Prineville, established in 1870—making it the oldest city in Oregon—has a vibrant pioneer history still evident in the city of just over 11,000. Though homesteads once drew settlers to the area, its outdoor recreation and climate keep residents around today. “They want to be in the high desert and enjoy the 300 plus days of sunshine that we get on average every single year without the harsh winters,” says Nick Holmboe, a real estate agent with eXp Realty. “It’s a great option if you’re wanting the Central Oregon lifestyle but not really wanting to deal with cold weather.”
Prineville is Oregon's oldest city.
Residents of Prineville enjoy outdoor activities and 300 plus days of sunshine.
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Pioneer history evident in city events and downtown
Downtown Prineville captures the spirit of the city’s pioneer beginnings. Antique and thrift stores, boutiques, specialty shops and restaurants make up the historic downtown district, while the Bowman Museum preserves the stories of the region’s early settlers, housed in the old Crook County Bank building. “It has lots of brick buildings and Old Western vibes,” Holmboe says. “It’s kind of like you had gone back in time in a sense.”
Nearby Pioneer Park is the city’s oldest park and one of its main gathering spaces. It hosts events like Picnic in the Park and Western Daze, which feature local vendors and live music. Every August, the Crook County Historical Society coronates its new “Pioneer Queen,” a woman whose descendants moved to the county before 1916 and helped settle the area.
Downtown Prineville is full of a variety of shops, restaurants and boutiques.
Prineville's Bowman Museum tells stories of the early settlers and the city's rich history.
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Year-round golf and trout fishing in Prineville
Central Oregon is renowned for its natural beauty and rugged outdoors, and Prineville is no exception. Crooked River Park is the city’s largest green space, with several athletic fields, a covered amphitheater and access to its namesake river. The river flows into the lake-like Prineville Reservoir, and the surrounding state park was the first to be named an International Dark Sky Park in Oregon for its clear views of the night sky. “It’s a great place to go hang out in the summer,” Holmboe says. “My friends and I like to go up there, set up speakers and have a day party.” The Meadow Lakes Golf Course in southwestern Prineville was one of the first to receive “Golf Digest’s” National Environmental Leaders Award. “It’s open year-round, which I love,” Holmboe says.
Crooked River Park has a covered amphitheater and hosts a variety of events for residents of Prineville to enjoy.
The Crooked River meets Prineville Reservoir at the Bowman Dam.
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Homes on acreage with a lower median price
Prineville’s housing stock is a mix of old and new. Cottages and ranch-style homes from the first half of the 20th century are interspersed with new traditional homes from the 1990s and 2000s as well as newer constructions. Many homes come with acreage, while those near the Crooked River may be at an increased risk of flooding. Prineville’s median home sales price is just below $440,000—significantly less than the median prices of both nearby Redmond and Bend, which sit around $515,000 and $759,000, respectively.
Ranch-style homes are commonly found around Prineville.
A number of homes in Prineville have acreage and open land.
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From timber to technology in Prineville
Once home to mining, lumber and farming industries, Prineville has more recently attracted the attention of technology industry vanguards. Facebook and Apple have both built data centers in the city, and the former was the No. 1 employer in Crook County in 2024. Les Schwab Tire Centers, which is headquartered in nearby Bend and maintains manufacturing and distribution facilities in Prineville, took third place that year. The Saint Charles Health System is the region’s largest employer, with some providers based in Prineville.
Prineville was once home to a large lumber industry.
Prineville is the original home of Les Schwab Tire Centers, which now has its headquarters in nearby Bend, Oregon.
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Facebook helps fund STEM and technology programs
The Crook County School District serves more than 3,200 students across three elementary schools, one middle school, two high schools—one of which is alternative—one charter school and two schools that serve rural communities. The district earns an overall B-minus grade from Niche.
With Facebook’s presence in Prineville, the company has helped fund a K-12 robotics program and establish a one-to-one technology ratio across the district. Crook County High School, which also receives a B-minus, is the district’s traditional secondary school.
Pioneer Secondary Alternative High School is located in Prineville, Oregon.
Highways connect to Redmond and Bend
United States Route 26 passes through the heart of Prineville, traveling northwest to Portland and carving through the Ochoco National Forest toward Boise. Oregon state Route 126 connects to the city of Redmond, which is a straight shot about 17 miles south to Bend. The Cascades East Transit system also maintains a route that connects Prineville to Redmond.
Falling property crime and a high desert climate
From 2020 to 2023, Prineville saw a little over a 32% decrease in property crime reports, down from 299 to 202. Over the same span, violent crime in the city trended upward by over 7%, from 181 to 194 reported cases.
Prineville has a cool, semi-arid climate, characterized by warmer days and cooler nights with little precipitation. The drier weather puts the region at an increased risk of possible wildfires.
Written By
Julia Straka
Photography Contributed By
Lester Tsai
Video By
Jacob Branchaud
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Candice Anderson,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Prineville, OR sell after 61 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Prineville, OR over the last 12 months is $439,450, up 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Perched above Prineville Reservoir, this stunning custom log home offers panoramic lake views and luxurious updates throughout. Fully remodeled with LVP flooring, quartz countertops, designer lighting, custom cabinetry, and a Thermador propane range. The chef's kitchen opens to a spacious living area with walls of windows to take in the view. The spa-like primary suite features tranquil lake
Enjoy up to $20,000 for a 1% rate buy-down with Hixon Mortgage! New, beautiful and move-in ready home by award-winning Pahlisch Homes has 4-bedrooms, a 3-car garage, and upgraded rear yard landscaping. Featuring generous great room with large windows perfect for enjoying colorful sunsets. Greatroom floorplan also has a gas fireplace, is open to a spacious kitchen w/island eating bar & dining
Enjoy up to $20,000 for a 1% rate buy-down with Hixon Mortgage! New, beautiful and move-in ready home by award-winning Pahlisch Homes has 4-bedrooms, a 3-car garage, and upgraded rear yard landscaping. Featuring generous great room with large windows perfect for enjoying colorful sunsets. Greatroom floorplan also has a gas fireplace, is open to a spacious kitchen w/island eating bar & dining
Discover the freedom and beauty of rural living with these two combined buildable lots totaling 4.39 acres in the desirable Prineville Lake Acres community. Nestled in the heart of Central Oregon, this expansive property offers peace, privacy, and the perfect canvas for your dream home or weekend retreat. Enjoy potential mountain views, excellent solar exposure and close proximity to BLM land for
Welcome to 2782 SE Pilot Drive, a beautifully maintained home in the gated Dry Creek Airpark community. Set on 1.47 acres, this thoughtfully designed property features a single-level layout plus a spacious bonus room above the garage-perfect for guests, hobbies, or a home office. Enjoy vaulted ceilings and large windows in the main living area that frame peaceful nature views. A floor-to-ceiling
This property is located in the Ironhorse Subdivision in Prinveville. Ironhorse is a planned community close to hiking trails and Barnes Butte. The bare land corner lot is .16 acres and is nestled in a friendly and quiet neighborhood. With utilities to the lot. Great opportunity to build a forever home or second resident. Buyers to do their due diligence with City of Prineville in regards to
Wild Horse Mesa Apartments is a beautiful 3-story complex situated on 6.2 acres, offering spacious 2 and 3-bedroom apartments. Each apartment houses a washer/dryer, dishwasher, disposal, microwave, granite countertops, and LVP flooring in kitchen/dining and bathrooms. Our property offers access to the fitness center, recreation center, several pet waste stations, and seasonal pool for our
Property Id: 1823957Welcome to this well-maintained 3-bedroom, 2-bath single-family home tucked into a quiet Prineville neighborhood. Built in 1998, this home features an open-concept living area that offers a comfortable flow between the kitchen, dining, and living spaces—ideal for everyday living. The kitchen includes a dishwasher for added convenience, and the home is equipped with
Property Id: 1823860This inviting 3-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom home sits at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac in the desirable Stone Ridge Subdivision. Energy-efficient mini-split systems offer year-round comfort. The updated kitchen features granite countertops, refreshed cabinetry, and modern appliances—perfect for cooking and entertaining. Upstairs bathrooms also include granite for a polished
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