A vibrant community located in the heart of the Willamette Valley. The area is dotted with cities, farms, and forests and is considered one of the most livable areas of the country, offering a low cost-of-living, quality schools, and mild weather. The county covers 1,194 square miles and has a population of approximately 323,000. There are 20 incorporated cities and 37 unincorporated communities in Marion County. Salem, the county seat and the state capital, is one of the valley’s oldest cities and the third largest city in Oregon. Marion County has both private and public schools, pre-school through university level. There are four universities and two community colleges within a 30-mile radius.
Set in the picturesque Willamette Valley it is one of the most fertile agricultural regions of the United States. A richly diverse cultural city, Salem has a historic downtown, state capitol, and several museums. Visitors can explore the beautiful gardens in this city, hike through ancient forests, or visit a charming hilltop abbey.
Marion County is rich with parks, rivers, lakes, and recreational activities, including hiking, fishing, biking, boating, equestrian trails, organized children’s sports and activities, Saturday artisan markets, theatre, museums, art fairs, music fairs, the Marion County Fair and the Oregon State Fair. A short driving distance to the east there is world class skiing in the Cascade Mountains. To the west are many beautiful, public beaches on the Pacific Ocean. To the north is Portland, Oregon’s cultural hub and largest city, and to the south are the rivers and canyons of the beautiful Rogue Valley and the annual Shakespearean Festival in Ashland.
