Lincoln County, Oregon

History

Lincoln County was created by the Oregon Legislative Assembly on February 20, 1893, from the western portion of Benton and Polk counties. The county adjusted its boundaries in 1923, 1925, 1927, 1931, and 1949.

At the time of the county's creation, Toledo was picked as the temporary county seat. In 1896 it was chosen as the permanent county seat. Three elections were held to determine if the county seat should be moved from Toledo to Newport. Twice these votes failed—in 1928 and 1938. In 1954, however, the vote went in Newport's favor. While Toledo has remained the industrial hub of Lincoln County, the city has never regained the position it once had.

Like Tillamook County to the north, for the first decades of its existence Lincoln County was isolated from the rest of the state. This was solved with the construction of U.S. Route 101 (completed in 1925), and the Salmon River Highway (completed in 1930). In 1936, as some of many federally funded construction projects during the Great Depression, bridges were constructed across the bays at Waldport, Newport, and Siletz, eliminating the ferries needed to cross these bays.

The northern part of Lincoln County includes the Siletz Reservation, created by treaty in 1855. The reservation was open to non-Indian settlement between 1895 and 1925. The Siletz's tribal status was terminated by the federal government in 1954, but in 1977 it became the first Oregon tribe to have its tribal status reinstated. The current reservation totals 3,666 acre.

In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Lincoln County issued a face mask directive which exempted "people of color". After county officials were overwhelmed with criticism, the exemption was rescinded.

Economy

Principal industries of the county are travel (primarily tourism), trade, health services and construction. Paper manufacturing and fishing are still important although they contribute proportionally less to the county's employment than they used to. Newport is one of the two major fishing ports of Oregon (along with Astoria) that ranks in the top twenty of fishing ports in the U.S. Its port averaged 105 e6lb of fish landed in 1997–2000. Newport is home of Oregon State University's Hatfield Marine Science Center, as well as the Oregon Coast Aquarium, and their fleet of ocean-going vessels.

Many of the other communities in Lincoln county depend on tourism as their principal source of income. The county's average nonfarm employment was 18,820 in 2007.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1194 sqmi, of which 980 sqmi is land and 214 sqmi (18%) is water.

Adjacent counties

• Tillamook County (north)
• Polk County (east)
• Benton County (east)
• Lane County (south)

National protected areas

• Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge (part)
• Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge
• Siuslaw National Forest (part)

Demographics

|align-fn=center 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2020

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 50,395. Of the residents, 15.9% were under the age of 18 and 30.6% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 52.9 years. For every 100 females there were 92.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 90.6 males. Sixty-two percent of residents lived in urban areas and 38.0% lived in rural areas.

The racial makeup of the county was 80.6% White, 0.4% Black or African American, 3.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3% Asian, 0.2% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 4.2% from some other race, and 9.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 9.6% of the population.

There were 22,707 households in the county, of which 19.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 29.1% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 32,066 housing units, of which 29.2% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 66.6% were owner-occupied and 33.4% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.3% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.5%.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 46,034 people, 20,550 households, and 12,372 families living in the county. The population density was 47.0 PD/sqmi. There were 30,610 housing units at an average density of 31.2 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 87.7% white, 3.5% American Indian, 1.1% Asian, 0.4% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 3.4% from other races, and 3.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 7.9% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 23.5% were German, 22.0% were English, 14.6% were Irish, and 4.6% were American.

Of the 20,550 households, 21.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.3% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 39.8% were non-families, and 31.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.70. The median age was 49.6 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $39,738 and the median income for a family was $52,730. Males had a median income of $42,416 versus $31,690 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,354. About 11.7% of families and 16.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.7% of those under age 18 and 8.8% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 44,479 people, 19,296 households, and 12,252 families living in the county. The population density was 45 /mi2. There were 26,889 housing units at an average density of 27 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 90.59% White, 0.30% Black or African American, 3.14% Native American, 0.93% Asian, 0.16% Pacific Islander, 1.66% from other races, and 3.23% from two or more races. 4.76% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 16.8% were of German, 13.5% English, 10.8% Irish and 8.5% American ancestry.

There were 19,296 households, out of which 24.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.50% were married couples living together, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.50% were non-families. 29.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.75.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.40% under the age of 18, 6.50% from 18 to 24, 23.50% from 25 to 44, 29.00% from 45 to 64, and 19.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 94.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,769, and the median income for a family was $39,403. Males had a median income of $32,407 versus $22,622 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,692. About 9.80% of families and 13.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.50% of those under age 18 and 7.20% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

In its early history, Lincoln County, like almost all of Western Oregon during the era, was very solidly Republican. It was won by the Republican presidential nominee in every election from its creation up to and including 1928, even voting for William Howard Taft in 1912 when his party was divided. Since Franklin Delano Roosevelt became the first Democrat to carry the county in 1932, Lincoln has become a strongly Democratic-leaning county. The only Republicans to win Lincoln County since the Great Depression transformed its politics have been Dwight D. Eisenhower, Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan, who each carried the county twice. With the exception of 1968 (in which the county only backed Nixon by 22 votes), all of these post-Depression Republican wins in Lincoln County occurred during landslide victories for Republicans across the nation. Starting in 1988, Lincoln County has since remained reliably Democratic, backing Democratic candidates for president often by double digit margins.

In the United States House of Representatives, Lincoln County lies within Oregon's 4th congressional district, represented by Democrat Val Hoyle. In the Oregon House of Representatives, Lincoln County is in the 10th District, which is represented by Democrat David Gomberg. In the Oregon State Senate, Lincoln County is in the 5th District, represented by Republican Dick Anderson.

Lincoln County elected the first (and to date, only) trans woman to elected office in Oregon history in 2020, when County Commissioner Claire Hall was re-elected to her seat after coming out as transgender in 2018. Hall was re-elected in 2024 and passed away in office on January 4, 2026 after a short illness while battling a recall campaign.

Lincoln County is currently one of 11 counties in Oregon in which therapeutic psilocybin is legal.

Communities

Cities

• Depoe Bay
• Lincoln City
• Newport (county seat)
• Siletz
• Toledo
• Waldport
• Yachats

Census-designated places

• Bayshore
• Lincoln Beach
• Neotsu
• Rose Lodge
• San Marine

Unincorporated communities

• Agate Beach
• Bayview
• Beverly Beach
• Burnt Woods
• Chitwood
• Eddyville
• Elk City
• Fisher
• Gleneden Beach
• Harlan
• Kernville
• Little Albany
• Logsden
• Nashville
• Newport Heights
• Nortons
• Ocean Park
• Otis
• Otis Junction
• Otter Rock
• Roads End
• Seal Rock
• South Beach
• Tidewater
• Yaquina

Education

There is one school district in the county, the Lincoln County School District.

The county is in the Oregon Coast Community College district.

References

References

1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau.
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties.
3. Gannett, Henry. (1905). "The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States". U.S. Government Printing Office.
4. Ross, Erin. (June 28, 2020). "How Internet Outrage Led to A Change In Lincoln County's Face Mask Policy". OPB.
5. [http://www.qualityinfo.org Oregon Labor Market Information System]
6. [http://www.bea.gov Bureau of Economic Analysis]
7. (August 22, 2012). "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
8. "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". United States Census Bureau.
9. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau.
10. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library.
11. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau.
12. (April 2, 2001). "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". United States Census Bureau.
13. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)".
14. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)".
15. (2023). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)".
16. "1980 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Oregon - Table 58 - Persons by Race and Table 59 - Total Persons and Spanish Origin Persons by Type of Spanish Origin and Race (p. 39/24-39/32)".
17. "1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Oregon - Table 5 - Race and Hispanic Origin".
18. "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Lincoln County, Oregon".
19. "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Lincoln County, Oregon".
20. "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Lincoln County, Oregon".
21. included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
22. included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
23. not an option in the 1980 Census
24. not an option in the 1990 Census
25. "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". [[United States Census Bureau]].
26. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". [[United States Census Bureau]].
27. "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". [[United States Census Bureau]].
28. "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". [[United States Census Bureau]].
29. Menendez, Albert J.; ''The Geography of Presidential Elections in the United States, 1868-2004'', pp. 284-285 {{ISBN. 0786422173
30. Escudero, Shayla. (2025-12-30). "Historic recall election for a Lincoln County commissioner is a culmination of two years of chaos and conflict".
31. "Lincoln County Commissioner Claire Hall died late Sunday in Portland hospital; recall election is now void".
32. Haberman, Margaret. (2018-06-05). "'I couldn't wear this mask one more day': A county commissioner named Bill becomes Claire".
33. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
34. The leading "other" candidate, [[Progressive Party (United States, 1912). Progressive]] [[Theodore Roosevelt]], received 265 votes, while Socialist [[Eugene V. Debs. Eugene Debs]] received 227 votes, [[Prohibition Party. Prohibition]] candidate [[Eugene W. Chafin. Eugene Chafin]] received 42 votes.
35. Geography Division. (December 18, 2020). "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Lincoln County, OR". [[U.S. Census Bureau]].
36. "Oregon Community Colleges and Community College Districts".