West Linn, Oregon

19th century

Major Robert Moore was an early settler who arrived in 1839—before the Champoeg Meetings—having been the senior member of the first attempt to create an American state in Oregon, the Peoria Party.^[6] After journeying around the Willamette Valley and Columbia Basin, Moore bought title to about 1,000 acres (400 ha) on the west side of Willamette Falls, across the Willamette River from Oregon City, from Native American Chief Wanaxha of the Wallamut Tribe, on which he platted a town he called "Robin's Nest" in 1843.^[7] He also filed a provisional claim with the then government of the Oregon Country, not knowing whether the eventual governing laws would honor his transaction. The Oregon Territorial Legislature voted to rename it Linn City on December 22, 1845, as a memorial to Senator Lewis F. Linn, after whom Linn County is also named. Linn was a neighbor and family friend of the Moores from their time as settlers in the early Missouri Territory.^[8][9]

For many years Linn City was a political and commercial rival to the adjacent town of Oregon City,^{[citation needed]} but it suffered a series of natural and man-made setbacks. A major fire and the Great Flood of 1862 halted the pioneer settlement in 1861, dispersing many of the surviving family members throughout the Pacific Northwest.

The Willamette Falls Locks and canal were completed in 1873, making the waterfall passable by river traffic. The locks closed in 2011 with no plans to reopen.

The Willamette Falls Pulp and Paper Company began operation in 1889.

20th century

West Linn was incorporated in 1913 and in 1916 merged with the adjacent town of Willamette, which had incorporated five years earlier.^[10] When the City of West Linn incorporated in 1913, it encompassed West Oregon City, Bolton, Sunset and Willamette Heights. The incorporation allowed the settlements to obtain needed services, utilities, and improvements without annexing to Oregon City. After considerable debate about naming, the city founders decided to honor the pioneer town Moore had established.

The Oregon City Bridge was built in 1922.

The city's population grew for decades, but has recently leveled off. The 1860 census listed 225 residents. By 1920, the number had grown to 1,628. The 1960 census put the population at 2,923, and by 1970, West Linn had grown to more than 7,000. The population is now 25,250.

In 2022, Rory Bialostosky became West Linn's youngest mayor, at 23.^[11]

Climate

Extremes range from −2 °F (−19 °C), recorded in 1950, to 107 °F (42 °C), recorded in 1956 and 1981.^[15]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, West Linn had a population of 27,373. The median age was 43.1 years. 24.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 17.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 94.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 91.0 males age 18 and over.^[21]

100.0% of residents lived in urban areas.^[22]

There were 10,104 households, of which 36.9% had children under 18 living in them. Of all households, 62.5% were married-couple households, 11.7% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 21.0% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 18.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.^[21]

There were 10,491 housing units, of which 3.7% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 78.9% were owner-occupied and 21.1% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 4.8%.^[21]

|+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census^[23]

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 25,109 people, 9,523 households, and 7,081 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,397.7 inhabitants per square mile (1,311.9/km²). There were 10,035 housing units at an average density of 1,357.9 units per square mile (524.3 units/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 90.7% White, 0.7% African American, 0.3% Native American, 4.0% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.0% from other races, and 3.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.0% of the population.^[24]

There were 9,523 households, of which 37.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.8% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 25.6% were non-families. 20.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.04.

The median age in the city was 41.5 years. 26.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.3% were from 25 to 44; 33.4% were from 45 to 64; and 11.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.7% male and 51.3% female.