A rural Pacific Northwest city along the Columbia River
Between the banks of the Columbia River and the wooded hills of Northern Oregon, Scappoose is a quaint, rural city with a small-town atmosphere. Peaceful natural areas and wooded trails attract outdoor lovers to the area, while quiet streets provide an escape from nearby metro areas such as Portland, located roughly 20 miles southeast. “Scappoose is one of the last untouched bedroom communities of Portland,” says Amy Trull, a Columbia County expert and Realtor with John L. Scott Realty. “It has a small-town feel and is a know-your-neighbor kind of city. When you walk into the grocery store, people are friendly and address you by name.”
Named after a 19th-century Chinookan village, the area began to expand with the construction of the Northern Pacific Railroad and developed as a farming community in the 1920s.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a population of 8,259 as of 2023. The most prominent industries in Scappoose are retail, accommodation and food and educational services.
Scappoose's diverse housing market
The architectural scene in Scappoose is a blend of old and new, with some ranch-style homes and farmhouses dating back to the 1930s and 1940s. Evergreen trees shade the area’s residential streets and cover the surrounding hillsides in typical Pacific Northwest fashion. Most of the city’s houses were built after 1990 and, with a steadily increasing population, new subdivisions have been developed over since 2010, including Meadowbrook. The median home price is around $474,000 which, according to the National Association of Realtors, is higher than the Columbia County median of $396,000.
Local businesses and nearby metro areas
While Scappoose only spans just under 4 square miles, it is equipped with conveniences, from supermarkets and pharmacies to a dog park and a movie theater. “There’s also a wonderful farmers market from May to October along Second Street,” says Trull. The Columbia River Highway runs north and south through the center of the city and is lined with a small offering of local businesses. Notably, Ichabod’s Restaurant and Longfellow's Inn are local favorites.
For more shops and restaurants, St. Helens is around 8 miles north on U.S. Route 30. “You can also do your shopping and dining in Hillsboro,” Trull says. “I take the 30-minute trip often and I always look forward to the beautiful drive through the trees and countryside.”
Walk along the Crown Zellerbach Trail
The city is home to numerous natural areas and hiking trails but is best known as the start of the Crown Zellerbach Trail. The 21-mile trail used to be the site of the Portland Southwestern Railroad and can be taken northwest to its endpoint in Veronia, with parks and campsites dotting the route. Scappoose is home to a handful of marinas and boat launches along the Columbia River. In the summer, Sauvie Island is a popular beach spot.
The Scappoose School District and nearby private schools
The city is served by the Scappoose School District, which earns a C-plus grade from Niche. Most students attend the same pipeline of public schools, starting with Grant Watts Elementary and Otto Peterson Elementary School, which earn B and C-plus grades, respectively. Scappoose Middle School gets a B-minus, while Scappoose High earns a C-plus. The district also offers an early-education center and an online academy. Additionally, the area is home to a handful of private schools, including Scappoose Adventist School, which serves prekindergarten through eighth grade students.
Head to Portland on Route 30
U.S. Route 30 can take drivers directly to downtown Portland, around 20 miles south, or roughly 32 miles north to Longview. Additionally, Portland International Airport is around 27 miles southeast.
Crime rate statistics are not readily available for Scappoose.
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Jillian Pillow
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