Small town, wine-country charm in Dayton
On the banks of the Yamhill River, Dayton is a quaint community in the heart of Willamette Valley’s wine country. Brick storefronts and Victorian architecture date back to the city’s early days in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, bringing a historic appeal to the area. Surrounded by vineyards and other farms, the city’s economy is largely rooted in agriculture and tourism. Just east of McMinnville, Dayton has a rural, small-town feel while being within a 10-minute drive of supermarkets and shopping centers. “A lot of people love living in Dayton because of its rural charm and proximity to Route 99,” says Zach Bernards, a real estate agent with Willcuts Company Real Estate who grew up in Dayton. “You’re within about an hour of Portland, Salem and the coast. There are also a lot of families who have been in Dayton for generations. Many people who grow up here end up raising their own families here later in life. It makes for a close-knit town where everyone knows everyone.”
A diverse market from historic Victorians to manufactured homes
The area’s streets are lined with ranch-style homes, bungalows, historic Victorians and modern Craftsman-style houses. Near the center of town, most homes sit on 7,000-square-foot to quarter-acre lots, while on the outskirts of Dayton, multiacre properties are common. Manufactured homes and fixer-uppers range from $140,000 to $310,000 while move-in-ready single-family houses can go for $360,000 to $580,000, with prices increasing according to square footage and recent renovations.
Dual credit and school pride at Dayton High
Most local families are served by Dayton Grade School, which offers a transitional bilingual program and earns a C-minus overall grade from Niche. Dayton Junior High and Dayton High School share a campus on Ferry Street and earn C-minus and C-plus grades, respectively. The Dayton community is known for having pride in its public schools.“There’s a lot of camaraderie surrounding our local football team. Teachers, parents and alumni come out every week to watch the home games during the fall.” The high school partners with both Chemeketa Community College and Linn-Benton Community College for its dual credit offerings. High schoolers also have a variety of career and technical education courses to consider, with pathways ranging from arts and communication to fire and emergency services.
Ferry Street businesses and nearby wineries
Ferry Street is Dayton’s commercial hub, with businesses ranging from fine-dining restaurants to a boutique hotel. The By-Pass Bar & Grill is a local watering hole serving Kobe burgers, sandwiches and craft beer, with a pool table and regular live music. Pirates Den is the go-to spot for coffee or a quick breakfast. Loam is open for brunch and dinner, offering fresh-baked pastries, seafood and hand-crafted specialty cocktails. There are around a dozen wineries within a 15-minute drive of town. Stoller Family Estate and Remy Wines are both complete with event space and tasting rooms. “We get some agritourism here in town,” Bernards says. “Travelers visiting the area’s wineries will stop in Dayton for a night or two. We have a handful of really successful Airbnbs here in town.” Dollar General and Center Market have a small selection of groceries and essentials. A short drive west, McMinnville has Walmart, WinCo Foods and Safeway.
Live music in Courthouse Square Park and Yamhill River access
In downtown Dayton, Courthouse Square Park is home to a playground, shaded picnic tables and a gazebo. From late June through August, the park hosts Dayton Friday Nights, a free event with live music, kids' activities and an antique car cruise in. Alderman Park has open field space, an enclosed dog area and a footbridge that crosses the Yamhill River to the Dayton Boat Landing, where visitors can launch a kayak or canoe for a day on the water.
Head to McMinnville or Portland via Oregon 99W
Oregon Route 99W lies just north of Dayton and can take drivers around 35 miles to downtown Portland or roughly 8 miles to north McMinnville. Portland International Airport is around 50 miles away.
Written By
Jillian Pillow
