Molalla, Oregon
Encyclopedia
Molalla is a city in Clackamas County
, Oregon
, United States
. The population was 5,647 at the 2000 census.
, which in turn was named for the Molala
, a Native American
tribe that inhabited the area. William H. Vaughan took up a donation land claim
in the area in 1844. Molalla post office was established in 1850, near the site of Liberal
, and was discontinued in 1851. The post office was reestablished in 1868 and it ran until 1874, then was reestablished in 1875, which is when it was probably placed at the present location of Molalla.
Since the late 1990s the city has been experiencing a surge in growth and expansion in the residential sector. A number of business franchises have located in Molalla since 2000. In 2005, Molalla installed its first stoplight, at the intersection of Oregon Route 211 and Oregon Route 213, because of the traffic brought by the increased business activity.
, near the Mount Hood National Forest
, 15 miles south of Oregon City
and 13 miles from Interstate 5. Molalla is surrounded by farms and rural residential development.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 1.9 square miles (4.9 km²), all land.
of 2000, there were 5,647 people, 1,948 households, and 1,425 families residing in the city. The population density
was 2,939.4 people per square mile (1,135.6/km²). There were 2,027 housing units at an average density of 1,055.1 per square mile (407.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 88.60% White, 0.44% African American, 1.29% Native American, 0.50% Asian, 0.28% Pacific Islander, 6.69% from other races
, and 2.20% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.55% of the population.
There were 1,948 households out of which 43.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.7% were married couples
living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.8% were non-families. 21.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.84 and the average family size was 3.29.
In the city the population was spread out with 31.8% under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 32.4% from 25 to 44, 15.6% from 45 to 64, and 10.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 94.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $42,672, and the median income for a family was $46,915. Males had a median income of $37,172 versus $25,988 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $16,738. About 7.3% of families and 9.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.2% of those under age 18 and 10.8% of those age 65 or over.
and agriculture
, but with the downturn in the timber industry, the city is turning to manufacturing to revitalize its economy.
Major employers in Molalla include the Molalla River School District
, Brentwood Industries, RSG Forest Products, and RMS Technology, Inc.
Rodeo and the Apple Festival. It also hosts the Ross Coleman Invitational, an annual Professional Bull Riders (PBR) minor-league tour event hosted by PBR bull rider and Molalla native Ross Coleman.
The Horace L. Dibble House and the Fred Vonder Ahe House and Summer Kitchen are buildings in Molalla on the National Register of Historic Places
(NRHP) that have been preserved by the Molalla Area Historical Society. The NRHP-listed Rock Creek Methodist Church and William Hatchette Vaughan House are also in the Molalla area.
corridor offers opportunities for outdoor activities, including fishing, hunting, and hiking. Along the corridor to the east, Table Rock
is a favorite local rocky promontory that provides visitors with a view of Molalla and the surrounding countryside for miles in every direction.
. There is one public high school within the Molalla River School District, Molalla High School
, and seven primary and middle schools. Molalla is also home of the private Country Christian School
which serves students from preschool
to twelfth grade
(PK-12) and has 288 students. Both schools compete in the Oregon School Activities Association
.
The city operates a public library that is part of the Library Information Network of Clackamas County
.
. Molalla is also served by radio and TV broadcasting stations from Portland
, and residents have access to cable and satellite systems.
Molalla's principal road links are Oregon routes 211 and 213. Route 213, heading north, links Molalla to Oregon City and Portland
. Heading south, Route 213 connects Molalla to Silverton
and Salem
. Route 211, which intersects Route 213, connects the city to Canby
and Woodburn
to the west, and Colton
, Estacada
, and Sandy
to the east.
Air
Molalla is served by a number of small regional airports:
Rail
Molalla does not have a rail link within city limits, although it was formerly served by the Oregon Pacific Railroad
. The Oregon Pacific tracks now end at Liberal
, three miles to the north. The closest Amtrak
station is in Oregon City.
and electricity is provided by Portland General Electric
.
45.149578°N 122.579206°W
Clackamas County, Oregon
Clackamas County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. The county was named after the Native Americans living in the area, the Clackamas Indians, who were part of the Chinookan people. As of 2010, the population was 375,992...
, 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...
. The population was 5,647 at the 2000 census.
History
Molalla was named after the Molalla RiverMolalla River
The Molalla River is a tributary of the Willamette River in the U.S. state of Oregon.-Geography:Its headwaters are in Clackamas County, in the Table Rock Wilderness, near Table Rock, in the Cascade Range...
, which in turn was named for the Molala
Molala
The Molala were a people of the Plateau culture area in central Oregon, United States. Some consider them extinct, though they are one of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon, with 141 of the 882 members in the 1950s claiming Molala descent.-Language:The Molalla language...
, a Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
tribe that inhabited the area. William H. Vaughan took up a donation land claim
Donation Land Claim Act
The Donation Land Claim Act of 1850 was a statute enacted by the United States Congress intended to promote homestead settlement in the Oregon Territory in the Pacific Northwest...
in the area in 1844. Molalla post office was established in 1850, near the site of Liberal
Liberal, Oregon
Liberal is an unincorporated community in Clackamas County, Oregon, United States. It lies on Oregon Route 213 between Mulino and Molalla.The community of Liberal grew up three miles south of Mulino on the south side of the Molalla River. The Liberal crossroads is located at the mutual corners of...
, and was discontinued in 1851. The post office was reestablished in 1868 and it ran until 1874, then was reestablished in 1875, which is when it was probably placed at the present location of Molalla.
Since the late 1990s the city has been experiencing a surge in growth and expansion in the residential sector. A number of business franchises have located in Molalla since 2000. In 2005, Molalla installed its first stoplight, at the intersection of Oregon Route 211 and Oregon Route 213, because of the traffic brought by the increased business activity.
Geography
Molalla is located in the foothills of the Cascade RangeCascade Range
The Cascade Range is a major mountain range of western North America, extending from southern British Columbia through Washington and Oregon to Northern California. It includes both non-volcanic mountains, such as the North Cascades, and the notable volcanoes known as the High Cascades...
, near the Mount Hood National Forest
Mount Hood National Forest
The Mount Hood National Forest is located east of the city of Portland, Oregon, and the northern Willamette River valley. The Forest extends south from the Columbia River Gorge across more than of forested mountains, lakes and streams to the Olallie Scenic Area, a high lake basin under the slopes...
, 15 miles south of Oregon City
Oregon City, Oregon
Oregon City was the first city in the United States west of the Rocky Mountains to be incorporated. It is the county seat of Clackamas County, Oregon...
and 13 miles from Interstate 5. Molalla is surrounded by farms and rural residential development.
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 city has a total area of 1.9 square miles (4.9 km²), all land.
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 5,647 people, 1,948 households, and 1,425 families residing in the city. 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 2,939.4 people per square mile (1,135.6/km²). There were 2,027 housing units at an average density of 1,055.1 per square mile (407.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 88.60% White, 0.44% African American, 1.29% Native American, 0.50% Asian, 0.28% Pacific Islander, 6.69% 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 2.20% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.55% of the population.
There were 1,948 households out of which 43.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.7% 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, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.8% were non-families. 21.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.84 and the average family size was 3.29.
In the city the population was spread out with 31.8% under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 32.4% from 25 to 44, 15.6% from 45 to 64, and 10.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 94.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $42,672, and the median income for a family was $46,915. Males had a median income of $37,172 versus $25,988 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 city was $16,738. About 7.3% of families and 9.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.2% of those under age 18 and 10.8% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
Molalla's economy was traditionally based on loggingLogging
Logging is the cutting, skidding, on-site processing, and loading of trees or logs onto trucks.In forestry, the term logging is sometimes used in a narrow sense concerning the logistics of moving wood from the stump to somewhere outside the forest, usually a sawmill or a lumber yard...
and agriculture
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
, but with the downturn in the timber industry, the city is turning to manufacturing to revitalize its economy.
Major employers in Molalla include the Molalla River School District
Molalla River School District
Molalla River School District is a public school district serving Molalla, Oregon, United States and the surrounding area of Clackamas County, including the communities of Clarkes, Mulino and Rural Dell...
, Brentwood Industries, RSG Forest Products, and RMS Technology, Inc.
Annual cultural events
Molalla is the home of the Molalla BuckerooMolalla Buckeroo
The Molalla Buckeroo Rodeo is an annual rodeo in Molalla, Oregon, United States. It is held on Independence Day, July 4.-History:The Molalla Buckeroo has been held annually since September 1913, when the railroad came to town. During the early years, the local fireman sponsored the rodeo as an...
Rodeo and the Apple Festival. It also hosts the Ross Coleman Invitational, an annual Professional Bull Riders (PBR) minor-league tour event hosted by PBR bull rider and Molalla native Ross Coleman.
Museums and other points of interest
There is a miniature steam train, the Shady Dell Pacific Railroad, in Molalla Train Park three miles east of Molalla.The Horace L. Dibble House and the Fred Vonder Ahe House and Summer Kitchen are buildings in Molalla on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
(NRHP) that have been preserved by the Molalla Area Historical Society. The NRHP-listed Rock Creek Methodist Church and William Hatchette Vaughan House are also in the Molalla area.
Parks and recreation
The Molalla RiverMolalla River
The Molalla River is a tributary of the Willamette River in the U.S. state of Oregon.-Geography:Its headwaters are in Clackamas County, in the Table Rock Wilderness, near Table Rock, in the Cascade Range...
corridor offers opportunities for outdoor activities, including fishing, hunting, and hiking. Along the corridor to the east, Table Rock
Table Rock Wilderness
The Table Rock Wilderness is a small pocket wilderness designated in 1984in the western Cascade Mountains in northwestern Oregon, United States. The wilderness area protects of forest in the historic Molalla River–Pudding River drainage basin, some southeast of Molalla, Oregon and southeast of...
is a favorite local rocky promontory that provides visitors with a view of Molalla and the surrounding countryside for miles in every direction.
Education
Molalla is served by the Molalla River School DistrictMolalla River School District
Molalla River School District is a public school district serving Molalla, Oregon, United States and the surrounding area of Clackamas County, including the communities of Clarkes, Mulino and Rural Dell...
. There is one public high school within the Molalla River School District, Molalla High School
Molalla High School
Molalla High School is a public high school of in Molalla, Oregon, United States. It is the only high school in the Molalla River School District.-History:Molalla High School graduated its first class in 1911...
, and seven primary and middle schools. Molalla is also home of the private Country Christian School
Country Christian School
Country Christian School, known as CCS, is a private Christian school in Molalla, Oregon, United States. It has been accredited through the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools since 1991....
which serves students from preschool
Preschool education
Preschool education is the provision of learning to children before the commencement of statutory and obligatory education, usually between the ages of zero and three or five, depending on the jurisdiction....
to twelfth grade
Twelfth grade
Twelfth grade or Senior year, or Grade Twelve, are the North American names for the final year of secondary school. In most countries students then graduate at age 17 or 18. In some countries, there is a thirteenth grade, while other countries do not have a 12th grade/year at all...
(PK-12) and has 288 students. Both schools compete in the Oregon School Activities Association
Oregon School Activities Association
The Oregon School Activities Association is a non-profit, board-governed organization that regulates high school athletics and competitive activities via athletic conferences in the U.S. state of Oregon, providing equitable competition among its members, both public and private...
.
The city operates a public library that is part of the Library Information Network of Clackamas County
Library Information Network of Clackamas County
Libraries in Clackamas County is a consortium of the public libraries of Clackamas County, Oregon. It was established in 1977 when the first county-wide funding levy was approved by county voters...
.
Media
The Molalla Pioneer is a bi-weekly paper published Wednesday and Saturday by Eagle NewspapersEagle Newspapers (Oregon)
Eagle Newspapers, Inc. is an American newspaper publisher serving the states of Oregon, Washington and Idaho. The company publishes two daily papers, six semi-weekly papers, six weekly papers, two weekly classified publications, and six specialty publications. The company also owns four printing...
. Molalla is also served by radio and TV broadcasting stations from Portland
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
, and residents have access to cable and satellite systems.
Transportation
RoadMolalla's principal road links are Oregon routes 211 and 213. Route 213, heading north, links Molalla to Oregon City and Portland
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
. Heading south, Route 213 connects Molalla to Silverton
Silverton, Oregon
Silverton is a city in Marion County, Oregon, United States, along the 45th parallel. The population was 7,414 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Salem Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
and 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...
. Route 211, which intersects Route 213, connects the city to Canby
Canby, Oregon
Canby is a city in Clackamas County, Oregon, United States. The population was 15,829 at the 2010 census. It is located on Oregon Route 99E, two miles northeast of Barlow.-History:...
and Woodburn
Woodburn, Oregon
Woodburn is a city in Marion County, Oregon, United States. Incorporated in 1889, the community had been platted in 1871 after the arrival of the railroad. The city is located in the northern end of the Willamette Valley along Interstate 5 between Portland and Salem...
to the west, and Colton
Colton, Oregon
Colton is an unincorporated community located in Clackamas County, Oregon, United States, on Oregon Route 211. Colton is located between the cities of Estacada and Molalla....
, Estacada
Estacada, Oregon
Estacada is a city in Clackamas County, Oregon, United States, about 30 miles southeast of Portland. The population was 2,695 at the 2010 census. -History:The Estacada post office opened in February 1904 and the city was incorporated in May 1905...
, and Sandy
Sandy, Oregon
Sandy is a city located in Clackamas County, Oregon, United States, and named after the nearby Sandy River. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 5,385, however the 2006 estimate shows 7,070 people....
to the east.
Air
Molalla is served by a number of small regional airports:
- Skydive Oregon (About two miles west)
- Portland-Mulino AirportMulino AirportPortland-Mulino Airport , also known as Mulino Airport, is a public airport located at Mulino, Oregon, near the city of Molalla, about 20 miles south of Portland with easy access from Interstate 205 via Oregon Route 213...
(About four miles north) - Lenhardt AirparkLenhardt AirparkLenhardt Airpark , is a privately owned, public use airport located 3 miles east of Hubbard in Marion County, Oregon, USA....
(About 11 miles west) - Aurora State AirportAurora State AirportAurora State Airport is a public airport located one mile northwest of the central business district of Aurora, a city in Marion County, Oregon, United States. It is owned by the Oregon Department of Aviation.Although most U.S...
(About 12 miles northwest)
Rail
Molalla does not have a rail link within city limits, although it was formerly served by the Oregon Pacific Railroad
Oregon Pacific Railroad (1998)
Oregon Pacific Railroad is a short-line railroad operating two disconnected routes: one in southeast Portland, Oregon and the former Southern Pacific Molalla Branch between Canby and Liberal, Oregon....
. The Oregon Pacific tracks now end at Liberal
Liberal, Oregon
Liberal is an unincorporated community in Clackamas County, Oregon, United States. It lies on Oregon Route 213 between Mulino and Molalla.The community of Liberal grew up three miles south of Mulino on the south side of the Molalla River. The Liberal crossroads is located at the mutual corners of...
, three miles to the north. The closest Amtrak
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
station is in Oregon City.
Utilities
Water and wastewater treatment are provided by the City of Molalla. Natural gas is provided by NW NaturalNW Natural
NW Natural is a publicly traded utility headquartered in Portland, Oregon, United States. Primarily a natural gas distributor, the company services residential, industrial, and commercial customers in Western Oregon and Southwest Washington in the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1859, the company...
and electricity is provided by Portland General Electric
Portland General Electric
Portland General Electric is an electrical utility based in Portland in the U.S. state of Oregon. It distributes electricity to customers in parts of Multnomah, Clackamas, Marion, Yamhill, Washington, and Polk counties - half of the inhabitants of Oregon...
.
Healthcare
Molalla is served by Silverton Hospital in Silverton and Willamette Falls Hospital in Oregon City.Notable people
- Roger BeyerRoger BeyerRoger Beyer is a Republican politician from the US state of Oregon, who most recently served in the Oregon Senate, representing District 9, which includes parts of Clackamas, Linn, and Marion County, Oregon counties.-Early life and career:...
, Oregon state senator - Kevin FreemanKevin FreemanKevin John Freeman is an American equestrian who competed at three Olympic Games, winning silver medals in team eventing in 1964 and 1972.-Early life:...
, Olympic equestrian - Ralph M. HolmanRalph M. HolmanRalph M. Holman is an attorney and senior judge in the state of Oregon, United States. He was the 74th Associate Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court. Previously he was a circuit court judge for Clackamas County, Oregon.-Early life:...
, Oregon Supreme Court judge - Rufus C. HolmanRufus C. HolmanRufus Cecil Holman was an American politician and businessman in the state of Oregon. A Republican and native Oregonian, he served as United States Senator for a single term during World War II...
, United States senator - Macy MorseMacy MorseMacy Morse is an American non-violent peace activist, and anti-nuclear activist.-History and background:Macy Elkins was born in Molalla, Oregon, a Pacific Northwest logging town...
, peace activist
External links
- City of Molalla (official website)
- Listing for Molalla in the Oregon Blue BookOregon Blue BookThe Oregon Blue Book is the official directory and fact book for the U.S. state of Oregon copyrighted by the Oregon Secretary of State and published by the Office of the Secretary's Archives Division. As Governor Ted Kulongoski notes in his introduction for the 2005–2006 edition, it "provides...
- Historic images of Molalla from Salem Public Library
45.149578°N 122.579206°W