Area Guide No. 10
West Linn, Oregon
Clackamas County · 97068 · About 12 miles south of downtown Portland
West Linn sits on the east bank of the Willamette River in Clackamas County, about 12 miles south of downtown Portland, directly across from Lake Oswego. Buyers choose it for one of Oregon's most highly regarded school districts, a hilly, wooded, riverfront setting with views of Mount Hood, a revitalized historic downtown in the Willamette district, and easy commutes into Portland and the Washington County tech corridor.
West Linn · Clackamas County · 97068 · Oregon
West Linn, Oregon · Clackamas County · 97068
West Linn's wooded hillside neighborhoods climb above the Willamette
01 · Area Highlights
Why buyers choose West Linn
West Linn calls itself the "City of Hills, Trees and Flowers," and the name fits: the city climbs from the Willamette River into steep, heavily wooded hills, with 17 parks, miles of riverfront, and views of Mount Hood, Mount St. Helens, and Mount Adams. It sits just upstream from Willamette Falls, the largest waterfall by volume in North America west of Niagara.
The draw is the balance of natural beauty and amenity. The West Linn-Wilsonville School District is one of Oregon's most highly regarded. The historic Willamette district anchors a walkable riverside downtown with shops, food carts, and a full event calendar. Home prices rank among Oregon's most expensive, a reflection of a highly educated, high-income community that values its schools, its green spaces, and its relative quiet. And with I-205 and Oregon 43, Portland and the Washington County tech corridor are both within easy reach.
- Willamette riverfront
- Top-rated schools
- Hilly, wooded setting
- Views of Mount Hood
- Historic Willamette district
01b · Navigable Map
Explore West Linn on the map
Pan, zoom, and drag around this live map to get your bearings before you even call us: pin the historic Willamette district, Mary S. Young State Recreation Area along the river, the I-205 corridor, the schools, and the neighborhoods this guide covers.
West Linn, Oregon · Clackamas County · 97068
02 · Community Detail
A wooded river town with a walkable heart
West Linn's population was about 27,400 at the 2020 census and has held steady near that level in recent estimates, a mature, mostly owner-occupied community where the median age is around 43. The city overall reads as car-dependent on Walk Score, but the historic Willamette district is genuinely walkable, with shops, restaurants, food carts, parks, and river access on foot.
The neighborhoods run the gamut. Willamette is the largest and oldest, with many homes built between 1885 and 1915 along the river. Bolton is a historic, wooded, blufftop neighborhood. Robinwood, Hidden Springs, Rosemont Summit, Barrington Heights, Savanna Oaks, Parker Crest, Skyline Ridge, and Tanner Ridge round out the hillside mix, with newer luxury homes and territorial views.
Most of West Linn sits in the West Linn-Wilsonville School District (3J), one of Oregon's top-rated districts, with West Linn High School, Wilsonville High School, and Arts & Technology High School, plus a network of highly regarded middle and elementary schools. Boundaries vary by exact address, so we always verify the feeder school for a specific property before you commit.
The historic Willamette district anchors West Linn's riverside downtown
The schools are the heart of West Linn's local economy
03 · Major Employers
The employers behind the town
West Linn is first and foremost a residential community, so most residents commute out for work. But a handful of anchors keep jobs close to home, and the region's biggest employers are a short drive away. Here are the anchors:
West Linn-Wilsonville School District
The area's largest employer, with roughly 580 to 615 employees, and the anchor of the community in more ways than one. The West Linn-Wilsonville School District (3J) runs the top-rated schools that draw so many families here, and its staff and offices are spread across West Linn, Wilsonville, and the Tualatin headquarters at 22210 SW Stafford Road.
City of West Linn
The municipal government employs a sizable local workforce across parks and recreation, public works, planning, and administration, keeping the city's 17 parks, trails, and riverfront facilities running.
Teachers Development Group
A West Linn-based organization focused on math-education professional development, working with teachers and districts nationwide. A homegrown employer that reflects the community's deep ties to education.
Innovation Asset
A West Linn company providing intellectual-property and innovation consulting, part of the professional-services base that keeps skilled jobs in town even as most residents commute out for work.
Retail and services anchors
Market of Choice and Safeway both operate West Linn stores, keeping everyday jobs and services close to home alongside the small shops and restaurants of the historic Willamette district.
Around West Linn
West Linn is first and foremost a residential community, and most residents commute to Portland, Lake Oswego, Wilsonville, or the Washington County tech corridor. The region's biggest employers are a short drive away: Intel in Washington County, Nike in Beaverton, Providence Health & Services, and the technology and distribution campuses of nearby Tualatin and Wilsonville.
04 · Restaurant Guide
Where West Linn eats
West Linn's dining scene is anchored in the historic Willamette district along Willamette Falls Drive and Willamette Drive, with a mix of neighborhood pubs, scratch kitchens, and global flavors. Some of our picks, by cuisine:
Neighborhood pubs and American comfort
Lil' Cooperstown Bar & Grill
VisitWest Linn's most celebrated pub, known for American comfort food in a lively sports-bar room on Willamette Falls Drive. A dependable pick for burgers, wings, and a game-day crowd.
1817 Willamette Falls Dr
Elden's Restaurant and Bar
VisitA locally owned scratch kitchen known for handmade pizzas, burgers, salads, and sandwiches, with a full bar and about 20 rotating taps. A neighborhood favorite for casual dinners.
19121 Willamette Dr
Linn City Pub
A well-reviewed neighborhood pub for burgers, pub fare, and a cold pint, the kind of friendly local room that anchors a community.
Willamette Dr area
New American and Northwest
Avanti Restaurant & Bar
VisitA family-owned New American restaurant with Pacific Northwest farm-to-table sourcing, a favorite for date nights and celebrations in the Willamette district.
2000 8th Ave
Chantrel Bar & Restaurant
A long-running West Linn bar and restaurant serving cocktails and familiar American favorites in a relaxed room.
Willamette district
Sushi and global flavors
Kea Lani Grill & Sushi
VisitA grill-and-sushi spot in the Willamette district known for fresh rolls, sashimi, and hibachi-style favorites.
2000 8th Ave, Ste A
Soku Sushi & Noodle
VisitA well-liked sushi and noodle house on Willamette Drive, a dependable pick for rolls, ramen, and noodle bowls.
19171 Willamette Dr
La Sen Vietnamese Grill
VisitVietnamese favorites from pho to banh mi and vermicelli bowls, a welcome global addition to West Linn dining.
22000 Willamette Dr, Ste 101
Greek Bites Kebab & Gyros
A local favorite for Greek kebabs and gyros, an easy and satisfying stop on Willamette Drive.
19339 Willamette Dr
Worth planning around: the historic Willamette district's food cart pods and summer street market make it a pleasant place to wander, and Oregon City's dining scene and the Willamette Valley wineries are just minutes away.
From neighborhood pubs to wood-fired pizza and fresh sushi
Mary S. Young State Recreation Area, minutes from downtown West Linn
05 · Activities
Things to do in and around West Linn
West Linn's calendar runs from the Old Time Fair to Music in the Park, and the Willamette riverfront and forested hills are the town's backyard. Here is how locals spend their weekends:
Mary S. Young State Recreation Area
Learn moreA roughly 128-acre forested park along the Willamette River with five to eight miles of trails, including the Heron Creek Loop and the Cedar Island Trail, plus a dog park and a rocky river beach. One of the best easy outdoor escapes in the metro, right in West Linn.
Willamette Park
Learn moreThe community's riverfront gathering place at 12th and Volpp, where the Tualatin meets the Willamette, with picnic shelters, the Willamette Stage, a spray park, playground, wading pool, and the Bernert Landing boat ramp.
Camassia Nature Preserve
Learn moreA 1.4-mile loop trail through a wildflower preserve famous for its spring camas blooms, one of the most distinctive nature walks in the area.
Wilderness Park
Learn moreA 51-acre old-growth forest preserve in the West Linn hills with a popular loop trail, a quiet escape into mature forest without leaving town.
The West Linn Old Time Fair
Learn moreAn annual summer tradition at Willamette Park with carnival games, food, and the Old Time Fair Parade, one of the region's most beloved small-town celebrations.
Wednesdays in Willamette
Learn moreA weekly summer street market in the historic Willamette district, with local vendors, food carts, and live music, part of a full calendar that also includes Music in the Park and Movies in the Park.
Ready to make West Linn home?
We know this town block by block, from the historic Willamette district to the wooded hillside neighborhoods above the river. Tell us what you are looking for and we will show you the West Linn that fits, from the school feeder to the river view.
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