Polk

Formed December 22, 1845 (6^th county)

Polk County (87,432), Dallas (16,856)

The stone Romanesque courthouse was constructed in 1900 and remodeled and enlarged in 1966.  The structure is on a square at Court, Main, Mill, and Jefferson streets.  Oregon State Highway 223 is one block to the east of the facility.  Delod D. Neer provided the designs.  The building was enlarged again in 1989.  It features a tower with a working clock.  Veteran memorials are on the grounds.  The county was established on December 22, 1845 from Yamhill County as the 6^th county.  Cynthian was the first county seat until 1851 when Dallas assumed the position.  The county is named for United States President James K. Polk.  Dallas is named for United States Vice President George M. Dallas.  Polk County is the birthplace of 1 Oregon Governors, Mark O. Hatfield. 

Polk County government consists of a treasurer, a sheriff, an attorney, an administrator, and a clerk (executive).  It has 5 Commissioners (legislative.)  Three District Court Judges serve Polk County (judicial.)  The county is in western Oregon.  Portland, Oregon is northeast and Eugene, Oregon is southeast of the county.  The county center is 10.5 miles West of Dallas nearer Falls City.  The county is surrounded clockwise by Yamhill, Marion, Benton, Lincoln and Tillamook counties. 

The area of the county is 741 square miles.  It is 30 out of 36 in the state.  It ranks 13 out of 36 in population in the state.  It has a density of 118.0 persons per square mile making it 7 out of 36 in the state.  Polk County has 79.1% of its population in its incorporated areas.  There are no Interstates or United States Highways in the county.  The overall county shape is rectangular with the eastern side eaten away.  Dallas is located in the eastern third of the county.  Dallas is the county seat and the largest city.  It is 19.3% of the county population.  This county is in the Salem Metropolitan Statistical Area.