Set along the Oregon Coast, where Yaquina Bay meets the Pacific Ocean, Newport is a hub for fishing and marine sciences. Whether buying fresh fish by the docks of the Historic Bayfront District, taking aquarium sciences classes at Oregon Coast Community College, or strolling the beach with a lighthouse in the distance, locals can always sense sea salt in the air. Galleries and arts centers support the local artist community, and the small local tourism industry, which is busiest in summer, includes attractions like the Oregon Coast Aquarium. The city sits at the junction of Highway 101 and Route 20, about 60 miles east of Interstate 5.
The marina is nestled along the waterfront, offering picturesque views of the bay.
Enjoy the scenic view of Yaquina bay in the Bayfront neighborhood.
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Late 20th-century housing and coastal home maintenance
Newport's median home price is about $480,000, higher than the national and statewide medians. Most homes in Newport were built in the latter half of the 20th century. On the north side of the bay, most are minimal traditional cottages and ranch-style homes; condos are set close to the waterfront. Homes in the northside Bayfront neighborhood tend to fetch slightly higher prices because of the nearby shopping. On the south side of the bay, South Beach generally offers larger homes with more spacious lots, often set close to the coast. Throughout the city, homes are popular with investment buyers looking to rent out their properties.
The salty air and sea spray near the coast can create excess wear and tear on a home, so local homeowners tend to be careful about the materials they use. “Salt in the air can corrode metal elements like deck screws,” says Audra Powell, a Newport resident and broker with Advantage Real Estate. “There are coastal precautions you can take, like using stainless steel flashing and nails.”
Residential areas are filled with historic single-family homes.
You can find quaint and unique style homes throughout the Nye Beach neighborhood.
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Rocky bluffs and sandy beaches by Yaquina Bay
There are waterfront access points all along the coast, including in Agate Beach on the north side, Nye Beach and Yaquina Beach in the middle, and South Beach State Park to the south. Yaquina Head Lighthouse and Yaquina Bay Lighthouse each overlook the Pacific Ocean and Yaquina Bay, respectively. On the town’s west side, hiking trails wind along the coast and through dense pine forests. The 23-acre Oregon Coast Aquarium is home to over 300 species of sea creatures.
For a neighborhood with easy beach access and plentiful unique shops, Nye Beach is the place.
Highway 101 runs through the Nye Beach neighborhood.
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Fish Markets in Historic Bayfront and art galleries by Nye Beach
Newport’s Historic Bayfront is lined with seafood restaurants, bars, and fish markets, where the freshest catch of the day is sold while sea lions sunbathe on the docks. “You can walk along the bayfront and buy fish right off the boat,” Powell says. Tourist attractions here include the Pacific Maritime Heritage Center. The Newport Farmers Market is held nearby, right by Highway 101, every Saturday from March until November.
The Nye Beach neighborhood serves as a small arts district, with the Newport Visual Arts Center, the Newport Performing Arts Center and several art galleries; restaurants, bakeries and gift shops make this a popular weekend spot, as well. South Beach is home to a few breweries and distilleries, as well as the South Beach Marina, where the Newport Seafood & Wine Festival has been held every February since 1977. This is the city's premier event, with wine and seafood vendors, live music and a seafood chowder competition.
Families enjoy the many booths at the local Farmer's Market.
Newport Visual Arts Center includes a public exhibition space for local artists.
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Traveling over the bay on Highway 101
Yaquina Bay bisects Newport into two halves, connected by the pedestrian-friendly Yaquina Bridge. Highway 101 runs north-south over the bridge, while Highway 20 leads east. Salem is about 80 miles away, while Eugene is 89 miles away. Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital is the only major medical center in town. Lincoln County bus routes connect locals to the wider region. The Newport Municipal Airport services small private aircrafts, but locals head 81 miles to the Eugene Airport for commercial flights.
Yaquina Bay has a beautiful bridge and a Marina filled with fishermen.
Highway 101 provides quick and easy access to neighboring towns.
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Lincoln County Schools and Oregon Coast Community College
Lincoln County School District earns an overall B-plus from Niche, serving over 300 students with two elementary schools, a middle school and a high school. Oregon Coast Community College has a campus on the town’s south side, offering degrees in business and nursing. The college also has a four-year aquarium science program in coordination with Western Oregon, which allows students to graduate with a bachelor’s degree.
Newport Middle School is only a ten minute drive from the Otter Rock neighborhood.
Sam Case Elementary is just a short drive from the Otter Rock neighborhood.
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Earthquake and Tsunami risk, along with declining crime rates
Newport’s seaside location ensures cool, moderate weather year-round, with rainy winters and springs. Though steep bluffs prevent typical storm flooding, Newport is susceptible to earthquakes and resulting tsunamis. Locals can find their tsunami evacuation zone and sign up for emergency alerts on the city’s website. According to the most recent annual report from the Newport Police Department, violent crime decreased by 17% between 2022 and 2023, while property crime decreased by 20%.
Improving road conditions near the city center
In 2024, city officials began construction on a new revitalization plan focused on Newport’s city center, located at the intersection of Highways 101 and 20. Summer traffic on these major roads has made it difficult to navigate the city center on foot, so the plan will involve widening sidewalks and adding buffered bike lanes. To make space for these changes, street parking will be removed, and a small section of Highway 101 will be converted into a one-way road, while northbound traffic will be diverted onto 9th Street for that section. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, and city officials will then focus on bringing new businesses and gathering spaces to the city center.
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