If you are considering moving to Oregon, you have many beautiful cities to choose from.
The largest cities in Oregon offer endless activities, including countless outdoor pursuits. Most of Oregon’s best cities are situated in the fertile, 150-mile Willamette Valley, home to 19,000 acres of vineyards and over 500 world-class wineries. The valley is bordered by the Cascade Mountain Range to the east and the Oregon Coast Range to the west, offering stunning views.
Approximately 70% of Oregon’s population lives in the valley, which includes the cities of Portland, Eugene, Salem, Gresham, Hillsboro, and Beaverton. With so many people relocating to these areas, Portland movers are experienced in helping new residents transition smoothly to the Willamette Valley. Cities outside of the Willamette Valley are gateways to the Pacific coast and Oregon's high-desert region.
With our list of Oregon cities by population, you’ll learn about each area’s population, average income, house prices, and more. The data comes from the US Census. Find which factors are important to you in deciding which Oregon city is the right fit for you and your family.
State Demographics
Oregon ranks 27th nationally in population and 20th in median household income. Here are some interesting facts about Oregon.
- Population: 4,217,737
- Median Age: 39.7
- Median household income: $67,058
- Median price of housing: $354,600
- Area of state (square miles): 95,988
- Density (people per square mile): 43.9
Which of the Largest Cities in Oregon is Right for You?
1. Portland - Most Populated Oregon City
Portland, known as the “City of Roses”, earned its name because of its rose-favoring climate (warm, dry summers and cool, rainy winters). Portland is Oregon’s largest and most populous city and is renowned for its vibrant cultural scene. It serves as a major port in the Pacific Northwest. Approximately 47% of Oregon's population lives in the Portland metropolitan area. Back in the 1830s, when Portland was settled, the transportation of goods and timber were the main industries.
Today, Portland is known for its high-tech industry, which emerged there in the 1990s. Nicknamed Silicon Forest, Portland is home to Intel, Tektronix, HP, and Xerox. Portland is also home to big athletic/outdoor businesses like Nike, Adidas, Under Armor, and Columbia. If you’re considering living in Portland, you will be glad to hear that Stumptown is also very environmentally conscious, with 11,677 acres of parks and green spaces, as well as diverse, wide-open areas, including mountains, deserts, and beaches you can explore.
- Portland population: 636,958
- Portland area: 133.5 mi²
- Portland median age: 39 years old
- Portland median household Income: $91,478
- Portland median house price: $525,000
- Portland density: 4,771.5 people per square mile
- Portland map
2. Salem - Second Most Populous Oregon City
46.8 miles south of Portland, Salem is the second-largest city in Oregon. It’s set in the northwest region in the center of the Willamette Valley and is only about an hour away from the Cascade Mountains. The Pacific Ocean and its breathtaking beaches are only about 1 hour west of Saem.
Salem is a fast-growing, diverse city with a historic downtown and plenty of residential and commercial development. Salem is known for its 90 beautiful parks and clean, pure air. The city is famous for the Salem Film Festival, family-friendly Riverfront Park, golf courses, and delicious Northwest cuisine.
Salem was incorporated in 1857 and has served as the state capital since 1859, making it a political and administrative hub. Salem’s earliest industries were agriculture and ranching. Today, Salem is home to many major businesses, including Amazon, Garmen, Kettle Foods, Don Pancho, and NORPAC.
If you want to live in one of the biggest cities in Oregon, but don’t want to pay top-dollar for housing, Salem is a great option.
- Salem population: 180,389
- Salem area: 48.9 mi²
- Salem median age: 37.9 years old
- Salem median household income: $79,638
- Salem median house price: $450,000
- Salem density: 3,685.6 people per square mile
- Salem map
3. Eugene - One of the Largest Cities in Oregon for Active Adults
Eugene, the third-largest city in Oregon, is home to the University of Oregon, a major track and field university. Eugene sits on the southern end of the Willamette Valley. A big part of Eugene culture is healthy living and outdoor exercise, with hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails surrounding the city. Eugene is also the birthplace of Nike.
The area around Eugene was settled in 1846 and named Eugene City in 1853. Eugene’s growth was stimulated by the Oregon and California Railroad in 1871, where it became an agricultural and lumber center. The MacKenzie River recreational area and Willamette National Forest are headquartered in the city.
- Eugene population: 178,789
- Eugene area: 44.5 mi²
- Eugene median age: 36.2 years old
- Eugene median household income: $70,781
- Eugene median house price: $472,500
- Eugene density: 4,018.7 people per square mile
- Eugene map
4. Gresham - Outdoor Enthusiasts Love This Large Oregon City
Oregon’s fourth-biggest city, Gresham, is a suburb of Portland and is situated less than 30 minutes east. Gresham is only minutes from iconic Mount Hood, Multnomah Falls, and the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, making it the perfect location for outdoor life.
According to Gresham's historical records, European settlers arrived in the area in 1851, but Gresham wasn’t incorporated as a city until 1905. Today, Gresham has transitioned from an agricultural community into an energetic, innovative, and rapidly growing city, providing a high quality of life. Top industries such as general, aerospace, semiconductor manufacturing, and food processing provide a competitive job market for people living in Gresham!
- Gresham population: 111,500
- Gresham area: 23.6 mi²
- Gresham median age: 37 years old
- Gresham median household income: $76,952
- Gresham median house price: $480,700
- Gresham density: 4,731.8 people per square mile
- Gresham map
5. Hillsboro - 5th Largest City in Oregon
Hillsboro is the 5th largest city in Oregon. Located on the west side of the Portland metropolitan area, Hillsboro offers employment by major tech companies, green spaces, and family-friendly traditions. The city was founded in 1842 and remained a small community until the arrival of high-tech companies in the 1980s.
Hillsboro is the center of Oregon's Silicon Forest, home to Intel's largest campus. Synopsys, Epson, and Oracle are some of the other high-tech companies in Hillsboro. C2C, Southern Cross Cable, and VSNL Transpacific, three fiber-optic cable systems that link the United States to the Pacific Ocean, are also headquartered in Hillsboro. Major companies such as Adobe, NetApp, Umpqua Bank, OHSU, and Fortune Data Centers operate data centers there.
Living in Hillsboro is for you if you want to reside in one of the biggest Oregon cities but also want proximity to natural wonders, like those found in the Tillamook State Forest.
6. Bend - Breweries & Biking in One Of Oregon’s Biggest Cities
Bend is the main city in central Oregon. Located on the eastern edge of the Cascade Range, Bend has an arid climate and is populated with junipers, sagebrush, and bitterbrush. The city was first settled in the early 1900s and incorporated in 1905. Initially a logging town, Bend today has a strategic location ideal for those who love outdoor recreational opportunities such as mountain biking, fishing, hiking, camping, rock climbing, whitewater rafting, skiing, paragliding, and golf.
Bend is where you’ll find more than a dozen microbreweries, including the Deschutes Brewery, which is the eighth-largest craft brewery in the nation. Bend’s brewing culture includes events such as the Bend Oktoberfest, the Little Woody Barrel Aged Brew and Whiskey Fest, Bend Brewfest, and Central Oregon Beer Week.
Bend has also become a popular retirement destination in recent years, reflected in 30% of residents who are over 50 years old. Whether you’re a growing family or looking for somewhere to spend your golden years, this list of Oregon cities by population will help you find one that’s right for you.
- Bend population: 100,430
- Bend area: 33.32 mi²
- Bend median age: 39.8 years old
- Bend median household income: $69,998
- Bend median house price: $426,600
- Bend density: 3,203 people per square mile
- Bend map
7. Beaverton - Home to Nike Headquarters & 99,000-Plus People
Beaverton is located 7 miles west of Portland and is a part of the Portland metropolitan area. Settlers first arrived in Beaverton in 1847, establishing it as a mill town and farming community. In 1868, the railroad spurred growth, leading to the town's incorporation in 1893, according to Beaverton History Society.
The world headquarters of Nike is just outside the Beaverton city limits. Other major companies like Reser's Fine Foods and Leupold & Stevens, which make rifle scopes and other specialty optics, are located in Beaverton.
There are job opportunities galore here, as Beaverton is part of the Silicon Forest and the home of numerous high-tech companies, including the Linux Technology Center of IBM, Tektronix, Maxim Integrated Products, and VeriWave. If you want to live in one of the 10 largest cities in Oregon, but have to live in a major tech hub, Beaverton could be your best option!
8. Medford - Pacific Northwest Gem & Eighth Largest Oregon City
Medford is located in southern Oregon, approximately 27 miles north of the California border and about 75 miles east of the Pacific Ocean. In 1883, a depot was established in Medford for the expanding California and Oregon Railroad, and the city was incorporated in 1905.
Medford is 88.8 miles from Crater Lake National Park and 76.3 miles from the Oregon Caves National Monument. Medford is also the headquarters for the Rogue River National Forest and is known for its fruit and truck-farm produce, timber, pears, and tourism.
Vance DeBar “Pinto” Colvig, the voice of Disney’s cartoon dog Pluto, came from Medford. Olympic medalist and high jumper Dick Fosbury, who invented the revolutionary Fosbury Flop, attended Medford High School. Famous actor and dancer Ginger Rogers lived close to Medford for many years.
If you want to live in one of the largest Oregon cities, but favor an affordable housing market, Medina’s housing prices are below the US median of $405,300, making buying a home here easier when compared to Portland or Eugene. As one of the top cities near Portland, we’re not surprised that you’re considering Medford as your forever home.
- Medford population: 86,313
- Medford area: 28.6 mi²
- Medford median age: 41 years old
- Medford median household income: $72,324
- Medford median house price: $399,000
- Medford Ddnsity: 3,019.6 people per square mile
- Medford map
9. Springfield - Major Oregon City With Easy Access to I-5
The ninth-biggest city in Oregon, Springfield, is located in the Southern Willamette Valley and is only about 5 miles from Eugene. The two cities make up the Eugene-Springfield metropolitan area. Springfield was settled in 1848 and incorporated in 1885. The name comes from a natural spring located within the current city boundaries. For most of the 20th century, the timber industry dominated Springfield, and the city is still a producer of plywood, ethyl alcohol, plastics, electronic components, corrugated cardboard, and fibreboard. Since the 1990s, Springfield’s economy has diversified. PeaceHealth is the city's largest employer.
Springfield is a natural gateway to the region's outdoor adventures around the Willamette and McKenzie Rivers. Cascades & Coast Adventure Center and Cabela's Outfitters are located here and cater to the numerous outdoor enthusiasts who pass through the community every year.
- Springfield population: 61,499
- Springfield area: 15.9 mi²
- Springfield median age: 37.6 years old
- Springfield median household income: $68,761
- Springfield median house price: $430,000
- Springfield density: 3,860.5 people per square mile
- Springfield map
10. Corvallis - Major Cities in Oregon for Young Adults
Corvallis is the last city on our list. It’s located in central-western Oregon and is home to Oregon State University. Corvallis’s claim to fame is that it’s the westernmost city in the contiguous 48 states. First settled in 1845 along the banks of the Willamette River, the town was named Marysville in 1849. The name was changed to Corvallis in 1853. Four years later, in 1857, the city was incorporated.
Oregon State University is the major employer in the city. Other notable companies here include Samaritan Health Services, SIGA Technologies, Evanite Fiber, ONAMI, and HP Inc. Corvallis is known as a Tree City USA due to at least 47 public beautiful parks in and around the city limits. Avery Park and Natural Area is one of the most popular parks and is home to the Oregon State Beavers cross-country teams.
Corvallis has made the list of the top 10 biggest cities in Oregon, by just a few thousand residents. If you’re in your 20s and want a fun, unique place to live with beautiful surroundings, take a look at Corvallis.
- Corvallis population: 59,960
- Corvallis area: ​​14.5 mi²
- Corvallis median age: 27.9 years old
- Corvallis median household income: $65,012
- Corvallis median house price: $600,000
- Corvallis density: 4,126.9 people per square mile
- Corvallis map
Common Questions People Ask About Major Cities In Oregon
What Are the Largest Cities in Oregon
The largest cities in Oregon by population include Portland, Salem, Eugene, Gresham, Hillsboro, Bend, Beaverton, Medford, Springfield, and Corvallis. Portland is the largest city and serves as the economic and cultural center of the state, while Salem is the state capital. Eugene is known for the University of Oregon and outdoor recreation, and cities like Gresham and Hillsboro are part of the Portland metropolitan area, which contains roughly 47% of Oregon’s total population.
What Are the Three Largest Cities in Oregon
The three largest cities in Oregon are Portland, Salem, and Eugene. Portland is the most populous city and serves as the Pacific Northwest’s major employment hub. Salem, the state capital, is located in the Willamette Valley and functions as a government center. Eugene, home to the University of Oregon, is known for its strong ties to education, athletics, and outdoor recreation opportunities.
How Many Cities Are There in Oregon?
There are 241 incorporated cities in Oregon. These cities range from large urban centers like Portland to small rural communities with only a few hundred residents. Most cities are concentrated in the Willamette Valley, which is an area that stretches between the Cascade Range and the Oregon Coast Range and contains the majority of the state’s population and economic activity.
What Is the Most Populous City in Oregon?
Portland is the most populous city in Oregon, with a population of over 636,954 residents, according to recent Census data. It is located in the northwestern part of the state along the Willamette River and serves as a major economic, cultural, and transportation hub. Portland is also part of a larger metropolitan area that includes cities like Gresham and Hillsboro, collectively accounting for nearly half of Oregon’s total population.
Largest Cities in Oregon Map
Moving to One of Oregon’s Biggest Cities With PDX Movers
When you come to a decision on which city to move to, your next step is to begin preparing for
your transition. That’s where our team of movers comes in. We’d be thrilled to help you, no matter which city you’re moving to. Our professional crew of Portland movers knows all the major Oregon cities well, and we’re committed to making your relocation as easy as possible!
Contact PDX Movers by calling (503) 746-8795 to learn more about our moving services, or complete our Request a Quote form above to get a free moving estimate!
