Salem is the capital of the U.S. state of Oregon, and the county seat
of Marion County. It is located in the center of the Willamette Valley
alongside the Willamette River, which runs north through the city. The river
forms the boundary between Marion and Polk counties, and the city neighborhood
of West Salem is in Polk County. Salem was founded in 1842, became the capital
of the Oregon Territory in 1851, and was incorporated in 1857.
Salem had a population of 154,637 at the 2010 census, making it the third
largest city in the state after Portland and Eugene. Salem is less than an hour
driving distance