LINN COUNTY

County Offices
300 SW 4th Avenue
Albany 541-967-3825
www.co.linn.or.us

Chamber of Commerce
435 West 1st Avenue
Albany 541-926-1517
https://www.albanychamber.com/

Located in the Willamette Valley with the Willamette River on the west and the Cascade Mountains to the east, Linn County is anchored by metropolitan Albany. One of Oregon’s most diversified agricultural areas, the county is well known for specialty crops and ryegrass production. Other economic mainstays include metal production, food processing, motor and modular homes, and logging activity. Interstate 5 combines with a strong highway network for efficient transportation, with air travel available in Eugene and Portland.

Services
Quality educational opportunities abound in and near Linn County, from respected local school districts and options for private education to leading institutions of higher education. Linn-Benton Community is the local college with its main campus in Albany and additional centers in Benton, Corvallis, Lebanon and Sweet Home. Corvallis is home to Oregon State University, one of only two American universities with Sea Grant, Space Grant and Sun Grant designations as well as the only Oregon institution to hold two top designations from the Carnegie Foundation. The University of Oregon in Eugene is recognized for its scientific exploration and interdisciplinary research, attracting a student body from all 50 states and nearly 100 countries around the globe. Salem offers the prestigious Willamette University, listed in U.S. News & World Report as the highest ranked liberal arts college in Oregon and among the top nationally in Best Colleges. The Portland area adds Portland State University and Oregon Health and Science University along with an impressive list of private colleges and art institutes including the Northwest Film Center.

Leading-edge healthcare facilities are available throughout the central Oregon Coast and mid-Willamette Valley through Samaritan Health Services, employing more than 130 skilled professionals and nearly 1,000 hospital and clinic employees. The Samaritan Health presence in Linn County is anchored by the 70-bed acute-care Samaritan Albany General Hospital in Albany. Residents of Lebanon, Sweet Home, Brownsville and small neighboring towns can look to Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital—designated as a Critical Access Hospital and recognized for its commitment to creating a healing, nurturing environment. Corvallis is the location of Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, the health system’s flagship campus and the largest hospital in Linn, Benton and Lincoln counties. Dozens of medical specialties are represented including comprehensive cancer care, cardiology and cardiovascular surgery, a sleep lab, neurosurgery, and one of only four Level II trauma centers in Oregon. Should the need for highly advanced care ever arise, the Portland area is home to prestigious hospitals that include a dedicated children’s hospital and Oregon’s highest level specialty centers.

Lifestyle
An easy drive to ski slopes, ocean beaches, rock climbing sites and world-class whitewater rafting, beautiful Linn County is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. Right around the corner from home, residents can enjoy boating, water sports, fishing and camping at Green Peter Lake and Foster Reservoir. The Willamette River runs right through Albany—the West Coast’s only National Water Trail—offering canoeing, kayaking, rafting and paddling. Other popular activities include road and mountain biking, jetboating, ziplining, hunting, fishing, geocaching, tennis, swimming, and horseback riding. Golfers can play on some of the finest courses in the Pacific Northwest while nature lovers explore acres of city and county parks, state parks, national forests and wildlife preservation areas. Wildlife watchers and photographers will find endless country roads, byways, and vast tracts of preserved land.

Local and regional history springs to life in fascinating displays at Monteith House Museum in Albany, Linn County Historical Museum and the Historic Moyer House in Brownsville, or the East Linn Museum in Sweet Home. Linn County Fair & Expo is rated among Oregon’s top facilities, hosting major events as well as the county fair. The annual calendar is filled with wonderful events including the Antiques in the Streets and Classic Car Show that attracts vendors from across the Pacific Northwest. Music lovers flock to this area to enjoy festivals like River Rhythms, the Oregon Jamboree, and the Willamette Country Music Festival. The metropolitan centers of Portland, Salem and Eugene are close by for big-city shopping, famous restaurants, and nationally recognized entertainment. Nearby Corvallis hosts The Art Center—a venue featured in the New York Times—along with live-stage productions in historic and modern venues. From the charming hub city of Albany to welcoming rural villages, Linn County is ideally located in the very heart of the best of Oregon.

COMMUNITY PROFILES

Albany, Millersburg
Albany City Offices
541-917-7500
https://www.cityofalbany.net/
Millersburg City Offices
541-928-4523
https://www.cityofmillersburg.org/

Chamber of Commerce
541-926-1517
https://www.albanychamber.com/

The county seat and leading population center of Albany nestles at the junction of two rivers, drawing newcomers to the charm of Victorian architecture, covered bridges, a lively local arts scene, and restaurants that feature local cuisine with farm-fresh ingredients. Albany is ideally situated at the center of a region brimming over with arts and entertainment, celebrated galleries, great cinemas, summer music festivals and live theatre. Interstate 5 and three other major state highways ensure easy trips to Portland, the Cascade Mountains and ocean beaches—all no more than a 90-minute drive from home. Nearly 30 city parks offer a kaleidoscope of developed facilities and recreational programs for residents of all ages. Sharing a location in the fertile Willamette Valley, Millersburg is growing as a friendly small town that blends a country feeling with close proximity to Albany amenities.

Brownsville, Halsey
Brownsville City Offices
541-466-5666
https://www.ci.brownsville.or.us/
Halsey City Offices
541-369-2522
https://www.cityofhalsey.com/

Chamber of Commerce
541-928-0831
https://www.historicbrownsville.com/

Founded in 1846, the small city of Brownsville is steeped in the architectural charm of homes and buildings. Today these quaint structures house specialty shops, galleries, local craft stores and antique dealers as well as restaurants that serve family recipes. Brownsville is constantly celebrating its rich history, starting in May with Carriage Me Back where horse-drawn carriages transport participants to costumed actors playing out scenes in various town locations. The Linn County Pioneer Picnic brings together the longest-running reunion of pioneer descendants in Oregon, while August brings the Antique Faire & Art Show. Linn County Historical Museum displays pioneer memorabilia and artifacts. Outdoor enjoyment is close to home at the 26-acre Pioneer Park with a world of recreational facilities set in woodland and riverfront backgrounds. The small city of Halsey offers the slow pace and country charm of a small rural bedroom community at the intersection of Routes 228 and 99E with easy access to Interstate 5 for expanded amenities.

Harrisburg
City Offices
541-995-6655
https://www.ci.harrisburg.or.us/

Chamber of Commerce
541-998-6154
https://www.tri-countychamber.com/

Bordered by the natural beauty of the rolling Willamette River, Harrisburg blends the charm of rural life with easy access to urban amenities. Harrisburg is closely aligned to the nearby communities of Monroe and Junction City, all three sharing the Tri-County Chamber of Commerce and a location less than 30 minutes from the bustling university cities of Eugene and Corvallis. Just 25 miles from Albany, Harrisburg is one of the fastest growing communities in Linn County. Well-served by the Interstate 5 corridor, the city is only 90 minutes from Oregon’s finest arts and entertainment scene in metropolitan Portland. To the west is the dramatic Oregon coastline. The quality of life in Harrisburg is richly simple and the environment is warm and friendly. Colorful annual events bring family and friends together around the four seasons, from the 4th of July celebration to the Holiday Light Parade. The Riverfront Park and Gazebo is a community focal point for special events, fishing, and water sports.

Lebanon, Sodaville, Tangent
Lebanon City Offices

541-258-4900
https://www.ci.lebanon.or.us/
Sodaville City Offices
541-258-8882
www.sodaville.org
Tangent City Offices
541-928-1020
https://cityoftangent.org/

Chamber of Commerce
541-258-7164
https://lebanon-chamber.org/

The bustling city of Lebanon is the second-largest population center in Linn County, nestled in the breathtaking foothills of the Cascade Mountains. This area welcomes newcomers to a growing economy, wonderful neighborhoods, quality schools, and close proximity to some of the finest skiing, kayaking, and fishing in the Pacific Northwest. Lebanon provides expanded services and an urban core for nearby smaller communities including Sodaville and Tangent. Popular events include the Strawberry Festival in June, featuring the world’s largest strawberry shortcake, and the Star Spangled Celebration in July. Residents enjoy convenient shopping, efficient services, local dining and outdoor recreation close to home at River Park along the Santiam River or McDowell Creek Park & Falls. The small historic community of Sodaville claims the first state park in Oregon, now serving as its city park, but the town is most famous for the natural mineral springs with the reputation for healing properties that once drew thousands of annual visitors. The tiny town of Tangent along Route 34 was named for its location along a straight line with no curves for more than 20 miles.

Lyons, Mill City, Scio
Lyons City Offices
503-859-2167
https://www.cityoflyons.org/
Mill City Offices
503-897-2302
www.ci.mill-city.or.us
Scio City Offices
503-394-3342
http://ci.scio.or.us

Chamber of Commerce
541-926-1517
https://www.albanychamber.com/

The city of Lyons in the North Santiam River area preserves its small-town rural charm as it welcomes residential growth. Newcomers will discover a country paradise with abundant options for multi-acre properties that command breathtaking views. Developed sites for outdoor enjoyment close to home include Lyons City Park, Freres Park and the John Neal Campground although many parks and trails in the area invite cycling, hiking, wildlife viewing, and photography. Access to North Santiam River is available at various points for boaters, anglers and water-sport enthusiasts. Nearby Mill City stretches between Linn and Marion counties along the North Santiam River downstream from Detroit Lake. The small city of Scio is famous as the Covered Bridge Capital of the West, an area of quiet country roads and the Linn County Lamb & Wood Far and Northwest Champion Sheep Dog Trials. Residents in the North Santiam River region are just a short drive to the expanded urban amenities available in Oregon’s Capital City of Salem.

Sweet Home, Waterloo
City Offices
541-367-5128
https://www.sweethomeor.gov/

Chamber of Commerce
541-367-6186
https://www.sweethomechamber.com/

Celebrated as the home of the popular Oregon Jamboree music festival, Sweet Home is located along Highway 20 east of the Interstate 5 corridor. Foster and Green Peter Reservoirs and the Santiam and Calapooia rivers create first-class opportunities for fishing, boating, hiking, hunting, swimming, camping and picnicking. Sweet Home features a charming Main Street district lined with shops and businesses as well as historically themed murals along Long Street. This small but welcoming community hosts a number of other events throughout the year, including the Sportsman’s Holiday/Sweet Home Rodeo in July and the Mountain Mud Festival in March. Other attractions in this area include the Over the River and Through the Woods Oregon Scenic Byway, the Quartzville Recreation Corridor, and the Back Country Byway. The tiny community of Waterloo located between Highway 20 and the South Santiam River is home to a popular golf course and Waterloo County Park, offering 128 acres of riverfront for camping, fishing, hiking, and picnicking.

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