Known for the Oregon trail and its fight with the federal government over right to die voter referenda, in 2004 Oregon captured national headlines when a county commissioner ordered clerks to issue marriage licenses to homosexual couples. It was the 33rd state admitted to the Union on 14 February 1859.
Introduction
The 2006 population was 3.7 million (28th of 50). Oregon is more white than the nation on average: 90.5% white (80.1% nationally) and 1.9% black (12.8% nationally). Its dominant minority is Asian (3.6% (4.4% nationally), and it has a larger percentage of Native Americans (1.4%) than the nation as a whole (1.0%). It has about the same percentage of poor people as the national average (12.9% v 12.7%). In 2000, the rural population was 804,000 (23.5%).
Registered Voters (2006): Democratic, 38.8%; Republican, 35.7%; Independent, 25.5%.
Registered Voters (2006): Democratic, 38.8%; Republican, 35.7%; Independent, 25.5%.
Presidential Politics
Oregon has shifted Democratic in the Presidential race in recent years; it was once reliably Republican (Oregonians voted for Dewey over Truman).Oregon has seven electoral votes.
- 2004: Bush (47%), Kerry (51%)
- 2004 - D Primary: Kerry (79%), Kucinich (16%)
- 2000: Bush (47%), Gore (47%)
- 1996: Clinton (47%), Dole (39%), Nader (4%), Perot (9%)
- 1992: Clinton (42%), Bush (33%), Perot (24%)
Federal Representation
- Sen. Ron Wyden (D)
- Sen. Gordon Smith (R)
State Government
- Gov. Ted Kulongoski (D). Elected: November 2002. Term expires: January 2011.
Economy
Like much of the west, Oregon's economy depends upon the high-tech industry, with its manufacturing sector focusing on oscilloscopes, computer video display monitors, calculators, and microprocessors. Coming in second: wood processing which includes lumber, plywood. However, it leads the nation in lumber production.
The leading agricultural product is greenhouses/nursery, accounting for 26.1% of farm receipts. Next cattle and calves (13.6%), dairy (8.2%), hay (6.9%) and ryegrass (5.8%).
The leading agricultural product is greenhouses/nursery, accounting for 26.1% of farm receipts. Next cattle and calves (13.6%), dairy (8.2%), hay (6.9%) and ryegrass (5.8%).