Moving to Corvallis, Oregon

by btobers · Published June 27, 2019 · Updated November 18, 2024

Corvallis is a small city in the Willamette Valley of western Oregon. It has a population of over 55,000 people, making it the 11th largest city in the state. The city is located about 90 miles south of Portland and is surrounded by forests and hills. Corvallis has a mild climate, with hot summers and cool winters. The average annual rainfall is around 35 inches.

The history of Corvallis dates back to 1845 when it was founded as a farming community. It became an incorporated city in 1857 and was originally known as Marysville. In 1865, the name was changed to Corvallis after the nearby Corvallis Creek which had been named for its resemblance to the Latin word for “heart”. The city was an important center for logging during the late 19th century, but today its economy is largely based on education and technology.

The politics of Corvallis lean heavily Democratic, with most of its citizens voting that way in both local and national elections. The mayor is currently Biff Traber, who was elected in 2020 after having served on the City Council since 2017.

Corvallis is home to Oregon State University (OSU), one of two major universities in Oregon along with University of Oregon Eugene/Springfield (UO). OSU enrolls over 32,000 students each year and offers more than 200 degree programs across 10 colleges and schools within its campus boundaries. It also features several research centers including the Marine Mammal Institute and Food Innovation Center which are both highly regarded worldwide for their research activities focused on sustainability solutions for our planet’s future health needs.

In addition to OSU, there are several other higher education institutions located within Corvallis such as Linn-Benton Community College (LBCC), Northwest Christian University (NCU), and Linfield College-Portland Campus (Linfield). In addition to these schools, there are numerous public elementary schools such as Adams Elementary School, Garfield Elementary School, Lincoln Elementary School, Madison Elementary School among several others as well as two public high schools: Crescent Valley High School & Corvallis High School .

When it comes to landmarks located within Corvallis there are many notable ones that can be found throughout town such as Avery Park which contains a lake full of ducks & geese; Benton County Courthouse which houses historic artifacts from around the region; Crystal Lake Cave that features stalactites & stalagmites; Mary’s Peak which offers fantastic views from up high; Old World Deli which serves delicious sandwiches & salads; Peavy Arboretum where you can find a variety of trees & plants; Riverfront Commemorative Park where visitors can learn about local Native American history; Sunnyside Up Cafe which serves up some great breakfast dishes; Trysting Tree Golf Course which offers challenging golf games; Willamette River Greenway Trail perfect for biking or walking along; & Woodland Meadows Park that has picnic tables & play areas perfect for families looking to spend some quality time together outdoors!

Population: 49,322. Estimated population in July 2024: 49,553 (+0.5% change)
Males: 24,564 (49.8%), Females: 24,758 (50.2%)

Benton County

Zip codes: 97330, 97331, 97333.

Demographics

Median resident age: 27.0 years
Median household income: $35,236
Median house value: $159,600

Population by Race

Races in Corvallis:

White Non-Hispanic (83.3%)
Hispanic (5.7%)
Two or more races (2.8%)
Other race (2.5%)
Chinese (1.7%)
American Indian (1.6%)
Other Asian (1.3%)
Black (1.2%)
Japanese (0.9%)
Korean (0.9%)
Asian Indian (0.7%)
Vietnamese (0.6%)

(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)

Ancestries: German (21.7%), English (14.2%), Irish (12.5%), Norwegian (4.9%), United States (4.6%), Swedish (4.2%).

Elevation: 225 feet

Land area: 13.6 square miles

Population by Education

Corvallis, Oregon is home to a population of around 58,000 people. The city is located in the Willamette Valley and is well known for its natural beauty. It has a diverse population with an estimated 44% of residents identifying as White, 15% Asian, 11% Hispanic or Latino, and 6% African American. Corvallis has an average cost of living that is slightly higher than the national average. Housing costs are especially high with the median home value sitting at $339,500 compared to the national median of $193,500. Renters have it just as tough with the median rent sitting at $1,250 compared to the national median of $934. Despite these high costs, Corvallis remains an attractive place to live due to its low crime rate and abundance of outdoor activities. The city also boasts a highly educated population with 38% having a Bachelor’s degree or higher and an impressive 18% having a Graduate degree or higher.

For population 25 years and over in Corvallis

High school or higher: 93.0%
Bachelor’s degree or higher: 53.1%
Graduate or professional degree: 24.5%
Unemployed: 5.4%
Mean travel time to work: 15.3 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Corvallis city

Never married: 45.7%
Now married: 41.1%
Separated: 1.1%
Widowed: 4.0%
Divorced: 8.1%

9.7% Foreign born (4.6% Asia, 2.2% Latin America, 2.0% Europe).

Population change in the 1990s: +4,506 (+10.1%).

Hospitals

Hospital/medical center in Corvallis:

GOOD SAMARITAN REGIONAL MEDICAL CTR (3600 NW SAMARITAN DRIVE)

Other hospitals/medical centers near Corvallis:

SAMARITAN ALBANY GENERAL HOSPITAL (about 14 miles; ALBANY, OR)
VALLEY COMMUNITY HOSPITAL (about 25 miles; DALLAS, OR)
MID VALLEY HEALTHCARE/LEBANON (about 30 miles; LEBANON, OR)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Corvallis:

CORVALLIS MUNI (about 7 miles; CORVALLIS, OR; Abbreviation: CVO)
MCNARY FLD (about 30 miles; SALEM, OR; Abbreviation: SLE)
MAHLON SWEET FIELD (about 32 miles; EUGENE, OR; Abbreviation: EUG)

Other public-use airports nearest to Corvallis:

ALBANY MUNI (about 17 miles; ALBANY, OR; Abbreviation: S12)
INDEPENDENCE STATE (about 22 miles; INDEPENDENCE, OR; Abbreviation: 7S5)
LEBANON STATE (about 26 miles; LEBANON, OR; Abbreviation: S30)

Amtrak station:
CORVALLIS (153 NW 4TH AVE.) – Bus Station. Services: fully wheelchair accessible, enclosed waiting area, public restrooms, public payphones, free short-term parking, call for car rental service, call for taxi service.

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/Universities in Corvallis:

OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY (Full-time enrollment: 15,404; Public; Website: osu.orst.edu; Offers Doctor’s degree)
PHAGANS BEAUTY COLLEGE (Full-time enrollment: 50; Location: 142 S SECOND ST; Private, for-profit; Website: www.phagans-schools.com)

Other colleges/universities with over 2000 students near Corvallis:

LINN-BENTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 14 miles; ALBANY, OR; Full-time enrollment: 3,057)
WESTERN OREGON UNIVERSITY (about 16 miles; MONMOUTH, OR; Full-time enrollment: 4,209)
WILLAMETTE UNIVERSITY (about 32 miles; SALEM, OR; Full-time enrollment: 2,325)
CHEMEKETA COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 37 miles; SALEM, OR; Full-time enrollment: 5,253)
UNIVERSITY OF OREGON (about 40 miles; EUGENE, OR; Full-time enrollment: 16,239)
LANE COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 41 miles; EUGENE, OR; Full-time enrollment: 5,853)
GEORGE FOX UNIVERSITY (about 55 miles; NEWBERG, OR; Full-time enrollment: 2,032)

Schools

Public high schools in Corvallis:

CORVALLIS HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 1,378; Location: 836 NW 11TH ST; Grades: 09 – 12)
CRESCENT VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 1,104; Location: 4444 NW HIGHLAND DR; Grades: 09 – 12)
RIVERSIDE HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 15; Location: 330 NW 9TH ST; Grades: 09 – 12)

Private high schools in Corvallis:

SANTIAM CHRISTIAN SCH (Students: 709; Location: 7220 NORTHEAST ARNOLD AVENUE; Grades: KG – 12)
WILLAMETTE VALLEY COMM. SCHOOL (Students: 30; Location: 760 SW MADISON AVE; Grades: 6 – 12)
BENTON CTY LEARNING OPP CTR (Students: 21; Location: 545 SW 2ND ST SUITE A; Grades: 10 – 12)

Biggest public primary/middle schools in Corvallis:

CHELDELIN MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 751; Location: 987 CONIFER BLVD NE; Grades: 06 – 08)
WESTLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 565; Location: 1435 SW 35TH ST; Grades: 06 – 08)
ADAMS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 440; Location: 1615 SW 35TH ST; Grades: KG – 05)
GARFIELD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 429; Location: 1205 NW GARFIELD AVE; Grades: KG – 05)
MT VIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 421; Location: 340 NE GRANGER AVE; Grades: KG – 05)
HOOVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 387; Location: 3838 NW WALNUT BLVD; Grades: KG – 05)
FRANKLIN SCHOOL (Students: 364; Location: 750 NW 18TH ST; Grades: KG – 08)
JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 309; Location: 1825 NW 27TH ST; Grades: KG – 05)
WILSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 295; Location: 2701 NW SATINWOOD; Grades: KG – 05)
LINCOLN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 281; Location: 110 SE ALEXANDER AVE; Grades: KG – 05)

Private primary/middle schools in Corvallis:

ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL (Students: 204; Location: 2800 NW TYLER; Grades: PK – 8)
ASHBROOK IND SCHOOL (Students: 151; Location: 4045 SW RESEARCH WAY; Grades: PK – 10)
CORVALLIS MONTESSORI SCHOOL (Students: 125; Location: 1240 NW 27TH ST; Grades: PK – 6)
GOOD SAMARITAN SCHOOL (Students: 117; Location: 333 NW 35TH ST; Grades: PK – KG)
CORVALLIS WALDORF SCHOOL (Students: 99; Location: 2945 NW CIRCLE BLVD; Grades: PK – 6)
OSU KINDERCARE (Students: 87; Location: 102 CHILD CARE CENTER; Grades: PK – KG)
LITTLE BEAVERS PRESCHOOL INC (Students: 79; Location: 4940 NW HWY 99 W; Grades: PK – KG)
WESTSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (Students: 28; Location: 4000 SW WESTERN BLVD; Grades: 3 – 8)
COUNTRY PLAYSCHOOL KINDERGARTN (Students: 9; Location: 7145 SHAMROCK LANE; Grades: PK – 2)
ALEPH MONTESSORI CHILDRENS HSE (Students: 8; Location: 437 NW 6TH STREET; Grades: 1 – 1)

Libraries

Library in Corvallis:

CORVALLIS-BENTON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $4,307,781; Location: 645 NW MONROE AVENUE; 284,369 books; 8,234 audio materials; 6,141 video materials; 916 serial subscriptions)