A startling problem facing Oregon, a state known for its lush forests, breathtaking coasts, and energetic cities, is the population reduction in many of its communities. Although many people are initially drawn to outdoor leisure, inhabitants are increasingly looking for options elsewhere due to economic uncertainties, environmental concerns, and a shifting social scene. Let’s take a closer look at the experiences of ten Oregon towns that are going through this exodus and investigate the causes of their difficulties, utilizing data to help us understand them better.
10. A Town of Firsts with an Uncertain Future: St. Paul (population: 238 in 2020)
With the oldest brick building in the Pacific Northwest and the sole final resting place of a Revolutionary War veteran in Oregon, St. Paul has a distinctive past. The town struggles 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 (St. Paul’s crime statistics are not easily accessible, but Oregon’s property crime rate is higher than the national average) despite a generally stable economy. There is still optimism, though, as the yearly St. Paul Rodeo, a beloved custom since 1935, continues to attract large audiences and may provide a route to tourism-driven revival.
9. A Battle for Land and a Declining Population in Dunes City (Population: 1,302 in 2020)
The struggle for local authority is at the heart of the history of Dunes City. Residents organized to oppose government attempts to reclaim land for the Oregon seashore in the late 1950s. The local Siuslaw Pioneer Museum has a memorial book that details their battle. However, the community is now dealing with a new problem: a declining population. An aging population (the median age in Dunes City was 54.3 years in 2020, compared to the state-wide median age of 38.8 years) and an unemployment rate higher than the national average (Dunes City’s unemployment rate data is unavailable, but Oregon’s statewide unemployment rate was 4.1% in April 2024) are likely contributing factors.
8. Gaston: A thriving town that was once a railroad stop but is currently experiencing a slowdown (population: 638 in 2020)
Gaston quickly became a bustling town after becoming a stop on the West Side Railroad (historical population statistics for Gaston is not readily available). Serving as a thriving transit center, it provided support to the nearby rancher community around Wapato Lake. Although Portland, which is roughly 30 miles away, was advantageous to it at first, that advantage has diminished recently. Ongoing efforts to rehabilitate the once endangered Wapato Lake through wetland conservation measures, however, are a good development.
7. Pilot Rock: A Remarkable Agricultural Center with a Declining Workforce (population of 1,471 in 2020)
The historic village of Pilot Rock was once a signpost along the Oregon Trail. Early pioneers used its namesake, a notable basalt structure, as a guide. Agriculture, including the export of wheat, corn, and hay, as well as the manufacture of timber, have historically been the town’s main sources of income. However, residents are looking for chances elsewhere as a result of a fall in other sectors. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that between 2013 and 2023, employment in Oregon’s forestry, fishing, hunting, and agriculture sectors decreased by 7.2%.
6. Scio: A shaky economy and covered bridges (population: 684 in 2020)
The charming village of Scio, which may have been named for a Scio, Ohio, inhabitant, is well-known for its assortment of covered bridges, which are uncommon in the West. The town finds it difficult to keep citizens in spite of its distinctive quality and its self-proclaimed moniker as the “Capital of Bridges.” Its steadily declining employed workforce appears to be a major problem, affecting the local economy. Although Scio’s official website states that the town is home to a number of small firms, it is challenging to measure the reduction due to a lack of recent economic statistics. Nonetheless, locals are making a concerted effort to maintain parks and lively neighborhood stores.
5. Halsey: A Town with a Declining Population (population of 903 in 2020) and a Towering Icon
The little Linn County hamlet of Halsey is well-known for its assortment of historic buildings, one of which is a notable grain elevator. Unfortunately, this famous monument had to be partially demolished due to safety issues. Even though its main industry, transportation, has recently seen growth (the Oregon Department of Transportation reports that the trucking industry is one of the fastest-growing job sectors in the state), Halsey is still struggling with economic revival. A gradual departure of families has been caused by a lack of career options (Scio’s official website cites inadequate job opportunities but lacks particular data) and a younger population looking for better opportunities.
4. Condon: A Wealthy Past Overshadowed by Financial Difficulties (Population: 688 in 2020)
Originally a railhead town, Condon has a fascinating history. After only a year of homesteading, the land was sold to a firm, which by 1893 had turned it into a township. Condon was the seat of Gilliam County and had a quaint historic downtown with an Air Force station nearby (the SpaceX Starlink program recently debuted from the adjacent Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, maybe presenting a glimmer of hope for the tech sector in the region). Although the town still draws artists and history buffs, its primary industries are declining (see #7 Pilot Rock for data on the decline in forestry and agriculture) and its population is aging (Gilliam County’s median age in 2020 was 51.2 years, although Condon’s median age data is not easily accessible).
3. A Prearranged Getaway from Portland, Maywood Park Is Now Dealing with Similar Problems (Population in 2020: 4,238)
The fascinating history of Maywood Park shows how it is related to Portland. A subdivision was first envisioned in the 1920s, but the Great Depression postponed construction until the 1940s. Maywood Park became a community unto itself, with hundreds of houses. To avoid it being cut through by the construction of I-205, locals decided to incorporate it as a city. Ironically, the construction of the highway affected the town’s layout even though it had gained city status. The economic difficulties facing Portland, its larger neighbor, are perhaps the reason why residents are moving away today. In the last two years, the city has lost more than 6,700 residents due to net migration, according to a 2023 research from Portland State University.
2. Detroit: Environmental Catastrophes Overshadow Natural Beauty (Population in 2020: 254)
Founded in 1889 as a temporary worksite for the Detroit Dam, Detroit is located along the Santiam River, amidst the natural splendor of Oregon. Recreation has long been available at the resulting Detroit Lake. But because of its distant location, the town depends largely on tourism, which could be a factor in its current problems. The lake almost dried up in 2001 owing to a historic drought (the Oregon Climate Change Research Institute claims that climate change is making the state drier), followed by the deadly Santiam Fire in 2020 and a lot of snow in 2021. Many locals have left in search of a more secure future elsewhere as a result of these ongoing difficulties. Because of this, Detroit’s population has significantly decreased by almost 11% in just three years (based on 2020 demographic data).
1. Gates: A Post-Epidemic Recession in a Charming Town (Population: 489 in 2020)
Located at the border of Linn and Marion counties, Gates—named for its founder, Mary Gates—offers breathtaking vistas of the Cascade Mountains and the Santiam River. But the harsh realities of the post-pandemic world have not been spared the community. Although Gates is a fire response hub, the 2020 Santiam Fire caused substantial damage to surrounding forests and properties (details on the extent of the destruction is not easily available). Due to this catastrophe and a slow economic recovery (Oregon’s GDP growth rate in 2023 was below the national average), the state’s population has dropped by an astounding 28% (based on 2020 population statistics). The slow rate of rebuilding and limited job prospects (see #5 Halsey for data on limiting job options) are probably contributory issues.
The Path Ahead for Towns in Oregon
These ten Oregon communities’ tales shed light on the intricate dynamics of rural America’s population decrease. The effects are indisputable, despite the fact that the causes vary—economic uncertainties, environmental difficulties, shifting demography, etc. Threats include dwindling tax bases, overburdened infrastructure, and a deterioration in community spirit.
Nevertheless, despite the difficulties, there are glimmerings of hope. Potential avenues for progress include initiatives to restore the environment, boost local companies, and put more of an emphasis on tourism. These Oregon towns’ future depends on their capacity to innovate, adapt, and capitalize on their special advantages in order to build a sustainable future for their current population and draw in new ones. It remains to be seen if they can withstand the storm and come out stronger, but their tales serve as a reminder of small-town America’s tenacity.
Here are some more ideas about the path forward:
- Investing in infrastructure can help these cities attract more businesses and residents by improving utilities, broadband access, and transportation networks.
- Encouraging sustainable development: By emphasizing ecotourism, renewable energy, and regional farming, these areas may retain their natural beauty while opening up new business opportunities.
- Assisting small companies: By giving entrepreneurs the tools and incentives they need to launch and expand their companies, we can boost employment and the local economy.
- Creating a feeling of belonging: Events, celebrations, and civic involvement can help build a strong feeling of community, which will draw in newcomers and keep existing ones.
Together, citizens, companies, and legislators can steer Oregon’s rural towns toward a better future. A vibrant economy, a revitalized sense of vitality, and a location where people can connect with nature and develop a strong sense of belonging are all possible benefits, but there are also considerable problems.