10 Things You Didn’t Know About West Linn, Oregon
Updated 04/2025.
Among Portland, Oregon suburbs, West Linn may not the flashiest, but it is still a standout place to live. This area south of the Portland hubbub along the Willamette River features quiet neighborhoods, plenty of parks, and top schools, not to forget a few excellent shops and restaurants. But nature is one of the standout features. It is known as the “city of hills, trees and rivers.”
This article lays out ten things you might not know about West Linn that make it a perfect place for new homeowners and families.
1. West Linn’s Long History
The city is one of the oldest American settlements in Oregon. Settlers first occupied the area beginning in the 1840s, finding the ease of access to the waterfalls on the river irresistible for industry. They built lumber and flour mills and ran a ferry across the water to Oregon City. The Willamette Locks were built in 1868 to provide commercial shipping passage over the falls. The City of West Linn was incorporated in 1913.
In 1860 the census showed 225 residents, but it continued to grow. It had 1,628 people by 1920, and in 1960 it increased to 2,923. By 1970, it came in at 7,000, and today it’s population sits at 26,736.
2. People Who Live Here Own Here
One sure sign of a valuable place to live is stability, and West Linn has it. Nearly 80% of housing units in West Linn are owned by the people who live in them. That figure definitely sets West Linn apart from the pack — typical owner-occupancy rates in Portland suburbs range between 60-70%, and Portland is at 54% (according to US Census data).
Though renting a home in West Linn is difficult, the high owner-occupancy is correlated with better neighborhood stability, and higher property values — when people own their homes, they tend to take better care of them.
3. It’s the #2 Best Suburb to Buy a Home in Clackamas County
Niche.com ranks West Linn #2 behind Lake Oswego, giving it an overall grade of “A”. Two traits that stand out most are its public schools (“A+”) and being a good place for families (A+). Other factors contributing to this rating included West Linn’s stable population and availability of homes in nearly every price range.
4. West Linn is Surprisingly Central
From West Linn, you can get to Salem in just under one hour, and to the coast, it’s under two. And with easy access to the I5 and 205, it’s easy to get just about anywhere in Portland from West Linn. Portland is just 30 minutes away, making West Linn a valuable commuting location.
5. Who Wouldn’t Want to Live in a Town With a Giant Waterfall?
The Willamette Falls are formed by a horseshoe-shaped block of basalt 42 feet high and 1,500 feet across. By water volume, it’s the largest in the Pacific Northwest! It’s also the site of the oldest continually operating multi-lift lock and canal system in the United States, which allows boats to travel up this major waterway.
To learn about the locks, visitors can check out the museum and get a site tour. Prefer waterfall spray in your face? Take a sternwheeler up the river!
6. Ample Activities
West Linn is a great place to eat out or go shopping, with a variety of locally owned stores, coffee shops, and restaurants. Want to go wine tasting? You’re less than ten minutes away. The local wineries offer Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris, Syrah, and other lesser-known varieties.
Prefer the great outdoors? Check out Camassia Natural Area, a 26-acre preserve with well-maintained trails within city limits. This preserve is known for its variety of landscapes and geological formations, as well as spring vernal pools and wildflowers. Discover wetlands, forests, volcanic outcroppings, and some great views of the valley.
7. Highly Rated Schools
This is one area where West Linn truly excels. SAT scores in the school district are among the highest in Oregon. Approximately 90 percent of all West Linn-Wilsonville graduates go on to two- and four-year colleges. Maybe it’s because West Linn is already home to one of the highest percentages of college graduates in the area, or, maybe it’s just the schools. Out of the 10 West Linn schools rated on greatschools.com, five receive an “above average” score (7/10 or better). Administrators emphasize building community among students, integrating technology into the curriculum, and assessing students based on performance, not just test scores.
8. It Values Green Living
West Linn cares about the environment, and it shows. It is a Tree City, USA, city, a national program sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation honoring communities committed to urban forestry, encouraging planting and care of trees throughout cities and towns.
But it doesn’t stop there. It also has a citywide sustainability plan that aims to set aside 35% of land within city limits for parks, open spaces, and wetlands by 2040.
Other goals include curbing energy consumption, eliminating the city’s use of toxic materials, capping water consumption at 2002 levels, and requiring bicycle and pedestrian amenities in new developments.
9. Very Little Crime
Crime-free streets and public areas are a basic building block of a great place to live, and West Linn knocks it out of the park as one of the safest areas of Oregon, with niche.com giving it a “B+”, raking it from pretty safe to very safe (the latter making up 82% of the results). Residents credit a responsive and visual police force, higher-than-average median income, and a high employment rate.
10. It’s the End of the Oregon Trail
Technically, Oregon City is the end of the trail, but with West Linn only eight miles away, this overall area of Oregon was the big destination throughout the mid-19th century. Today, you don’t have to get here in a covered wagon, but you can go to the interpretive center and see what buying real estate was like before Oregon was a state!
Thinking of Buying or Selling?
Are you ready to begin your West Linn home search? Contact our top-ranked buyer’s agents today. If you’re considering selling a home in the next twelve months, our top-ranked seller’s agents would love to talk with you. They charge less than most and provide more marketing and services.
