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West Linn, OR

A town of about 26,935 people in Clackamas County, part of the Portland area. Resident comments and photos are about West Linn; job numbers cover the wider area.

The Portland area:College town · College teaching jobs 1.7x the U.S. share
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What kind of place it is

Big-city feel, Lively, Outdoorsy

Scored the same way as the quiz, against 382 U.S. metro areas. A feel is listed when West Linn scores 70 or higher out of 100.

Big-city feel
95 / 100
Big-city feel: 2.5 million people in the metro, 41 buildings 20+ stories, 3,890 bus and train stops
"more genuinely friendly and warm and welcoming folks here than any city I've lived in" A resident, Reddit
Lively
94 / 100
Lively: about 103 bars, music venues and restaurants per 100,000 people
"Rialto Pool Room, Kellys Olympian, Yamhill Pub, Low Brow Lounge, Momo's, Ground Control, old town has lots of clubs." A resident, Reddit
Outdoorsy
93 / 100
Outdoorsy: more trails, campgrounds and paddling spots than most
"there's a boat dock and a little inlet lot for kayaks to go in" A resident, Reddit
Historic
84 / 100
100 places on the National Register of Historic Places nearby
"so many friendly people. Rarely felt judged by anyone for anything" A resident, Reddit
Growing
78 / 100
Growing faster than 78% of metros
"can be a tough place to make friends, but overall is a really great city socially once you break through the crust" A resident, Reddit
Artsy
75 / 100
180 museums, galleries and theaters nearby; arts jobs 1.3x the U.S. share
"The Portland Art Museum actually does a great job" A resident, Reddit

Less so: cozy.

Everyday life
Shops, cafes, and daily routines
Hobbies & activities
Trails, parks, and pastimes
Nearby scenery
Lakes, overlooks, and drives

Photos and reviews come from Google Maps and show single places, not the whole area. Reviews are the most relevant ones Google returns for each place. We show the longest highly rated review under 400 characters and, when there is one, the longest low-rated review. Google doesn't verify reviews but removes fake ones when it finds them.

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Around West Linn

Where it is, what's close by, and trails.
Where it is
West Linn
West Linn in Oregon
Oregon in the U.S.
State outlines: U.S. Census Bureau.

What's nearby

Within 5 miles of West Linn's center.

18
grocery stores
143
restaurants
60
coffee shops
131
parks
115
playgrounds
6
libraries
3
movie theaters
2
live theaters
10
museums
10
bookstores
21
gyms
59
bars
14
pharmacies
1
hospital

Counts from OpenStreetMap, a volunteer map, so small or new places can be missing. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Biking and trails

Within 5 miles of the center of West Linn.

Bike lanes and bike paths
127 miles
more than almost all U.S. towns
Walking and hiking trails
121 miles
more than almost all U.S. towns

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Counts depend on how well local volunteers have mapped the area, so treat them as a rough guide.

Costs of moving here

Rent, the move itself, and getting set up.

What rent costs

Of about 1,481 rented homes in West Linn, 50% rent for under $2,000 a month and 81% for under $3,000.

Under $1,000: 2%
$1,000 to $1,499: 16%
$1,500 to $1,999: 32%
$2,000 to $2,499: 20%
$2,500 to $2,999: 11%
$3,000 or more: 19%

Census American Community Survey 2019 to 2023 (table B25063). Gross rent includes utilities the renter pays. Today's asking rents for open apartments usually run higher.

What moving costs

Hiring movers

Average cost: $1,946

From a 2025 survey of 1,000 people who hired movers. This Old House. Your quote depends on your stuff, stairs and the time of year.

Moving in as a renter

The middle rented home in West Linn rents for $2,000 to $2,499 a month. Before you get the keys, expect about $4,000 to $4,998 for first month plus a deposit, or up to $6,000 to $7,497 where landlords also ask for last month.

Many landlords want your income to be about 3 times the rent. For $2,000 to $2,499, that's a yearly income of about $72,000 to $89,964.

Estimate from Census rent data (2019 to 2023, rent plus tenant-paid utilities). Deposits and fees vary by landlord and state law.

Moving to Oregon: before and after

  • Forward your mail: USPS change of address. It costs about $1 online to confirm who you are.
  • Switch your driver's license and car registration. Each state sets its own deadline, often somewhere between 10 days and a few months after you move. Find the Oregon DMV.
  • Register to vote at your new address: Oregon voter registration.
  • Set up power, gas, water and trash. Some cities bill water and trash together, and some ask new customers for a deposit.
  • Update your address with your bank, employer, insurance and the IRS (Form 8822 if you're not filing soon).
  • Find a doctor and dentist early. New-patient waits can be weeks, even in big cities.

Schools and childcare

Schools

10 public school districts in this county, with about 56,601 students in all. The county also has 13 public charter schools and 24 private schools. Which public school serves a home depends on its address.

Carus SchoolWilliam Knight Elementary SchoolHoward Eccles Elementary SchoolNinety-One SchoolCanby High SchoolCecile Trost Elementary SchoolBaker Prairie Middle SchoolPhilander Lee Elementary SchoolColton Elementary SchoolColton High SchoolColton Middle SchoolColton Virtual AcademyClackamas River Elementary SchoolRiver Mill Elementary SchoolEstacada Middle SchoolEstacada High SchoolSummit Learning CharterJohn Wetten Elementary SchoolWalter L Kraxberger Middle SchoolGladstone High SchoolGladstone Center for Children and FamiliesDeep Creek - Damascus K-8 SchoolForest Hills Elementary SchoolLake Grove Elementary SchoolRiver Grove Elementary SchoolLake Oswego Middle SchoolLakeridge Middle SchoolLake Oswego Senior High SchoolLakeridge High SchoolWestridge Elementary SchoolHallinan Elementary SchoolOak Creek Elementary SchoolHarmony AcademyPalisades World Language SchoolClarkes Elementary SchoolMolalla River Middle SchoolMulino Elementary SchoolRural Dell Elementary SchoolMolalla High SchoolMolalla Elementary SchoolOregon Trail Elementary SchoolArdenwald Elementary SchoolBilquist Elementary SchoolHappy Valley Elementary SchoolLinwood Elementary SchoolWhitcomb Elementary SchoolRiverside Elementary SchoolLewelling Elementary SchoolSunnyside Elementary SchoolView Acres Elementary SchoolRowe Middle SchoolClackamas High SchoolMilwaukie High SchoolPutnam High SchoolSojourner SchoolMount Scott Elementary SchoolRock Creek Middle SchoolSpring Mountain Elementary SchoolOak Grove ElementaryClackamas Web AcademyClackamas Middle CollegeNew Urban High SchoolMilwaukie El Puente Elementary SchoolCascade Heights Public Charter SchoolMilwaukie Academy of the ArtsScouters Mountain ElementaryVerne A Duncan Elementary SchoolHappy Valley Middle SchoolBeatrice Morrow Cannady ElementaryAdrienne C. Nelson High SchoolAlder Creek Middle SchoolBeavercreek Elementary SchoolCandy Lane Elementary SchoolHolcomb Elementary SchoolGaffney Lane Elementary SchoolJennings Lodge Elementary SchoolJohn Mcloughlin Elementary SchoolGardiner Middle SchoolTumwata Middle SchoolOregon City Senior High SchoolRedland Elementary SchoolSpringwater Environmental Sciences SchoolOregon City Service Learning AcademyAlliance Charter AcademyClackamas Academy of Industrial SciencesNaas Elementary SchoolBoring Middle SchoolSandy Grade SchoolCedar Ridge Middle SchoolSandy High SchoolKelso Elementary SchoolOregon Trail AcademyBridgeport Elementary SchoolCedaroak Park Primary SchoolStafford Primary SchoolSunset Primary SchoolAthey Creek Middle SchoolWest Linn High SchoolWilsonville High SchoolInza R Wood Middle SchoolBoeckman Creek Primary SchoolWillamette Primary SchoolRosemont Ridge Middle SchoolThree Rivers Charter SchoolBolton Primary SchoolBoones Ferry Primary SchoolLowrie Primary SchoolTrillium Creek Primary SchoolMeridian Creek Middle SchoolRiverside High SchoolLeep (Life Enrichment Education Program)Heron Creek ProgramParrot Creek ProgramSt John the Baptist Catholic School (private)Christ the King Catholic School (private)Rivergate Adventist Elementary School (private)Country Christian School (private)North Clackamas Christian School (private)Damascus Christian School (private)West Hills Montessori School-Lake Oswego (private)The Childrens Hour Academy (private)Stafford Academy (private)Sungarden Montessori Childrens House (private)Happy Valley Montessori School (private)International Leadership Academy (private)Maayan Torah Day School (private)Spring Mountain Christian Academy (private)Christa Mcauliffe Academy - School of Arts/Sces (private)Paideia Classical Christian School (private)Arbor School of Arts & Sciences (private)Good Shepherd School (private)Portland Waldorf School (private)Sunnyside Montessori House of Children (private)Park Academy (private)The Marylhurst School (private)Beautiful Savior Lutheran Preschool (private)MARION COUNTYYAMHILL COUNTYCLACKAMAS COUNTYMULTNOMAH COUNTYWASHINGTON COUNTYWest Linn
Public Public charter Private County line District that covers the center of West Linn: West Linn School District 3J
District and county lines: U.S. Census Bureau. Tap a dot for details. A home's assigned school depends on its address; check with the district before you buy or rent.

Closest public schools to the center of West Linn

Elementary
Sunset Primary School0.7 mi
Public
grades Pre-K to 5 · 376 students · 20.9 per teacher
Passed the state test: reading 65 to 69%, math 60 to 64% (state: reading 44%, math 31%)
Trillium Creek Primary School0.8 mi
Public
grades Pre-K to 5 · 487 students · 21.2 per teacher
Passed the state test: reading 73%, math 64% (state: reading 44%, math 31%)
Bolton Primary School1.0 mi
Public
grades Pre-K to 5 · 226 students · 17.4 per teacher
Passed the state test: reading 75 to 79%, math 65 to 69% (state: reading 44%, math 31%)
Middle
Rosemont Ridge Middle School0.5 mi
Public
grades 6 to 8 · 737 students · 19.9 per teacher
Passed the state test: reading 67%, math 46% (state: reading 44%, math 31%)
Athey Creek Middle School2.1 mi
Public
grades 6 to 8 · 509 students · 17.6 per teacher
Passed the state test: reading 57%, math 39% (state: reading 44%, math 31%)
Clackamas Academy of Industrial Sciences2.2 mi
Public charter
grades 6 to 12 · 365 students · 22.8 per teacher
Passed the state test: reading 45 to 49%, math 25 to 29% (state: reading 44%, math 31%)
High school
West Linn High School1.1 mi
Public
grades 9 to 12 · 1,858 students · 21.4 per teacher
Passed the state test: reading 54%, math 43% (state: reading 44%, math 31%)
Oregon City Service Learning Academy2.1 mi
Public charter
grades 9 to 12 · 121 students · 17.3 per teacher
Passed the state test: reading 21 to 39%, math 20% or less (state: reading 44%, math 31%)
Clackamas Academy of Industrial Sciences2.2 mi
Public charter
grades 6 to 12 · 365 students · 22.8 per teacher
Passed the state test: reading 45 to 49%, math 25 to 29% (state: reading 44%, math 31%)
Private
Sungarden Montessori Childrens House0.8 mi
Private
grades Pre-K to K · 3 students · 0.8 per teacher
Paideia Classical Christian School2.5 mi
Private
grades K to 12 · 209 students · 9.5 per teacher
Rivergate Adventist Elementary School3.4 mi
Private
grades Pre-K to 8 · 114 students · 15 per teacher

Straight-line miles from the center of West Linn, nearest first. Being closest doesn't mean a school serves a given home. "Passed the state test" is the share of students who scored proficient or better on Oregon's own reading and math tests in the 2021-22 school year, the latest year the U.S. Department of Education has published for every school. Each state sets its own test and passing bar, so compare schools within the same state, not across states. Test results track family income closely and leave out a lot (teachers, programs, how a school fits your child). For newer results, see the state's school report card.

Public school districts in the county

North Clackamas Sd 12 · Milwaukie
16,778 students · 19.3 students per teacher · 31 schools · grades Pre-K to 12
West Linn-Wilsonville Sd 3j · Tualatin
9,094 students · 17.3 students per teacher · 16 schools · grades Pre-K to 12
Oregon City Sd 62 · Oregon City
7,296 students · 20 students per teacher · 14 schools · grades Pre-K to 12
Lake Oswego Sd 7j · Lake Oswego
6,867 students · 17.6 students per teacher · 12 schools · grades Pre-K to 12
Oregon Trail Sd 46 · Sandy
4,358 students · 21.6 students per teacher · 10 schools · grades Pre-K to 12

School choice and pre-K in Oregon

Going to school in another district
State law lets each district decide whether to take students from other districts. Some do, some don't; ask the district you'd like.
Picking a different school in your district
State law doesn't set a rule for switching schools within a district; it's up to each district.
Free state pre-K
17% of 4-year-olds and 13% of 3-year-olds in Oregon attend state-funded pre-K (U.S.: 37% and 9%). Spots, hours and who qualifies vary by district.

School choice: state law as summarized by the Education Commission of the States, 50-State Comparison: Open Enrollment Policies (2022). Pre-K: share of children in state-funded pre-K, National Institute for Early Education Research, State of Preschool 2025 Yearbook (2024-25 school year).

NCES Common Core of Data 2022-23, National Center for Education Statistics. Private schools: NCES Private School Survey, 2021-22. Varro doesn't rate or rank schools. For programs and newer results, see each district's site and the state's school report card.

Childcare and colleges

Daycare and preschool

Oregon keeps an official list of licensed childcare, with inspection reports and openings in many states. In a lot of towns, infant spots fill up months ahead, so it helps to get on waitlists before you move.

Typical full-time prices in this county (2022)
AgeDaycare centerHome daycare
Infant (under 2)$358/week
about $18,600 a year
$230/week
about $12,000 a year
Toddler (2)$331/week
about $17,200 a year
Preschool (3 to 4)$259/week
about $13,500 a year
$195/week
about $10,100 a year
School-age$95/week
about $4,900 a year

For an infant at a center: $358/week here, $318 across OR, $259 across the U.S.. Full-time infant care at a center here costs about 16% of a typical family's income. These are 2022 prices, the newest the government has published by county, and prices have gone up since.

U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices, 2022. Middle (median) price for full-time care. State and U.S. figures average the county prices, weighted by population (Census 2024).
Search licensed childcare in Oregon →
Link via childcare.gov (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services).

19 colleges in the county and the wider metro around West Linn. Prices are yearly tuition and fees for full-time undergrads, before financial aid.

Clackamas Community College · Oregon City
Public, 2-year (community college) · 5,153 students · $6,210 in-state, $14,040 out-of-state
Portland State University · Portland (metro)
Public, 4-year · 20,519 students · $10,617 in-state, $28,257 out-of-state
Portland Community College · Portland (metro)
Public, 2-year (community college) · 20,033 students · $5,040 in-state, $10,080 out-of-state
Mt Hood Community College · Gresham (metro)
Public, 4-year · 6,271 students · $5,175 in-state, $9,675 out-of-state
George Fox University · Newberg (metro)
Private nonprofit, 4-year · 4,531 students · $40,940 a year

Moving for school? Public colleges charge state residents much less, and community colleges often charge even less to people who live in their district. Most states want you to have lived there about 12 months, for reasons other than school, before you count as a resident for tuition. The rules differ by state, so check with the college's registrar.

IPEDS 2023-24, National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS). Degree-granting public and nonprofit schools with 100+ students. Varro doesn't rank colleges.

The facts behind it
Typical home value
$539,403
What a typical home sells for across the Portland area.
Source: Zillow Home Value Index, September 2026
Cost of living
About 5% above the U.S. average
Everyday prices (rent, groceries, services) run about $105 here for what costs $100 nationally.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis price index 105.4 (U.S. = 100), 2024
Drive to the nearest big job hub
About 31 min at rush hour
To downtown Portland, OR, 12 miles. About 30 min with no traffic.
Source: Google traffic estimate for a weekday morning around 8am
Average commute
25 minutes one way
How long residents' trips to work take on average, counting every job and way of getting there. U.S. average: about 27 minutes.
Source: U.S. Census (American Community Survey), 2023
Data centers nearby
3 within 15 miles
The nearest is about 7 miles from the town center. The largest is about 42,000 sq ft.
Source: PNNL IM3 Data Center Atlas, from OpenStreetMap (ODbL), loaded July 2026
Homeowners insurance
About $1,572 a year
The statewide average for a typical policy in OR. Your own quote will depend on the home.
Source: Statewide estimate, 2026
Natural disaster risk
Relatively High
FEMA's overall rating for the county, covering floods, storms, wildfire, earthquakes and more.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025
Hail risk
Very Low
FEMA's rating for hail damage in the county, compared with other U.S. counties.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025
Hospitals nearby
1 within 5 miles
Hospitals mapped within 5 miles of the center. Emergency and specialty care vary, so check which ones fit your needs.
Source: OpenStreetMap (ODbL)
Drug overdose deaths (county)
14.1 per 100,000 people a year
60 deaths in the 12 months ending March 2026. OR average: 19.4 per 100,000. U.S.: 19.9. Counts are by where people lived, and recent months may still be updated.
Source: CDC National Center for Health Statistics, provisional counts through March 2026; Census population estimates 2024
People without housing (local count)
About 13.3 per 10,000 residents
HUD's one-night count in January 2025 found 568 people without housing in the Clackamas County area: 210 in shelters and 358 outside, up from 353 in 2024. OR: 63.7 per 10,000. U.S.: 21.9. One-night counts miss people, and how areas count differs.
Source: HUD Point-in-Time Count, January 2025 (HUD, 2025 report to Congress); Census population estimates 2024
Unemployment
4.9%
The share of people looking for work who can't find it, averaged over the year. U.S.: about 4%.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025
Median household income
$100,360
Half of households in the county earn more than this, half earn less.
Source: U.S. Census (American Community Survey), 2023
Property tax
0.87% of home value a year
About $870 a year for every $100,000 of home value.
Source: U.S. Census (American Community Survey), 2023
State income tax
Graduated, up to 9.90%
OR's state income tax. Some cities and counties add their own.
Source: 2026

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