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Gaston, Oregon Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools

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Gaston, Oregon is a small town located in Washington County, with a population of just over 4,000 people. Geographically speaking, Gaston is situated on the Tualatin River and is surrounded by rolling hills and green pastures. The climate in Gaston is moderate with mild winters and warm summers.

History-wise, the town was founded in 1882 by settler Robert Gaston and was incorporated as a city in 1902. Over the years, Gaston has seen many changes with the local economy shifting from an agricultural one to light industry. Today, Gaston has several businesses such as a lumber mill, furniture factory, and several retail stores.

Politically speaking, Gaston has a mayor-council form of government with five council members who are elected to two-year terms. In terms of education, there are two public schools within the city limits: Gaston Elementary School and Gaston Middle School which serve Kindergarten through 8th grade students respectively.

Gaston also has several noteworthy landmarks including the Old Town Hall which was built in 1913 and still stands today; the Tualatin River Wildlife Refuge which covers over 600 acres of riparian habitat; and the Lewis & Clark State Park which offers camping sites as well as hiking trails through old growth forests.

Population: 600. Estimated population in July 2024: 765 (+27.5% change)
Males: 306 (51.0%), Females: 294 (49.0%)

Washington County

Zip code: 97119

Demographics

Median resident age: 28.5 years
Median household income: $36,458
Median house value: $143,800

Population by Race

Races in Gaston:

  • White Non-Hispanic (83.0%)
  • Hispanic (14.5%)
  • Other race (7.0%)
  • Two or more races (3.7%)
  • American Indian (1.8%)

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

Ancestries: United States (19.3%), German (15.2%), Irish (14.5%), English (7.5%), French (4.5%), Swedish (4.3%).

Elevation: 195 feet

Land area: 0.2 square miles

Population by Education

Gaston, Oregon is a small town located in Washington County, with a population of approximately 2,000 people. The majority of the population is made up of families who have been living in the area for generations. The median household income is slightly below the national average, at $54,200 per year. Over half of the households are homeowners and over a third are renters.

The cost of living in Gaston is relatively low compared to other parts of the country and other cities in Oregon. Housing costs are especially affordable, with median home prices around $280,000 and rent averaging around $1,100 per month. Utilities can be expensive due to high demand during summer months but are still well below the national average. Groceries and healthcare costs are also lower than most other places in Oregon or nationally.

Overall Gaston is an affordable place to live with a tight-knit community feel that has been passed down through generations. Despite its small size, there’s still plenty to do and see in town including parks and trails for outdoor activities as well as local restaurants and shops that offer unique experiences for visitors and residents alike.

For population 25 years and over in Gaston

  • High school or higher: 84.1%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 5.8%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 1.6%
  • Unemployed: 11.0%
  • Mean travel time to work: 27.7 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Gaston city

  • Never married: 28.3%
  • Now married: 48.3%
  • Separated: 3.6%
  • Widowed: 3.6%
  • Divorced: 16.2%

5.5% Foreign born (5.2% Latin America).

Population change in the 1990s: +23 (+4.0%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Gaston:

  • TUALITY HEALTHCARE (about 14 miles; HILLSBORO, OR)
  • PROVIDENCE NEWBERG HOSPITAL (about 15 miles; NEWBERG, OR)
  • WILLAMETTE VALLEY MEDICAL CTR (about 17 miles; MCMINNVILLE, OR)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Gaston:

  • MC MINNVILLE MUNI (about 18 miles; MC MINNVILLE, OR; Abbreviation: MMV)
  • MCNARY FLD (about 39 miles; SALEM, OR; Abbreviation: SLE)
  • PORTLAND INTL (about 40 miles; PORTLAND, OR; Abbreviation: PDX)

Other public-use airports nearest to Gaston:

  • CHEHALEM AIRPARK (about 11 miles; NEWBERG, OR; Abbreviation: 17S)
  • SKYPORT (about 11 miles; CORNELIUS, OR; Abbreviation: 4S4)
  • STARK’S TWIN OAKS AIRPARK (about 15 miles; HILLSBORO, OR; Abbreviation: 7S3)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Gaston:

  • GEORGE FOX UNIVERSITY (about 15 miles; NEWBERG, OR; Full-time enrollment: 2,032)
  • UNIVERSITY OF PORTLAND (about 30 miles; PORTLAND, OR; Full-time enrollment: 2,683)
  • PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY (about 30 miles; PORTLAND, OR; Full-time enrollment: 13,255)
  • LEWIS AND CLARK COLLEGE (about 31 miles; PORTLAND, OR; Full-time enrollment: 2,795)
  • CHEMEKETA COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 33 miles; SALEM, OR; Full-time enrollment: 5,253)
  • CLARK COLLEGE (about 37 miles; VANCOUVER, WA; Full-time enrollment: 5,106)
  • WILLAMETTE UNIVERSITY (about 37 miles; SALEM, OR; Full-time enrollment: 2,325)

Schools

Public high school in Gaston:

  • GASTON JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 288; Location: 304 PARK ST; Grades: 07 – 12)

Public primary/middle school in Gaston:

  • GASTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 253; Location: 404 3RD ST; Grades: KG – 06)

Private primary/middle school in Gaston:

  • LAURELWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 27; Location: PO BOX 39; Grades: 1 – 8)

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