Mehama, Oregon
Encyclopedia
Mehama is an unincorporated
community in Marion County
, Oregon
, United States
, located on Oregon Route 22 and the North Santiam River
. For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau
has defined Mehama as a census-designated place
(CDP). The census definition of the area may not precisely correspond to local understanding of the area with the same name. The population was 283 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Salem
Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Mehama is the eastern terminus of Oregon Route 226, and is just one mile north of Lyons
, across the North Santiam.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the CDP has a total area of 0.5 square miles (1.3 km²), of which, 0.5 square miles (1.3 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (4.00%) is water.
of 2000, there were 283 people, 110 households, and 77 families residing in the CDP. The population density
was 596.8 people per square mile (232.5/km²). There were 123 housing units at an average density of 259.4 per square mile (101.0/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 89.05% White, 0.35% African American, 2.47% Native American, 1.06% Asian, 0.35% from other races
, and 6.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.06% of the population.
There were 110 households out of which 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.2% were married couples
living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.1% were non-families. 23.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 22.6% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 102.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 112.6 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $38,854, and the median income for a family was $54,286. Males had a median income of $35,192 versus $14,712 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $17,617. None of the families and 11.2% of the population were living below the poverty line.
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
community in Marion County
Marion County, Oregon
Marion County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. It was originally named the Champooick District, after Champoeg, a meeting place on the Willamette River. On September 3, 1849, the territorial legislature renamed it in honor of Francis Marion, a Continental Army general of the...
, Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, located on Oregon Route 22 and the North Santiam River
North Santiam River
The North Santiam River is a tributary of the Santiam River in western Oregon in the United States. It drains of the Cascade Range on the eastern side of the Willamette Valley east of Salem....
. For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
has defined Mehama as a census-designated place
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
(CDP). The census definition of the area may not precisely correspond to local understanding of the area with the same name. The population was 283 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Salem
Salem, Oregon
Salem is the capital of the U.S. state of Oregon, and the county seat of Marion County. It is located in the center of the Willamette Valley alongside the Willamette River, which runs north through the city. The river forms the boundary between Marion and Polk counties, and the city neighborhood...
Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Mehama is the eastern terminus of Oregon Route 226, and is just one mile north of Lyons
Lyons, Oregon
Lyons is a city in Linn County, Oregon, United States. The population was 1,008 at the 2000 census. The center of population of Oregon is located in Lyons.-Geography:...
, across the North Santiam.
History
Mehama was named for the wife of pioneer James X. Smith. Smith laid out the townsite and operated a ferry on the North Santiam. A post office, misnamed Mehamah, was established in 1877, but the name was changed to Mehama by 1881.Geography
Mehama is located at 44°47′28"N 122°37′43"W (44.791218, -122.628565).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the CDP has a total area of 0.5 square miles (1.3 km²), of which, 0.5 square miles (1.3 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (4.00%) is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 283 people, 110 households, and 77 families residing in the CDP. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 596.8 people per square mile (232.5/km²). There were 123 housing units at an average density of 259.4 per square mile (101.0/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 89.05% White, 0.35% African American, 2.47% Native American, 1.06% Asian, 0.35% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 6.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.06% of the population.
There were 110 households out of which 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.2% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.1% were non-families. 23.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 22.6% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 102.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 112.6 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $38,854, and the median income for a family was $54,286. Males had a median income of $35,192 versus $14,712 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the CDP was $17,617. None of the families and 11.2% of the population were living below the poverty line.