McMinnville—a city of roughly 34,450 almost equidistant to Portland and Salem—is known as the heart of the Willamette Valley wine region, recognized for its Pinot Noir. However, it’s the city’s historic downtown, defined by its Third Street, that gives the community its flavor. “We call Third Street our McMinnville ‘Living Room’ because it’s where folks come to spend time together in our community,” says Emily Matsuda, the communications and events manager for the McMinnville Downtown Association. “Third Street is for everyone, whether that’s tourists visiting wine country or locals who come downtown to spend their evenings and weekends.”
Manufacturing is McMinnville’s largest industry. Over 90 manufacturing sites in the area account for over 21% of the city's job market, including companies like Cascade Steel Rolling Mills and Meggitt Polymers & Composites.
Coeur De Terre Vineyard grows expressive organically farmed Pinot Noir in the heart of McMinnville.
Experience the regional Pinot Noir at the Willamette Valley Vineyard tasting room on historic 3rd street.
The McMinnville community gathers for Drum Circle Mondays led by Sister of the Osage Terry Filer.
Cascade Steel Rolling Mills is one of the major manufacturing employers in McMinnville.
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James Beard finalists and a distinguished Oregon wine region
Six blocks of local restaurants and shops make up historic downtown McMinnville’s Third Street. Tree-lined sidewalks create welcome shade during warm summer days and make for a cozy holiday light display in the winter months. McMenamins’ Hotel Oregon hosts one of the largest Unidentified Flying Object (UFO) Festivals in the country each May that gathers area pubs and restaurants and invites lecturers from all over the country. The hotel is also the site of regular farmers markets on Thursday evenings.
Third Street is also lined with several wine tasting rooms, which account for a small fraction of over 220 wineries that make up the surrounding Oregon wine country. Ancient lava flow from the Cascade Mountain range created volcanic soil prime for cultivating grapes. The soil, along with other unique environmental factors, led the Willamette Valley to receive Protected Geographical Indication status from the European Union, making it the second American wine region to receive the distinction, after the Napa Valley. At the heart of the region, McMinnville hosts the International Pinot Noir Celebration. With its surrounding agricultural bounty, the city’s food scene focuses on farm-to-fork dining. In fact, local restaurant Hayward, which was a finalist for the James Beard Foundation’s Best New Restaurant Award in 2024.
Historic 3rd street lights up for the winter Holidays.
Residents gather for great wine and good food at Jacob Williams Winery on 3rd Street.
Locals enjoy burgers, cold drinks and good times at Blue Moon Lounge.
McMinnville’s Hayward was a finalist for the James Beard Foundation’s Best New Restaurant Award in 2024.
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Growing home values and new traditional builds
Central McMinnville’s gridded streets are flanked by shady, old-growth trees and neatly maintained gardens. Smaller bungalows were constructed during the last mid-century, followed by ranch-style homes from the later portion of the 1900s. The latest architectural trend in McMinnville is the new traditional combined with Craftsman features, mostly built throughout the 2000s. The median sales price across the city rests around $490,000, which is slightly over the national median of $412,000.
Vibrant landscaping adorns a cedar planked bungalow home in McMinnville.
You’ll find Mid-century rancher homes throughout McMinnville.
New constructions in McMinnville feature Craftsman inspired entry ways.
Residential McMinnville is expanding with tightly knit traditional new build communities.
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Wings and Waves Waterpark and an aquatic center
Several green spaces, three athletic facilities and extensive programming from the McMinnville Parks and Recreation Department are at residents’ disposal. The Joe Dancer Park has a baseball diamond, a softball field, a playground and a skatepark, while the McMinnville Aquatic Center offers daily pool passes for less than $6. More aquatic activities are found at Wings and Waves Waterpark, where water slides spiral around a Boeing 747 jet. The air- and spacecraft-themed indoor waterpark is across the parking lot from the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum.
Linfield University features a baseball, softball and football field.
Attend baseball games in the summers at Joe Dancer Park.
Children enjoy the vibrant playgrounds at Joe Dancer Park.
Residents can enjoy some exercise indoors at the McMinnville Aquatic Center.
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Spruce Goose—the world’s largest wooden airplane
The Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum is home to more than 150 historic aircraft and exhibits, though it’s best known for Howard Hughes’ Spruce Goose, the largest wooden airplane ever built. The vessel was originally designed as a flying boat that could outmaneuver the German submarines that were sinking American ships in the Atlantic Ocean during World War II. Because of wartime restrictions on aluminum and steel, it was assembled using an estimated 200 tons of birch wood.
Learn about the iconic stories of aviation history housed at The Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum.
Walk through the chronological display of aviation history centered around The Spruce Goose.
Learn about the iconic flight of The Spruce Goose, the largest wooden plane to take flight.
Helen Richey set an endurance record in 1933 by refueling from a C-1 Robin mid-flight.
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High on-time graduation rates and Linfield University
The McMinnville School District covers around 6,800 students in the city and the nearby Lafayette community across its nine schools. It is ranked among the Top 10 school districts in the state by Niche, which scores it with an overall grade of A-minus. McMinnville High School’s on-time graduation rate is also considerably higher than that of the state average—93% of McMinnville high school students graduate in four years, compared to 81% of high school students across the state, as calculated by the Oregon Department of Education for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Linfield University, a private liberal arts college, has established its main campus in the city, though its nursing program is based in Portland.
The new Keck Science Center provides collaborative research labs for Linfield science students.
Pioneer Hall is the oldest building on Linfield's McMinnville campus.
The Miller Fine Arts Center offers a range of artistic experiences to the McMinnville community.
The McMinnville School District is ranked among the Top 10 school districts in the state.
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Highway access and public transit routes to Portland
McMinnville is connected to Portland, which is about 40 miles north, by the Pacific Highway, also known as Oregon state Route 99. The city is conveniently positioned between the "City of Roses" and Salem, which is about 25 miles south. The Yamhill County Transit Area maintains bus service throughout the city. Its routes also connect to the TriMet Metropolitan Area Express (MAX) Light Rail in Hillsboro and the TriMet Westside Express Service (WES) Commuter Rail in Tigard for Portland travelers, as well as the Salem Area Mass Transit Cherriot service.
Moderate summers and rainy winters in McMinnville
Property crime in McMinnville is falling faster than it is across the state of Oregon. Across the state, property crime dropped by about 10.6% between 2022 and 2023. On the other hand, violent crime in the city decreased by 18.49%, from 1,817 to 1,481, with larceny being the most reported offense.
The climate in McMinnville is pretty moderate, with summer highs that stay in the low 80s and winter lows that rarely drop below freezing. While summers stay fairly dry, winters receive higher levels of precipitation.
Written By
Julia Straka
Photography Contributed By
Elizabeth James
Video By
Mallory Nolte
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Beautiful, Shadowood Single Level - Move in ready - Central McMinnville Location near Michelbook Golf Course, Historic Downtown McMinnville with shops and restaurants, City Park and pickle ball, McMinnville Public Library. Solid Home with many recent updates, new bathroom fixture in the hall bath, new kitchen appliances, new interior paint and new flooring throughout. Cook's kitchen with
OPEN HOUSE Saturday 11/8/25 10:00am - 12:00pm! Built in 2023 this sought after one level home features a 3-car garage, 12-foot ceilings in the great room, quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, a spacious pantry, natural gas fireplace, and a tile shower in the primary suite. Located in the Baker Creek North Community this neighborhood offers walking paths around the wetland and along
Welcome to 3017 NE Buel Dr – a delightful 3-bedroom, 2.1-bath home offering 1,492 sq ft of comfortable living space on a beautifully landscaped 0.15-acre lot. Thoughtfully designed with an open floor plan, this home combines functionality and style in a quiet setting, thanks to the front-facing 2-car garage that adds extra privacy to your living space and a private dead end street. Step into a
Felicia MondragonKeller Williams Realty Eugene and Springfield
Better than New! Situated in one of McMinnville's newest and most desirable locations and close to downtowns restaurants, shopsand wineries. Nature trails surround this scenic neighborhood for true peace and relaxation. This home has been upgraded and features designer touches you'll enjoy through out the home. Thegreat room is spacious and includes, laminate flooring, custom built-ins for
One original owner well maintained 3 bed 1 bath 1,016 square foot home with large 1/4 acre lot at the end of a cul-de-sac in a quiet neighborhood.New carpet and bathroom floor. Updated kitchen and bath, newer roof, outbuildings and greenhouse. The yard was featured in the Yamhill County Garden Tour.
Beautiful, Shadowood Single Level - Move in ready - Central McMinnville Location near Michelbook Golf Course, Historic Downtown McMinnville with shops and restaurants, City Park and pickle ball, McMinnville Public Library. Solid Home with many recent updates, new bathroom fixture in the hall bath, new kitchen appliances, new interior paint and new flooring throughout. Cook's kitchen with
Beautiful Garden Style complex located close to shops and dining. Consisting of 2 and 3 bedroom apartment homes. The community Serves households at or below 80% the Area Median Income.
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