The minute you look at real estate in Tangent, you'll probably realize what a delightful find this little community is. Located in the heart of Linn County, Oregon, it offers all the amenities of the renowned Willamette Valley. These include--just for a start--the rugged Pacific coast not an hour away, two flanking magnificent mountain ranges, the north-flowing Willamette River, and a lush green sweep of landscape up to toward Portland.

Established as a stop on the Southern Pacific Railway in 1872, the town was named--clearly by a lover of geometry--for its perfectly straight 20-mile run of track out from Albany, the county seat, and back. The kindred story is that of Tsar Alexander II of Russia, who determined the railway line from Moscow to St. Petersburg by taking down a map, holding a ruler against it, and drawing a pencil line between the two cities. His thumb protruded a bit, as did the subsequent railway line. That's said to be a true story. Tangent's story is true.

Conveniently located between the university town of Corvallis to the west and Lebanon to the east, Tangent lies in the midst of Oregon's wine country, many covered bridges, and splendid public gardens. With a population of about 1,000, it offers a neighborly community, a sense of the countryside, and the conveniences of urban living. Fishing, hiking, boating, bicycling, and skiing are very popular in Oregon, and you'll find them all right at the doorstep of real estate in Tangent.

The Numbers on Real Estate in Tangent

The median house value of real estate in Tangent, as of the last census, was about $153,000, which is somewhat higher than the state average. Of the 335 single-family homes, the vast majority--287--are owner occupied. Most have been built since 1960, 125 in the late 1990s. Only 33 predate 1939. The median age of residents is about 37. Median household income is $43,000.