On the edge of multiple metropolitan centers, Lebanon is an inviting suburban city known for its quaint downtown and the annual Lebanon Strawberry Festival, which celebrates the history of strawberry fields in the Willamette Valley. Today, Lebanon's cash crop is its alluring Pacific Northwest atmosphere, with rainy days, locomotive tours and nature trails in the heart of Oregon. It's no secret why its population has grown by over 8% since 2020. "People who don't want to live on the Interstate 5 corridor look for outside communities like Lebanon for that quiet community feeling," says Pam Crane, 35-year resident and Property Manager at McKinney Lane Apartments. "Our trails go right over the mountains, and there's so much to do if you enjoy wildlife areas."
Lebabnon is know for it's annual Strawberry Festival.
The median single-family price in Lebanon is about $397,000, lower than the nationwide median and prices across Oregon.
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Colorful houses in the city center and development farther south
Lebanon's housing stock features New Traditional, Craftsman and ranch-style homes with midcentury influence. Colorful houses line gridded streets in the town center, and on the edge of town, properties often have barns and several-acre lots. The median single-family price is about $397,000, lower than the nationwide median and prices across Oregon. Because of the potential for new construction and development, home values are slightly higher in South Lebanon, a more secluded neighborhood south of downtown.
Lebanon features many colorful craftman style houses.
Well maintained ranch-style homes are common in Lebanon.
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Lowe's Distribution and local healthcare
While many residents commute to other Oregon cities for work, several industries exist in Lebanon. The Lowe's Regional Distribution Center is a warehouse for home improvement goods, employing about 700 people. Entek International is a battery manufacturer headquartered in Lebanon with around 400 employees. Another employer is Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital, which provides healthcare to the area and has both an emergency room and a clinic.
The Lowe's Regional Distribution Center employees about 700 people in Lebanon.
Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital is another large employer in Lebanon.
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Downtown Lebanon's vintage vibe and shops
Downtown Lebanon has an old-fashioned PNW vibe, with Victorian homes and vintage storefronts around Main Street. The Kuhn Cinema is a vintage single-screen movie theater in a historic auditorium. Culinary options include pizzerias, places for sushi and gluten-free organic. While box store retail is less common, downtown is home to locally owned boutiques, thrift shops and bookstores. South of downtown, Grocery Outlet and Walmart Supercenter are along the Main Street route, and corner convenience stores are a common neighborhood feature.
The Lebanon Strawberry Festival is a century-old summertime celebration that honors the region's agriculture, with a parade, strawberry-infused beer and the world's largest strawberry shortcake in May. Cheadle Lake Park also hosts Guitars Under the Stars in July, a three-day music festival. The Santiam Excursion Trains is a holiday-themed locomotive that journeys around the Willamette Valley. The Willamette Speedway is also a popular nearby venue.
The Kuhn theater is a landmark in downtown Lebanon.
Downtown Lebanon features many small boutiques and bookstores.
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Trail at Cheadle Lake and rafting on the Santiam River
Bob Smith Memorial Park has a dog park, walking paths and three baseball diamonds for Little League games. The North Shore Trail spans 2 paved miles around Cheadle Lake, inhabited by wildlife, which hosts some of the city's prominent annual festivals. The South Santiam River allows for fishing for steelhead trout and also offers three-hour rafting trips from Sweet Home to Waterloo County Park. Hiking trails surround Lebanon. "It's a nice little town. There's plenty of hiking and places to raft down the river, but it gets foggy during the winter," says Meredith Lankford, Real Estate Agent at Sundance Realty. Mallard Creek Golf Course is also a draw to the area, as it has an RV park in conjunction with its challenging fairways. The Willamette National Forest is about a day trip away with scenic trails in the Cascade Mountain Range.
North Shore Trail spans 2 paved miles around Cheadle Lake in Lebanon.
South Santiam River allows for rafting trips from Lebanon to nearby Sweet home.
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Low student-teacher ratio and medical school
The Lebanon Community School District serves about 4,000 students across four elementary schools, a middle and a high school. It earns a C grade from Niche. The district also has an average student-teacher ratio of 18 to 1. Western University of Health Sciences is a post-grad option for aspiring doctors. "There are now five colleges here," Crane says. "Western University has medical programs, and Linn-Benton Community College has nursing and auto mechanics."
The Lebanon Community School District serves about 4,000 students.
The Lebanon Community School District has a student to teacher ratio of18 to 1.
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The Lebanon LINX and I-5
The Lebanon Inter-Neighborhood eXpress (LINX) bus system makes seven daily stops around Main Street. Oregon Route 20 goes through the city center, and Lebanon is less than 10 miles from Interstate 5, which traverses the West Coast. Salem is a nearby city about 35 miles north on I-5, while Eugene is roughly 45 miles south. The Eugene Airport provides domestic flights to cities like San Francisco, Las Vegas and Seattle.
Lebanon's crime trends and a winter wet season
According to the FBI's crime data, Lebanon typically sees lower violent crime rates when compared to both the state and national averages. Property crime is slightly higher, about even with national trends.
Lebanon has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate with higher annual rainfall during the winter wet season, which can potentially result in flooding from the South Santiam River along the city's east side.
Crystal has called the Salem-Keizer area home since 2010, giving her deep, firsthand knowledge of the city and its surrounding communities. A graduate of Western Oregon University with a Bachelor of Science in Art and Design, Crystal brings creativity and a sharp eye for detail to every transaction. Before moving to the U.S., Crystal also studied Interior Design, a background that has proven invaluable in helping clients visualize the potential of a property. Since becoming a REALTOR® in 2017, she has loved every moment of guiding clients through the home buying and selling process. Crystal is passionate about connecting with people, building relationships, and helping clients navigate life’s big transitions—one step at a time. She knows that buying or selling a home is personal, sometimes complex, and can feel overwhelming. That’s why her number one priority is always YOU. With a commitment to exceptional service, Crystal is dedicated to helping you find your dream home, sell your property for top value, and make your real estate journey as smooth and rewarding as possible. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned investor, she’s here to offer personalized attention, expert guidance, and a deep understanding of the local market. When she’s not working hard for her clients, Crystal enjoys traveling and spending quality time with her husband and their three children. Let Crystal’s local expertise, professionalism, and passion for real estate work for you. Contact her today to start your real estate journey!
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
