The Largest Cities in Oregon
So which cities are the largest in Oregon? Portland leads the way as Oregon’s largest city, known for its food trucks, art, and eco-conscious lifestyle. Eugene and Salem have nearly the same recent population estimates so it's hard to say whether Eugene or Salem is "larger".
Regardless of where you decide to visit, Oregon’s largest cities are packed with personality. I love that whether I’m hiking, sipping craft coffee, or browsing local shops on our road trip, there’s something unique to do.
Portland
Located in Multnomah County, of which it is the county seat, this is by far the largest city in the state of Oregon. It's also one of my favorite places to visit in Oregon.
Nicknamed the "City of Roses", it covers an area 133 square miles and has an estimated population of approximately 643,000 (actually, with over about 2.5 million in the surrounding metropolitan area). Since there are heaps of unique things to do here, we decided to join a guided tour with a local guide on our first visit which was a great idea.
Portland was founded in 1845. It is located at the confluence of two major rivers, the Columbia and the Willamette.
You can visit Pioneer Courthouse Square, cross the bridges and explore the Pearl District. The International Rose Test Garden is one of my favorite spots. The blooms are so beautiful.
Food was an absolute best part of the weekend. It's affordable and diverse.
A downside? It can be rainy here, especially from fall through spring, something I'm no longer used to we've moved to in Texas.
For a truly unique place to stay, check out the 4-star Heathman Hotel in downtown Portland that has retained AAA Four Diamond status for over 30 years.
Eugene
This city is currently the second largest city in Oregon (after Portland and tied with Salem). You will find it located in Lane County (where it is also the county seat).
The city lies in the western Willamette Valley and covers approximately 44 square miles of land (plus a small water portion). Eugene’s population is around 178,000.
Eugene was settled by the mid-1840s and was incorporated on October 17, 1862. It is named after Eugene Franklin Skinner, an early settler who established the initial cabin/settlement site.
Eugene is home to the University of Oregon (and other institutions). It is well known for outdoor recreation, including hiking, cycling, and kayaking. I love visiting Eugene and I think it's one of the West Coast gems seriously worth exploring on a weekend getaway or a longer vacation. It completely won me over and last month I stayed in an affordable rental for seven great vacation days.
What I loved best:
Browsing the Saturday Market was my personal highlight (of course!), full of artisan crafts, music, and local foods.
Salem
Salem and Eugene are so close in population that they nearly tied at this point but Salem is just slightly behind based on recent estimates...
Located in Marion County, of which it is the county seat, Salem is the third largest city in the state of Oregon. It is situated in the north-central Willamette Valley region of Western Oregon and is also the state capital. Salem covers an area of 49 square miles and has an estimated population of 175,535, with over 433,353 people living in the surrounding metropolitan area. I instantly thought our journey was worth it!
Nicknamed 'The Cherry City', Salem was founded in 1842 and quickly became the capital of the Oregon Territory, remaining as the offical state capital when Oregon became a state. The city is a key educational center for Oregon, being home to Corban University, Chemeketa Community College, and Willamette University.
What I loved best:
Wandering the peaceful grounds of Willamette University was my personal highlight. It's actually Oregon’s oldest university.
Booking Checklist
1. Book Your Flight - I use Expedia because I like their mobile app with my itinerary. They've helped me re-book flights on many occasions. Once you reach their Gold tier, support is especially good.
2. Book Your Hotel - I use Booking.com or Expedia, depending on my destination.
3. Book Your Rental Car - I use Expedia.
4. Book your tours on Viator or Get Your Guide.
5. If you are planning to visit more than three national parks in the next 12 months, we've found that buying the America the Beautiful Pass is cost effective.
