List of cities in Oregon

A map of the United States with Oregon near the northwest (top left) corner highlighted in red
Map of the United States with Oregon highlighted

Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the Western United States. As of the 2020 U.S. census, it is the 27th-most populous state, with 4,237,256 inhabitants,[1] and ranked 10th by land area, spanning 95,988 square miles (248,610 km2) of land.[2][3] Oregon is divided into 36 counties and contains 241 incorporated cities.[3][4] Approximately 71 percent of the state's population lives in cities, which also generate 83 percent of economic activity and have 82 percent of Oregon's jobs.[4]

The most populous municipality in Oregon is Portland with 652,503 residents, and the least populous municipality is Greenhorn with three residents.[5][6] In 2020, the state had five cities with populations greater than 100,000 residents.[2][7] Portland is also the largest city by land area, at 133.45 sq mi (345.6 km2), while Barlow is the smallest at 0.05 sq mi (0.13 km2).[3][8] The oldest city in Oregon is Oregon City, which was incorporated in 1844 by the Provisional Legislature and was the first recognized city west of the Rocky Mountains.[9] The most recent city to incorporate is La Pine, which was formed in 2006.[10] Cities are able to be dissolved through disincorporation or consolidated to form a new city, such as the amalgamation of three cities in 1965 to create Lincoln City.[11]

All cities have an elected council and an executive that differs based on the chosen form of local government. A majority of large cities use the council–manager form, which has an executive city manager who is appointed by the council but is not directly elected. The mayor–council form includes an elected mayor that serves as the chief executive.[4][12] Until its change to a mayor–council system in 2025, Portland used the commission form of government in which elected members of the city commission were also appointed by the mayor to lead city departments.[12][13] Cities are generally responsible for providing emergency services, land use planning, maintenance of streets, water and waste treatment utilities, and other social services.[4] Revenue for these municipal services is primarily derived from property taxes, followed by fees, hotel taxes, and some funding that is shared with the state government.[14]

  1. ^ Goldberg, Jamie (August 14, 2021). "New census data show where Oregon's population grew fastest in the 2010s". The Oregonian. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  2. ^ a b "2020 Population and Housing State Data". United States Census Bureau. August 12, 2021. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c "Guide to State and Local Census Geography: Oregon" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. October 2011. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d "About City Government". Oregon Blue Book. Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  5. ^ "City Populations". Oregon Blue Book. Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  6. ^ Cockle, Richard (June 16, 2008). "Oregon's smallest city a mile high gold rush town". The Oregonian. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  7. ^ "Top Ten Cities Ranked by Selected Population Characteristics". Population Research Center at Portland State University. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  8. ^ "2020 Gazetteer Files: Oregon places". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  9. ^ Horton, Kami (December 24, 2024). "Oregon's oldest incorporated city turns 180 years old". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  10. ^ Siess, Joe (August 7, 2023). "A new city could be formed in eastern Deschutes County". Bend Bulletin. Archived from the original on February 28, 2025. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  11. ^ "Oregon Municipal Handbook" (PDF). League of Oregon Cities. August 2024. pp. 31, 36. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  12. ^ a b "So, You Want to Run for Local Office...A Guide for Prospective City Elected Officials" (PDF). League of Oregon Cities. February 2025. pp. 6–7. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  13. ^ Zielinski, Alex (July 29, 2024). "Portland is overhauling its voting system and government structure. Here's what you need to know". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  14. ^ EcoNorthwest (September 2011). Fiscal Challenges for Orgeon's Cities (Report). City of Baker. p. 2. Retrieved April 24, 2025.

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