Oregon Politics and Government

The Oregon state motto, "She Flies with Her Own Wings," reflects not only the independent spirit of her early pioneers, but also the proactive nature of more contemporary Oregonians. Oregon was the first state in the Union to require statewide voter registration and first to elect its US senators by popular vote. Other firsts include a workers' compensation plan and an eight-hour work day for women. Environmental issues have also figured prominently in Oregon, which has made all its ocean beaches public, restricted non-returnable bottles and cans, and created state-funded bicycle paths.

Oregon has long been a hot-bed of conflict: British fur traders versus Native Americans, settlers from England against those from the US, farmers at odds with ranchers, environmentalists versus the lumbering industry. And citizens from both ends of the political spectrum have, at one time or another, advanced proposals to secede from the Union.

Oregon History

Early European explorers from England and Spain probably sighted the Oregon coast in the 1500s, but it wasn't until 1792 that the region was claimed for the US by Capt.Robert Gray in his ship, the Columbia.

The lure of a Northwest Passage and the desire of then-US President, Thomas Jefferson, to explore the west and the newly-acquired Louisiana Purchase, led Congress, in 1803, to appropriate funds for the Lewis and Clark expedition. The expedition was charged with finding an overland route to the Pacific. It was hoped that this would provide information about the Native inhabitants, as well as help secure US claims in the region. Indeed, the expedition proved to be pivotal in opening the area to settlement and in 1848, Oregon became a US Territory. In 1859, Oregon was admitted to the Union as the 33rd state.

As with much of the US, the area which is now Oregon was populated by Native American tribes, but with the coming of European settlers, most were moved to reservations in the mid-1800s. Despite this, the Native peoples of Oregon persevere, some assimilating, some choosing to retain their own cultures. In recent years, a number of tribes have been increasing their lands, and their influence in the state is growing.

Oregon Geography

Oregon's landscape is a study in contrasts: steep mountain slopes covered with dense forests, arid flatlands devoid of trees, rushing streams, and fertile valleys perfectly suited for agriculture. The mountains of the Cascades and of the Coastal Range are the determining factors in the damp, lush climate of the western third of Oregon and the dry conditions that prevail over the eastern two thirds of the state.

Oregon Demographics

Census Department figures report Oregon's population at 3,641.056, as of 2005, with double-digit growth in Asian-American and Latino populations since the 2000 census. Asian growth is located mostly in the metropolitan areas of Portland, Salem, and Eugene, while Hispanic population growth is across the state. About 60% of the nearly 1.5 thousand new residents come from ethnic and racial minorities. Nearly half of Oregon's total population resides in the Portland metropolitan area.

According to 2005 census estimates, 75% of Oregonians over 25 years of age are high school graduates, with 28% having earned a bachelor's degrees or higher. Median income for Oregon families is $52,698, while per capita income is $23,785.

Oregon Real Estate Information

Like its landscape and its politics, the Oregon real estate market ranges widely. As of 2005, sixty thousand homes were valued at less than $50,000 and 10 thousand at more than 1 million. The median home value is $201,200. Of 1.6 million housing units reported in 2005, 67% were single-family homes and 64% were owner-occupied. For those with mortgages, median monthly housing costs are $1,300.

Oregon Economy

Agriculture is one of Oregon's most important industries. The Oregon state government website relates that Oregonians have boasted for generations, "Drive a nail in the land and it comes up green." Nation-leading crops include berries, cover seed crops, prunes, onions, snap beans, and hops. Oregon produces 99% of the US commercial hazelnut crop.

Nearly one half of Oregon is forested. Its lumber and wood-products industry realizes $3.3 billion a year, while paper manufacturing yields another $859 million. Oregon's salmon-fishing industry is one of the largest in the world. With its low-cost hydroelectric power, Oregon has developed numerous manufacturing enterprises that produce metalwork, machinery, aluminum, chemicals, food packing, and electronic equipment. Other growing industries include plastics, biotechnology, software and film and video production.