RANK #802 / 996 · POP 345,815 · OR
PROJECTED GROWTH: -0.6%
Silver Falls State Park, often called the "crown jewel" of Oregon's state parks, is a notable feature of Marion County, Oregon, located in the heart of the Willamette Valley. The county seat, Salem, is also the state capital and one of the valley's oldest cities. Marion County stretches from the Willamette River to the Cascade Mountains, covering nearly 1,200 square miles. Most residents can reach the Pacific beaches in under two hours. The region offers extensive outdoor recreation, including hiking, fishing, biking, and boating, with numerous parks, rivers, and lakes. The Trail of Ten Falls at Silver Falls State Park is a popular hiking destination.
Life in Marion County is characterized by a mix of urban and rural living options. The county's economy is supported by agriculture, food processing, manufacturing, and the public sector, with the state of Oregon being a major employer due to Salem's status as the capital. Recent economic developments include efforts to expand rural broadband connectivity and support local businesses, including those in manufacturing and food processing. Commute options within the county and to nearby areas are available through Cherriots Regional bus services. The county also has a variety of public and private K-12 schools and several higher education institutions within a 30-mile radius.
Above national median (4.7x)
Above national median
Well below national median
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 6.6x relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Amazon Fulfillment Center (PDX8)
Amazon
|
$500M | Operating |
|
Proposed Data Center Campus
Undisclosed (Stream Data Center mentioned in news)
|
$500M | Proposed |
|
Marion County Solar Portfolio (multiple projects)
Various (e.g., Bighorn Solar, Adapture Renewables, Neighborhood Power Corp.)
|
$50M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Marion County has a Boom Town Index score of 20/100, ranking #802 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.9% and a median household income of $70,926, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Marion County is $352,500 with median rent at $1,228/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2012, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.5% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.9%. Home values changed +0.2% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.92% of Marion County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.