You’ve seen these lists before. Best places to live in Oregon. Best suburbs in Oregon. Best counties in Oregon.
Etc., etc., etc.
But they all focus on major cities and towns in the Beaver State, and no one pays attention to the little guy.
Well, that’s all about to change as we put together a list of the superb small towns in Oregon based on numbers–not opinions or hearsay.
We’ll dive right into our methodology in the next section, but first, we thought you might want to know which places in Oregon ranked the best based on Saturday Night Science.
$106,681 median income · 4.2% unemployment
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
$91,102 median income · 3.8% unemployment
$99,125 median income · 4.4% unemployment
$117,639 median income · 6.4% unemployment
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
$94,524 median income · 2.6% unemployment
$107,500 median income · 2.1% unemployment
$82,287 median income · 0.0% unemployment
$92,250 median income · 6.6% unemployment
$81,250 median income · 1.5% unemployment
$77,969 median income · 1.8% unemployment
The receipts
Compare the top ten
Pick a metric. The bars rescale. The red line is Oregon’s statewide median.
Oregon statewide median: $83,011
Oregon statewide median: $499,004
Oregon statewide median: 5.4%
On the map
Where Oregon’s best small towns are
Saturday Night Science
Methodology: How We Determined The Coolest Towns In Oregon
We threw a lot of criteria at this report to get the best, most complete results of the best small towns in Oregon possible.
Using the most recent data from the Census’s 2020-2024 American Community Survey, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Saturday Night Science, this is the criteria we used:
- Population Density (Higher is better)
- Lowest Unemployment Rates
- Housing costs (Higher is better. More demand.)
- Adjusted Median Income (Higher is better)
- Highly Educated Adults (Higher is better)
- Insurance Rates (Higher is better)
- Commute Times (Lower is better)
We looked at places with populations lower than 5,000 people and greater than 1,000, of which there were many – 114 to be exact.
We then ranked each place in each category with scores from 1 to 114, averaged them out, and the lowest scores went to our Best Small Towns in Oregon. Top of that list — Dundee.
This is our eleventh time ranking the best small places to live in Oregon.
The full plate
Best Small Towns In Oregon
Click any column to sort. Search by town name.
| Rank | Town | Population | Median Income | Median Home Value | Unemployment Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dundee | 3,213 | $106,681 | $589,490 | 4.2% |
| 2 | Metzger | 3,714 | $91,102 | $537,058 | 3.8% |
| 3 | Adair Village | 1,233 | $99,125 | $426,421 | 4.4% |
| 4 | North Plains | 3,433 | $117,639 | $571,325 | 6.4% |
| 5 | Sisters | 3,022 | $94,524 | $790,482 | 2.6% |
| 6 | Aurora | 1,030 | $107,500 | $670,914 | 2.1% |
| 7 | Sunriver | 1,488 | $82,287 | $760,207 | 0.0% |
| 8 | Gearhart | 1,978 | $92,250 | $614,717 | 6.6% |
| 9 | Durham | 1,983 | $81,250 | $797,865 | 1.5% |
| 10 | Sublimity | 2,919 | $77,969 | $570,854 | 1.8% |
| 11 | Coburg | 1,626 | $98,000 | $574,883 | 8.9% |
| 12 | Warren | 1,637 | $126,838 | $625,017 | 2.8% |
| 13 | Cannon Beach | 1,361 | $69,375 | $875,856 | 3.0% |
| 14 | Hubbard | 3,406 | $101,771 | $489,589 | 1.6% |
| 15 | Yamhill | 1,273 | $113,750 | $578,559 | 1.4% |
| 16 | Jacksonville | 2,991 | $90,341 | $598,867 | 5.3% |
| 17 | Eagle Crest | 2,677 | $102,500 | $783,925 | 3.6% |
| 18 | Stafford | 1,600 | $163,155 | $1,065,816 | 5.0% |
| 19 | Pacific City | 1,303 | $93,207 | $486,884 | 0.0% |
| 20 | Joseph | 1,054 | $54,444 | $486,300 | 1.4% |
| 21 | Beavercreek | 4,894 | $135,032 | $760,133 | 2.4% |
| 22 | Netarts | 1,022 | $79,866 | $461,077 | 0.0% |
| 23 | Millersburg | 3,366 | $124,867 | $607,620 | 1.5% |
| 24 | Turner | 2,792 | $101,979 | $574,614 | 6.8% |
| 25 | Lowell | 1,228 | $99,440 | $443,864 | 0.0% |
| 26 | Banks | 2,156 | $86,087 | $636,905 | 8.2% |
| 27 | Columbia City | 2,006 | $96,750 | $478,219 | 3.1% |
| 28 | Carlton | 2,759 | $98,393 | $556,235 | 5.0% |
| 29 | Lafayette | 4,490 | $97,771 | $461,007 | 7.8% |
| 30 | Brownsville | 1,912 | $83,098 | $441,134 | 1.1% |
| 31 | Dunes City | 1,357 | $65,313 | $610,375 | 2.2% |
| 32 | Bay City | 1,875 | $82,589 | $392,979 | 3.3% |
| 33 | Three Rivers | 3,995 | $87,313 | $582,693 | 6.9% |
| 34 | Depoe Bay | 1,782 | $85,417 | $551,684 | 12.9% |
| 35 | Athena | 1,377 | $71,898 | $281,273 | 1.0% |
| 36 | Phoenix | 4,390 | $66,508 | $399,633 | 3.5% |
| 37 | Monroe | 1,102 | $78,646 | $568,301 | 5.4% |
| 38 | Enterprise | 2,131 | $58,393 | $418,091 | 7.1% |
| 39 | Culver | 2,254 | $91,463 | $416,306 | 3.9% |
| 40 | Umapine | 1,215 | $55,927 | $479,570 | 0.0% |
| 41 | Lakeview | 3,270 | $70,900 | $197,700 | 1.0% |
| 42 | Hines | 1,604 | $78,355 | $225,285 | 0.4% |
| 43 | Odell | 2,218 | $97,250 | $453,032 | 9.7% |
| 44 | Siletz | 1,119 | $86,667 | $428,156 | 8.0% |
| 45 | Dayton | 2,675 | $91,184 | $520,309 | 10.7% |
| 46 | Harrisburg | 3,681 | $73,650 | $410,310 | 8.1% |
| 47 | Jefferson | 3,301 | $102,159 | $460,278 | 7.7% |
| 48 | Lincoln Beach | 2,434 | $73,750 | $441,852 | 3.6% |
| 49 | Rockaway Beach | 1,562 | $53,872 | $457,661 | 6.7% |
| 50 | Cascade Locks | 1,378 | $70,000 | $405,158 | 5.6% |
| 51 | New Hope | 1,296 | $65,000 | $457,524 | 0.0% |
| 52 | Island City | 1,145 | $66,563 | $359,357 | 7.0% |
| 53 | Rogue River | 2,238 | $54,537 | $472,692 | 10.2% |
| 54 | Reedsport | 4,317 | $53,571 | $323,804 | 0.9% |
| 55 | Redwood | 3,721 | $68,125 | $415,627 | 6.3% |
| 56 | Aumsville | 4,230 | $90,987 | $490,530 | 7.3% |
| 57 | Harbor | 2,437 | $55,109 | $330,788 | 3.5% |
| 58 | Shady Cove | 3,076 | $57,000 | $416,006 | 7.3% |
| 59 | Mulino | 2,229 | $108,482 | $704,978 | 9.2% |
| 60 | Coquille | 4,002 | $58,490 | $316,784 | 4.7% |
| 61 | Amity | 2,089 | $87,396 | $596,027 | 3.8% |
| 62 | Glide | 1,823 | $73,727 | $382,189 | 7.0% |
| 63 | Lyons | 1,139 | $91,875 | $493,551 | 8.8% |
| 64 | Gold Hill | 1,288 | $56,359 | $462,095 | 1.2% |
| 65 | Terrebonne | 1,602 | $89,248 | $568,565 | 20.3% |
| 66 | Barview | 1,684 | $78,510 | $257,651 | 5.1% |
| 67 | Donald | 1,133 | $80,729 | $469,108 | 11.7% |
| 68 | Merlin | 1,617 | $71,806 | $471,695 | 1.6% |
| 69 | Foots Creek | 1,110 | $73,786 | $495,451 | 6.2% |
| 70 | Gold Beach | 2,466 | $56,014 | $435,925 | 6.9% |
| 71 | Elgin | 1,549 | $57,750 | $270,418 | 1.5% |
| 72 | Bayside Gardens | 1,128 | $77,727 | $405,179 | 8.9% |
| 73 | Clatskanie | 2,364 | $90,709 | $402,022 | 5.6% |
| 74 | Roseburg North | 4,601 | $65,160 | $248,144 | 2.1% |
| 75 | Wood Village | 4,696 | $85,413 | $413,667 | 2.6% |
| 76 | Halsey | 1,491 | $106,458 | $393,523 | 9.3% |
| 77 | Stanfield | 1,902 | $60,074 | $285,404 | 4.1% |
| 78 | Ruch | 1,151 | $83,700 | $418,448 | 0.0% |
| 79 | Gervais | 2,581 | $83,043 | $429,524 | 7.2% |
| 80 | Vernonia | 2,786 | $83,411 | $385,828 | 6.6% |
| 81 | John Day | 1,609 | $57,891 | $271,954 | 6.9% |
| 82 | Bandon | 3,330 | $48,187 | $483,092 | 11.5% |
| 83 | Tangent | 1,290 | $99,000 | $460,563 | 14.9% |
| 84 | Vale | 2,348 | $50,313 | $339,379 | 4.8% |
| 85 | Lakeside | 1,870 | $65,375 | $307,224 | 0.6% |
| 86 | Mount Angel | 3,393 | $62,232 | $477,422 | 15.3% |
| 87 | Irrigon | 2,120 | $74,336 | $315,891 | 4.6% |
| 88 | Willamina | 2,193 | $58,906 | $351,967 | 5.7% |
| 89 | Oakland | 1,048 | $59,042 | $404,978 | 14.1% |
| 90 | Pilot Rock | 1,283 | $89,091 | $237,385 | 6.5% |
| 91 | Myrtle Creek | 3,500 | $55,921 | $292,876 | 5.9% |
| 92 | Chenoweth | 1,445 | $63,425 | $238,845 | 16.1% |
| 93 | Bunker Hill | 1,626 | $60,058 | $237,800 | 1.1% |
| 94 | Rainier | 2,130 | $66,989 | $422,376 | 7.5% |
| 95 | Mill City | 1,920 | $69,091 | $357,002 | 8.2% |
| 96 | Burns | 2,723 | $41,858 | $181,981 | 3.4% |
| 97 | Metolius | 1,137 | $65,000 | $333,200 | 4.6% |
| 98 | Waldport | 2,177 | $55,625 | $471,124 | 17.2% |
| 99 | Heppner | 1,277 | $49,521 | $244,082 | 2.8% |
| 100 | La Pine | 2,547 | $58,365 | $407,265 | 5.1% |
Source: U.S. Census ACS 2020-2024 via Saturday Night Science. 114 Oregon towns between 1,000 and 5,000 residents.
Summary
Summary: Science Can Tackle Any Issue, Even Small Ones
We said it once, and we’ll say it again — this list: it’s just science. We did the research, crunched the numbers, and it turns out these small towns in Oregon are the best in which to live.
And who can argue with that?
The best small towns in Oregon are Dundee, Metzger, Adair Village, North Plains, Sisters, Aurora, Sunriver, Gearhart, Durham, and Sublimity. Not sold on Oregon? Take the two-minute Find Your Place quiz and see which state actually fits you.
Questions and answers
Best Small Towns In Oregon FAQs
What is the best small town to live in Oregon?
Dundee is the best small town in Oregon for 2026. The median household income there is $106,681 and the median home costs $589,490. Metzger and Adair Village round out the top three.
What are the best small towns in Oregon?
The best small towns in Oregon are Dundee, Metzger, Adair Village, North Plains, Sisters, Aurora, Sunriver, Gearhart, Durham, and Sublimity. We ranked all 114 Oregon towns with between 1,000 and 5,000 residents.
What counts as a small town?
For this ranking, a small town is any Oregon place with between 1,000 and 5,000 residents. 114 towns fit that window this year.
How do you rank the best small towns in Oregon?
Each town is scored on density, unemployment, housing costs, income, education, insurance coverage, and commute times, using Census American Community Survey data. The town with the best average across all of it, Dundee, takes the top spot.
How much does a home cost in Dundee?
The median home in Dundee runs $589,490, against $499,004 across Oregon as a whole. Pair that with a $106,681 median household income, and you can see why it ranks so well.
