Dallas is the county seat of Polk County, Oregon. 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. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 12,459. It is the county seat of Polk County6.
Dallas is located on the (unnavigable) La Creole River, some 15 miles west of Salem, Oregon, at an altitude of 325 feet above sea level.
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2 Geography 3 Demographics |
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.
Geography
Dallas is located at 44°55'16" North, 123°18'59" West (44.921144, -123.316342)1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.5 km² (4.4 mi²). 11.5 km² (4.4 mi²) of it is land and none of the area is covered with water.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there are 12,459 people, 4,672 households, and 3,326 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,081.0/km² (2,797.7/mi²). There are 4,912 housing units at an average density of 426.2/km² (1,103.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 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. 4.01% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 4,672 households out of which 35.8% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.0% are married couples living together, 12.1% have a female householder with no husband present, and 28.8% are non-families. 24.3% of all households are made up of individuals and 12.3% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.57 and the average family size is 3.02.
In the city the population is 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 are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 92.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 85.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $35,967, and the median income for a family is $45,156. Males have a median income of $34,271 versus $22,941 for females. The per capita income for the city is $16,734. 9.8% of the population and 7.8% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 13.2% are under the age of 18 and 5.8% are 65 or older.
