Keizer (IPA: ˈkɑɪ zɚ) is a city in Marion County, Oregon, United States. It was named for Thomas Dove and J.B. Keizer, two pioneers who arrived in the Wagon Train of 1843, and later filed donation land claims. The population was 32,203 at the 2000 census. The 2006 estimate is 34,880 residents.

History

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The original settlement was at Keizer Bottom, near the banks of the Willamette River. This settlement suffered in the flood of 1861, and the inhabitants rebuilt their homes on higher ground. Further floods in 1943, 1945, 1946 and 1948 hampered the growth of the community, and it was not until dams were built in the 1950s to regulate the flow of the Willamette that Keizer began to flourish.

Many times the City of Salem tried to annex the growing community adjacent to its city limits. Beginning in 1964, a number of Keizer residents tried to convince the people of Keizer that it would be cheaper and better to form their own city. It was not until November 2, 1982 when, with the support of the nearby unincorporated community of Clear Lake, residents voted to make Keizer a city.

Geography

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Keizer is located at (45.000491, -123.021885).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 19.1 km² (7.4 mi²). 18.7 km² (7.2 mi²) of it is land and 0.4 km² (0.2 mi²) of it (2.03%) is water.

Demographics

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As of the census of 2000, there were 32,203 people, 12,110 households, and 8,646 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,719.7/km² (4,455.7/mi²). There were 12,774 housing units at an average density of 682.2/km² (1,767.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 85.52% White, 0.75% African American, 1.38% Native American, 1.49% Asian, 0.20% Pacific Islander, 7.22% from other races, and 3.44% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.27% of the population.

There were 12,110 households out of which 35.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.8% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.6% were non-families. 22.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the city the population was spread out with 27.7% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 94.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $45,052, and the median income for a family was $49,977. Males had a median income of $37,138 versus $27,032 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,119. About 6.2% of families and 9.3% of the population were below the...