Willamina was named after Willamina Creek, which in turn was named for early settler Willamina Williams shortly after she fell off of her horse and into the creek.[6][7] Williams was born Willamina Craig in 1817 in Ohio.[1][7] She married James Maley in 1837 and the couple came to Oregon in 1845 with James' daughter.[7] While looking for land to settle, the family came across a tributary of the South Yamhill River and named it for Mrs. Maley.[7] James Maley died in 1847, and Willamina married Enos Williams in 1848.[7] They settled in what is now Amity.[7]
Willamina post office was established in 1855 on the James Brown land claim, about a mile east of present-day Willamina.[7] The office moved in 1863 about two miles west to the Jeremiah Lamson land claim.[7] In 1866, the office was moved and renamed to present-day Sheridan.[7] In 1878, a new Willamina post office was established; it operated from December 1880 to March 1891 just over the county line in Polk County.[7] A gristmill and sawmill were established in 1878.[1] The townsite was platted in 1879 and Willamina incorporated in 1903.[1] At that time the city had 200 residents.[1]
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.96 square miles (2.49 km2), of which 0.92 square miles (2.38 km2) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km2) is water.[8]
The median age was 35.4 years old. 14.6% of the population was older than 65, with 7.8% between the ages of 65 and 74, 3.7% between the ages of 75 and 84, and 3.1% 85 years or older. 1.3% of the population was foreign born.[10]
The median household income was $49,773, families had $57,656, married-couples had $65,273, and non-families had $33,000. 15.7% of the population were in poverty, with 13% of people under 18, 15.8% of people between 18 and 64, and 20.4% over 65 were in poverty.[10]
2010 census
As of the census[11] of 2010, there were 2,025 people, 698 households, and 501 families living in the city. The population density was 2,201.1 inhabitants per square mile (849.8/km2). There were 777 housing units at an average density of 844.6 per square mile (326.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 82.1% White, 0.3% African American, 8.8% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 0.4% Pacific Islander, 2.3% from other races, and 5.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.0% of the population.
There were 698 households, of which 40.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.7% were married couples living together, 16.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 10.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 28.2% were non-families. 20.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.89 and the average family size was 3.26.
The median age in the city was 33.2 years. 28.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.4% were between the ages of 25 and 44; 26.6% were between the ages of 45 and 64; and 9.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.1% male and 49.9% female.
2000 census
As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 1,844 people, 666 households, and 480 families living in the city. The population density was 2,138.0 inhabitants per square mile (825.5/km2). There were 715 housing units at an average density of 829.0 per square mile (320.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 84.22% White, 0.16% African American, 9.82% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.84% from other races, and 3.74% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.42% of the population.
There were 666 households, of which 39.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.1% were married couples living together, 13.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.9% were non-families. 22.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.19.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 32.4% under the age of 18, 9.1% between the ages of 18 and 24, 28.3% between the ages of 25 and 44, 19.8% between the ages of 45 and 64, and 10.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $32,326, and the median income for a family was $37,250. Males had a median income of $30,082 versus $22,432 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,349. About 10.9% of families and 14.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.2% of those under age 18 and 7.7% of those age 65 or over.
The other mainstay of the city's economy is the timber industry, and when the Pacific Plywood Corporation opened a plant in 1939, the city's population tripled. Willamina became known as "The Little Town with the Big Payroll".[1] As of 2002, the city's largest employers were Spirit Mountain Casino in nearby Grand Ronde, Hampton Lumber Company, Willamina School District, Maben Trucking, and Eddy Trucking.[16]
Education
Willamina is served by the Willamina School District, including Willamina High School.
Media
Willamina was formerly served by The Sun, Sheridan's weekly newspaper, which ceased publication in 2014. Currently, Willamina is served by the News-Register, a county-wide publication based in McMinnville.[17]
^"City of Willamina, Oregon". Retrieved May 18, 2015. The City of Willamina has rich pioneer history dating back to 1846 when a pioneer settler woman named Willamina Williams fell off a horse and into a creek; the creek was given her name.
