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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Pioneer Secondary Alternative High School is located in Prineville, Oregon.
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.
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
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On average, homes in Prineville, OR sell after 72 days on the market compared to the national average of 56 days. The median sale price for homes in Prineville, OR over the last 12 months is $437,500, up 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Meticulously maintained 3-bedroom, 2-bath home located on a quiet, dead end street with a neighborhood park directly across the road. Built in 2019, this move-in ready property offers 1416 sq ft of comfortable living space featuring a cozy wood stove, and beautiful Cascade Mountain views. The fully landscape the yard includes underground, sprinklers in both the front and back, creating an
Tucked away at the end of a quiet road, this stunning custom home offers the perfect blend of privacy & beauty set on the fairway of Prineville Golf Course. Enjoy a park-like setting w/mature trees, lush landscaping, & peaceful surroundings. Golf lovers will appreciate the convenience of hopping in your cart & heading straight onto the course (with membership), & golf until sunset. The backyard
Park like setting on .23 acre lot! Don't miss this beautifully updated 3-bedroom, 2-bath home with a dedicated office/den. It offers the perfect blend of comfort, style, & convenience. Thoughtfully renovated throughout w/new flooring, updated windows, a gas insert fireplace, and modern finishes, every detail has been carefully considered. The stunning kitchen features granite countertops, tile
Discover your perfect building opportunity in Prineville! This large, elevated vacant lot offers stunning valley and rimrock views, presenting exceptional potential in the premier IronHorse subdivision. You'll appreciate the easy access to the renowned Barnes Butte Trail System, outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate having hiking adventures right at their doorstep. Families benefit from close
Sweat equity opportunity! Total remodel underway. New windows installed.. Freshexterior stucco and paint. New ductless heat pumps onsite. Plan was for an ADU in basement with 2 bed 1 bath upstairs . Easily returned to 4 bed 2 bath daylight basement floorplan. Solid bones. Over $70,000 in demo and rework already completed.. Great opportunity for flip or owner sweat equity. Huge corner lot with
Built in 2022, this nearly new home features a spacious, fully fenced yard and a desirable split bedroom layout for excellent privacy. Serving as the main hub of the home, the open concept kitchen features warm wood cabinets and sleek Quartz countertops. The design connects the living spaces seamlessly, complemented by 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, and a roomy 2 car garage. The home is also equipped
Tucked in a quiet cul-de-sac on 2 acres in Prineville, Oregon, this spacious 4-bedroom, 3.5-bath home offers incredible views & flexible living in the heart of Central Oregon. Designed for comfort & functionality, the main level features two primary suites, including one with private deck & hot tub access, a large walk-in shower, & serene views. The expansive decking and patios create the perfect
Escape to your own lake retreat at the beautiful Prineville Reservoir in Prineville, Oregon! This charming 2-bedroom, 1-bath vacation home offers breathtaking lake views, soaring vaulted ceilings, abundant windows, and a stunning floor-to-ceiling fireplace with a Heatilator for cozy evenings year-round. Enjoy easy access to boating, fishing, kayaking, swimming, and endless outdoor recreation in
Serene Cascade Mtn views surround this charming single-level home nestled on 2.31 acres of privacy. Picturesque windows flood the home w/natural light & a cozy wood stove warms the main living area. Spacious kitchen ftrs an abundance of cabinetry & prep space, breakfast bar seating, SS appliances & a large eating area adjacent w/sliders to the covered back deck. Primary is complete w/soaking tub,
Country charm on the edge of town! This 2.12 acre property has updated wiring, a new roof & 2.1 acres of irrigation water rights! This modernized, single-level home, built in 1940, offers 1,298 sf of comfortable living space w/ 2 large bedrooms with their own decks to enjoy the view & 1.5 bathrooms. Outside, you'll find everything you need for hobby farming, horses, projects, or extra storage.
Enjoy peaceful country living on 3.71 acres with stunning Cascade mountain views and unforgettable Central Oregon sunsets. This 2017 manufactured home offers a spacious open-concept floor plan featuring 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a dedicated office area, and a convenient mud room. The partially enclosed front deck provides the perfect spot to relax and take in the surrounding scenery.The fully
Beautiful 5.41-acre level homesite in the desirable Estates at Ochoco Creek justoutside Prineville city limits and just minutes from Ochoco Reservoir. Thisproperty includes 1 acre of irrigation and a shared pond offering the perfectsetting to build your custom dream home among other high-quality custom residences. This is the last lot in this thoughtfully designed 43 acre area of 8
Discover this beautifully updated 3-bedroom, 2-bath home in Prineville, Oregon, perfectly situated on a spacious corner lot in desirable Central Oregon. Step inside to find new laminate flooring throughout, a stylish kitchen featuring granite countertops and newer appliances, and comfortable, functional living spaces designed for everyday living and entertaining. Major upgrades provide peace of
Move-in ready home in Crook County blends the convenience of Prineville without the city restrictions; no CCRs and no HOA. This 3-bedroom, 2-bath home features 1,817 sq ft, owned solar, new windows, updated upstairs bath, heat pump heating/cooling, new well pump, and a flexible enclosed porch/garden room. The detached shop/garage with updated wiring provides excellent space for projects, storage,
Welcome home to this charming property in Prineville, Oregon, offering space, flexibility, and endless possibilities in the heart of Central Oregon. The oversized private primary suite features a large walk-in closet and en-suite bath, making it an ideal in-law suite or potential ADU. The enormous laundry/mud room provides exceptional storage and could easily be transformed into a home office,
Welcome to The Mill at Ochoco, where amenity-rich living meets the relaxed beauty of small-town charm and wide-open spaces. Designed as a modern home base for everyday life and outdoor adventure, our one, two, and three-bedroom apartments for rent in Prineville, OR feature an outdoor pool and spa, clubhouse, 24/7 fitness center with a sauna and yoga room, co-working spaces, and sports court.
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: 1730507 3 bedroom, 2 bath 1,250 sq ft Fenced yard, great neighborhood Single Story Wood Stove, baseboard heat Tile in kitchen and wood throughout Dishwasher, Refrigerator included Washer/dryer hookups Off street parking Detached garage (not to be used for commercial/business purposes) Tenants responsible for all utilities
Property Id: 2716066 5 Bed, 3 bath home for rent! Beautiful, spacious 2500sq ft home available 8/10 in the desirable IronHorse neighborhood. This beautiful 5-bedroom 3-bathroom is just a few minutes' walk to the Barnes Butte Recreation Trails and Barnes Butte Elementary School. Rent: $3500 Utilities: tenant responsible for all utilities Home Features: - 5
Great neighborhood in Ochoco heights.Current photos do NOT reflect the updates! Complete kitchen remodel photos coming soon and all hardwood floors have been sanded and refinished. Photos of New floors coming soon. New gas furnace and roof complete . Fenced backyard and extra large driveway.Man's cave or shop, new kitchen photos coming soon showing the new kitchen cabinets, countertops,
Adorable home in downtown Prineville Oregon! Newly remodeled inside and out. Very large yard, washer/dryer included, three houses down from Ochoco Creek with a 10-mile paved bike path that runs through Prineville.Tenant is responsible for electric, water, sewer, garbage, and landscaping. Dogs allowed (maximum of 2), pet rent $25 per pet plus $500 additional pet deposit per
$1,325 per month
SCHEDULE A SHOWING TODAY TO VIEW THIS CHARMING APRATMENT IN PRINEVILLE!!
SCHEDULE A SHOWING TODAY TO VIEW THIS CHARMING APRATMENT IN PRINEVILLE!!This 2 bedroom 1 bath apartment features:- Hard surfaced flooring throughout the home, carpets in the bedrooms- Large windows, letting in lots of natural light- Private side patio- Shared coin op laundry- Upstairs loftTerms: 12-month leaseCounty: CrookPet Policy: No pets,
¦ 3 bdrm / 2 bath¦ 1765 sq ft¦ Double car garage¦ Forced air with air conditioning!¦ Kitchen includes:¦ Range¦ Refrigerator¦ Dishwasher¦ Microwave¦ Disposal¦ Pantry¦ Washer/Dryer hookups¦ Laundry room has built in ironing board¦ Living room has gas fireplace and built-in book cases/shelving¦ Open dining area between living
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