The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 97351 sells for about $444,500, or $319 per square foot.
Homes take about 116 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $1,300 a month.
ZIP 97351 — Independence
The housing market in ZIP 97351 is currently stable, reflecting broader trends in the Salem metro area. With a median price of $444,500 and limited inventory, the market remains balanced for buyers and sellers. Growth is supported by the area's appeal as a residential alternative to the core city of Salem.
This ZIP is well-suited for families and commuters seeking a small-town atmosphere with riverfront amenities while remaining within a reasonable driving distance of Salem's employment core.
Median prices moved sideways 0.0% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 116 days on market with 0.0 months of supply — a slower-moving market.
0% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 100% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 4.5% · poverty 11.0% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 7.9%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 7.9%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
net influx — more people moved in than out
ZCTA 97351, Polk County OR
ACS 2024 5-year estimates. Aggregate published statistics for this ZIP — never individual records, and never an attribute of any individual property or resident.
The area is situated in the Willamette Valley, which is prone to seasonal wildfire smoke and regional flood risks near the Willamette River.
Independence serves as a growing residential and recreational hub within the Salem metro area, benefiting from its riverfront location and proximity to regional employment centers.
Property taxes in Polk County are determined by the local assessor based on real market value and assessed value, subject to Oregon's constitutional limits on tax rates.
Residents primarily commute to Salem via OR-51 and OR-22, with typical drive times ranging from 20 to 30 minutes depending on traffic.
The area features extensive riverfront access, including Riverview Park and the Willamette River, along with local trails and proximity to Willamette Valley vineyards.
The rental market is characterized by steady demand driven by the Salem metro area's growth, with limited new multi-family supply in the immediate ZIP.
The local economy is anchored by the broader Salem metro area, with significant employment in government, healthcare, and agriculture.
Parcels are subject to local school district taxes and regional service district levies typical of Polk County.
Property insurance premiums are influenced by regional wildfire risk and flood zone designations near the Willamette River.
Data retrieved from US Census Bureau ZCTA-level tables.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
- Enchanted Forest4.79.2 mi
- Get Air Trampoline Park4.312.1 mi
- Chuck E. Cheese4.114.3 mi
- Osborn Aquatic Center4.216.8 mi
- River Road City Park Splash Pad4.412.8 mi
- Oregon State Fair & Exposition Center4.313 mi
- Reser Stadium4.618.9 mi
- Salem Convention Center4.610.9 mi
- The Kroc Center - Salem, OR3.713.9 mi
- Memorial Union4.718.5 mi
- Oregon State Capitol4.411.2 mi
- Willamette Valley Vineyards4.89 mi
- Riverfront City Park4.711 mi
- Minto-Brown Island Park4.79.1 mi
- Gilbert House Children's Museum4.611.2 mi
- Gilbert House Children's Museum4.611.2 mi
- Bush's Pasture Park4.710.7 mi
- Willamette Heritage Center4.711.2 mi
- Historic Carousel & Museum4.813.7 mi
- Powerland Heritage Park4.818.8 mi
- Riverfront City Park4.711 mi
- Minto-Brown Island Park4.79.1 mi
- Bush's Pasture Park4.710.7 mi
- Santiam River Southbound Rest Area4.29.1 mi
- Wallace Marine Park Softball4.311.5 mi
- Creekside Golf Club4.78 mi
- Illahe Hills Country Club4.67.1 mi
- Cross Creek Golf Course4.412.3 mi
- Albany Golf & Event Center / Spring Hill Golf Club4.312.3 mi
- Meadowlawn4.112.3 mi
- WinCo Foods4.312.4 mi
- Fred Meyer4.29.4 mi
- Salem Center4.111.3 mi
- WinCo Foods4.49 mi
- Safeway4.111.6 mi
Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area from Google Maps, ranked by popularity within the radius shown.
A major riverfront park offering trails and recreational access to the Willamette River.
Proximity to regional wine country and tasting rooms.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.