A startling challenge is being faced by many towns in Oregon, a state famous for its beautiful forests, spectacular beaches, and thriving cities: a loss in population. Although many are initially drawn to outdoor leisure, citizens are increasingly seeking options elsewhere due to economic uncertainties, environmental concerns, and a changing social scene.
To gain a better understanding of the causes behind the problems faced by these 10 Oregon towns, let’s examine their stories in further detail and use statistics to shed light on the situation.
St. Paul
Northwest and the sole Oregon location for the last resting place of a Revolutionary War veteran. Although the town’s economy is generally stable, it faces challenges with high taxes (the Oregon Department of Revenue reports that the state’s average effective property tax rate in 2023 was 0.97%) and crime rates (though data on St. Paul’s crime is not easily accessible, but Oregon’s property crime rate is higher than the national average).
One ray of optimism, meanwhile, is the yearly St. Paul Rodeo. This beloved event has been going strong since 1935 and may provide a way forward for the city’s regeneration through tourism.
Dunes City
A struggle for local power is the foundation of Dunes City’s founding myth. Residents united in the late 1950s to fight back against the government’s attempts to take land for the Oregon coast. The adjacent Siuslaw Pioneer Museum has a memorial book that details their fight. But these days, a declining population presents a new problem for the community.
A combination of an older population (the median age in Dunes City was 54.3 in 2020, compared to 38.8 in Oregon as a whole) and a higher-than-average unemployment rate (unavailable for Dunes City, but 4.1% for Oregon as a whole in April 2024) are likely contributing factors.
Gaston
Gaston, which was formerly only a halt on the West Side Railroad, became a prosperous town rather quickly (although there is a lack of easily accessible historical population data for Gaston). As a thriving transportation center, it aided the neighboring ranching settlement at Wapato Lake. Despite the fact that its closeness to
Portland, which is around 30 miles distant, has seen that advantage diminish over the past few years. Nonetheless, wetland conservation efforts are continuing to try to restore the once-endangered Wapato Lake, which is a good development.
Scio
The charming town of Scio, which may have been named after an Ohioan from Scio, is well-known for its unusual assortment of covered bridges. Although the town proudly claims to be the “Capital of Bridges” and boasts this distinctive feature, it faces challenges in retaining citizens. The local economy has been hit hard, and one major reason is the continual fall in the number of people employed there.
There are a number of small enterprises in Scio, as stated on the town’s official website; nevertheless, it is difficult to put a number on the fall due to the absence of up-to-date economic data. Nonetheless, locals are making a concerted effort to preserve parks in good repair and community stores thriving.
Halsey
The historic grain elevator is only one of many historic buildings in the Linn County community of Halsey. Partially demolishing this famous landmark was unfortunately required due to safety concerns. The Oregon Department of Transportation reports that the trucking industry is one of the fastest-growing employment sectors in the state.
However, Halsey is still struggling with economic revival, even if its main industry, transportation, has recently experienced an upsurge. A younger generation looking for better possibilities and a shortage of available jobs have contributed to the gradual outmigration of families from Scio.
Condon
Condon has an interesting backstory, since it was once a railhead town. After only one year of homesteaded use, the property was sold to a business that would turn it into a township by 1893. Condon was the county headquarters of Gilliam County and boasts a picturesque historic downtown as well as an adjacent air force base.
The SpaceX Starlink program, which was just launched from the nearby Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, may provide a ray of light for the IT sector in the area. Although artists and history enthusiasts still flock to the town, its main industries are seeing a downturn and the population is getting older (although median age data for Condon is unavailable, the county median age in 2020 was 51.2 years).
Maywood Park
Portland, Oregon. Development was postponed until the 1940s from an initial 1920s concept for a subdivision due to the Great Depression. Due to the influx of hundreds of new residents, Maywood Park essentially became its own town.
However, the inhabitants established it as a city to stop the development of I-205 from cutting through it. Despite being officially a city, the town’s layout was altered by the construction of the highway. As a result of the economic problems affecting its larger neighbor,
Gates
Located at the crossroads of Linn and Marion counties, Gates—so called for its founder, Mary Gates—offers breathtaking vistas of the Cascade Mountains and the Santiam River. The hamlet, however, is not immune to the post-pandemic world’s harsh realities.
Despite Gates’s role as a fire response hub, the 2020 Santiam Fire caused extensive damage to surrounding forests and homes (though exact damage estimates are unavailable). Based on projections for 2020 and 2023, the state of Oregon’s population has dropped by an astounding 28% due to the natural disaster and the slow economic recovery that followed.
A lack of available jobs (for information on this, see #5 Halsey) and a sluggish recovery rate are probable causes.
The Future of Oregon’s Cities
These eight Oregon towns show how complicated rural America’s population decline is. The effects are evident, even when the causes differ (e.g., economic instability, environmental problems, shifting demography). Important dangers include dwindling tax bases, overburdened infrastructure, and a loss of community spirit.
Nevertheless, there are glimmers of optimism despite the difficulties. Possible next steps include restoring the ecosystem, reviving local businesses, and refocusing on tourism. In order to build a sustainable future for their citizens and attract new ones, these Oregon towns will need to adapt, innovate, and make the most of their unique qualities.
It is still to be determined if they will be able to endure the storm and come out even stronger, but their stories highlight the strength of small-town America.