Life on the Oregon-Idaho border
Right on the Idaho border, about 60 miles from Boise, is Ontario, an eastern Oregon community where plants fuel the economy. Potatoes, onions and cannabis dispensaries drive industry here, though the hospital and penitentiary also play an economic role. “The No. 1 is the marijuana industry,” says Marie Zizich, associate broker with Professional Realty Services International, Bridges in Real Estate and Barbie’s Beach Home Consulting. More than a dozen dispensaries attract customers from over the border in Idaho. Since Ontario is in the onion belt of Oregon, it's also not uncommon to see onions topple out of trucks during transport. These perfectly edible onions, known as “Ontario roadkill,” are most likely to be found in the fall. The city is also the birthplace of the tater tot, and it’s home to the main plant for Ore-Ida, which processes potatoes into the small fried nuggets. Ontario’s population is approaching 12,000, making it the largest city in Malheur County. However, Zizich says, “It’s not a city, it’s a town. A border town.”
Single-family homes under the national median price
Ontario's median single-family home price is just over $300,000, lower than the national median. Cottages under $200,000 may need repairs, and ranch-style homes are common; a few are listed for over $500,000. The low-lying areas near the Snake River are at risk of flooding, but this does not affect most homes. Area students may attend Ontario School District, which has one middle and one high school. The district is rated C-plus on Niche.
Heading to the skatepark, pickleball courts or splash pad
Ontario State Recreation Site overlooks the Snake River, and locals can use the boat ramp to go fishing. However, the area isn’t particularly safe, Zizich says. “In that northwest corner of the city, marijuana is so prevalent,” she says. “There are murders and squatters where Route 201 meets Interstate 84. A safer park is off Verde Drive; that’s where the newest, nicest homes are.” Ontario Optimist Park along Verde Drive has a soccer field where some residents walk dogs. The public tennis and pickleball courts in Ontario are free to use. Lions Park has a skatepark and splash pad, which is open in the summer and costs $1 for those over the age of 7. Ontario’s high desert climate means summers are hot and winters are snowy. Upcoming city projects include the Tater Tots Trail, a multi-use pathway leading to the state park, more downtown beautification and tennis court upgrades.
Shopping on South Oregon Street
Small businesses and locally owned restaurants can be found along South Oregon Street. This downtown area is dotted with animal-themed sculptures, like a hippo and a rhino. National franchises and supermarkets are located along Highway 30.
A cross-cultural history
The history of Ontario is detailed at the Four Rivers Cultural Center & Museum, along with the town’s cross-cultural inhabitants over time, like the Northern Paiutes and Basque peoples. During World War II, Ontario’s mayor welcomed Japanese Americans to town – a stark contrast from the rest of the west coast, which ostracized or even interned them. Ontario’s population today is more of an even split between white and Hispanic residents.
Celebrating the invention of the tater tot
Tater tots were invented in 1953 when the Griggs brothers of Ore-Ida realized they could create a new snack from leftovers. After the French fry was formed, the excess potato was shredded and formed into cylindrical tots. The city began celebrating its status as the birthplace of the tater tot in 2020 with the Tater Tots Festival. It is held annually at Lions Park on the third weekend of September. Attendees can enjoy live music, a car show, food vendors and entertainment for kids and adults, including a tater tots toss.
Interstate 84 connects to metro areas
The Ontario Fixed Route transports bus passengers to the park, hospital, grocery store and other stops throughout the city. Interstate 84 runs through Ontario, connecting drivers to Boise and Portland. Boise Airport is about 55 miles southeast. Flights are routed to domestic destinations mainly west of Denver.
Reported criminal offenses
The Ontario Police Department’s reported offenses have remained between about 2,500 and 2,400 between 2020 and 2022, according to the state of Oregon. There was a slight decrease in 2023 and incomplete data available for 2024. Throughout the entire state, reported offenses decreased from 2020 to 2022 and rose slightly in 2023. The CAP Index crime score is mid-range throughout most of Ontario, with an uptick along some parts of I-84.
Photography Contributed By
Chad Jackson
Video By
Vladislav Sedykh
