Population355,777 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
A Capital City With Earlier County Roots
Marion County, OregonSalem anchors Marion County as both county seat and Oregon’s capital, while the county stretches from the Willamette River toward the Cascades. Its earlier Champooick and Champoeg names connect the present civic landscape with Oregon’s provisional-government period and changing county boundaries. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated 355,777 residents in Marion County, Oregon, on July 1, 2025. The county has approximately 1,181 square miles of land, according to the 2020 Census Gazetteer.
Marion County at a Glance
Population355,777 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
County SeatSalem
Largest MunicipalitySalem • Keizer • Woodburn
Established1843 (organized; NACo County Explorer)
ZIP CodesMid-Willamette Valley
Total Area, Including Water1,191.351 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography)
Major RoutesI-5 • OR 22 • OR 99E
Area Codes503 / 971
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Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
Discover Marion County
Marion County
The county began as Champooick District in 1843, before Oregon statehood. It was later known as Champoeg and renamed Marion in 1849 for Francis Marion. Salem became the county seat, with its later capital role adding another layer of government. Boundary changes separated portions into neighboring counties as the region developed. The succession of names and boundaries makes historical geography particularly important here. A document's date can determine which county name applies, even when the place itself has not moved.
Explore Salem with its county and state roles in mind, keeping those histories related but distinct. The Willamette-to-Cascades geography offers a wider county perspective. For older records, the Champooick and Champoeg names are useful clues to earlier administrative arrangements. A Salem-centered visit can compare the two levels of civic history without covering the whole county. For a broader route, select one public destination toward the valley or mountains.
What Shapes Us
Local Character
Salem anchors Marion County as both county seat and Oregon's capital, while the county stretches from the Willamette River toward the Cascades.
Community History
The county began as Champooick District in 1843, before Oregon statehood. It was later known as Champoeg and renamed Marion in 1849 for Francis Marion.
Explore Locally
Explore Salem with its county and state roles in mind, keeping those histories related but distinct. The Willamette-to-Cascades geography offers a wider county perspective.
Discover the county stories within a capital city's setting.
A Closer Look
Marion County
Places and perspectives from Marion County
OPB — Oregon & Regional News
In the first full day of loss, Bend learns more about Silver Rail shooting, mourns the victims
As Bend residents come together to mourn and ask what comes next, OPB journalists are in Central Oregon.…
Read the Story Oct 17, 2026 • 2 min read
Around Marion County
Stories from every corner of Marion County.
In the first full day of loss, Bend learns more about Silver Rail shooting, mourns the victims
As Bend residents come together to mourn and ask what comes next, OPB journalists are in Central Oregon.…
Oct 17, 2026 • 2 min read
OPB’s First Look: New details emerge in Bend school shooting
Multiple people tried to stop the shooter, police said. Here’s your First Look at Saturday’s news.
Oct 17, 2026 • 2 min read
Zelenskyy urges support for new US sanctions on Russia after Trump puts them on hold
Zelenskyy described the move as unfortunate, adding it would encourage Russia to continue its assault. Trump told Congress…
Oct 17, 2026 • 2 min read
Scuffles and fires break out as protesters rally across France, joining students
Demonstrators across France converged with students Saturday to protest rising living costs, as the country's fiscal crisis deepens.
Oct 17, 2026 • 2 min read
Decades after apartheid, South Africans seek justice for crimes of the past
More than three decades after the end of apartheid, families of victims of some of the worst crimes…
Oct 17, 2026 • 2 min read
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
County Resources
Find the Right Local Connection
Start with the organization responsible for the service you need. Follow its official link for current requirements, office locations and availability.
Marion County Government
County departments, public meetings, records, and services: co.marion.or.us
County profile and official reference links: Oregon Blue Book
Population source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census. tigerweb.geo.census.gov
Schools
Public school contacts
Selected local schools from the NCES 2024-2025 directory. Contact the school or district to confirm enrollment, attendance boundaries and current services; this is not a complete school list.
Aumsville Elementary School – Elementary; grades KG-05. 572 N 11th St, Aumsville, OR 97325. 503-749-8040.
Chemawa Indian School – High; grades 09-12. 3700 Chemawa Rd NE, Salem, OR 97305. 503-399-5721.
Gervais Elementary School – Elementary; grades KG-05. 150 Douglas Ave, Gervais, OR 97026. 503-792-3803.
Jefferson Elementary School – Elementary; grades KG-05. 615 N 2nd St, Jefferson, OR 97352. 541-327-3337.
St Marys Public School – Elementary; grades KG-05. 590 E College, Mt Angel, OR 97362. 503-845-2547.
North Marion Intermediate School – Elementary; grades 03-05. 20237 Grim Rd NE, Aurora, OR 97002. 503-678-7114.
Stayton Elementary School – Elementary; grades KG-03. 875 N 3rd, Stayton, OR 97383. 503-769-2336.
Hospitals
Local hospital contacts
Facility contacts from the CMS Hospital General Information directory, updated July 22, 2026. Contact the facility directly to confirm current services and appointment arrangements.
Salem Hospital – Acute Care Hospitals. 890 Oak Street, Se, Salem, OR 97301. 503-561-5200.
Legacy Silverton Medical Center – Acute Care Hospitals. 342 Fairview Street, Silverton, OR 97381. 503-873-1500.
Santiam Hospital & Clinics – Acute Care Hospitals. 1401 N 10Th Avenue, Stayton, OR 97383. 503-769-2175.
Oregon State Hospital Distinct Part – Psychiatric. 2600 Center Street Ne, Salem, OR 97310. 503-945-2800.
Public Safety
Visit Oregon State Police at Oregon government resources. Your county sheriff and local police provide local non-emergency information.
Emergency Services
For an immediate emergency, call 911. Find preparedness resources and official updates through Oregon government resources.
State Parks
Explore Oregon State Parks, park notices, and reservation information at stateparks.oregon.gov. Check the individual park before traveling.
Trails
Find walking and hiking destinations through stateparks.oregon.gov and fs.usda.gov. Check the managing agency for current trail access.
Utilities
Identify the provider serving your address before arranging service. Oregon utility consumer information is available at Oregon government resources.
Libraries
Local library contacts
Locations and public phone numbers are from the IMLS FY2024 Public Libraries Survey. Call the branch to confirm current hours and services before visiting.
Jefferson Public Library – 150 N 2Nd St Suite B, Jefferson, OR 97352. 541-327-3826.
Mt. Angel Public Library – 290 E Charles St, Mount Angel, OR 97362. 503-845-6401.
Salem Public Library – 585 Liberty St Se, Salem, OR 97301. 503-588-6315.
Silver Falls Library District – 410 S Water St, Silverton, OR 97381. 503-873-7633.
Stayton Public Library – 515 N First Ave, Stayton, OR 97383. 503-769-3313.
Woodburn Public Library – 280 Garfield St, Woodburn, OR 97071. 503-980-2413.
Courts
Find Oregon circuit courts, court locations, and public information at courts.oregon.gov.
DMV
Oregon — Schedule, Cancel or Change an Appointment
Oregon — Driver license applications for adults
Transportation
Find road conditions and travel alerts at Oregon road conditions. Oregon transportation information is available at Oregon government resources.
Postal Services
USPS location finder — Search by street address, city or ZIP Code for nearby post offices, collection boxes and available services.
USPS ZIP Code lookup — Find the mailing ZIP Code for a specific street address.
USPS Hold Mail — Arrange a temporary mail hold and review identity-verification requirements.
USPS change of address and forwarding — Review forwarding options and submit an address-change request through USPS.
USPS package pickup — Check pickup availability for your address and schedule eligible shipments.
Veterans
National services available to local residents
VA accredited representatives — Find help with VA claims and benefit applications.
VA health care applications — Review application options and supporting information.
VA disability claims — Find the official steps for submitting a disability claim.
GI Bill and education benefits — Review how to apply for VA education benefits.
Veteran career and employment support — Explore VA employment, training and career assistance.
Employment
National services available to local residents
USAJOBS federal employment — Search federal openings by location and occupation.
Apprenticeship Finder — Search apprenticeship opportunities by location and occupation.
My Next Move career exploration — Explore occupations, industries and career interests.
Government job-training resources — Find routes to state training programs and support for different job seekers.
Unemployment benefit guidance — Find your state program and its application and eligibility information.
Get to Know Marion County
Useful answers for residents, visitors and anyone planning their next step.
Local Questions
Marion County Questions, Answered
Explore practical details about the county and the organizations that serve it.
355,777 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate). This is a dated Census Bureau estimate, rather than a live resident count.
1,191.351 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography). The total combines land and water area.
Start with these official Oregon resources: Schedule, Cancel or Change an Appointment; Driver license applications for adults; Offices. Choose the page for the service you need, then check its office or online instructions before making a trip. These links cover state services; they do not establish that every transaction is available at a county office.
Use USPS ZIP Code Lookup for the mailing ZIP Code of a specific street address. Use the USPS location finder to search for nearby postal facilities and available services. An address lookup is more useful for mailing than assuming the entire county shares one ZIP Code.
The VA explains how to find and appoint an accredited representative for benefit claims. Contact a representative to confirm availability before appointing them. For education benefits, use the GI Bill application guidance. These are national VA services available to eligible local residents, rather than a listing of county offices.
Search USAJOBS for federal positions and the Apprenticeship Finder for apprenticeship opportunities, using location filters to narrow the results. USAGov job-training guidance points to training programs and state resources. Check each listing for current availability, eligibility and application instructions; a search result does not guarantee an opening in the county.
The county began as Champooick District in 1843, before Oregon statehood. It was later known as Champoeg and renamed Marion in 1849 for Francis Marion. Salem became the county seat, with its later capital role adding another layer of government. Boundary changes separated portions into neighboring counties as the region developed. The succession of names and boundaries makes historical geography particularly important here. A document’s date can determine which county name applies, even when the place itself has not moved.
Explore Salem with its county and state roles in mind, keeping those histories related but distinct. The Willamette-to-Cascades geography offers a wider county perspective. For older records, the Champooick and Champoeg names are useful clues to earlier administrative arrangements. A Salem-centered visit can compare the two levels of civic history without covering the whole county. For a broader route, select one public destination toward the valley or mountains.
The 2020 Census geography figures record 1,181.097 square miles of land and 10.254 square miles of water in Marion County. The county’s total area includes both. These are geographic measurements for that Census vintage, not a measurement of current water levels or public recreation access.
In the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimate series, Marion County had an estimated 346,284 residents on July 1, 2020, and 355,777 on July 1, 2025. Over that interval, the estimated population increased by 9,493 residents, or about 2.7%. Both figures come from the same estimate vintage, which revises earlier years for a consistent comparison.
Salem is the county seat listed for Marion County by the National Association of Counties. For an office visit, confirm the specific department’s address before traveling. NACo county profile.
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Explore Marion County
Places to visitStart with these local landmarks, outdoor destinations and community places in Marion County.
- Oregon State Capitol
- Silver Falls State Park
- The Oregon Garden
- Willamette Heritage Center
- Mount Angel Abbey
- Gilbert House Children’s Museum
Explore the Marion County profile in the Oregon Blue Book
County photograph: Gary Halvorson, Oregon State Archives. County profile and map: Oregon Secretary of State.
Plan your visitCheck current access and hours before heading out.