Independence Map
Independence is a city in Polk County, Oregon, United States, on the west bank of the Willamette River along Oregon Route 51, and east of nearby Monmouth. It is part of the Salem Metropolitan Statistical Area. Thirty square blocks of the oldest part of Independence form the National Register of Historic Places-listed Independence Historic District.
The population was 9,510 at the 2010 census.
Independence was founded by pioneers who migrated from Independence, Missouri. Elvin A. Thorp arrived in the Independence area in 1845 and staked a claim north of Ash Creek in June of that year. He platted a small townsite that later became known as "Thorp's Town of Independence" or the "Original Town of Independence", now known as "Old Town". It was named by Mrs. Thomas Burbank, wife of one of the earliest pioneers, who settled 2 miles (3.2 km) south of the city.
Nearby cities include Turner, Falls City, Adair Village, Jefferson, Keizer.