Technically part of the metropolitan area of the state capital, Monmouth, Oregon is a delightful small city in its own right. It lies about 15 miles nearly due southwest of Salem off Route 51. Well placed in the beautiful landscape of Willamette Valley, Monmouth, Oregon is a great place to call home.

Settled by pioneer Christians from Illinois in 1856, Monmouth, Oregon was in fact something of a planned community. The journey to Oregon had been planned in Illinois at the home of F.M. Butler, county clerk and sheriff of Warren County, Illinois. The goal was to establish a Restoration college, which they did. Initially called Christian College it remains in Monmouth today as Western Oregon University.

A very well-educated community, of course, Monmouth, Oregon is close to all the conveniences of Salem and other nearby valley cities, not to mention the entire valley. Named recently by Fodor as its second Choice Destination and as "Most Romantic," Willamette Valley is home to Oregon's wine country--including Monmouth's own Airley Winery--as well as to more than 50 covered bridges. Among the local attractions are the Paul Jensen Artic Museum, the Sarah Helmick State Park, and Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge. Whether you live here or visit, it's a great area to explore and enjoy.

Monmouth, Oregon FAQ

With a population of just over 8,000, Monmouth has approximately 3,000 residential dwellings. Only slightly more than half of these are renter occupied. The median value of these properties is about $140,000. The median age in Monmouth is 23, which works out mathematically once you take the WOU student body of 3,500 into account.