Tuesday March 19, 2024
SNc Channels:

Search
About Salem-News.com

 

Apr-17-2017 20:30printcomments

The 5 Safest Cities in Oregon

Oregon is a very appealing place to live, and the safety of its cities only adds to the draw.

Brookings Oregon
Gull at Harris Beach (Brookings, Ore.)
Photo Credit: Dewey Scott Brady

(SALEM, Ore.) - Ask someone about Oregon, and they'll probably paint you a rosy picture of cheery, shorts-wearing hikers hustling up a mountain, munching on granola, and collecting banana peels for compost.

Maybe that's because compared to many Midwestern locales, Oregon's lush forests, rushing rivers, and towering mountains really do seem like another world.

Oregon offers a veritable bounty of nature, but the Beaver State also offers a strong economy supported by the 27th-biggest population in the country.

The state produces 95% of the country's hazelnuts, ranks third in the number of wineries, and historically has been one of the major timber-production and logging states.

Additionally, Nike is headquartered in Beaverton, while Adidas has its American headquarters in Portland.

As for education, Oregon is home to several known public and private colleges and universities, including University of Oregon, Oregon State University, Portland State University, Oregon Institute of Technology, and others.

Between the economy, education opportunities, and access to nature, Oregon is a very appealing place to live, and the safety of its cities only adds to the draw.

Safety has always been an important factor when searching for a new place to call home, but a wavering political system combined with an increase in violent crime has made safety the number one priority for many Americans.

Because navigating through crime statistics can be a difficult and time-consuming process, we’ve done it for you.

Scroll down to get to the #1 Safest City in Oregon...

#5: HOOD RIVER

Located in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Hood River is nicknamed the “Windsurfing Capital of the World.”

Established in 1895, it's one of the safest cities in Oregon, last year tallying just 0.40 violent crimes and 24.09 property crimes per 1,000 people.

Besides the fact that the town offers stunning views of Mt. Hood on the horizon, it has amassed many accolades from print magazines and media, being called the “coolest small town” and one of the “great riverfront towns” in the United States.

Hood River is also home to Hood River Distillers, Full Sail Brewing Company, and more than a dozen wineries. So, basically, it's a great place to be.

#4: SILVERTON

Named after Silver Creek, which flows through the city from Silver Falls, the town changed its name to Silverton in 1855.

It's one of the safest cities in Oregon, seeing only 0.52 violent crimes and 20.82 property crimes per 1,000 people last year. And although Silverton isn't a huge city, it does boast several notable points of interest. It's home to Silver Falls State Park, which is the largest state park in the state, as well as the Oregon Garden.

The only Frank Lloyd Wright-designed house in the Pacific Northwest is located here, as is Norman Rockwell's The Four Freedoms mural. Those looking for a safe place to live with access to nature and historical sites should feel right at home here.

#3: NEWBERG/DUNDEE

Located adjacent to Dundee, Newberg can be found in the Portland metropolitan area. The city's motto is, “A Great Place to Grow!” and its flag features a red rose on a field of white, which gives it major style points.

The city is also home to George Fox University, but its underrated claim to fame is its safety— Newberg experienced 0.92 violent crimes and 16.14 property crimes per 1,000 people last year.

Its other claim to fame is being the home of President-to-be Herbert Hoover, who lived with his uncle and aunt while attending Pacific Academy. (The home where he lived has since been designated as the Hoover-Minthorn House museum.)

#2: UMATILLA

Take the Columbia River east from Portland and you'll eventually run into Umatilla before crossing over into Washington.

Named after the Umatilla Tribe, this scenic town became a hub during the gold rush of the late 1800s. These days, it's the second-safest city in the state, seeing only 17 violent crimes and 84 property crimes last year.

Locals here love enjoying the outdoors, but when they're working, there's a good chance they're punching the clock at Boise Cascade (makers of wood chips), Oregon Rustic (pine furniture), or Gilroy Food (dehydrated onions).

#1: BROOKINGS

On the shores of the Pacific Ocean, located just a stone's throw from the California border, lies Brookings.

It was originally established in 1908 and named after John E. Brookings, who was president of the aptly named Brookings Lumber and Box Company. Besides stunning coastal views, Brookings also boasts the safest crime statistics in the whole state, seeing only 7 reported violent crimes and 78 property crimes last year.

In addition to keeping an eye out for any shenanigans, many locals work at South Coast Lumber, which has been making Doug Fir lumber for the Socomi Brand for more than 50 years.

Source: National Council for Home Safety and Security

_________________________________________




Comments Leave a comment on this story.
Name:

All comments and messages are approved by people and self promotional links or unacceptable comments are denied.


[Return to Top]
©2024 Salem-News.com. All opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Salem-News.com.


Articles for April 16, 2017 | Articles for April 17, 2017 |
Sean Flynn was a photojournalist in Vietnam, taken captive in 1970 in Cambodia and never seen again.

googlec507860f6901db00.html
Annual Hemp Festival & Event Calendar


Special Section: Truth telling news about marijuana related issues and events.

Click here for all of William's articles and letters.