Astoria's standout: it is easier to get around on foot or by transit than 95% of U.S. towns. Overall it grades C−, 92nd of 142 graded towns in Oregon. It has 14 miles of trail. Its weakest subject is cost of living: the typical home is worth about $485K, 6.7 years of the Astoria area’s $72K median household income. History is its standout character grade: an A+, better than 98% of U.S. towns, with 44 places on the National Register. Astoria’s July high is 69°F, against 82°F in Oregon’s towns and 85°F across U.S. towns. Its National Register listings include Fort Astoria and USS LCI-713 (Landing Craft). No town in Oregon scores higher than Astoria on civic life.

StrongestA⁺Civic life A⁺History A⁺WalkabilityWeakestDCost of living C⁻Hazard risk C⁻Jobs & income C⁻Safety

What makes Astoria stand out

Where Astoria beats most towns.

Fort Astoria

HistoryA⁺

Settled in 1811

A history going back 215 years.

Community nonprofits per 1,000 residents

2.7 times the nonprofits per person

than the typical Oregon town

Charities, civic groups and human services; churches not counted.

WalkabilityA⁺

More walkable than 95% of U.S. towns

5.8% of workers walk, bike or ride transit

EPA National Walkability Index; Census ACS.

Fort Astoria · National Register of Historic Places

Astoria’s story

215 years in pictures

Fort Astoria is one of 2 National Historic Landmarks here, the National Register’s top tier. Its founding year, 1811, is the earliest of any Oregon town we grade.

Census counts: 252 in 1860, a peak of 14,027 in 1920, 10,181 in 2020. The archive holds 30 old photos and papers going back to 1811 and 5 maps from 1927 on.

44 places on the National Register of Historic Places.

1811Astoria is settled

Explore the history →

How Astoria grades

Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within Oregon), ordered by how far Astoria is from typical.

How grading works

WalkabilityEPA walkability 14.1 of 20; 7.7% of households have no carA⁺Open →Cost of livingDOpen →Hazard riskearthquakes tops the listC⁻Open →Jobs & income$68K median household incomeC⁻Open →SafetyC⁻Open →SchoolsB⁺Open →HealthColumbia Memorial Hospital 0.2 miles awayB⁻Open →

Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.

Outdoors13% conserved landAOpen →History25 notable people born hereA⁺Open →Civic life14.3 community nonprofits per 1,000 residentsA⁺Open →

Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.

ClimateMild winters, 70° summer afternoons–Open →Housing market6 days on market–Open →Who lives hereMedian age 40.3; 31% of adults have a four-year degree–Open →

How TownRatings grades towns →

Nearby attractions

Fort Clatsop and 11 more within 40 miles

Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around Astoria. Close and well known come first.

All 22 attractions →

5 mi LandmarkFort Clatsop

in town LandmarkAstoria Column

7 mi LandmarkFort Stevens

20 mi LighthouseTillamook Rock Light

4 mi National Historical ParkLewis and Clark National Historical Park244K visitors a year

14 mi State parkCape Disappointment State Park

Sources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · photos via Wikimedia Commons

Photo credits

Fort Clatsop: Glenn Scofield Williams from USA, CC BY 2.0 · Astoria Column: The original uploader was Decumanus at English Wikipedia., CC BY-SA 3.0 · Fort Stevens: Gary Halvorson, Oregon State Archives, Attribution · Tillamook Rock Light: Jwyoung, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Lewis and Clark National Historical Park: National Park Service Digital Image Archives, Public domain · Cape Disappointment State Park: Adbar, CC BY-SA 3.0

Getting set up

Moving to Astoria: who provides what

Who provides power, water and the rest in Astoria, and how to reach them.

The full setup list →

PowerPacific Power15.2¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA

WaterCity of Astoria water systemNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA

Internet5 providers94% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC

Trash & dumpNot on file yetWe don’t have Astoria’s trash rules yet

SchoolsAstoria School District 1Which school depends on your addressNCES

Register to voteOnlineIn Oregon you can register online until 21 days before Election Day, in person until 21 days before Election Day, or by mail (postmarked 21 days before).vote.gov

Who runs elections hereClatsop County Clerk, Elections OfficeClatsop County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Jun 2023

ZIP code9710397103 100%Census 2020

EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Oct 2, 2026.

The data

Ordered by what stands out in Astoria.

Astoria fares better on crime within Oregon than nationally, is healthier than towns with similar incomes and has cooler summers than nearly all U.S. towns.

OutdoorsA

Conserved land covers 13.3% of Astoria

15 miles of trail in 17 parks and preserves. The trail density in Astoria is 1.5 miles per square mile. The biggest place to walk is Clatsop State Forest, 479 acres with 2.9 miles of trail.

#37for trails in OR

13.3%

conserved · 838 of 6,323 acres

15 mi

of trails · 1.5 per sq mi

Biggest places to walk	Trails	Acres
1. Clatsop State Forest	2.9 mi	479
2. Lewis and Clark National Wildlife Refuge	—	104
3. Shively Park	—	21

Full pageAstoria’s outdoors pageOpen the page

Trail map15 miles of trail, mapped Pick a walk2.9 miles of trail · Clatsop State Forest Conserved land13.3% conserved · 838 acres protected Questions“Where can I hike in Astoria?”

Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US

SchoolsB⁺

Astoria’s public schools outperform 69% of Oregon districts

Its public schools are run by Astoria SD 1. Two of its 3 schools are below, each with why it’s listed. The largest public high school is Astoria Senior High School, with 594 students.

69%of OR districts it outscoresB⁺School Grade

School	Level	Students	Letter
Astoria Middle SchoolLargest public middle schoolGrades 6–8	Grades 6–8	454	–
Astoria Senior High SchoolLargest public high schoolGrades 9–12	Grades 9–12	594	–

Full pageAstoria’s schools pageOpen the page

The districtsAstoria SD 1 Every school3 schools · Astoria Senior High School Questions“Are Astoria’s schools good?”

NCES · EDFacts · graded within OR on state tests and graduation

SafetyC⁻

Astoria reports more crime per resident than 78% of U.S. towns

At 33.8 crimes per 1,000 residents a year, it reports more crime than 62% of Oregon’s graded towns. Reported crimes fell from 315 to 174 over the last three FBI years, a drop beyond ordinary year-to-year swings.

Astoria’s violent crime rate is 3.2 per 1,000 residents.

22%of U.S. towns report more crimeC⁻Safety Grade

	Astoria	Oregon towns	U.S. towns
Violent crimes per 1,000 (2025)	3.2 per 1,000 residents	2.1	1.6
Property crimes per 1,000 (2025)	14.5 per 1,000 residents	15.6	9.9

Violent crime per 1,000 residents

Astoria3.2

Oregon3.2

U.S.3.3

Property crime per 1,000 residents

Astoria14.5

Oregon21.8

U.S.15.5

22nd

percentile among U.S. towns we grade

38th

percentile among OR towns

violent crimes reported in 2025

143

property crimes reported in 2025

Full pageAstoria’s safety reportOpen the page

Violent crime by type3.2 violent crimes per 1,000 Crime over the yearsDown since 2023 Questions“Is Astoria, OR safe?”

FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to police

Natural hazardsHazard risk grade C⁻

Astoria faces a high natural-hazard risk, led by earthquakes

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 75% of U.S. communities. One flood insurance claim has been paid in Astoria since 2022.

75risk score of 100

FEMA risk score

EarthquakesInland floodingTsunamis

paid flood claims since 2022

federal disasters paid out here

Full pageAstoria’s hazards pageOpen the page

What it facesHigh risk Flood claims1 paid flood claims · Since 2022 Past disasters6 federal disasters · Paid out in Astoria Get readyReady for earthquakes

FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA

Climate

Mild winters and pleasant summers in Astoria

July afternoons average 68.5°, cooler than in 99% of U.S. towns; January nights average 36.5°.

Astoria has mild winters and cool summers, with plenty of rain. Snow is almost unheard of.

70°summer high

Typical low → high °F

Winter36–49°

Spring41–57°

Summer51–68°

Fall44–61°

Nov 11

typical first frost

Mar 26

typical last frost

+1.2°

vs. the 20th-century average

70°

typical summer high

Full pageAstoria’s climate pageOpen the page

A year of weatherJuly highs 69°, January lows 37°Rain & snow82″ of rain a year · Snow is almost unheard of Heating & coolingMostly a heating bill Then and now+1.2° vs. the 20th century · Warmer than the 20th-century average

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020

Work & commuteJobs & income grade C⁻

About one in three working residents works right in Astoria

About one in 3 of Astoria’s working residents works in town. 17% of residents live below the poverty line in Astoria. Jobs based in Astoria grew to 4,927 in 2023, 426 more than in 2013.

33%work in town

	Astoria	Oregon towns	U.S. towns
Working residents who work in town	33%	9.5%	8%
Below the poverty line	17%	11%	9.6%
Average trip to work	22 minutes	23 minutes	25 minutes
Median household income	$68,000	$81,000	$80,000

Where working residents work

In Astoria33%

Portland12%

Warrenton8%

Seaside4%

Salem3%

14 mi

median commute distance

4,927

jobs based in Astoria

Balanced

jobs vs. working residents

A+

Walkability grade: more walkable than 95% of U.S. towns

Full pageAstoria’s work & commute pageOpen the page

The jobs here4,927 jobs based here · Balanced Where people work33% work in Astoria Commute times22 minutes · The average commute How far they goHalf commute less than 14 miles

Census LEHD 2023 · ACS

Who lives here

An age mix much like Oregon’s

No broad age group is more than 4 points off the Oregon average. 21% of Astoria residents are 65 or older. Astoria has lost 3.4% of its people since 2020, down to 9,838 in the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimate.

40.3median age · OR 40.4

	Astoria	Oregon towns	U.S. towns
Under 18	19%	21%	22%
Aged 65 or older	21%	18%	18%
Bachelor’s degree or more, 25+	31%	27%	29%

AstoriaOregonUnited States

ORU.S.

Ages · share of residents

16%

Education · adults 25 and older

No diploma8%

High school21%

Some college27%

Associate’s12%

Bachelor’s19%

Graduate12%

Women and men · all residents

50% women, 50% men

That’s an even split within the survey’s margin of ±2.7 points. Across Oregon, 50.1% of residents are women. Median age: women 43.3, men 36.6.

Ages and education in Astoria
	Astoria	OR	U.S.
Under 10	11.3%	10.3%	11.6%
10 to 17	7.7%	9.6%	10.3%
18 to 24	6.5%	8.5%	9.1%
25 to 34	16.3%	14%	13.7%
35 to 44	15.1%	14.1%	13.2%
45 to 54	7.6%	12.3%	12.2%
55 to 64	14.1%	12.2%	12.7%
65 to 74	13.8%	11.5%	10.2%
75 and older	7.6%	7.6%	7%
No diploma	8.3%	8.2%	10.4%
High school	20.9%	22.4%	26%
Some college	27%	23.5%	19.1%
Associate’s	12.4%	9.1%	8.8%
Bachelor’s	19.3%	22.7%	21.6%
Graduate	12%	14.1%	14.1%

Full pageAstoria by the numbersOpen the page

Ages40.3 median age · 21% are 65 or older Schooling31% have a four-year degree Homes54% own their home · Homeowners Income$68K a year · Median household income

Census population estimates, 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates

HealthB⁻

On CDC estimates, Astoria is healthier than 52% of U.S. towns

Against the 10,337 U.S. towns with household incomes like Astoria’s, it is healthier than 69%, so its B− isn’t only a matter of income.

Astoria beats the Oregon average on 0 of 26 CDC measures and trails it on 5.

53%healthier than U.S. townsB⁻Health Grade

	Astoria	Oregon towns	U.S. towns
Sleep under 7 hours (CDC PLACES)	31%	32%	36%
Yearly checkup (CDC PLACES)	74%	72%	79%
Depression (CDC PLACES)	28%	27%	23%
Frequent physical distress (CDC PLACES)	15%	15%	14%

26 measures vs. Oregon

0 better21 too close to call5 worse

What stands out	Astoria	OR
More adults with COPD	8.1%	6.8%
More adults who have had a stroke	3.8%	3.3%
More adults with arthritis	31%	27.4%

Columbia Memorial Hospital

0.2 mi away · emergency room

3 of 3

care shortages: primary care, dental, mental health

50th

percentile among OR towns

Full pageAstoria’s health reportOpen the page

Everyday habitsMore smokers Hospitals & doctors nearby0.2 miles to an ER · Columbia Memorial Hospital How adults are doingMore adults in frequent physical distress Every CDC estimateBetter than OR on 0 of 26

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA

HousingCost of living grade D

Astoria earns a D for cost of living

At 6.7 years of the Astoria area’s $72K median household income, the typical home (about $485K) costs more against local pay than in 79% of Oregon towns; that ratio is one input to its D for cost of living.

The typical Astoria home is worth about $485,000, up 0.9% in a year, close to the Oregon typical home.

$485KZillow home value

	Astoria	Oregon towns	U.S. towns
Households that own their home	54%	65%	73%
Median rent	$1,239 a month	$1,415 a month	$1,185 a month

Typical home value

Astoria$485K

Oregon$493K

Market temperature

days on market

99.3%

sale-to-list price

+0.9%

value change, 1 year

homes sold in May

Full pageAstoria’s housing & cost-of-living pageOpen the page

Prices over the yearsUp 0.9% in a year Years of income to buyA typical home costs 7.1 years of income Rents$1,239 a month · Median rent

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center

Keep exploring

Everything we know about Astoria

20pages on Astoria

The big questions

SchoolsB⁺Beat 69% of OR districts · 3 schools SafetyC⁻3.2 violent crimes per 1,000 residents (2025)HealthB⁻Better than OR on 0 of 26 CDC measures Cost of livingD$485K typical home · up 0.9% in a year Work & commuteC⁻$68K median household income · 4,927 jobs here Natural hazardsC⁻FEMA risk higher than 75% of U.S. communities · earthquakes

Out and about

OutdoorsA15 mi of trails · 13% conserved land PlacesAttractions22 nearby · Astoria Column under 1 mi LibraryA⁺Astoria Public Library CollegesClatsop Community College, in town

The story

HistoryA⁺Settled 1811 · 44 on the National Register Famous people25 born in Astoria Town Hall & politicsOne full-time town employee per 99 residents Climate70° summer highs

Day to day

News9 recent stories about Astoria WeatherHandbookZIP code 97103 Town SquareNeighbors

After high school

Colleges nearby

1 within 15 miles of the center of Astoria

Clatsop Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · AstoriaIn town$5,110 in-state tuition

About 5 of every 100 Astoria residents are enrolled in college, about the same as Oregon.

Prices by family income, graduation and earnings →

College town

Clatsop Community College calls Astoria home

Clatsop Community College746 students on campus

Admission: Open
Net price: $10,548
Graduate: 29%

College Scorecard · IPEDS

Landmarks

44 places in Astoria on the National Register of Historic Places.

All landmarks →

Fort AstoriaNational Historic Landmark

Lightship WAL-604, COLUMBIANational Historic Landmark

Astoria ColumnBuilt 1926

John Hobson House

Famous people from Astoria

25 notable people were born in Astoria.

See all 25 →

Holly MadisonAmerican television personality · born 1979

Karl MarlantesAmerican businessman and novelist · born 1944

Donald MalarkeyAmerican army noncommissioned officer · 1921–2017

Consuelo KanagaAmerican photographer and writer · 1894–1978

Armand LohikoskiFinnish filmmaker · 1912–2005

Ward PlummerAmerican physicist · 1940–2020

About Astoria

City in Oregon, United States

Official town website ↗

Astoria is a port city in and the county seat of Clatsop County, Oregon, United States. The population was 10,181 at the 2020 census. Founded in 1811, Astoria is the oldest city in the state and was the first permanent American settlement west of the Rocky Mountains. It is located on the south shore of the Columbia River in the northwest corner of Oregon, near where the river flows into the Pacific Ocean. Astoria is named for John Jacob Astor, an investor and entrepreneur from New York City whose American Fur Company founded Fort Astoria at the site and established a monopoly in the fur trade in the early 19th century. Astoria was incorporated by the Oregon Legislative Assembly on October 2…

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

Established: 1811
Area: 10 sq mi
Elevation: 23 ft
ZIP code: 97103
Area code: 503, 971

Questions about Astoria

Short answers, built from the data on this page.

Is Astoria, OR a good place to live?

Astoria grades C− overall, better than 16% of U.S. towns and #92 of 142 in Oregon. It grades B− for health, C− for safety and B+ for schools. Cost of living is its weak spot, with a D.

Is Astoria, OR expensive?

Yes. Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades D.

What is Astoria, OR known for?

25 notable people were born here, including Holly Madison and Karl Marlantes.

Post to Astoria

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AstoriaOR

Is Astoria a good place to live?