Population (2009): 347,690
Climate
| |
Coast |
Willamette
Valley |
Cascade
Mountains |
| Average summer temp |
60's |
80's |
70's |
| Average winter temp |
40's |
30's |
20's |
| Average annual precipitation |
60 inches, rainfall |
40 inches, mostly rain & occasional winter snow |
70+ inches, primarily in the form of snow in the winter months |
Area
4,620 square miles, spanning from the Pacific Ocean to the Cascade Mountains. Lane County is larger than Delaware and Rhode Island combined and almost the size of Connecticut. Although 90% percent of Lane County is forestland, it is Oregon's 4th most populous county and the cities of Eugene and Springfield comprise the 3rd largest metropolitan area in the state.
Elevation (at Eugene): 422'
Principal Industries
(Visit LaneMetro.com for information on business, industry, and property values in Lane County)
- Manufacturing & Trade
- Health, Education, & Government Services
- Agriculture & Wood Products
- Recreation & Tourism
Higher Education
Transportation
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A Brief History
County Seat ~ Eugene
Established January 1851
Lane County was named for General Joseph Lane, a rugged frontier hero who was Oregon’s first territorial governor.
Pioneers traveling the Oregon Trail in the early 1800's came to Lane County mainly to farm. Following the discovery of gold in the Bohemia Mountains in 1863, a gold rush ensued and caused several boom towns, including Cottage Grove, to spring up on route to the mines.
The county’s first district court met under a large oak tree until a clerk’s office could be built in 1852. A few years later, the first courthouse opened in what is now downtown Eugene.
Lane County government operates under a home rule charter approved by voters in 1963.
Community Histories & Historical Societies
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