Area Guide No. 8
Clackamas County · 97045 · About 13 miles south of downtown Portland
Oregon City is the oldest incorporated city west of the Rocky Mountains and the end of the Oregon Trail, set on the east bank of the Willamette River at the base of Willamette Falls. Buyers choose it for its deep history, the dramatic riverfront and falls, the county seat economy, a strong school district, and a downtown that pairs Victorian charm with a growing food and culture scene.
Oregon City · Clackamas County · 97045 · End of the Oregon Trail · Willamette Falls · Oregon
Oregon City, Oregon · Clackamas County · 97045
The latest verified news about the major employers and companies that anchor this area, with sources cited. Each item links to the reporting outlet that published it.
01
U.S. News & World Report rated Providence Willamette Falls Medical Center a High Performing hospital in heart arrhythmia and hip fracture.
The 2026-27 rankings also recognized high-performing care in five adult procedures and conditions overall, a strong mark for Oregon City's largest employer, with more than 750 employees per the city's Economic Development Department.
02
Providence Willamette Falls Medical Center opened a new short-stay unit in Oregon City that expanded hospital capacity and was designed with heavy input from nursing staff.
The unit opened at the end of January 2026, and Fox 12 Oregon covered it on March 19, 2026. The hospital continues to expand through its donor-funded 'A New Day' campaign, which is working toward a $4 million goal.
03
Donors have raised more than $3 million toward the 'A New Day' expansion campaign at Providence Willamette Falls Medical Center.
The hospital foundation reported construction has begun as the campaign approaches its $4 million goal to add surgeries, hospital beds, and reduce emergency care wait times, one of the largest health investments in Clackamas County.
Source: Providence Willamette Falls Medical Foundation, 2026
Monthly Market Snapshot
Oregon City's September figures show a stable median and slightly faster market time than a year ago, with a healthy number of homes available. Figures are the latest published by the public sources cited below and were retrieved on November 3, 2026.
Median Sale Price
$564,731
Down 0.05% year over year
All home types, Redfin, September 2026. A month-over-month change was not published by the cited sources.
Median Days on Market
~27 days
Down from 29 days a year earlier
Redfin, three months ending September 2026.
Homes for Sale
~282
Zillow snapshot
Zillow homes-for-sale count for Oregon City, July/August 2026 update.
New Listings
2,487
Up 1.9% from August 2026
Portland Metro, RMLS Market Action, September 2026. City-level new-listing counts are not published by the cited independent public sources.
Total Market Time
68 days
Up from 57 days in August 2026
Average days from listing to accepted offer, Portland Metro, RMLS Market Action, September 2026.
Pending Sales
1,760
Down 12.6% from August 2026
Portland Metro, RMLS Market Action, September 2026.
A flat median and a large inventory give Oregon City buyers genuine choice and time. Homes still sell in under a month on average, so being ready with financing keeps you competitive when the right home appears.
With prices flat and market time steady, pricing against today's comparables is the key to a timely sale. Oregon City's historic core and river views keep demand steady for well-presented listings.
Sources & data date
Fair Housing note: These figures describe the area as a whole and vary by neighborhood, home type, and price range. Penner Group Properties is committed to the Fair Housing Act and to equal opportunity in housing, and we do not steer buyers toward or away from any community.
The historic McLoughlin neighborhood, above the Willamette
01 · Area Highlights
Incorporated in 1844, Oregon City is the oldest city west of the Rocky Mountains, the end of the Oregon Trail, and the seat of Clackamas County. It sits on the east bank of the Willamette River at the base of Willamette Falls, about 13 miles south of downtown Portland, on three natural basalt terraces that give the town a dramatic, layered setting unlike anywhere else in the metro.
The draw is the mix of history and livability. A preserved Victorian downtown, the only municipal elevator in North America, and the falls at the city's feet give Oregon City a character no other suburb can match. At the same time, a strong school district, the county seat economy anchored by Providence Willamette Falls Medical Center, and a growing downtown food and culture scene make it a practical, family-friendly place to put down roots.
01b · Navigable Map
Pan, zoom, and drag around this live map to get your bearings before you even call us: pin the historic downtown and municipal elevator, Willamette Falls, the McLoughlin Promenade, the schools, and the neighborhoods this guide covers.
Oregon City, Oregon · Clackamas County · 97045
02 · Community Detail
Oregon City's population was 37,572 at the 2020 census, making it the largest city in Clackamas County. Its unusual layout on three basalt terraces above the Willamette means the historic downtown and the upper neighborhoods are connected by the free municipal elevator, and the bluff-top McLoughlin Promenade and the lower riverfront are genuinely walkable.
The neighborhoods run the gamut. McLoughlin is the historic heart, with Victorian homes, the Promenade, and river-bluff views. Canemah is a quiet, historic riverfront neighborhood to the south. Hillendale offers entry-level family homes around Hilltop Mall, while Rivercrest pairs craftsman and ranch homes with Willamette Falls views. Park Place, Barclay Hills, Hazel Grove, and Tower Vista round out the mix, along with the newer growth areas on the city's edges.
Oregon City is served by the Oregon City School District (62), one of the larger districts in the state, with Oregon City High School, Gardiner and Tumwata middle schools, and elementary schools including Beavercreek, Candy Lane, Gaffney Lane, Holcomb, Jennings Lodge, John McLoughlin, King, and Redland. Clackamas Community College's main campus is right in town. Boundaries vary by exact address, so we always verify the feeder school for a specific property before you commit.
Historic Main Street anchors Oregon City's downtown
Healthcare, education, and county government anchor the economy
03 · Major Employers
Oregon City's economy blends healthcare, education, county government, retail, and manufacturing. Here are the anchors:
Oregon City's largest employer and the anchor of its economy. The not-for-profit acute care hospital at 1500 Division St, operated by Providence Health & Services, has about 143 licensed beds and employs roughly 750-plus people, making it the biggest single workplace in the city and a major driver of healthcare jobs across southern Clackamas County.
One of the larger school districts in Oregon, serving Oregon City plus unincorporated areas of southwestern Clackamas County including Beavercreek and Jennings Lodge. With about 7,200 students in grades K through 12, the district is a significant public-sector employer and a steady source of professional jobs.
Oregon City is the county seat of Clackamas County, so the county's administrative offices, courts, and services are headquartered here. County government is one of the region's largest employers, and its presence keeps a broad base of professional, public-service, and administrative jobs in the city.
The college's main campus sits right in Oregon City, offering two-year degrees, workforce training, and continuing education. It is both a major employer and an anchor institution that draws students from across the county, feeding the local economy and the city's civic life.
Fred Meyer, Walmart, and the Hilltop Mall retail core add thousands of local jobs, while Benchmade Knife Company, a well-known maker of premium knives, is headquartered in Oregon City and is among the area top employers. Together with scores of small, locally owned businesses, they round out a resilient and diverse local economy.
04 · Restaurant Guide
Oregon City's dining scene has grown quickly, from a celebrated French-inspired bistro to an authentic Scottish pub above the falls. Some of our picks, by area and cuisine:
Canard Oregon City
Chef Gabriel Rucker's celebrated French-inspired bistro, named The Oregonian's 2018 Restaurant of the Year and opened here in 2022. Known for its signature steam burgers, foie gras dumplings, and the famous Duck Stack of pancakes, duck gravy, Tabasco onions, and a duck egg, with a strong wine and cocktail program.
1500 Washington St
Nebbiolo Restaurant & Wine Bar
VisitAn upscale contemporary European and Italian dining room on Main Street, known for refined Italian-influenced plates and an extensive wine list, a favorite for special occasions.
800 Main St
Bistro Cubano
VisitA local mainstay near the Arch Bridge known for Caribbean-style brunch, hearty sandwiches, and flavorful Cuban standards like the Cuban sandwich and plantains.
709 Main St
Mi Famiglia Wood Oven Pizzeria
VisitA popular wood-fired, Neapolitan-style pizzeria on Main Street, frequently cited among the best pizza in the city.
701 Main St
Ranee's on Main
VisitA well-reviewed bar and restaurant on Main Street, popular with locals for cocktails and upscale comfort food in a lively, warm room.
1003 Main St
Watershed Cafe & Bistro
VisitA cozy bistro on Main Street serving breakfast, lunch, and coffee classics in a friendly downtown setting.
812 Main St
The Highland Stillhouse Pub
VisitAn authentic Scottish pub perched on a bluff overlooking Willamette Falls, known for one of the largest whisky selections in the Pacific Northwest with more than 750 bottles, hearty Scottish fare like bangers and mash and Scotch eggs, and live music.
201 S 2nd St
Oregon City Brewing Company
A craft brewery taproom with rotating food carts, a favorite casual hangout for house-brewed beer and a relaxed, family-friendly vibe.
Downtown Oregon City
Rivershore Bar & Grill
VisitCasual riverside dining overlooking the Willamette River at Clackamette Park, a favorite for burgers, seafood, and river views.
1900 Clackamette Dr
Mesa Fresca Latin & American Kitchen
VisitA lively Main Street spot blending Latin and American flavors, known for a creative menu and an inviting atmosphere.
724 Main St
Tacho's Mexican Restaurant
VisitA family-friendly Mexican restaurant on Molalla Avenue serving familiar favorites from tacos and burritos to hearty platos combinados.
515 Molalla Ave
New Hing's Restaurant
VisitA long-established Chinese restaurant on Main Street serving a broad menu of Cantonese and American-Chinese favorites.
527 Main St
Mike's Drive-In
VisitA beloved Oregon City institution on 7th Street known for cheap, old-school burgers, shakes, and fries, a dependable family favorite for generations.
905 7th St
The Verdict Bar And Grill
VisitA friendly bar and grill on 8th Street known for burgers, pub fare, and a full bar in a relaxed neighborhood setting.
110 8th St
Worth planning around: the historic downtown is walkable and full of character, and the Willamette Valley wineries, Mount Hood, and the Oregon coast all sit within a short drive, making Oregon City a handy base for food-and-wine day trips.
From steam burgers to whisky above the falls
The McLoughlin Promenade, above Willamette Falls
05 · Activities
Oregon City's calendar runs from the year-round farmers market to the falls and the riverfront, and the historic downtown is the town's backyard. Here is how locals spend their weekends:
The second-largest waterfall by volume in the United States after Niagara, and the largest in the Pacific Northwest, where the Willamette River drops about 40 to 50 feet across a roughly 1,500-foot-wide horseshoe. The best views are from the Willamette Falls Scenic Viewpoint on McLoughlin Boulevard and the McLoughlin Promenade above the river.
The only vertical street in North America and one of only four municipal elevators in the world. This free, 130-foot elevator has connected lower and upper Oregon City since 1915, and its observation deck offers panoramic views of the city, the river, and the falls.
Oregon City was the official end of the 2,000-mile Oregon Trail, and this center at 1726 Washington St brings pioneer history to life with exhibits, a state welcome center, gift shop, and visitor lounge.
A historic, roughly 1.1-mile bluff-top walk above the Willamette River with sweeping views of Willamette Falls, the Arch Bridge, and the riverfront. One of the most scenic strolls in the metro and a favorite for locals and visitors alike.
A riverside park at the confluence of the Clackamas and Willamette Rivers with a boat launch, RV park, and open lawns, a popular spot for fishing, picnics, and watching the boats on the water.
A 233-acre natural area with miles of trails through forest, creeks, and wetlands, a peaceful escape for hiking and wildlife watching just minutes from downtown.
A year-round farmers market, with the summer market running Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May through October at Clackamas Community College. With 60-plus vendors, it has been named one of the 50 best markets in the USA.
The 1845-46 home of Dr. John McLoughlin, the Father of Oregon, is preserved as a national historic site, and the nearby Museum of the Oregon Territory tells the story of the region from the falls to the pioneers.
We know this town block by block, from the McLoughlin Promenade to the historic downtown and the schools that serve it. Tell us what you are looking for and we will show you the Oregon City that fits, from the school feeder to the river view.
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