An active dairy industry and scenic surroundings in Tillamook
Tillamook is a name known well across the country for the dairy products produced at its iconic creamery. For those who call the city home, however, it's a place that blends rural, Pacific Northwest charm with a close-knit community atmosphere. Nicknamed “The Dairylands,” Tillamook has been a dairy community since the mid 1800s, and remains one today, with the Tillamook County Creamery Association serving as the area’s biggest employer. Bordered by winding rivers and hundreds of acres of farmland and open fields, the city is less than a 10-mile drive from the Pacific Ocean and Tillamook Bay. “We’re located in a valley surrounded by gorgeous mountains and greenery,” says Steph Poppe, a broker with Rob Trost Real Estate who has lived in the community her whole life. “It’s a small town, with a large sense of community”
Mid-20th century architecture and spacious properties
Most of the area’s homes were built between the 1910s and 1960s, with some newer developments sprinkled throughout and in the surrounding rural areas. Ranch-style homes and bungalows are the most common, with lots ranging from around 5,000 square feet to over 3 acres. Many houses feature fenced-in back yards dotted with mature trees, with well-maintained sidewalks providing walkability near the center of town. Manufactured homes range from around $50,000 to $560,000, while single-family builds can go for $130,000 to $880,000, with price tags increasing alongside lot size, square footage and modern upgrades.
Locally caught seafood and the Tillamook Creamery
A quaint downtown district lies near the intersection of Third Street and US-route 101, with businesses like Dutch Mill Cafe and Pacific Restaurant, a city favorite serving locally caught seafood and pub fare. “There is a big fishing and oyster farming presence in the Tillamook area,” Poppe says. “So you’ll find a lot of businesses selling fresh seafood caught nearby.” ReCurrent is a go-to for clothes shopping, while Pelican Brewing has over a dozen craft beers on tap. For grocery shopping, Safeway, Fred Meyer and Grocery Outlet are all nearby.
The Tillamook Creamery has been in operation since 1909 and, today, the facilities encompass over 40,000 square feet just 2 miles north of town. The campus is home to a cheese factory, a food court and a museum where visitors can learn about the process of dairy production. “Dairy and timber are the main industries in Tillamook County,” says Poppe. “Many farms and timber companies have been active for generations, with a lot of families who have been passing down their craft for years. It means a lot of people in town know one another and we have a close-knit community.”
An annual county fair and an active art scene
This sense of community can also be seen during annual events like the Tillamook County Fair, which hosts livestock shows, carnival rides, a rodeo and live music. “One of the coolest traditions is the fair’s Pig-N-Ford races,” Poppe says. The event involves racers driving Model T cars around a dirt track, holding onto a 25-to-35-pound pig the whole way. “There’s also a prominent art scene here,” says Poppe. “Especially the quilting community. People recognize the importance of keeping long standing crafts alive.” The Latimer Quilt and Textile Center hosts classes and public exhibits.
Hiking and fishing near the Pacific Ocean
The city is bordered by the Trask River and the Hoquarton Slough, with riverside parks offering boat launches, picnic areas and open field space. “There are around six rivers that go through the Tillamook area to the ocean,” says Poppe. “And you can easily access multiple beaches and bays from town for fishing, swimming and boating. It’s a big area for water-related recreation, and most homes are within 10 minutes of the ocean.” Cape Lookout State Park is a few miles west of town and offers 5 miles of hiking trails, campgrounds, scenic views of the Pacific and around 3 miles of sandy shoreline. East of the city, the Tillamook State Forest encompasses over 360,000 acres of public land popular among hikers, backpackers, equestrians and hunters.
Unique electives and regular events at Tillamook County Library
Local students may attend East Elementary or Liberty Elementary School, which earn C-plus and B-minus grades from Niche, respectively. Also with a B-minus, Tillamook Junior High School has a variety of elective offerings, from crafts and ceramics to pop culture and logic games. Tillamook High School receives a C grade and has career and technical education programs in agricultural sciences and industry technology and natural resources. The Tillamook County Library hosts a diverse array of community programs and events, including movie showings, story times, a monthly teen writing club and Dungeons & Dragons club.
Travelling along Route 101
U.S. Route 101 passes through the center of Tillamook and winds through the entirety of Washington, Oregon and California. Drivers can take the road around 5 miles north to Bay City or roughly 40 miles south to Lincoln City. Portland International Airport is roughly 85 miles east.
![Jillian Pillow]()
Written By
Jillian Pillow
