First state capital, last stop on the Oregon Trail
The Willamette and Clackamas rivers empowered Oregon City to become the center of the region’s lumber, flour, wool and paper mill industries, and the city of just over 37,000 continues to modernize and evolve. “I come from a history background, so I like the way the historic and the modern meet,” says Alyssa Lorain, the visitors' services manager at The Museum of the Oregon Territory. “You can see where the history happened and where we are moving on to modern times, whether that be in the new restaurants that are coming or how they are keeping the facades historic but the inside of the buildings modern.” In fact, Oregon City is steeped in American history—it was the final point of the Oregon Trail and the first incorporated city west of the Rocky Mountains, as well as the state’s original capital.
Oregon City is the end of the Oregon Trail.
The Willamette Falls empowered Oregon City to become an industrial hub.
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Museums about Pioneer life and Indigenous peoples
History buffs will find multiple places to explore in Oregon City. The significance of the End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center is in its name—the land that the interactive museum stands on is considered the final point of a portion of the famous trail. Visitors can experience a slice of pioneer life, from churning butter and dipping candles to strolling through the Heritage Garden, which features flowers, herbs and vegetables that were commonly cultivated during the 1860s. The Museum of the Oregon Territory exhibits start farther back in history with petroglyphs and artifacts of the Indigenous people who lived in the region.
One of the city’s main artifacts is not contained within the walls of a museum. The Oregon City Municipal Elevator is one of only four in the world, and what locals have nicknamed “Elevator Street." The original elevator replaced steps that ascended the 722-foot-high bluff from the waterfront in 1915, but it was rebuilt between 1954 and 1955 as a white tower with an overlook at the top.
Experience a slice of pioneer life at the End of The Oregon Trail Interpretive Site.
The Oregon City Municipal Elevator is one of only four in the world.
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Trendy downtown eateries and a farmers market
Oregon City’s historic downtown, also known as the McLoughlin neighborhood, is filled with boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, record stores and bookshops. It’s also home to some of the state’s oldest buildings, like the John McLoughlin House, which was built in 1846 for the “Father of Oregon” and the superintendent of Fort Vancouver.
Besides a trendy downtown that holds its own, Oregon City is also known for farm-fresh products. The Oregon City Farmers Market is held year-round at Clackamas Community College, where local farmers, bakers, artisans, wineries and distilleries gather on Saturday mornings. Produce stands and U-pick farms throughout the region serve fresh, locally grown food.
Cyclists stop for lunch at Mi Famiglia Wood Oven Pizzeria in Dowtown Oregon City.
Find a gem at Oregon City Records.
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Willamette Falls: an American natural wonder
Separating the city from the affluent suburb of West Linn is the Willamette Falls, one of the largest waterfalls in North America—second only to Niagara Falls. The natural phenomenon was created by the outflow of the Ice Age Floods, while the terrain of the surrounding Canemah Bluff Nature Park was formed by ancient landslides and lava flows. More than a mile of unpaved trail navigates the natural space, which teems with chipping sparrows, hawks and eagles that soar above rare Oregon white oak and Pacific madrone trees.
In addition to the misty section of falling water, the Willamette River and its tributary, the Clackamas River, offer miles of aquatic recreation. The Willamette River Paddle Trail stretches 187 miles from Eugene through Oregon City to Portland, and the entire river is well-used by stand-up paddleboarders, canoers, kayakers and anglers wetting a fly.
Enjoy fishing along the Willamette River.
Enjoy a climbing adventure at nearby formations, perfect for McLoughlin outdoor enthusiasts.
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Architecture that spans almost all of the 1900s
The homes in Oregon City reflect the architectural progression of the last century. New traditional homes built throughout the 2000s have Craftsman details that mirror those of Arts and Crafts-era houses still standing from the first two decades of the 20th century. Older homes often sit closer to the McLoughlin historic district, near the city’s waterfront. Houses from the 1940s tend to be smaller, bungalow-style builds, while the 1960s through the 1980s introduced ranch-style homes and split-level architecture to the city.
Though the city’s housing spans almost the entirety of the last century, pricing hovers above that of the national average. Townhouses in the city have a median sales price of roughly $431,000, while detached single-family homes sell for a median of $615,000. Overall, the median home sales price in Oregon City is almost $596,000—while the national median is around $404,500. To combat a shortage of housing in the city, Las Flores—a 171-unit apartment complex for low-income households—opened in 2024. Eight of its units were reserved for formerly unhoused U.S. veterans, while 12 apartments were reserved for agricultural workers.
You'll find historic Queen Anne homes in Oregon City.
A modern Ranchalow home with Northwest styling in the Hazel Grove-Westling Farm neighborhood.
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Highway access to Portland via Interstate 205
Interstate 205 passes through the north side of the city, continuing to Interstate 5 west of the city and the eastern neighborhoods of Portland. Both Oregon state Routes 43 and 99E snake along opposite sides of the Willamette River toward downtown Portland, about 14 miles away. Oregon City Transit Center services several TriMet buses, as well as the Clackamas County Connects (CCC) city shuttle and the CCC Xpress bus, which leads to the Clackamas Town Center mall.
College preparation with Clackamas Community College
More than 6,600 students attend the 12 schools that make up the Oregon City School District, which earns a B-minus from Niche. The site also awards the district a B-plus for its college preparation programs; the district offers 12 Advanced Placement classes, as well as 31 college-credit courses, through a partnership with local Clackamas Community College. The district also saw an 87% on-time graduation rate during the 2021-2022 school year, compared to an 81% state-wide average the same year.
Front entrance to the Oregon City Highschool in the Caufield Neighborhood.
The main entrance to the Clackamas Academy of Industrial Sciences is on 12th St in Oregon City.
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Falling crime, industry and weather
Crime rates in both Oregon City and across Oregon fell from 2022 to 2023, though rates in Oregon City outpaced those across the state. Property crime reports in Oregon City fell by almost 30%—from 1,316 cases to 924, whereas the state dropped by roughly 10%. Similarly, violent crime in Oregon City fell from 278 cases in 2022 to 247 cases in 2023, creating more than an 11% decrease. Across the state, violent crime decreased by less than 1%.
The healthcare, social assistance and public administration industries employ the most residents in the city, though its economic development plan prioritizes light manufacturing as well as the logistics and wholesale distribution industries. Major companies in those sectors include Benchmade Knife Company, Tri Lett Industries and ArcBest.
Oregon City enjoys a relatively moderate climate, with summer highs around 82 and winter lows hovering a few degrees above freezing. The annual precipitation is around 46 inches, with about 4 of those in snowfall.
503.545.5094 | MichaelGreenPDX@gmail.com | @Greenbuckrealestate Hi, I'm Michael Green, co-founder of the Green Buck Real Estate team at Stellar Realty Northwest. Tori Buck and I founded our team with the mission of providing excellent service through strategic wealth investment planning. Together we utilize trusted, transparent systems, and superior industry knowledge. We were honored to be named Portland's Best Real Estate Agent in Willamette Week's readers' poll.
I was born and raised in Portland which has given me invaluable insight into our ever-changing city - the neighborhoods, zoning laws, schools, and housing trends. I also have vast experience and knowledge across real estate finance, investment properties, land development, and home construction. I make sure all of my clients are aware of the many (often hidden) costs associated with home and property ownership over the lifetime of the investment.
Whether you are an experienced investor or a first time home buyer I am committed to delivering a clear and transparent transaction process. Nothing is more gratifying than seeing my clients meet (and often exceed) their real estate goals. Please feel free to reach out to me at any point. I am here to help you!
My partner Tori is formally trained in customer service, sales, and high-stakes negotiation. She aims to provide a smooth and transparent experience throughout the buying/selling process, with the most efficient and money saving results.
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.
