Gervais, Oregon
Location in Oregon
Coordinates: 45°6′30″N 122°53′51″W / 45.10833, -122.8975
Country	United States
State	Oregon
County	Marion
Incorporated	1874
Government
- Mayor	Shanti Platt
Area
- Total	0.4 sq mi (1.0 km²)
- Land	0.4 sq mi (1.0 km²)
- Water	0 sq mi (0 km²)
Elevation	184 ft (56.1 m)
Population (2007)
- Total	2,250
- Density	5,133.7/sq mi (1,988.9/km²)
Time zone	Pacific (UTC-8)
- Summer (DST)	Pacific (UTC-7)
ZIP code	97026
Area code(s)	503
FIPS code	41-28650[1]
GNIS feature ID	1121112[2]
Website: www.gervaisoregon.org

Gervais (pronounced /dʒərˈveɪs/) is a city in Marion County, Oregon, United States. The population was 2,009 at the 2000 census. The 2007 estimate is 2,250 residents.^[3]

History

Interior of Old Believer church near Gervais

The city is named for pioneer Joseph Gervais who was one of the first settlers on French Prairie.^[4]

On October 6, 1902, the business district of the city burned and losses were estimated at $100,000. The local fire department's power was insufficient to handle the fire so Portland and Salem were called upon to help. Unfortunately they were unable to respond in time to help. In little over an hour all but two of the businesses in the town had burned to the ground.^[5]

In the late 1960s, Russian Old Believers established a small colony between Gervais and Mt. Angel.^[6] As of 2002, Oregon had the highest population of Old Believers in the United States.^[6]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.4 square miles (1.0 km²), all of it land.

Demographics

Gervais welcome sign

As of the census^[1] of 2000, there were 2,009 people, 452 households, and 391 families residing in the city. The population density was 5,133.7 people per square mile (1,988.9/km²). There were 477 housing units at an average density of 1,218.9/sq mi (472.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 40.32% White, 0.35% African American, 1.54% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 52.91% from other races, and 4.53% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 65.21% of the population.

There were 452 households out of which 59.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.8% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 13.3% were non-families. 9.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 2.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.39 and the average family size was 4.45.

In the city the population was spread out with 37.7% under the age of 18, 12.9% from 18 to 24, 34.0% from 25 to 44, 10.6% from 45 to 64, and 4.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24 years. For every 100 females there were 120.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 132.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $43,882, and the median income for a family was $44,118. Males had a median income of $21,490 versus $21,167 for females. The per capita income for the city was $10,862. About 13.3% of families and 17.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.9% of those under age 18 and 11.0% of those age 65 or over.

References

External links

• Oregon Blue Book listing for Gervais

• Gervais, Oregon is at coordinates 45°06′30″N 122°53′51″W / 45.108252, -122.89746 (Gervais, Oregon)Coordinates: 45°06′30″N 122°53′51″W / 45.108252, -122.89746 (Gervais, Oregon)

v â€¢ d â€¢ e Municipalities and communities of Marion County, Oregon County seat: Salem Cities Aumsville | Aurora | Detroit | Donald | Gates | Gervais | Hubbard | Idanha | Jefferson | Keizer | Mt. Angel | St. Paul | Salem | Scotts Mills | Silverton | Stayton | Sublimity | Turner | Woodburn CDPs Brooks | Butteville | Four Corners | Hayesville | Labish Village | Marion | Mehama Unincorporated communities Breitenbush | Champoeg | Jordan | Monitor | Pratum | St. Louis | West Stayton