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USS LCI-713 (Landing Craft)Astoria, #1 on this list · USS LCI-713 (Landing Craft) · Photo: Ian Poellet (User:Werewombat) · CC BY-SA 3.0
Oregon rankings · History

Most historic towns in Oregon

Astoria ranks first on history among Oregon’s 142 towns of 2,500+; 16 of the 142 grade A− or better on history nationally.

The History grade, a character grade (not part of the overall): the town’s founding era, homes built before 1940 (Census ACS) and its National Register places. How grades work

#1

Astoria

Clatsop County · 9,838 people
A+

History grade, better than 98% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #92 of 142 in OR

#2

Portland

Multnomah County · 635,109 people
A+

History grade, better than 96% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #61 of 142 in OR

#3

St. Helens

Columbia County · 14,450 people
A

History grade, better than 90% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #84 of 142 in OR

All 142 towns

History grade, best first (the letter is national). Towns with the same score share a rank (T = tied; 9 towns here); the overall grade and state rank are beside each.

142 towns ranked. Not here? See why a town may be missing.

#TownGradeOverall
1AstoriaClatsop County · 9,838 peopleA+better than 98% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #92 of 142
2PortlandMultnomah County · 635,109 peopleA+better than 96% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #61 of 142
3St. HelensColumbia County · 14,450 peopleAbetter than 90% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #84 of 142
4Forest GroveWashington County · 27,252 peopleAbetter than 86% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #81 of 142
5Baker CityBaker County · 10,071 peopleAbetter than 86% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #54 of 142
6La GrandeUnion County · 12,985 peopleA−better than 83% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #79 of 142
7CorvallisBenton County · 61,499 peopleA−better than 83% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #52 of 142
8Oregon CityClackamas County · 38,175 peopleA−better than 82% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #44 of 142
9AlbanyLinn County · 56,894 peopleA−better than 81% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #82 of 142
10SalemMarion County · 181,779 peopleA−better than 81% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #116 of 142
11DallasPolk County · 17,890 peopleA−better than 81% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #96 of 142
12CoquilleCoos County · 3,943 peopleA−better than 80% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #127 of 142
13The DallesWasco County · 15,745 peopleA−better than 77% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #136 of 142
14SilvertonMarion County · 10,450 peopleA−better than 77% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #41 of 142
15DaytonYamhill County · 2,647 peopleA−better than 76% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #86 of 142
16PendletonUmatilla County · 16,989 peopleA−better than 76% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #99 of 142
17RoseburgDouglas County · 23,693 peopleB+better than 74% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #138 of 142
18ToledoLincoln County · 3,473 peopleB+better than 73% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #121 of 142
19Klamath FallsKlamath County · 22,111 peopleB+better than 72% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #134 of 142
20AshlandJackson County · 20,889 peopleB+better than 72% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #45 of 142
21TillamookTillamook County · 5,162 peopleB+better than 72% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #111 of 142
22Milton-FreewaterUmatilla County · 7,029 peopleB+better than 71% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #105 of 142
23MilwaukieClackamas County · 22,114 peopleB+better than 70% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #39 of 142
24EugeneLane County · 178,618 peopleB+better than 70% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #89 of 142
25SeasideClatsop County · 7,092 peopleB+better than 70% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #141 of 142
26HubbardMarion County · 3,399 peopleB+better than 69% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #49 of 142
27LafayetteYamhill County · 4,705 peopleB+better than 69% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #16 of 142
28SpringfieldLane County · 61,431 peopleB+better than 68% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #123 of 142
29Mount Hood Villagesunincorporated, Clackamas County · 4,703 peopleB+better than 68% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #25 of 142
30NyssaMalheur County · 3,257 peopleB+better than 67% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #59 of 142
31Hood RiverHood River County · 8,315 peopleB+better than 67% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #43 of 142
32Cottage GroveLane County · 10,851 peopleB+better than 65% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #95 of 142
33Mount AngelMarion County · 3,454 peopleBbetter than 63% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #124 of 142
34MedfordJackson County · 86,494 peopleBbetter than 62% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #91 of 142
35Lake OswegoClackamas County · 39,722 peopleBbetter than 60% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #4 of 142
36Oak Groveunincorporated, Clackamas County · 16,796 peopleBbetter than 60% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #37 of 142
37Coos BayCoos County · 15,686 peopleBbetter than 60% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #137 of 142
38WarrentonClatsop County · 6,312 peopleBbetter than 58% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #117 of 142
39IndependencePolk County · 10,195 peopleBbetter than 58% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #97 of 142
40BandonCoos County · 3,297 peopleBbetter than 57% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #104 of 142
41Lincoln CityLincoln County · 10,117 peopleBbetter than 57% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #130 of 142
42HillsboroWashington County · 111,126 peopleBbetter than 57% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #56 of 142
43JeffersonMarion County · 3,299 peopleB−better than 55% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #110 of 142
44BeavertonWashington County · 97,842 peopleB−better than 54% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #38 of 142
45BendDeschutes County · 107,342 peopleB−better than 54% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #21 of 142
46Grants PassJosephine County · 39,239 peopleB−better than 53% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #126 of 142
47JacksonvilleJackson County · 2,972 peopleB−better than 51% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #69 of 142
48McMinnvilleYamhill County · 34,647 peopleB−better than 50% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #55 of 142
49PhilomathBenton County · 5,699 peopleB−better than 50% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #23 of 142
50North BendCoos County · 9,966 peopleB−better than 49% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #122 of 142
51ScappooseColumbia County · 8,257 peopleB−better than 49% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #30 of 142
52Oatfieldunincorporated, Clackamas County · 13,294 peopleB−better than 48% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #33 of 142
53LebanonLinn County · 20,267 peopleB−better than 47% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #78 of 142
54Junction CityLane County · 7,224 peopleB−better than 46% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #73 of 142
55StaytonMarion County · 8,488 peopleB−better than 45% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #74 of 142
56NewbergYamhill County · 26,896 peopleC+better than 44% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #18 of 142
57ReedsportDouglas County · 4,271 peopleC+better than 44% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #106 of 142
58MolallaClackamas County · 10,104 peopleC+better than 42% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #46 of 142
59DundeeYamhill County · 3,193 peopleC+better than 42% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #29 of 142
60CreswellLane County · 5,566 peopleC+better than 42% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #12 of 142
61NewportLincoln County · 10,383 peopleC+better than 42% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #129 of 142
62TalentJackson County · 6,296 peopleC+better than 42% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #72 of 142
63River Roadunincorporated, Lane County · 8,862 peopleC+better than 42% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #71 of 142
64PrinevilleCrook County · 11,994 peopleC+better than 42% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #57 of 142
65BurnsHarney County · 2,692 peopleC+better than 40% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #120 of 142
66CanbyClackamas County · 18,004 peopleC+better than 40% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #34 of 142
67OntarioMalheur County · 11,957 peopleC+better than 39% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #80 of 142
68WoodburnMarion County · 31,948 peopleC+better than 38% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #140 of 142
69MonmouthPolk County · 11,543 peopleC+better than 38% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #76 of 142
70SheridanYamhill County · 6,243 peopleC+better than 37% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #77 of 142
71Redwoodunincorporated, Josephine County · 3,721 peopleC+better than 37% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #113 of 142
72Myrtle CreekDouglas County · 3,481 peopleC+better than 36% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #131 of 142
73Raleigh Hillsunincorporated, Washington County · 6,744 peopleC+better than 36% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #8 of 142
74Central PointJackson County · 19,139 peopleC+better than 36% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #68 of 142
75West LinnClackamas County · 26,567 peopleC+better than 35% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #6 of 142
76SandyClackamas County · 13,323 peopleCbetter than 34% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #36 of 142
77Damascusunincorporated, Clackamas County · 11,437 peopleCbetter than 33% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #64 of 142
78TroutdaleMultnomah County · 15,776 peopleCbetter than 33% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #83 of 142
79GreshamMultnomah County · 111,513 peopleCbetter than 33% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #118 of 142
80GervaisMarion County · 2,572 peopleCbetter than 32% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #75 of 142
81FlorenceLane County · 9,468 peopleCbetter than 31% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #114 of 142
82Oak Hillsunincorporated, Washington County · 11,131 peopleCbetter than 30% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #2 of 142
83SistersDeschutes County · 2,934 peopleCbetter than 29% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #17 of 142
84Eagle PointJackson County · 9,861 peopleCbetter than 29% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #90 of 142
85WilsonvilleClackamas County · 27,833 peopleCbetter than 29% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #24 of 142
86RedmondDeschutes County · 38,547 peopleCbetter than 28% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #53 of 142
87GladstoneClackamas County · 11,865 peopleCbetter than 28% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #63 of 142
88Garden Home-Whitfordunincorporated, Washington County · 6,979 peopleCbetter than 28% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #11 of 142
89TigardWashington County · 57,929 peopleCbetter than 27% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #47 of 142
90Beavercreekunincorporated, Clackamas County · 4,894 peopleCbetter than 25% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #32 of 142
91HarrisburgLinn County · 3,765 peopleCbetter than 25% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #112 of 142
92CorneliusWashington County · 15,520 peopleC−better than 24% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #70 of 142
93Altamontunincorporated, Klamath County · 19,927 peopleC−better than 24% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #98 of 142
94Metzgerunincorporated, Washington County · 3,714 peopleC−better than 24% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #20 of 142
95MadrasJefferson County · 7,829 peopleC−better than 24% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #108 of 142
96WinstonDouglas County · 5,680 peopleC−better than 23% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #139 of 142
97PhoenixJackson County · 4,920 peopleC−better than 22% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #94 of 142
98Sweet HomeLinn County · 10,308 peopleC−better than 20% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #135 of 142
99UmatillaUmatilla County · 8,220 peopleC−better than 20% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #103 of 142
100TualatinWashington County · 28,139 peopleC−better than 19% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #42 of 142
101SutherlinDouglas County · 8,635 peopleC−better than 19% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #128 of 142
102EstacadaClackamas County · 5,814 peopleC−better than 19% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #40 of 142
103VenetaLane County · 5,138 peopleC−better than 18% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #100 of 142
104SublimityMarion County · 2,882 peopleC−better than 17% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #65 of 142
105Jennings Lodgeunincorporated, Clackamas County · 7,971 peopleC−better than 16% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #50 of 142
106Wood VillageMultnomah County · 4,706 peopleC−better than 15% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #85 of 142
107OakridgeLane County · 3,127 peopleC−better than 15% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #133 of 142
108West Slopeunincorporated, Washington County · 6,582 peopleDbetter than 15% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #9 of 142
109Alohaunincorporated, Washington County · 52,389 peopleDbetter than 15% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #22 of 142
110FairviewMultnomah County · 10,762 peopleDbetter than 14% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #102 of 142
111White Cityunincorporated, Jackson County · 10,750 peopleDbetter than 14% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #107 of 142
112Happy ValleyClackamas County · 28,916 peopleDbetter than 14% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #26 of 142
113SherwoodWashington County · 20,535 peopleDbetter than 13% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #13 of 142
114BoardmanMorrow County · 4,495 peopleDbetter than 13% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #62 of 142
115BrookingsCurry County · 6,431 peopleDbetter than 13% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #119 of 142
116Cedar Millunincorporated, Multnomah County · 19,471 peopleDbetter than 12% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #7 of 142
117Four Cornersunincorporated, Marion County · 16,275 peopleDbetter than 11% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #109 of 142
118AumsvilleMarion County · 4,241 peopleDbetter than 10% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #48 of 142
119Tri-Cityunincorporated, Douglas County · 4,234 peopleDbetter than 10% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #142 of 142
120North PlainsWashington County · 3,414 peopleDbetter than 10% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #27 of 142
121Santa Claraunincorporated, Lane County · 10,551 peopleDbetter than 9% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #35 of 142
122HermistonUmatilla County · 19,906 peopleDbetter than 9% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #101 of 142
123Rockcreekunincorporated, Washington County · 9,223 peopleDbetter than 9% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #10 of 142
124Roseburg Northunincorporated, Douglas County · 4,601 peopleDbetter than 8% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #66 of 142
T125Bethanyunincorporated, Washington County · 33,106 peopleDbetter than 7% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #1 of 142
T125Greenunincorporated, Douglas County · 7,541 peopleDbetter than 7% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #93 of 142
127Hayesvilleunincorporated, Marion County · 21,246 peopleDbetter than 7% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #125 of 142
128Bull Mountainunincorporated, Washington County · 9,865 peopleDbetter than 5% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #15 of 142
129Three Riversunincorporated, Deschutes County · 3,995 peopleD−better than 4% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #58 of 142
130Shady CoveJackson County · 3,039 peopleD−better than 3% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #132 of 142
131La PineDeschutes County · 2,563 peopleD−better than 2% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #51 of 142
132MillersburgLinn County · 3,583 peopleD−better than 2% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #60 of 142
133Cedar Hillsunincorporated, Washington County · 8,388 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall A · #3 of 142
T134Crooked River Ranchunincorporated, Deschutes County · 5,160 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall C− · #88 of 142
T134Deschutes River Woodsunincorporated, Deschutes County · 5,797 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall B+ · #19 of 142
T134Juniper Canyonunincorporated, Crook County · 2,666 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall B · #31 of 142
T134Marlene Villageunincorporated, Washington County · 5,439 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall A− · #14 of 142
T134West Haven-Sylvanunincorporated, Multnomah County · 7,674 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall A · #5 of 142
139KeizerMarion County · 39,140 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall C− · #87 of 142
140Heceta Beachunincorporated, Lane County · 2,651 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall D · #115 of 142
T141Eagle Crestunincorporated, Deschutes County · 2,677 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall C · #67 of 142
T141King CityWashington County · 5,044 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall B+ · #28 of 142
Quick answers

Questions people ask

What is the most historic town in Oregon?

Astoria (Clatsop County) ranks first on history among 142 towns, with an A+; Portland and St. Helens follow.

How are these towns ranked?

The History grade, a character grade (not part of the overall): the town’s founding era, homes built before 1940 (Census ACS) and its National Register places. Towns are sorted on the grade’s score; the letter and rank are the same as on each town’s page. How grades work.

Why isn’t my town on this list?

The list covers towns of 2,500+ residents with a history grade (142 in Oregon). Smaller towns have the grade on their page but no rank. Every town is on the Oregon page.

Go deeper

More Oregon lists

Every list ranks the same 2,500+ towns, so a town’s rank means the same thing on each.

All Oregon rankings →
Best places to live142 towns · #1 BethanyBest small towns74 towns · #1 Cedar HillsMost affordable towns142 towns · #1 NyssaSafest towns74 towns · #1 GervaisTowns with the best schools142 towns · #1 Lake OswegoHealthiest towns142 towns · #1 BethanyBest towns for jobs & income142 towns · #1 Bull MountainMost walkable towns142 towns · #1 PortlandTowns with the lowest natural-hazard risk142 towns · #1 RedmondBest towns for the outdoors142 towns · #1 JacksonvilleTowns with the most civic life106 towns · #1 AstoriaTowns with the least snow112 towns · #1 CanbyDescribed, no lettersSnowiest towns112 towns · #1 La PineDescribed, no lettersTowns with the mildest winters135 towns · #1 BrookingsDescribed, no lettersTowns with the hottest summers135 towns · #1 Nyssa and OntarioDescribed, no lettersTowns with the coolest summers135 towns · #1 NewportDescribed, no lettersTowns with the highest incomes142 towns · #1 BethanyDescribed, no lettersTowns with the lowest property taxes142 towns · #1 Tri-CityDescribed, no lettersFastest-growing towns106 towns · #1 EstacadaDescribed, no lettersTowns with the most-used libraries30 towns · #1 SeasideDescribed, no letters
Other states

Most historic towns in other states

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