An airplane at the Evergreen Air & Space Museum in McMinnville. (Oregon State Archives Scenic Images collection)
County Seat: Courthouse, 535 NE Fifth St., McMinnville 97128
Phone: 503-434-7501 (General); 503-434-7530 (Court Administrator)
About
Established: July 5, 1843
Elev. at McMinnville: 157'
Area: 718 sq. mi.
Average Temp.: January 39.0° July 65.0°
Assessed Value: $11,558,287,228
Real Market Value: $22,758,758,456
(includes the value of non-taxed properties)
Annual Precipitation: 43.6"
Economy: Agriculture, wine production, manufacturing, forest products, dental instruments, education and health care
Related Resources
Historical Records Inventory
Yamhill County Scenic Images
"County QuickFacts" (population and economic data from U.S. Census Bureau)
County Seat Map (from Google Maps)
County Map (from ODOT)
Incorporated Cities
Points of Interest
Linfield College, George Fox University, Herbert Hoover House, Yamhill County Historical Museum, Wheatland Ferry, Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum, Rogers Landing
History and General Information
Yamhill County was one of Oregon’s original four districts. It was created in 1843, but its current boundaries were established in 1860. The county was named after the Yamhelas, members of the Kalapuya Tribe who lived along the Yamhill River in the western Willamette Valley.
Agriculture is still the county’s primary industry. Nursery and greenhouse crops; fruit trees, nuts, wine grapes, berries, hay, silage, field and grass seeds are major agricultural products. Yamhill County ranks sixth among the counties in annual market value of its agricultural production. It is also the heart of Oregon’s wine industry. Over 80 wineries and 200 vineyards represent the largest concentration of wine growers and producers in any county in the state. One-third of the county is covered with commercial timber. The mainstay of the western valley area is logging and timber products. Yamhill County produces everything from snack foods to rebar, timber products to plastic tubing, and textiles to dental equipment.
County Officials
Commissioners: Kit Johnson (2027), David (Bubba) King (2029), Mary Starrett (2027); Dist. Atty. Kate Lynch (2029); Assess. Derrick Wharff (2029); Clerk Brian Van Bergen (2025); Sheriff Sam Elliott (2029); Treas. Paulette Alexandria (2029); Surveyor Jamie Stevenson