Madras’ rural landscape and urban amenities offer small-town charm
Considered a gateway to the central Oregon area, the City of Madras is surrounded by high desert scenery and panoramic mountain views. “We’re kind of like our own island in the middle of the state. [Madras] is about two to two-and-a-half hours from anywhere larger,” says Brady Velikonia, a real estate agent with Keller Williams Realty who has been selling in central Oregon since 2018. “You have amazing, un-obstructed views of the Cascade Mountains in some places in town, and it’s got that small-town, affordable living feel.” New homes are on the rise as the city expands outwards, and downtown’s local shops and restaurants provide semi-urban amenities. With Madras only about 15 miles from the Warm Springs Indian Reservation, the area is rich in cultural diversity and community connection.
A mix of mid-century and newly built single-family homes
Madras’ housing options include everything from urban residential homes lined along downtown’s gridded streets, to sprawling suburban neighborhoods on the city’s outskirts. The average median price for single-family homes is $375,000. “It’s one of the more affordable places to live in central Oregon,” Velikonia says.
Minimal traditional single-story homes and cottages built between the 1910s and 1940s are popular in central Madras and go for $155,000 to $270,000. Ranch-style homes from the 1950s to 1990s are found in both central and southern Madras. Contemporary single-story homes built in the 2010s and 2020s are found throughout the area, though more commonly in northern Madras. These homes have simple vinyl exteriors, front porch posts and pointed roofs. Prices range from $300,000 to $750,000.
A handful of manufactured home communities are scattered throughout the city, including Greenspot Mobile Home Park and Sunrise Mobile Home Park. Properties sit on rented plots and are priced around $16,000 to $27,000.
Outdoor parks, indoor facilities and natural recreation
Parks and green spaces dot the area and are connected by the Willow Creek Trail system. Juniper Hills Park is one of the larger ones, with a playground, disc golf course and fields for soccer and baseball. Sahalee Park and Bean Park both have playgrounds, picnic pavilions and large open fields. Additionally, the Madras Bike & Skate Park is a hotspot for in-line skating, and the Madras Community Garden hosts workshops and gardening classes. One of the city’s most prized indoor facilities is the Madras Aquatics Center, which has a lap pool, hot tub and leisure pool outfitted with diving boards and a water slide. Members can participate in open swim or take private lessons.
The Cove Palisades State Park is about 11 miles south of Madras where the Crooked, Deschutes and Metolius rivers come together. The Lower Deschutes area is known nationally for its salmon fishing. There are three swim beaches along the shorelines that have boat launches for both motorized watercraft and kayaks. Two seasonal campgrounds in the area have cabins, yurts and tent campsites. “My family and I have gone camping there in the past and we like it. It’s super clean and close to the water,” Velikonia says.
Entertainment venues and community events
The Madras Performing Arts Center is downtown and regularly hosts live theater productions. The Erickson Aircraft Collection is located in the Madras Municipal Airport and showcases vintage aircraft dating back to WWII. In August, the museum hosts The Airshow of the Cascades, with helicopter rides, live music and fireworks, all capped off with an aircraft fly-in show. Lastly, the Jefferson County Fairgrounds is in the southern part of Madras and is home to the Jefferson County Fair & Rodeo. A kick-off concert starts the festivities, and other amusements include carnival rides and circus performers.
Retail and restaurants in downtown Madras
Downtown Madras is the city’s main commercial hub along Fourth and Fifth streets. There are novelty shops, gift shops and clothing stores like The White Buffalo Boutique. Several international restaurants are lined throughout, including Rio Distinctive Mexican Cuisine and Posada Mexican Grill. Great Earth Café & Market specializes in both breakfast meals and specialty sandwiches. “One of my favorite bakeries, Eagle Bakery, is only open on Fridays and Saturdays, so you have to get there early. They have some of the best cinnamon rolls,” Velikonia says.
Heading south, Fourth and Fifth streets have a selection of stores for auto parts, hardware and furniture. Safeway is the area’s grocery store on NE Cedar Street. For more options, Palisades Shopping Center has a Grocery Outlet and fast-food eateries like Domino’s and Burger King.
Getting educated in Jefferson County public schools
Madras is served by the Jefferson County School District, which serves over 2,700 students. There are three elementary schools in the city – Madras Elementary School earns a C grade from Niche and offers a Spanish Dual Language Program. From there, students can attend Jefferson County Middle School. Madras High School offers Career and Technical Education courses that are partnered with SkillsUSA and Future Farmers of America. Both middle and high school receive B-minus grades.
Central Oregon Community College has a Madras campus, where students can earn college credit and there are also continuing education classes offered.
Navigating central Oregon by foot, bus or car
Central Madras is both pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly, with sidewalks and bike lanes. For public transportation, the Cascades East Transit (CET) regional bus service has two routes through the city. U.S. Highway 26 runs northwest and southeast, briefly merging with U.S. Highway 97 in Madras. U.S. 97, known as The Dalles-California Highway, can be used to reach Redmond and Bend in the south. “You’re pretty spread out here in central Oregon, so you’re going to want to self-transport,” Velikonia says.
Madras Municipal Airport is about 3 miles north of downtown and provides general aviation services. Redmond Municipal Airport is roughly 28 miles south and offers direct commercial flights to 13 major U.S. cities.
Exploring the Warm Springs Reservation
About 15 miles from Madras, the Warm Springs Indian Reservation spans over 1,020 square miles of land and is governed by the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. The Deschutes River is a major source of revenue, with its salmon fishing and hydraulic power projects. The reservation is open to the public, with tourist destinations such as the Indian Head Casino and the Kah-Nee-Ta Hot Springs Resort.
