Biggest Cities in Oregon

Oregon's population is heavily concentrated in the Willamette Valley — Portland, Salem, and Eugene together hold 70% of the state's population. Eastern Oregon is vast and nearly empty.

Portland — 650,000 (metro: 2.5 million)
The largest city in Oregon and the cultural, economic, and transportation hub of the Pacific Northwest. Portland straddles the Willamette River near its confluence with the Columbia. The city is known for Powell's Books (world's largest independent bookstore), the Pearl District's art scene, an extraordinary restaurant and food cart scene, the International Rose Test Garden, the Japanese Garden, and MAX light rail (one of the best light rail systems in the US). Portland has a reputation for progressive culture, urban planning (urban growth boundary), and cycling infrastructure (one of the top cycling cities in the US). Nike's global HQ is in suburban Beaverton; Intel's main US campus is in Hillsboro.

Salem — 180,000
Oregon's capital and the second-largest city in the Willamette Valley. Salem is a government and agricultural center — the Willamette Valley's commercial heart. Willamette University (founded 1842, the oldest university in the Pacific Northwest) is here. The Oregon State Capitol (1938, Art Deco granite) and the historic Elsinore Theatre (1926) are architectural landmarks.

Eugene — 175,000
The second-largest city in Oregon proper — home to the University of Oregon and the track-and-field capital of the US (Hayward Field, rebuilt 2020, is the finest track and field stadium in North America). Eugene's cultural scene (Hult Center for Performing Arts), food co-ops, cycling culture, and the Willamette Valley wine scene give it a distinctive Pacific Northwest character.

Bend — 115,000
The fastest-growing city in Oregon — a tech and outdoor recreation hub in the high desert east of the Cascades. Bend is the gateway to Smith Rock, the Cascade Lakes, Mount Bachelor ski area, and Deschutes River. The craft brewing scene (Deschutes Brewery, 10 Barrel Brewing) is nationally significant. Oregon State University-Cascades adds university culture.

Gresham — 115,000
Portland's largest suburb, east of the city on the edge of the Columbia River Gorge. Gresham is more working-class and diverse than Portland's inner suburbs; Mt. Hood Community College is the main post-secondary institution.