BENTON COUNTY, OR

County Offices
408 SW Monroe Ave
Suite 111
Corvallis 541-766-6800
https://www.co.benton.or.us

Chamber of Commerce
420 NW Second St
Corvallis 541-757-1505
https://www.corvallischamber.com/

Benton County is ideally located in the beautiful Willamette Valley of Oregon. It is home to more than 85,000 lucky residents who call it home. The County is home to more than 85,000 lucky residents who enjoy an enviable quality of life. The county and its communities offer its residents and visitors, a small town feel with all of the amenities and lifestyle of a modern city.

Quality of Life
Benton County offers a pleasing blend of cosmopolitan amenities, rustic beauty, and premier recreational areas. Less than an hour’s drive from the Pacific Ocean and a reasonable driving distance into Portland, the possibilities for cultural attractions and recreational pursuits are virtually without limit. Delightful contrasts abound in this Pacific Northwest paradise. Miles of rivers, trails, bike paths and Oregon’s famous wine country combine with the natural scenic beauty to make this a wonderful area to call home. Antique dealers vie for business with boutiques and quaint shops. Historic treasures and sites contrast with contemporary strip malls and entertainment centers. Newcomers will discover cultural attractions like live stage performances and concerts, famous golf courses, and a seemingly endless array of recreational activities. Within the county there are more than 50 parks and designated preserves; public private recreational facilities for tennis, racquetball, golf, swimming, fitness, softball, basketball, baseball, football, volleyball, karate, horseback riding, more than 60 miles of bike and running paths, backpacking, mountaineering, canoeing, camping, ski touring and bike touring. Freshwater fishing of trout and steelhead is excellent in the surrounding rivers and streams. There are several galleries, including the Corvallis Arts Center, exhibiting works of a large number of local artists and craftsmen as well as regional artists. There are major festivals, summer open-air concerts, chamber music series and year-round performing arts at the Majestic Theater.

Many communities enjoy majestic views of distant mountain ranges, heavily wooded undeveloped land, or lush rolling hills. Nature is as diverse as the housing options and local economy, turning the seasons into a wonderland of beauty. With its vital economy, progressive communities, and small-town friendliness, Polk County is destined to remain at the leading edge of growth.

Services
Excellent schools, institutions of higher education, and state-of-the-art healthcare are part of the enviable quality of life. The county is served by Samaritan Health Systems and the Corvallis Clinic, which maintains hospitals and clinics in the area. This area offers excellent schools, both public and private. Vocational, technical, and community colleges are available for an affordable start on a four year degree or specialized training in a number of degree or certification programs. In addition the region is home to Oregon State University which offers a variety of programs. The presence of these leading institutions, of higher education enriches the entire region intellectually, culturally, and economically.

Benton County’s diverse economy is based largely on agriculture (Christmas trees, seed crops, dairy and sheep), lumber and paper, advanced technology, tourism, and a strong wine industry. A substantial portion of the nation’s research in forestry, agriculture, engineering, education and the sciences takes place at OSU. While wood products, agriculture and tourism continue to be major industries in the state, high technology is the fastest growing. Corvallis has the largest Hewlett-Packard site in the world and more than 25 software companies ranging in size from Summit Information Systems with more than 300 employees to one-person operations. Corvallis benefits from its identity as a college town and has a workforce that is among the most highly educated in the Northwest.

Adair Village
City Offices
6030 NE Wm. Carr Avenue
Adair Village 541-745-5507
http://adairvillage.org/

The City is centrally located in the mid-Willamette Valley, about eight miles north of Corvallis, eight miles northwest of Albany and 10 miles south of the cities of Independence and Monmouth. These communities are home, respectively, to Oregon State University, Linn Benton Community College, and Western Oregon State College. Given its proximity to these surrounding cities, the Adair Village is largely a bedroom community and is home to more than 950 residents. The town is home to Santiam Christian School, a private school providing education for grades K through 12. The city is also home to the Northwest Labor’s School, which provides training in a variety of construction skills and also provides a great deal of service to the City. The City is surrounded by a wealth of opportunities for the outdoor enthusiast. West of town, across Oregon Highway 99W, hikers, bikers and horseback riders can find miles of trails in the McDonald State Forest. The northern boundary of the City is the E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area, which provides opportunities for hunting, fishing and wildlife observation. Immediately east is Adair County Park, which encompasses approximately 123 acres and includes two, ball fields, a 18 hole Frisbee golf course, tennis courts, restrooms and covered shelter. Adjacent to the park model airplane enthusiasts enjoy the aerodrome set up with runways, covered shelters, air socks and other facilities for radio controlled airplanes. The southern border of the City is home to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Regional Office. This facility provides personal service for those who enjoy hunting and fishing, and serves as an excellent resource for a variety of outdoor activities. Its approximate 40 acres include a small lake where locals fish and swim. With an abundance of natural resources and a close knit feel, the community has a lot to offer new residents and visitors as well.

Albany
City Offices
PO Box 490, 333 Broadalbin SW
Albany 541-917-7500
https://www.cityofalbany.net

Chamber of Commerce
435 First Ave W.
Albany 541-926-1517
https://www.albanychamber.com

Albany is located in the heart of the Willamette Valley, with the Willamette River bordering the community. The city is located both within Linn and Benton Counties. Albany’s population is over 50,000 and growing.
Albany offers direct travel to all areas of the state with I-5 dissecting the city and the east/west State Highways 20 and 34 an integral part of the traffic pattern. The City of Portland, the Cascade Mountains and the Pacific Ocean are all within an hour and a half driving time, putting Albany in an excellent position for economic and recreational opportunities. The city is home to 29 municipal parks some with sports fields, playgrounds, tennis and basketball courts and riverfront bike paths. Several private and non-profit facilities offer golf; swimming; tennis, racquetball and basketball courts; along with other health club facilities. There are a wide range of performing and visual arts throughout the city. Albany is credited by historians and architects with having the most varied collection of historic buildings in Oregon. This collection includes styles from the 1840s through the late 1920s and is concentrated in an area of about 100 square blocks. Four historic districts are listed in the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior. The city hosts the Northwest Art & Air Festival, River Rhythms concert series and Victorian Days celebrations annually. Located throughout the area surrounding the city are many covered bridges, wineries, wildlife refuges and historic sites. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy boating, camping, bicycling, swimming and hiking. The city offers its residents and visitors a unique small town feel while offering them all of the conveniences they could need.

Corvallis
City Offices
501 SW Madison Ave
Corvallis 541-766-6900
https://www.corvallisoregon.gov/

Chamber of Commerce
420 NW 2^nd St.
Corvallis 541-757-1505
https://www.corvallischamber.com

Corvallis is nestled in the heart of Oregon’s Willamette Valley, within 90 minutes of the Portland Metropolitan area and 46 miles from the Oregon coast. This location gives residents quick access to world class skiing, hiking, biking and the spectacular Oregon coast. Corvallis has a residential population of just over 55,000 and is home to Oregon State University.

Corvallis is a forward looking city that has been recognized nationally for numerous awards. The city has been recognized as one of the best college towns, one of the top ten places to live, and as having the highest Peace Corps volunteers per capita and the most “green” buildings per capita in the nation. The City was also recognized for exceeding standards established by the International City Manager’s Association Center for Performance Measurement and was ranked #1 on the Environmental Protection Agency’s national list of Green Power Communities. None of this comes as a surprise to those who call this wonderful city home. Designated a “Bike-Friendly City,” Corvallis has many miles of bike paths, trails, and roadside bicycle lanes. Many miles of mountain bike trails, ranging from easy to very technical; abound in the outskirts of the city, with the highest concentration present in the Oregon State University research forest (MacDonald and Dunn forests).

Downtown Corvallis offers residents and visitors a great selection of unique shops, restaurants and antique shops, as well as several coffee houses for their enjoyment. There are also historic walking tours, museums and several parks ready for the enjoyment of everyone. There are more than 30 restaurants located in the downtown with cuisine to suit every taste. Residents can also enjoy a stroll along the Willamette River Walk or visit a museum, art gallery or theater. There is something for everyone in this high energy city. Outdoor enthusiasts have a host of activities to choose from with year round opportunities to enjoy nature at its finest. Whether its golf at a local club, mountain biking and hiking, boating or fishing – the city’s location means that residents don’t have to go far to enjoy their favorite pastime. And with the area being home to Oregon State University, there are plenty of opportunities for sports enthusiasts to support the local teams.

The campus of Oregon State University, which is the major local employer, is located near the edge of the main downtown area. Its students help to give the city a feeling of high energy and youth. The city is also home to several other major employers include: Samaritan Health Services, AVI BioPharma, CH2M HILL, Siga Technologies, Evanite Fiber. ONAMI as well as Hewlett-Packard, whose printer cartridge manufacturing and prototyping facility is located in the northeast area of the city.

Housing choices are broad and ever changing, with everything from classic and historic homes to more modern homes available. Corvallis offers a rare opportunity to enjoy small city living with nature on your doorstep.

Philomath
City Offices
980 Applegate St.
Philomath 541-929-6148
https://www.ci.philomath.or.us

Chamber of Commerce
1010 Applegate
Philomath 541-929-2454
https://www.philomathchamber.org

The City of Philomath is located in the mid-Willamette Valley where Mary’s River leaves the Coast Range, at an elevation of 280 feet above sea level. The city is home to a population of more than 4,600 residents. The city was established in 1882 at the base of Mary’s Peak, the tallest peak in the Oregon Coast Range. Philomath is just West of Corvallis and Oregon State University and a short 45 minute drive from the Oregon Coast. This unique location offers very diverse opportunities including hiking and mountain biking on Mary’s Peak, Division I sports at Oregon State University, fishing on the Alsea River, or wine tasting at local wineries. The City is located on the north bank of the Mary’s River, a tributary of the Willamette River. Mary’s River Park, a City park in the southwest part of the town, is peaceful natural area that attracts residents and visitor alike. The privately owned rodeo grounds, adjacent to the park property, are host to the annual Philomath Frolic and Rodeo. Philomath’s beautiful natural surrounding and its location between Corvallis and the coastal city of Newport, provide an attractive site for business and tourist development. Nestled in the foothills of the Coast Range and Mary’s Peak, the vineyards and wineries of Benton County enjoy the most scenic and favorable grapes growing conditions in the Willamette Valley. You’ll find friendly tasting rooms, usually staffed by winemakers and their families making Benton County a prime location for wine lovers. The City’s commercial district includes a variety of businesses, as well as the Benton County Historical Museum. The Police Station, City Hall and the Philomath Community Library are located on a city campus off Applegate Street. The city maintains a small town feel that residents protect and enjoy.