#3Cedar Hills
unincorporated, Washington County · 8,388 peopleStrongest: walkability A+, schools A·lowest: cost of living D
DCost–SafetyASchoolsAHealthAJobsA+WalkCHazards
Cedar Hills, #1 on this list · Photo: M.O. Stevens · CC BY 3.0Oregon rankings · 2026
Best small towns in Oregon
Cedar Hills ranks first of Oregon’s 74 graded small towns (2,500–9,999 residents), with an A: walkability (A+) and schools (A) are its strongest grades; cost of living (D) is its lowest. 10 of the 74 (14%) grade A− or better nationally, against 25% of U.S. towns.
The overall grade, sorted: cost of living, safety, schools, health, jobs & income, walkability and hazard risk, from Census, FBI, state, CDC, EPA and FEMA data. How grades work
#3A
#5West Haven-Sylvan
unincorporated, Multnomah County · 7,674 peopleStrongest: health A, walkability A·lowest: cost of living D−
D−Cost–SafetyASchoolsAHealthA−JobsAWalkA−Hazards
#8Raleigh Hills
unincorporated, Washington County · 6,744 peopleStrongest: walkability A+, schools A·lowest: cost of living D−
D−Cost–SafetyASchoolsAHealthA−JobsA+WalkC+Hazards
Where they are: Seven of the top 10 are in Washington County.
All 74 small towns
Overall score, highest first. The score (0–100) blends the seven livability grades and sets the order; the letter places that score among every U.S. town of 2,500+, and A+ is the top 5%, so neighbors on the list often share a letter. Each town links to its page, where the grade sheet shows every subject. The rank is the town’s place among all 142 Oregon towns.
74 towns ranked. Not here? See why a town may be missing.
#TownScoreGradeWhat drives it
3Cedar Hillsunincorporated, Washington County · 8,388 people68.0top 10.2%AStrongest: walkability A+, schools A·lowest: cost of living D
5West Haven-Sylvanunincorporated, Multnomah County · 7,674 people67.2top 12.0%AStrongest: health A, walkability A·lowest: cost of living D−
8Raleigh Hillsunincorporated, Washington County · 6,744 people65.1top 16.5%A−Strongest: walkability A+, schools A·lowest: cost of living D−
9West Slopeunincorporated, Washington County · 6,582 people65.0top 16.8%A−Strongest: walkability A+, schools A·lowest: cost of living D−
10Rockcreekunincorporated, Washington County · 9,223 people64.6top 17.6%A−Strongest: walkability A, health A·lowest: cost of living D
11Garden Home-Whitfordunincorporated, Washington County · 6,979 people64.1top 18.7%A−Strongest: walkability A+, schools A·lowest: cost of living D
12CreswellLane County · 5,566 people64.0top 19.1%A−Strongest: jobs & income A, walkability A−·lowest: hazard risk C−
14Marlene Villageunincorporated, Washington County · 5,439 people62.3top 23.2%A−Strongest: walkability A, schools A·lowest: cost of living D
15Bull Mountainunincorporated, Washington County · 9,865 people62.2top 23.5%A−Strongest: jobs & income A+, health A·lowest: cost of living D
16LafayetteYamhill County · 4,705 people61.7top 24.9%A−Strongest: schools A−, health A−·lowest: walkability C+
17SistersDeschutes County · 2,934 people61.6top 25.3%B+Strongest: walkability A, schools A·lowest: cost of living D
19Deschutes River Woodsunincorporated, Deschutes County · 5,797 people60.4top 28.5%B+Strongest: schools A, health A−·lowest: cost of living C−
20Metzgerunincorporated, Washington County · 3,714 people60.4top 28.5%B+Strongest: walkability A−, jobs & income A−·lowest: cost of living D
23PhilomathBenton County · 5,699 people60.2top 29.0%B+Strongest: walkability A, health A−·lowest: cost of living D
25Mount Hood Villagesunincorporated, Clackamas County · 4,703 people59.7top 30.1%B+Strongest: walkability A, schools A−·lowest: hazard risk D
27North PlainsWashington County · 3,414 people58.6top 33.0%B+Strongest: health A, jobs & income A−·lowest: cost of living D
28King CityWashington County · 5,044 people58.4top 33.5%B+Strongest: walkability A, schools A−·lowest: hazard risk D
29DundeeYamhill County · 3,193 people57.9top 35.0%B+Strongest: schools A−, jobs & income A−·lowest: cost of living C−
30ScappooseColumbia County · 8,257 people56.8top 38.0%BStrongest: walkability A−, schools A−·lowest: hazard risk C−
31Juniper Canyonunincorporated, Crook County · 2,666 people56.6top 38.3%BStrongest: schools A, jobs & income B·lowest: walkability D
32Beavercreekunincorporated, Clackamas County · 4,894 people56.6top 38.5%BStrongest: jobs & income A, health B+·lowest: cost of living C
40EstacadaClackamas County · 5,814 people52.9top 48.5%B−Strongest: walkability A, hazard risk B·lowest: cost of living C
43Hood RiverHood River County · 8,315 people52.2bottom 49.3%B−Strongest: walkability A+, health A−·lowest: cost of living D
48AumsvilleMarion County · 4,241 people51.2bottom 46.8%B−Strongest: schools B+, health B·lowest: cost of living C
49HubbardMarion County · 3,399 people51.0bottom 46.3%B−Strongest: jobs & income A, walkability A−·lowest: schools C−
50Jennings Lodgeunincorporated, Clackamas County · 7,971 people50.5bottom 45.0%B−Strongest: walkability A+, schools B+·lowest: cost of living D
51La PineDeschutes County · 2,563 people50.4bottom 44.8%C+Strongest: schools A, walkability A−·lowest: jobs & income D
58Three Riversunincorporated, Deschutes County · 3,995 people48.6bottom 39.7%C+Strongest: schools A, health A−·lowest: cost of living D
59NyssaMalheur County · 3,257 people48.4bottom 39.1%C+Strongest: walkability A, cost of living B+·lowest: health D
60MillersburgLinn County · 3,583 people47.9bottom 37.6%C+Strongest: jobs & income A, health B+·lowest: walkability D−
62BoardmanMorrow County · 4,495 people46.9bottom 35.1%C+Strongest: hazard risk A−, walkability B+·lowest: health D
65SublimityMarion County · 2,882 people46.3bottom 33.7%CStrongest: walkability A−, hazard risk B+·lowest: cost of living D
66Roseburg Northunincorporated, Douglas County · 4,601 people46.2bottom 33.4%CStrongest: walkability B+, health B−·lowest: schools C+
67Eagle Crestunincorporated, Deschutes County · 2,677 people46.0bottom 33.0%CStrongest: health A−, schools B+·lowest: cost of living D−
69JacksonvilleJackson County · 2,972 people45.7bottom 32.2%CStrongest: health A−, schools B+·lowest: cost of living D−
71River Roadunincorporated, Lane County · 8,862 people45.5bottom 31.4%CStrongest: walkability A, schools B+·lowest: hazard risk D
72TalentJackson County · 6,296 people44.6bottom 29.3%CStrongest: walkability A+, health B+·lowest: cost of living D
73Junction CityLane County · 7,224 people44.6bottom 29.2%CStrongest: health B+, walkability B·lowest: cost of living D
74StaytonMarion County · 8,488 people43.6bottom 26.9%CStrongest: walkability B+, jobs & income B·lowest: hazard risk C−
75GervaisMarion County · 2,572 people43.6bottom 26.7%CStrongest: safety B+, walkability B·lowest: cost of living D
77SheridanYamhill County · 6,243 people42.5bottom 24.2%C−Strongest: walkability A, cost of living B−·lowest: hazard risk D
85Wood VillageMultnomah County · 4,706 people40.0bottom 19.0%C−Strongest: walkability A−, jobs & income B+·lowest: schools D
86DaytonYamhill County · 2,647 people39.9bottom 18.8%C−Strongest: walkability A, health B−·lowest: hazard risk C−
88Crooked River Ranchunincorporated, Deschutes County · 5,160 people39.3bottom 17.7%C−Strongest: schools B+, health B·lowest: walkability D−
90Eagle PointJackson County · 9,861 people38.4bottom 16.0%C−Strongest: walkability A−, hazard risk B−·lowest: cost of living C−
92AstoriaClatsop County · 9,838 people38.2bottom 15.6%C−Strongest: walkability A+, schools B+·lowest: cost of living D
93Greenunincorporated, Douglas County · 7,541 people38.1bottom 15.3%C−Strongest: walkability A−, jobs & income C+·lowest: hazard risk D
94PhoenixJackson County · 4,920 people37.9bottom 15.0%C−Strongest: walkability A, jobs & income B−·lowest: cost of living D
100VenetaLane County · 5,138 people36.8bottom 13.3%DStrongest: jobs & income B, walkability B−·lowest: cost of living D−
103UmatillaUmatilla County · 8,220 people36.6bottom 12.8%DStrongest: hazard risk B, walkability B−·lowest: schools D
104BandonCoos County · 3,297 people36.2bottom 12.2%DStrongest: walkability A−, schools B+·lowest: jobs & income D−
105Milton-FreewaterUmatilla County · 7,029 people36.1bottom 12.0%DStrongest: walkability A+, hazard risk B+·lowest: health D
106ReedsportDouglas County · 4,271 people35.9bottom 11.8%DStrongest: walkability A, cost of living B·lowest: schools D−
108MadrasJefferson County · 7,829 people35.8bottom 11.6%DStrongest: walkability A−, cost of living B−·lowest: jobs & income D
110JeffersonMarion County · 3,299 people35.0bottom 10.6%DStrongest: health B, jobs & income B−·lowest: schools D
111TillamookTillamook County · 5,162 people34.5bottom 10.0%DStrongest: walkability A+, health B−·lowest: hazard risk D
112HarrisburgLinn County · 3,765 people34.2bottom 9.8%DStrongest: health B−, jobs & income C+·lowest: hazard risk C−
113Redwoodunincorporated, Josephine County · 3,721 people33.6bottom 8.9%DStrongest: walkability B, schools B−·lowest: hazard risk C−
114FlorenceLane County · 9,468 people33.5bottom 8.8%DStrongest: walkability A+, health B−·lowest: hazard risk D
115Heceta Beachunincorporated, Lane County · 2,651 people33.5bottom 8.8%DStrongest: health B+, cost of living C·lowest: walkability D
117WarrentonClatsop County · 6,312 people32.4bottom 7.4%DStrongest: walkability A, health B·lowest: hazard risk D−
119BrookingsCurry County · 6,431 people32.3bottom 7.2%DStrongest: walkability A−, safety B−·lowest: hazard risk D
120BurnsHarney County · 2,692 people31.8bottom 6.7%DStrongest: walkability A−, cost of living B·lowest: schools D
121ToledoLincoln County · 3,473 people31.7bottom 6.5%DStrongest: walkability A, schools C+·lowest: jobs & income D−
122North BendCoos County · 9,966 people31.6bottom 6.4%DStrongest: walkability A−, health B−·lowest: hazard risk D
124Mount AngelMarion County · 3,454 people30.5bottom 5.3%DStrongest: schools B, walkability B−·lowest: cost of living D
127CoquilleCoos County · 3,943 people28.6bottom 3.7%D−Strongest: walkability A−, safety B·lowest: hazard risk D
128SutherlinDouglas County · 8,635 people28.1bottom 3.4%D−Strongest: walkability B, health C+·lowest: jobs & income D
131Myrtle CreekDouglas County · 3,481 people27.5bottom 2.9%D−Strongest: walkability A, safety C·lowest: hazard risk D−
132Shady CoveJackson County · 3,039 people27.4bottom 2.8%D−Strongest: walkability B, schools C·lowest: hazard risk D
133OakridgeLane County · 3,127 people27.3bottom 2.8%D−Strongest: walkability A−, safety B·lowest: jobs & income D−
139WinstonDouglas County · 5,680 people25.6bottom 1.9%D−Strongest: walkability A−, safety C+·lowest: schools D
141SeasideClatsop County · 7,092 people24.0bottom 1.2%D−Strongest: walkability A+, health C+·lowest: hazard risk D−
142Tri-Cityunincorporated, Douglas County · 4,234 people22.1bottom 0.8%D−Strongest: walkability B+, cost of living C+·lowest: jobs & income D−
Method
How this list is made
Each town’s overall grade blends seven livability grades: cost of living (weight 18), safety (18), schools (16), health (14), jobs & income (12), walkability (8) and hazard risk (4). A town needs 2,500+ residents and three of the first four. Letters are national, so an A here means the same as an A in any state; the list is the same towns in the same order, ranked within Oregon. Towns without their own FBI figures are graded on the rest and their page says why.
Data years: crime 2023–2025 (FBI), Census ACS 2020–2024, CDC PLACES 2025, state school tests. How grades work
Quick answers
Questions people ask
What is the best small town in Oregon?
Among 74 graded towns of 2,500 to 9,999 residents, Cedar Hills (Washington County) ranks first, with an A; walkability (A+) and schools (A) are its strongest grades; cost of living (D) is its lowest. West Haven-Sylvan and Raleigh Hills follow.
How are these towns ranked?
By the overall grade, which blends seven livability grades from public data. The letter is national; the rank is within Oregon. The full method is on How grades work.
Why isn’t my town on this list?
The list covers towns of 2,500 to 9,999 residents with an overall grade (74 in Oregon). 86 smaller places have subject grades only; Larger towns are on the best places to live list. Every town is on the Oregon page.
Go deeper
All Oregon rankings →More Oregon lists
Every list ranks the same 2,500+ towns, so a town’s rank means the same thing on each.
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