Oregon became the 33rd state of the United States on February 14, 1859, transitioning from the Oregon Territory, which was established in 1848. The state is unique in its approach to municipal governance, with 241 incorporated cities and 36 counties. Oregon law distinguishes municipalities as cities only—there are no legal definitions for villages or towns. Cities are formed under Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) 221.010-221.110, requiring an economic feasibility study and voter approval. Once incorporated, municipalities can adopt a home rule charter, granting them autonomy in governance, unlike many other states where state laws often dictate municipal operations.
Oregon’s municipalities are diverse in size and population. Portland is the largest city, with over 737,000 residents and spanning 133.45 square miles, while Greenhorn is the smallest, with just three residents and an area of 0.1 square miles. The state’s urban population is significant—71% of residents live in cities, which generate 83% of economic activity and house 82% of jobs. Counties primarily provide regional services like law enforcement and public health but play a limited role in city governance due to the home rule system.
State Information Overview
| Category | Data |
|---|---|
| Total Municipalities | 241 |
| Number of Cities | 241 |
| Number of Towns/Villages | None (not legally defined) |
| Largest City | Portland (737,015 residents; 133.45 square miles) |
| Smallest City | Greenhorn |
| Total Counties | 36 |
| State Land Area | 95,988 square miles |
| State Population | 4.2 million residents |
Cities and Towns by Alphabetical Letter
Cities in Oregon that start with A
- Adair Village
- Adams
- Adrian
- Albany
- Aloha
- Alpine
- Alsea
- Altamont
- Amity
- Annex
- Antelope
- Arlington
- Ashland
- Astoria
- Athena
- Aumsville
- Aurora
Cities in Oregon that start with B
- Baker City
- Bandon
- Banks
- Barlow
- Barnesdale
- Barview
- Bay City
- Bayshore
- Bayside Gardens
- Beatty
- Beaver
- Beavercreek
- Beaver Marsh
- Beaverton
- Bellfountain
- Bend
- Bethany
- Black Butte Ranch
- Bly
- Boardman
- Bonanza
- Boring
- Brogan
- Brookings
- Brooks
- Brownsville
- Bull Mountain
- Bunker Hill
- Burns
- Butte Falls
- Butteville
Cities in Oregon that start with C
- Camp Sherman
- Canby
- Cannon Beach
- Canyon City
- Canyonville
- Cape Meares
- Carlton
- Cascade Locks
- Cascadia
- Cave Junction
- Cayuse
- Cedar Hills
- Cedar Mill
- Central Point
- Chemult
- Chenoweth
- Cherry Grove
- Cheshire
- Chiloquin
- Clatskanie
- Cloverdale
- Coburg
- Columbia City
- Condon
- Coos Bay
- Coquille
- Cornelius
- Corvallis
- Cottage Grove
- Cove
- Crabtree
- Crane
- Crawfordsville
- Crescent
- Crescent Lake
- Creswell
- Crooked River Ranch
- Culver
Cities in Oregon that start with D
- Dallas
- Damascus
- Days Creek
- Dayton
- Dayville
- Deer Island
- Depoe Bay
- Deschutes River Woods
- Detroit
- Dexter
- Dillard
- Dilley
- Donald
- Drain
- Dufur
- Dundee
- Dunes City
- Dunthorpe
- Durham
Cities in Oregon that start with E
- Eagle Crest
- Eagle Point
- Echo
- Elgin
- Elkton
- Elmira
- Enterprise
- Estacada
- Eugene
Cities in Oregon that start with F
- Fair Oaks
- Fairview CDP
- Fairview city
- Falcon Heights
- Falls City
- Florence
- Foots Creek
- Forest Grove
- Fort Hill
- Fort Klamath
- Fossil
- Four Corners
Cities in Oregon that start with G
- Garden Home-Whitford
- Gardiner
- Garibaldi
- Gaston
- Gates
- Gearhart
- Gervais
- Gilchrist
- Gladstone
- Glasgow
- Glendale
- Glide
- Gold Beach
- Gold Hill
- Gopher Flats
- Government Camp
- Grand Ronde
- Granite
- Grants Pass
- Grass Valley
- Green
- Green Meadows
- Gresham
Cities in Oregon that start with H
- Haines
- Halfway
- Halsey
- Happy Valley
- Harbor
- Harper
- Harrisburg
- Hayesville
- Hebo
- Heceta Beach
- Helix
- Heppner
- Hermiston
- Hillsboro
- Hines
- Holley
- Hood River
- Hubbard
- Huntington
Cities in Oregon that start with I
- Idanha
- Idaville
- Imbler
- Independence
- Ione
- Irrigon
- Island City
Cities in Oregon that start with J
- Jacksonville
- Jasper
- Jeffers Gardens
- Jefferson
- Jennings Lodge
- John Day
- Johnson City
- Jordan Valley
- Joseph
- Junction City
- Juniper Canyon
- Juntura
Cities in Oregon that start with K
- Keizer
- Keno
- Kerby
- King City
- Kings Valley
- Kirkpatrick
- Klamath Falls
- Knappa
Cities in Oregon that start with L
- Labish Village
- Lacomb
- Lafayette
- La Grande
- Lake Oswego
- Lakeside
- Lakeview
- Langlois
- La Pine
- Lebanon
- Lexington
- Lincoln Beach
- Lincoln City
- Lonerock
- Long Creek
- Lookingglass
- Lostine
- Lowell
- Lyons
Cities in Oregon that start with M
- Madras
- Malin
- Manzanita
- Mapleton
- Marcola
- Marion
- Marlene Village
- Maupin
- Maywood Park
- McKay
- McMinnville
- Meacham
- Medford
- Mehama
- Melrose
- Merlin
- Merrill
- Metolius
- Metzger
- Mill City
- Millersburg
- Milton-Freewater
- Milwaukie
- Mission
- Mitchell
- Molalla
- Monmouth
- Monroe
- Monument
- Moro
- Mosier
- Mount Angel
- Mount Hood
- Mount Hood Villages
- Mount Vernon
- Mulino
- Myrtle Creek
- Myrtle Point
Cities in Oregon that start with N
- Neahkahnie
- Nehalem
- Neotsu
- Nesika Beach
- Neskowin
- Netarts
- Newberg
- New Hope
- New Pine Creek
- Newport
- North Bend
- North Plains
- North Powder
- Nyssa
Cities in Oregon that start with O
- Oak Grove
- Oak Hills
- Oakland
- Oakridge
- Oatfield
- O’Brien
- Oceanside
- Ochoco West
- Odell
- Ontario
- Oregon City
- Oregon Shores
- Orient
Cities in Oregon that start with P
- Pacific City
- Paisley
- Parkdale
- Pendleton
- Peoria
- Philomath
- Phoenix
- Pilot Rock
- Pine Grove
- Pine Hollow
- Pleasant Valley
- Plush
- Portland
- Port Orford
- Powers
- Prairie City
- Prescott
- Prineville
- Prineville Lake Acres
- Pronghorn
- Prospect
Cities in Oregon that start with R
- Rainier
- Raleigh Hills
- Redmond
- Redwood
- Reedsport
- Rhododendron
- Richland
- Riddle
- Rivergrove
- River Point
- River Road
- Riverside
- Rockaway Beach
- Rockcreek
- Rocky Point
- Rogue River
- Roseburg
- Roseburg North
- Rose Lodge
- Rowena
- Ruch
- Rufus
- Running Y Ranch
Cities in Oregon that start with S
- Salem
- Sandy
- San Marine
- Santa Clara
- Saunders Lake
- Scappoose
- Scio
- Scotts Mills
- Seaside
- Selma
- Seneca
- Seventh Mountain
- Shady Cove
- Shaniko
- Shedd
- Sheridan
- Sherwood
- Siletz
- Silver Lake
- Silverton
- Sisters
- Sodaville
- South Lebanon
- Sportsmans Park
- Spray
- Springfield
- Stafford
- Stanfield
- Stayton
- St. Helens
- St. Paul
- Sublimity
- Summerville
- Summit
- Sumpter
- Sunriver
- Sutherlin
- Svensen
- Sweet Home
Cities in Oregon that start with T
- Takilma
- Talent
- Tangent
- Terrebonne
- Tetherow
- The Dalles
- Three Rivers
- Tigard
- Tillamook
- Toledo
- Trail
- Trent
- Tri-City
- Troutdale
- Tualatin
- Tumalo
- Turner
- Tutuilla
- Tygh Valley
Cities in Oregon that start with U
- Ukiah
- Umapine
- Umatilla
- Union
- Unity
Cities in Oregon that start with V
- Vale
- Veneta
- Vernonia
Cities in Oregon that start with W
- Waldport
- Wallowa
- Wallowa Lake
- Wamic
- Warm Springs
- Warren
- Warrenton
- Wasco
- Waterloo
- Wedderburn
- Westfir
- West Haven-Sylvan
- West Linn
- Weston
- Westport
- West Scio
- West Slope
- Wheeler
- White City
- Willamina
- Williams
- Wilsonville
- Wimer
- Winchester Bay
- Winston
- Woodburn
- Wood Village
Cities in Oregon that start with Y
- Yachats
- Yamhill
- Yoncalla
Note
Oregon has no towns in alphabetical order, beginning with the letters Q, X, and Z.
Interactive Oregon Map
Questions & Answers
How many cities and towns are in Oregon?
There are 241 incorporated cities in Oregon State as Oregon law distinguishes municipalities as cities only; thus, towns and villages are not formally recognized.
What areas are in Oregon?
Oregon is divided into several geographical regions, including the Oregon Coast, the Willamette Valley, the Rogue Valley, and the Cascade Range. The state is also split into eight broader areas, though these are not always strictly defined.
What is Oregon’s first city?
Astoria
What city in Oregon has falls in the name?
In Oregon, there are several places with “falls” in their name, primarily referring to waterfalls. Some notable ones include:
- Willamette Falls (Oregon City)
- Multnomah Falls (near Portland)
- Silver Falls (Coos, Polk, Josephine counties)
- Horseshoe Falls (Sherman, Marion counties)
- Rainbow Falls (Lane, Linn counties)
- Salt Creek Falls (near Diamond Peak)
- Sweet Creek Falls
- Punch Bowl Falls
- Sherars Falls
