 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 workforce 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 2012, the region's population reached 397,495. Salem is the state capital and the region's largest city with 156,455 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 five private colleges and universities; Western Oregon University, Chemeketa Community College, Linfield College, Willamette University, George Fox University, Corban University, 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. |
| What's New | | | LOCAL TRENDS AND ANALYSIS | | |
Employment Concentrations in the Mid-Willamette Valley
The Labor Force in Region 3
Salem MSA Year in Review 2012
Population Growth of Marion, Polk, and Yamhill Counties
Hispanic Employment in Marion, Polk, and Yamhill Counties
New Personal Income Data for Marion, Polk, and Yamhill Counties
Employee Turnover in Marion, Polk, and Yamhill Counties
Region 3 Health Insurance Coverage
Region 3 Occupational Wages
An Aging Workforce in Marion, Polk, and Yamhill Counties
What Employers Need: Workforce Challenges Among Fabricated Metal Manufacturers
2011 Agriculture Sales for Marion, Polk, and Yamhill Counties
Commuting in the Salem Metro Area
Occupational Structure Overview and Projections in Region 3
Region 3 2010-2020 Industry Employment Projections
Census Bureau Population Characteristics Estimates 2010: Marion, Polk, and Yamhill Counties
The Mid-Willamette Valley's Mixed Economic Recovery
North Santiam Canyon: A Commuter's Paradise
Covered Employment and Wages in Region 3: 2009
Region 3 Components of Population Change
Yamhill County's Diverse Manufacturing Sector
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| Regional Contacts | | | FOR LABOR MARKET INFORMATION | | |
Pat O'Connor
Regional Economist
Central Willamette Valley
(541) 812-8639
Martin Kraal
Workforce Analyst
Marion, Polk, and Yamhill counties
(503) 302-8568
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