$348,970Average Value$246Average Price per Sq Ft33Homes For Sale
Cave Junction holds value in the Illinois Valley
When locals hit the town in Cave Junction to visit staples like Taylor's Sausage Country Store, running into friends is routine. It’s the way of life in this tight-knit community of just over 2,000, within Southern Oregon’s Illinois Valley region. “It’s very community oriented,” says Realtor Tonya Box, who’s with Illinois Valley Real Estate and has lived in Cave Junction for more than 30 years. Residents are close to several restaurants, grocery stores and outdoor recreation options, by the Illinois River and in the rolling hills of the Siskiyou Mountains. Still, housing in Cave Junction is cheaper than in some other communities within the valley. “The biggest draw around here, I think, is the prices,” Box says.
Taylor's Sausage Country Store with its fresh meats is a staple for visitors to Cave Junction.
The rolling Siskiyou Mountains surround Cave Junction in Oregon.
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Bargain prices extend across multiple eras of homes
Houses in Cave Junction range from those built in the early 20th century to new construction, and just about everything in between. Bungalows and ranch-style homes are prevalent across eras. Most lots around Cave Junction are at least one-tenth of an acre, and many properties come with mountain views. Traditional homes in the area sell for $190,000 to $550,000. Cave Junction also has manufactured homes, for $44,000 to $273,000, depending on condition and lot size. Listings hang on the market for 76 days, significantly longer than the national average of 48. “We’re just a smaller area,” Box says. “I would say the majority of the buyers are retirement age.”
Houses in Cave Junction range from early 20th century to new construction.
Most lots in Cave Junction have mountain views and are at least one-tenth of an acre.
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Three Rivers schools offer a personalized experience
Cave Junction kids can enter the Three Rivers School District, which earns a C grade from Niche. Schools within Cave Junction include the C-rated Evergreen Elementary, C-minus-rated Lorna Byrne Middle, the C-rated Illinois Valley High and Southern Oregon Success Academy. Still, students and their families can apply for transfers to other campuses in the district. Evergreen has an active PTO that meets monthly. Lorna Byrne offers boys and girls basketball, football, volleyball, cross country and track teams. Illinois Valley High recently added a Fire Science class to its list of course options, in a region prone to wildfires. Southern Oregon Success Academy is an alternative education charter school with Grades 6 to 12 and opportunities for more individualized teaching. Box has put three kids through the Three Rivers School District. “It’s personable. You’re able to communicate with the teachers,” Box says. “In elementary school I actually picked all my kids’ teachers.”
Evergreen Elementary School in Cave Junction serves over 350 students yearly.
Lorna Byrne Middle School serves 5th - 8th grade in Cave Junction.
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U.S. Route 199 is the center of commercial activity
Route 199, also known as Redwood Highway, serves as Cave Junction’s main thoroughfare for dining, grocery shopping and more. Taylor's Sausage Country Store is a hotspot there. “That’s the biggest,” Box says. “Some people just come here from Grants Pass to come to Taylor’s sometimes. They have a country store where you can go in there and buy meat, or you can also have them make a meal for you.” The jerky and burgers are popular items at Taylor’s. Carlos Restaurante, Wild River Brewing & Pizza Co., River Valley Restaurant and Pietro's Italian Restaurant are among the other local favorites. Redwood Highway also has Shop Smart and Grocery Outlet supermarkets and the local Cave’s Pharmacy. More retail is available in Grants Pass, including the 330,000-square-foot Grants Pass Shopping Center.
Shop Mart has basic grocery needs for people living in Cave Junction.
Grocery Outlet provides everyday good at reasonable prices for residents of Cave Junction.
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Commuters have quick access to Route 199
U.S. Route 199 bisects Cave Junction and is the primary connection to the bigger city of Grants Pass, 30 miles north. It’s common for locals to commute to Grants Pass for work and the city has the closest full-service hospital, the Asante Three Rivers Medical Center. Route 199 is also a way to head south to the Del Norte County Airport, 55 miles away. Del Norte operates daily flights to the Oakland International Airport. The Josephine Community Transit bus runs through Cave Junction as well.
Whether on the water or underground, outdoor activities are abundant
The area’s natural landscape is a playground of sorts for outdoor enthusiasts. “The draw for the younger crowd is the rivers and the hiking,” Box says. The Illinois River breaks off into east and west forks in the Cave Junction area, and the waters are popular for rafting and kayaking. The roughly 400-acre Illinois River Fork State Park unfolds along Cave Junction’s outskirts by the river, and features water access, trails and a nine-hole disc golf course. Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve is just under 20 miles from Cave Junction and has a series of 12 marble caves and more trails. Cave Junction Jubilee Park, just off Route 199 in town, offers a playground and a skate park.
Local farmers market is a weekly tradition
Among the regular community events here is the Cave Junction Farmers Market, which is held on Fridays from April to October, along Route 199. The market is a popular draw, featuring a variety of agricultural, artisan and specialty product vendors. “It’s usually pretty packed,” Box says. There’s also an annual Labor Day Festival at Jubilee Park, hosted by the Illinois Valley Lions Club.
The Cave Junction Farmers Market is fosters a place for families to come and gather.
Jubilee Park has a stage for events such as musical performances in Cave Junction.
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Written By
Wayne Epps Jr.
Photography Contributed By
Lester Tsai
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Nick Shivers,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Cave Junction, OR sell after 82 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Cave Junction, OR over the last 12 months is $312,615, up 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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