Along the coast of southern Oregon, Coos Bay is located on a peninsula next to the city of North Bend. Together, the neighboring cities are known as Oregon’s Bay Area. Coos Bay’s population has declined slightly since peaking in 2019; it’s now around 15,000 residents. Since the lumber industry died down, Coos Bay has struggled to attract a replacement industry, though healthcare is a major employer. The most recent proposed development, the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay, has been backed with over $25 million in federal funding. Hopes are high that this will create its proposed 8,000 jobs, a welcome relief to the area whose graduates tend to leave to find jobs elsewhere. But with Coos Bay School District, rated B-minus on Niche, protected land and access to water, Coos Bay offers a quiet, humble home base in the largest city on the Oregon coast.
Coos Bay sits on a peninsula on the southern Oregon Coast.
Marshfield Senior High School is a public school in Coos Bay, Oregon and serves grades 9-12.
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From fixer-uppers to vacation homes
There are a handful of sprawling, contemporary million-dollar homes. “The number of vacation homes is growing,” says Sandi Tomas, Managing Principal Broker at Pacific Properties based in Coos Bay. “The draw is outdoor recreation: hunting, fishing, the dunes.” The median single-family home price is $340,000, below the national median. Ranch-style homes are common in the city. Fixer-uppers sell in the $100,000s, and there is some acreage for sale. Manufactured homes range from about $30,000 to $475,000; those at the top of the price range are typically newer and larger.
To combat the city’s housing shortage, a proposed subdivision called Timber Cove would add 400 new three-to-four-bedroom homes priced at about $400,000. The first round of construction is projected to be complete by the spring of 2026. However, even with this new project, Coos Bay still needs more rental properties for its population and homes affordable for the median family annual income of $70,000. Local organizations and short-term housing assist those experiencing homelessness.
A number of vacation homes sit on the west side of Coos Bay along the Pacific Ocean.
Ranch-style homes can be found throughout the city of Coos Bay, Oregon.
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Walking through the trees and getting out on the water
Mingus Park is the place to go for a peaceful stroll through bamboo and Japanese maple trees. Locals taking the loop around the pond may spot dogs out for a walk, like Wild Thang, the proud winner of the world's ugliest dog competition in 2024. Mingus Park also has an outdoor public pool, a disc golf course, tennis courts and a skatepark. John Topits Park, also known as Empire Lakes, is a large, forested area with hiking and biking trails. No motorboats are allowed at Empire Lakes, but it’s a great spot for kayaking, canoeing, birdwatching and fishing for trout. While Coos Bay overlooks the biggest estuary in the state, the closest sandy beach is about 9 miles north at Horsfall Beach. Folks can go off-roading about 7 miles north on the famous Oregon sand dunes.
Residents of Coos Bay enjoy walks in Mingus Park which has ponds, bamboo forests and many more activities.
John Topits Park, also known as Empire Lakes, is a popular hiking and fishing spot in Coos Bay, Oregon.
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Summer festivals and year-round art education
Coos Bay has summer festival traditions going back 40 years. Blackberry Arts Festival features local musicians and a recipe contest, and the Oregon Coast Music Festival hosts concerts over a two-week period. Located in a former U.S. Post Office, Coos Art Museum offers art lectures and classes in addition to its permanent and rotating collections.
Coos Bay is home to the Blackberry Arts Festival during the summer.
There are a number of art installations throughout the City of Coos Bay, including its famous jellyfish made from marine debris that washed ashore.
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Strolling down Coos Bay Boardwalk
The local restaurants and watering holes in Downtown Coos Bay are mainly concentrated between Central and Curtis Avenues. The Coos Bay Farmers Market features live music and food access programs every Wednesday from May through October. Locals walk past docked boats, antique shops and gift boutiques on the Coos Bay Boardwalk. Further inland, shoppers can find Walmart Supercenter off Newmark Avenue. More shopping and a movie theater await at Pony Village Mall in North Bend.
The Coos Bay Boardwalk is a popular spot for people to walk alongside docked boats.
Antique stores are found downtown with a number of other locally owned shops.
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U.S. Highway 101 runs through the city
U.S. Highway 101, also called Tremont Avenue, runs north-south through the city and up and down the Oregon coastline. It typically takes drivers a couple of hours to get to Interstate 5, Oregon’s main highway connecting Eugene, Salem and Portland. Coos Transit connects bus passengers throughout the city and to North Bend. Southwest Oregon Regional Airport in North Bend offers domestic flights, including daily nonstop trips to San Francisco.
What to expect: weather and crime
Overall, Coos Bay experiences mild weather. It has over 180 days of sun each year, more than other parts of the state, balanced with over 150 days of rain. The commercial area downtown is at risk for flooding. According to FBI statistics, property and violent crime rates in Coos Bay are consistently higher than state and national levels. There is a hotspot around Laclair Street, while Eastside has lower crime rates.
Written By
Laura Copan
Photography Contributed By
Lester Tsai
Video By
Luke Basinger
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Nate Eckhardt,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
On average, homes in Coos Bay, OR sell after 139 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Coos Bay, OR over the last 12 months is $358,000, down 12% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
FULLY REMODELED 3 bed 2 bath home tucked away on a hill in the warmer, wind-protected Englewood microclimate, this 1,427 sqft, single story, stick-built home has been beautifully remodeled inside and out. Repaired foundation, and brand new retaining wall in backyard! Features inside include full kitchen remodel, stainless steel appliances, new flooring throughout livingroom, kitchen and entryway.
Investor Special in Coos Bay – Tons of Potential!Bring your tools and vision to 90851 Travis in Coos Bay! This property is a true investor special and priced accordingly. It will require significant work, but for the right buyer, it’s a diamond in the rough with serious upside. Situated on a generously sized lot in a quiet area, this home offers a blank canvas for a full renovation or possible
Bring your ideas to this vacant lot in Eastside. Expansive views possible! Located just blocks away from the new Eastside Elementary school and Millicoma middle school. Nearby park and boat ramp. Located approximately 0.2 miles from the neighborhood Millicoma Marsh Trails providing easy access to hiking and recreation and just a short drive to shopping and downtown. House plans available with
FULLY REMODELED 3 bed 2 bath home tucked away on a hill in the warmer, wind-protected Englewood microclimate, this 1,427 sqft, single story, stick-built home has been beautifully remodeled inside and out. Repaired foundation, and brand new retaining wall in backyard! Features inside include full kitchen remodel, stainless steel appliances, new flooring throughout livingroom, kitchen and entryway.
Investor Special in Coos Bay – Tons of Potential!Bring your tools and vision to 90851 Travis in Coos Bay! This property is a true investor special and priced accordingly. It will require significant work, but for the right buyer, it’s a diamond in the rough with serious upside. Situated on a generously sized lot in a quiet area, this home offers a blank canvas for a full renovation or possible
Bring your ideas to this vacant lot in Eastside. Expansive views possible! Located just blocks away from the new Eastside Elementary school and Millicoma middle school. Nearby park and boat ramp. Located approximately 0.2 miles from the neighborhood Millicoma Marsh Trails providing easy access to hiking and recreation and just a short drive to shopping and downtown. House plans available with
3-bedroom, 2-bath apartments in a peaceful, tree-lined setting! Nestled in a quiet, wooded pocket of town, these spacious 3-bedroom, 2-bath apartments offer the perfect blend of privacy and convenience. Surrounded by trees and just minutes from parks, shopping, restaurants, and schools, this unit is ideal for those who want a serene home environment without being far from everyday
Darling, 1 & 2 -Bedroom Apartments Near Mingus Park!These adorable, UPDATED, 1 & 2 bedroom apartments blend vintage charm with cozy comfort — adjacent to beautiful Mingus Park and only a few blocks from downtown Coos Bay. This charmer features a retro design and a bright, cheerful layout. Perfect for those who appreciate character and convenience. Enjoy peaceful neighborhood
1039 Vine Ave features remodeled 2 bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms within a total of 864 square feet. The living room offers new flooring, fixtures, paint, & outlets. Plus, ample space for relaxation and is designed for easy access to the kitchen. The newly painted kitchen is equipped with a dishwasher, enhancing convenience for meal preparation and cleanup. The bathroom includes a tub/shower
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