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
Neighborhood in Oregon
Marion County 97026, 97071, 97305
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Written By
Daniel Berti
Photography Contributed By
Christopher Lau
Video By
Michael McAdams
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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FERNANDO BARAJAS
FERNANDO BARAJAS
Responds QuicklyEXP REALTY, LLC
(971) 703-5967
57 Total Sales
1 in Gervais
$265,000 Price
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Daniel Siler
Daniel Siler
Engel & Volkers West Portland
(971) 253-0195
19 Total Sales
1 in Gervais
$390,000 Price
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Kevin Riley
Kevin Riley
VANTAGE POINT BROKERS, LLC
(833) 939-0542
355 Total Sales
1 in Gervais
$314,500 Price
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Valerie Boen-Kofstad
Valerie Boen-Kofstad
HARCOURTS SILVERTON
(971) 273-5694
71 Total Sales
1 in Gervais
$480,000 Price
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Juan Vasquez
Juan Vasquez
Responds QuicklyWINDERMERE HERITAGE
(541) 918-3682
146 Total Sales
1 in Gervais
$485,900 Price
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Lorenzo Flores
Lorenzo Flores
Responds QuicklyREALTY FIRST LLC
(971) 318-6351
246 Total Sales
2 in Gervais
$245K - $345K Price Range
Schools
Source:
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
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- 6th to 8th
- Public
- K to 5th
- Public
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Legion Park
Centennial Dog Park
Centennial Park
Settlemier Park
Ebner County Park
Berchtold Park
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Gervais | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 3 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 3 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 4 | 4 |
| Robbery | 3 | 4 |
| Burglary | 2 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 4 | 4 |
| Larceny | 2 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 3 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Gervais, OR sell after 52 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Gervais, OR over the last 12 months is $455,615, up 6% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Home Trends
Median Price (12 Mo)
$450,000
Median Single Family Price
$450,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$298
Number of Homes for Sale
3
Last 12 months Home Sales
32
Months of Supply
1.10
Median List Price
$475,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
6%
Home Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
581
Median Year Built
1997
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,555
Below the national average
1,936
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,098
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
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$375,000
- 3 Beds
- 1 Bath
- 1,004 Sq Ft
- 325 Alder Ave
- New 14 days ago
Cute as a button and tucked right into the heart of Gervais, this move-in ready home is an ideal choice for first-time buyers, downsizers, or smart investors. Recent updates include newer flooring, interior paint, and kitchen appliances. The efficient layout offers generously sized rooms, while the covered patio and small fenced backyard provide a great place for grilling & relaxing outdoors.
Angela Toyer Engel & Volkers West Portland
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$450,000
- 4 Beds
- 2.5 Baths
- 1,965 Sq Ft
- 229 E Grove Ave
BOM no fault of the home! WELCOME HOME! To this well maintained 4bed+2.5bath home with an added bonus and office room. This home features tile/laminate flooring, spacious bonus room, updated kitchen with an electric range, and new interior paint! Primary room is spacious with plenty of light and its own bathroom.Home has a brand new roof! Included is a fully fenced backyard and enough space for
MARCO SANCHEZ HERNANDEZ EXP REALTY, LLC
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$1,000,000
- Land
- 4.41 Acre Lot
- 0 Stubb Rd
Prime Development Opportunity in Woodburn. Seize this exceptional investment opportunity within the Woodburn Urban Growth Boundary! This strategically located lot, just outside city limits, offers incredible potential for future development. Annexation into the city would unlock a range of possibilities, with the comprehensive plan allowing for low-density residential use—ideal for single-family
Nick Ayhan Harcourts Elite
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Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
3,181
Median Age
33
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
29.7%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
10.1%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$77,708
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$94,889
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
76.6%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
9.7%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
2%
% Population in Labor Force
77.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
39''
Average Winter Low Temperature
36°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
3''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
27
/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
9
/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Woodburn
A "little-big" city in the Willamette Valley heartland
Mount Angel
A tiny town known far and wide for its lively Oktoberfest
Hubbard
Tiny community of single-family homes equidistant from Salem and Portland
Hayesville
A Salem suburb with an easy commute downtown and access to nearby farm stands
Silverton
Small-town quirks and historic charm in the Willamette Valley
Keizer
Small city with established suburbs and green spaces along the Willamette River
Reviews
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