Cottage Grove
cityCottage Grove, Oregon, nestled in Lane County, is a city known for its historic charm and scenic beauty. Located at the southern end of the Willamette Valley, it lies approximately 20 miles south of Eugene. The city offers a blend of small-town living with convenient access to urban amenities. The population was 10,643 at the 2020 census and an estimated 10,698 in 2024. Cottage Grove's economy is supported by a mix of industries, including lumber, mining, and agriculture, with a growing emphasis on tourism and recreation. The city's location along Interstate 5 and the main Willamette Valley rail line facilitates transportation and commerce. Cottage Grove is known as the 'Covered Bridge Capital of Oregon,' boasting several historic covered bridges and a downtown area listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The city's rich history, coupled with its access to outdoor recreation like Dorena Lake and the Umpqua National Forest, makes it a distinctive destination.
Cottage Grove, Oregon
- Classification
- City
- FIPS Code
- 41-15950
- Country
- United States
- County
- Lane County
- Region
- Willamette Valley
- Elevation
- 640 ft
- Total Area
- 3.77 sq mi
- Land Area
- 3.76 sq mi
- Water Area
- 0.01 sq mi
- Latitude
- 43.79611
- Longitude
- -123.05722
- Climate
- Warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Average temperatures range from 35°F to 85°F.
- Notable Features
- Row River · Coast Fork of the Willamette River · Dorena Reservoir · Bohemia Mountain
- Neighboring Areas
- Eugene · Springfield
- Population (2020)
- 10,643
- Est. Population (2024)
- 10,698
- Median Age
- 38.9
- Median Income
- $80,875
- Poverty Rate
- 10.71%
- Family Households
- 62.8%
- Owner-Occupied
- 59%
- Racial & Ethnic Composition
- White (79.6%), Hispanic (9.9%), Two or More Races (6.1%)
- Government Type
- Council-Manager
- Governing Body
- City Council
- School District
- South Lane School District
- Municipal Services
- Police · Fire · Public Works
- Unemployment Rate
- 6.8%
- Economic Profile
- Residential · Commercial
- Employment Sectors
- Healthcare · Retail · Education
- Students
- 2,680
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18:1
- School Districts
- South Lane School District
- Transportation
- Interstate 5 · Oregon Route 99 · Lane Transit District (LTD) bus service · Main Willamette Valley line of the CORP railroad
- Utilities
- Municipal water · Power · Fiber/broadband
- Major Facilities
- Cottage Grove State Airport
- Outdoor Access
- Yes
- Major Recreation Areas
- Dorena Lake · Cottage Grove Lake · Umpqua National Forest · Row River Trail
- Parks & Trails
- Bohemia Park · Brice Creek Trail · Row River Trail
- Founded
- 1855
- Incorporated
- 1887
- Named After
- G. C. Pearce's home in an oak grove
- Historical Significance
- Important as a supply center for miners and for its role in timber production
- Key Events
- Established as a wayside on the Applegate Trail in the 1850s · Gold discovered east of town, leading to a mining boom · Railroad construction in the 1870s · Consolidation of Cottage Grove and Lemati in 1899