock, vice president. George T. Gerlinger served as secretary and manager while F.W. Leadbetter was treasurer. George Cone served as director and mill superintendent.[6] In 1967 Willamette Valley Lumber and several others merged to become Willamette Industries.[7]
[edit] Geography
Dallas is located at (44.921144, -123.316342)[8].
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.4 square miles (11.5 km²), all of it land.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 12,459 people, 4,672 households, and 3,326 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,797.7 people per square mile (1,081.0/km²). There were 4,912 housing units at an average density of 1,103.0/sq mi (426.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.27% White, 0.18% African American, 1.78% Native American, 0.55% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 1.39% from other races, and 2.72% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.01% of the population.
There were 4,672 households out of which 35.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.0% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.8% were non-families. 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.9% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 17.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 92.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $35,967, and the median income for a family was $45,156. Males had a median income of $34,271 versus $22,941 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,734. About 7.8% of families and 9.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.2% of those under age 18 and 5.8% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Notable residents
- Jeri Ellsworth - self-taught computer chip designer
- Carl Gerlinger - founder of Gerlinger Carrier Company
- George T. Gerlinger - founder of Willamette Industries
- Louis Gerlinger, Sr. - founder of the Salem, Falls City and Western Railway
- Mark Hatfield - former Governor of Oregon
- Johnnie Ray - popular 1950s singer and recording artist.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ US Board on Geographic Names. United States Geological Survey (2007-10-25). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ PSU:Population Research Center
- ^ Catherine A. Baldwin (1982). Making the Most of the Best: Willamette Industries' Seventy-Five Years. (Portland, OR: Willamette Industries, 172 p.).
- ^ Weyerhaeuser tries to take over Willamette Forest Industries
- ^ Catherine A. Baldwin (1982). Making the Most of the Best: Willamette Industries' Seventy-Five Years. (Portland, OR: Willamette Industries, 172 p.).
- ^ SEC 10K for 1999
- ^ US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
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This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (June 2007) |
[edit] External links
- City of Dallas, Oregon
- Dallas Area Chamber of Commerce
- Itemizer Observer newspaper, serving Polk County
- Dallas, Oregon is at coordinates Coordinates:
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