Lebanon ( ) is a city in Linn County, Oregon, United States. Lebanon is located in northwest Oregon, southeast of Salem. The population was 19,690 at the 2020 census. Lebanon sits beside the South Santiam River on the eastern edge of the Willamette Valley, close to the Cascade Range and a 25-minute drive to either of the larger cities of Corvallis and Albany. Lebanon is known for its foot-and-bike trails and its small-town character.
Demographics
thumb|Lebanon City Hall
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, Lebanon had a population of 18,447, resulting in a population density of 2,633 inhabitants per square mile (1,016.6/km²). The median age was 35.7 years. Of the population, 4.4% were under the age of 5, 23.1% were under the age of 18, and 18.1% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 94.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 90.4 males age 18 and over.
99.2% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.8% lived in rural areas.
There were 7,215 households in Lebanon, of which 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 42.5% were married-couple households, 17.2% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 29.9% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 27.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
! Race !! Number !! Percent
|-
| White || 15,814 || 85.7%
|-
| Black or African American || 97 || 0.5%
|-
| American Indian and Alaska Native || 225 || 1.2%
|-
| Asian || 246 || 1.3%
|-
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 53 || 0.3%
|-
| Some other race || 516 || 2.8%
|-
| Two or more races || 1,496 || 8.1%
|-
| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) || 1,463 || 7.9%
|}
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 15,518 people, 6,118 households, and 3,945 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 6,820 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 91.2% White, 0.5% African American, 1.4% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 2.1% from other races, and 3.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.8% of the population.
There were 6,118 households, of which 33.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.6% were married couples living together, 14.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 35.5% were non-families. 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.05.
The median age in the city was 36.6 years. 25.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.9% were from 25 to 44; 23.6% were from 45 to 64; and 16.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.7% male and 52.3% female.
Geography
thumb|The Elkins Flour Mill is listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places.]]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water.
Climate
This region experiences warm (but not hot) and dry summers, with no average monthly temperatures above . According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Lebanon has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, abbreviated "Csb" on climate maps.
Economy
thumb|[[Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital]]
Lowe's Regional Distribution Center is the largest employer in Lebanon, with 650 employees. The other major employers are Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital, Lebanon Schools, Walmart, Weyerhaeuser, and Entek International.
Education
thumb|The main building for the [[College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Northwest. The building first opened for classes in fall of 2011 and is located across the street from Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital.]]
Lebanon is served by the Lebanon Community Schools public school district, which includes Lebanon High School. It is also home to the private East Linn Christian Academy, which serves students from preschool through twelfth grade (PreK–12).
Western University of Health Sciences opened their College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Northwest in August 2011, the first new medical school in Oregon since Oregon Health & Science University was established. The school opened with 107 students.
In 2017, Linn–Benton Community College opened its HealthCare Occupations Center beside the osteopathic college.
In 2021, Western University of Health Sciences opened its College of Health Sciences for students of physical therapy.
History
In 1845, William Hawk and Thomas Morgan built a cabin on the site of present-day Lebanon. Nearby, on today's Main Street, they built a store. It soon became a stop for gold seekers on their way to California. Historically, strawberry farms were economically important to the area. The first festival was held in 1909 and it has been celebrated nearly every year since. A main feature of the festival is the "World's Largest Strawberry Shortcake". The Strawberry Festival includes a Junior Parade, a Grand Parade (featuring the Strawberry Royalty Court), and a fair with food, carnival rides and musical entertainment. The Strawberry Court is composed of five local high school students (Princesses), one of whom is selected to be the Strawberry Queen. The Court serve as local ambassadors for the community and in return receive scholarships to further their education.
Recreation
The city has 15 developed parks, totaling , which provide residents with baseball, softball, and soccer fields, as well as playgrounds, basketball and tennis courts, and other resources. Gills Landing has a boat ramp and dock, as well as an RV park, camping area, and showers. Ralston Park hosts the town's Christmas tree and yearly lighting celebration.
The Willamette Speedway is a racecar track located in Lebanon. It became an official NASCAR-sanctioned speedway in 2026.
A local nonprofit organization, Build Lebanon Trails, is working with the city government to build more than of walking and biking trails in Lebanon.
Notable people
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- Frederic Homer Balch (1861-1891), American writer
- David W. Ballard (1824–1875), governor of Idaho Territory
- Carson "Skeeter" Bigbee (1895–1964), professional baseball outfielder
- Eric Castle (1970–), former NFL safety and special teams player for the San Diego Chargers
- Jo Collins (1945–), actress and 1965 Playmate of the Year
- Warren C. Gill (1912–1987), Coast Guard veteran, Oregon State Representative and State Senator
- Howard Hesseman (1940–2022), actor
- Ben Howland (1957–), college basketball coach
- Pat McQuistan (1983–), offensive lineman for the Arizona Cardinals
- Paul McQuistan (1983–), offensive lineman for the Seattle Seahawks
- Tom Medley (1920–2014), cartoonist (creator of Stroker McGurk) and magazine editor
- Michael Merzenich (1942–), world-renowned neuroscientist
- Katherine Ann Power (1949–), former fugitive for manslaughter and armed robbery
- Doug Riesenberg (1965–), former NFL offensive tackle
- Dave Roberts (1951–), MLB third baseman
- Mike Royer (1941–), comic book artist at Marvel and DC Comics
- Dick Smith (1939–2012), MLB outfielder and first baseman
References
External links
- Entry for Lebanon in the Oregon Blue Book
- City of Lebanon website
- Chamber of Commerce
- Lebanon Express newspaper
- Lebanon Local newspaper
- Historic photos of Lebanon from Salem Public Library[h
- Lewis, David. "The 1851 Treaty Commission Journal: Santiam Kalapuya Negotiations."
- City of Lebanon Historic Context Statement
- "Lebanon" entry in Oregon Encyclopedia