 Region 3 consists of Marion, Polk, and Yamhill counties, located in the heart of Oregon's agriculturally rich Willamette Valley, south of Portland and north of Eugene along Interstate 5. The Willamette Valley gets its name from the Willamette River, which bisects the region. Nearly one-fifth of Yamhill County's work force commutes to the Portland metro area, qualifying Yamhill County to be included in the Portland Primary Metropolitan Statistical Area (PMSA). Marion and Polk combined are known as the Salem Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). In 2003, the region's population reached 448,050. Salem is the state capital and the region's largest city with 141,660 residents.
Major industries in the region include state government, agriculture, food processing, education, and wood products manufacturing. Although the region's dependence on natural resource industries has declined over time, it remains a key agricultural producer with nearly 30 percent of the state's gross farm sales. Growth in high tech and other manufacturing industries has helped to offset declines in the region's traditional resource industries. The region contains two public and six private colleges and universities; Western Oregon University, Chemeketa Community College, Linfield College, Willamette University, George Fox University, Salem Bible College, Corban College, and Mt. Angel Seminary. The large concentration of employment in the state government sector has provided a degree of stability to the region's economy. |
| Regional Contacts | | | FOR LABOR MARKET INFORMATION | | |
Pat O'Connor
Regional Economist
Central Willamette Valley
(541) 967-2171 X230
Gail Krumenauer
Workforce Analyst
Marion, Polk, & Yamhill Counties
(503) 302-8568
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