Surrounded by the agricultural flatlands of the French Prairie, the tiny city of Gervais is a rural outpost that’s so small you might miss it. “It’s an outskirt community between Salem and Woodburn, but it’s generally more affordable than either of those places,” says Realtor Nik Kulikov of Cascade Hasson Sotheby’s International Realty. You’re going to find some first-time home buyer opportunities there,
Gervais was named after French-Canadian pioneer Joseph Gervais, one of the French-Canadian trappers who settled the Willamette Valley's French Prairie in the 1800s. With just over 2,500 residents, it has its own city government, mayor, five-member city council and a school district with an elementary, middle and high school. Gervais has a little piece of Oregon history in the Sam Brown House, a 19th-century home built by former Oregon state Senator and pioneer Samuel Brown. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974 and is believed to be the first house in Oregon designed by an architect.
Gervais
Located in Marion County
Cottages, ranch-styles and traditional in Gervais
The city is laid out on a traditional street grid where you'll find a broad mix of home styles, including early 20th-century cottages, ranch-style homes and Traditional homes built in the 1990s and 2000s. Some of the older homes in town have been fully renovated and updated with new hardwood flooring, updated appliances and new windows, siding and rooftops. Lot sizes range from around 5,000 to 10,000 square feet so you’ll have plenty of space for raised-bed gardening or backyard barbecuing. Outside the city, you’ll see homes and farmhouses scantly situated along winding country lanes. Prices in Gervais fluctuate between $250,000 and $450,000, slightly lower than the median in Salem and Woodburn. “You’re going to find some first-time home buyer opportunities there,” Kulikov says.
Park life
With wide streets, sidewalks and very little through traffic, you'll be able to walk around the community with ease. Make sure you take a stroll to Gervais Community Park where you’ll find a playground, a grassy lawn and a sheltered picnic area. Avid fishers will enjoy the nearby St. Louis Ponds, a geometrically shaped, 22-acre park at the center of a warm water fishpond operated by the Oregon State Fish and Wildlife Commission. Bring your rod and tackle and you might catch a rainbow trout, largemouth bass or channel catfish, which are routinely stocked in the spring and fall.
Shop, drink and socialize in one Gervais place
Head down 4th Street and you’ll find a few shops, including Gervais Food Market, a small local grocer, and Gervais Sports Bar, the local watering hole. It’s also where you’ll find Gervais City Hall where the city council convenes twice a month. For everything else, you can head up the road to Woodburn where you can fill up your shopping cart at Safeway or Walmart, or make the trek to Salem where shops, dining and cultural attractions are plentiful.
Tulips and a hazelnut holiday
Gervais look forward to participating in the annual Hazelnut Festival and German Holiday Market hosted by the Mount Angel Chamber of Commerce. The festival celebrates one of the area’s largest agricultural crop. A different kind of crop, Tulips, brings locals together, too. The Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival is in neighboring Woodburn, but it’s a big draw bringing folks from near and far, including residents of Gervais.
Bond, no bond
Students can attend Gervais Elementary School, which Niche rates C-minus, Gervais Middle School, which Niche rates C-minus and Gervais High School, which Niche rates C-plus. Gervais voters rejected a $24.5 million bond referendum in 2023 that would have upgraded and renovated the city’s elementary, middle and high schools, which are part of the C-rated Gervais School District.
Ease of travel from here to there
Gervais is located between Portland Road and Interstate 5, both of which are major regional transportation corridors. Hop on the highway and you’re about 15 miles from cultural attractions, entertainment and job centers in downtown Salem, and about 33 miles from downtown Portland.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this area.
Agents Specializing in this Area
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Juan Vasquez
Juan Vasquez
WINDERMERE HERITAGE
(541) 918-3682
147 Total Sales
1
$485,900 Price
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Crystal Qian Hu
Crystal Qian Hu
Responds QuicklyEXP REALTY, LLC
(971) 273-5624
120 Total Sales
1
$489,400 Price
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Lorenzo Flores
Lorenzo Flores
REALTY OF AMERICA, LLC
(971) 318-6351
245 Total Sales
2
$245K - $345K Price Range
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FERNANDO BARAJAS
FERNANDO BARAJAS
Responds QuicklyEXP REALTY, LLC
(971) 703-5967
76 Total Sales
1
$265,000 Price
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Shelly Stultz
Shelly Stultz
Hallmark Properties, Inc.
(971) 444-8460
19 Total Sales
1
$1,000,000 Price
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Daniel Siler
Daniel Siler
Engel & Volkers West Portland
(971) 253-0195
24 Total Sales
1
$390,000 Price
Gervais Housing Trends
On average, homes in Gervais, OR sell after 52 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Gervais, OR over the last 12 months is $455,000, up 8% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Neighborhood Facts
Open Houses
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$385,000
- 3 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 1,782 Sq Ft
- 120 1st St
- New 2 days ago
Move-in ready 4-bedroom, 2-bath home with attached garage and RV parking on a quiet street in the heart of Gervais. Clean, private, and full of potential! Light and bright layout with great flow. Spacious outdoor area perfect for entertaining, gardening, or relaxing. Located in Oregon’s scenic French Prairie region—close to parks, farmland, and just a short drive to Salem or Woodburn. Enjoy
Jordan McAllisterModern Realty(503) 683-8655 -
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$1,275,000
- 4 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 2,223 Sq Ft
- 5704 Keene Rd NE
- New 20 days ago
Dreaming of a Hobby Farm in the Heart of the Willamette Valley? Welcome to your slice of country paradise! This charming farmhouse on 30.38 acres of prime EFU-zoned farmland offers endless potential for your rural lifestyle vision—whether that’s gardening, raising animals, or simply enjoying wide-open space.Originally built in 1905 and thoughtfully expanded, the home now features 4 bedrooms and 2
Jillian Smith John L. Scott
Homes for Sale
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$385,000
- 3 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 1,782 Sq Ft
- 120 1st St
- New 2 days ago
Move-in ready 4-bedroom, 2-bath home with attached garage and RV parking on a quiet street in the heart of Gervais. Clean, private, and full of potential! Light and bright layout with great flow. Spacious outdoor area perfect for entertaining, gardening, or relaxing. Located in Oregon’s scenic French Prairie region—close to parks, farmland, and just a short drive to Salem or Woodburn. Enjoy
Jordan McAllisterModern Realty(503) 683-8655 -
-
$1,275,000
- 4 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 2,223 Sq Ft
- 5704 Keene Rd NE
- New 20 days ago
Dreaming of a Hobby Farm in the Heart of the Willamette Valley? Welcome to your slice of country paradise! This charming farmhouse on 30.38 acres of prime EFU-zoned farmland offers endless potential for your rural lifestyle vision—whether that’s gardening, raising animals, or simply enjoying wide-open space.Originally built in 1905 and thoughtfully expanded, the home now features 4 bedrooms and 2
Jillian Smith John L. Scott
Distribution of Home Values
Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
Gervais Has More Owners
Demographics
Finances
Education and Workforce
Weather
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
