Natural beauty and historic surroundings in the other Dallas
The name Dallas is most associated with the state of Texas. However, another Dallas is tucked into Oregon’s Willamette Valley, a tranquil area surrounded by the Pacific Northwest’s creeks and forests. This Dallas is part of the Coast Mountain Range foothills and serves as the seat of Polk County. The 150-year-old city has nearly 17,000 residents and retains its small-town feel amidst new growth. Part of that cozy atmosphere comes from the city’s preservation program, which helped the downtown area become a National Historic District in 2024. Located 15 miles from Salem and 60 miles from Portland, Dallas provides miles of trails through scenic landscapes, a historic shopping district and a combination of established and new housing.
Dallas City Park, an aquatic center and cultural passes
The Dallas Public Works Division maintains 13 public areas, traffic circles and the Rickreall Creek Trail System. The city’s largest green space is the 35-acre Dallas City Park. It’s home to the Delbert Hunter Arboretum and Botanical Garden, which showcases native Oregon plants and educates the public on preserving and landscaping these plants. There’s a creek with a swimming area, a disc golf course, two playgrounds and five basketball courts for something more physically active. Paved trails run through the space, including the 4-mile Rickreall Creek Trail System, which allows people to travel from one side of Dallas to the other through its parks. Roger Jordan Community Park has a skate park, athletic fields and courts and the Dallas Aquatic Center. The facility has five pools, including a lap pool and a children’s wading area.
The Dallas Public Library offers several cultural passes for its patrons, including one for the Aquatic Center. “The cultural pass is for some of the local museums and attractions, like the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum or the Aquatic Center. There are a few for places in Salem like the Children’s Museum, too,” says Lydia Colvin, a library assistant with the Dallas Public Library. Another perk is its variety of regular community events. “Even private clubs like the Knitting Guild can have meetings here as long as they’re open to the public.”
Frisbee golf anyone? Dallas City Park has got you covered.
There's plenty of trails in the Dallas City Park for jogging and riding bikes.
The Public Library in Downtown Dallas offers children's reading programs and displays local art.
The Dallas Aquatic Center offers swimming lessons year round.
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Local restaurants, shopping malls and the Dallas Downtown Association
Restaurants are clustered along Kings Valley Highway and Ellendale Avenue. Many are pet-friendly, and farm-to-table establishments are becoming easier to find. National chain restaurants sit beside family-owned eateries serving international cuisines and classic American fare. More options can be found 15 miles east in Salem. For instance, Salem Center has over 70 department stores, retailers and restaurants, making it an area shopping hub.
Dallas's downtown district, placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2024, is filled with local restaurants and small businesses. The Dallas Downtown Association, formed in the 1980s to support and promote businesses in the area, was instrumental in securing the 150-year-old district’s historic designation. Held in the Polk County Courthouse Square, the Dallas Farmers Market is held twice monthly from May to October. Downtown also hosts several community events, such as the Sounds of Summer free concert series every July and August.
Dallas' New Morning Bakery offers healthy soups and sandwiches to the community.
This barn shaped building, in Dallas, is the home of Red Clover Public House Restaurant.
Just west of Dallas is the Salem Center offering many shopping opportunities.
Abby's Legendary Pizza is a staple in the Dallas community.
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New construction and rising home values in the Willamette Valley
Half of Dallas’s housing was built between 1970 and 1999. Construction continues today, with 25% of housing being built between 2000 through the present. This has created an eclectic mix of ranch-style homes, neo-Craftsman houses, contemporary designs and custom builds. Townhouses, manufactured houses, and undeveloped land are also available. The majority of single-family homes have three bedrooms. Home values increased by almost 2% over 2024. One of the places with rising prices is downtown Dallas, a revitalized area with historic buildings. Dallas also has one age-restricted and four all-ages manufactured housing communities dotted about town. Homes sell for a median price of $440,000, slightly higher than the national average of $400,000.
Dallas, Oregon, is a charming city located in Polk County, near Willamette Valley.
Residents can find some Modern Contemporary single-family homes in Dallas, Oregon.
There are newly built townhomes coming to the outer communities of Dallas.
This brick Colonial Revival with rustic charm can be found in Dallas, Oregon.
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From a two-room cabin to eight schools in the Dallas School District
The Dallas School District educates over 3,000 students across eight campuses. It earned a C-plus from Niche and was founded in a two-room log cabin in 1845. The district has an English Language program to help non-native speakers learn vocabulary, pronunciation and reading skills. It also has a robust athletics program that’s won numerous championships since its first in 1958. The latest were in 2024, when the girls' cross-country team won the Class 2A championship, and the boys' team took its fourth 5A state soccer championship.
Lyle Elementary serves the Dallas community students K-6 and offers great after school care.
Dallas High School is a great choice when it comes to public school education.
LaCreole Middle School is a public school in the Polk County area of Dallas.
Whitworth Elementary School is next to the high school in the Downtown Dallas Neighborhood.
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Highway 22, limited sidewalks and Portland International Airport
It would be cliche to say life moves slower in Dallas, but it is accurate to say there’s only one state highway running through the city, Oregon Route 223. It connects to the nearby Highway 22, which leads 15 miles east to Salem. It eventually intersects with Interstate 5, taking travelers 66 miles north to Portland International Airport. The rest of the city’s streets are a combination of tightly gridded blocks and winding roads running at odd angles across the rolling landscape. Cherriots Transit Service runs three bus routes through the city, including an express route from Dallas to Salem five days a week. Most people here have a 29-minute one-way daily commute, nearly even with the national average of 27 minutes. Dallas' sidewalk network is more consistent near downtown and becomes sparser traveling toward the city’s borders.
Salem Health, area employers and prominent industries
Multiple medical clinics, laboratories and the West Valley Hospital serve the city. The hospital is part of the larger Salem Health network and has operated in Dallas for over a century. It’s the home of Polk County’s only 24-hour emergency room, a diagnostic imaging lab, surgery bays and physical therapy areas. The hospital and clinics provide many of the city’s jobs along with employers like Dallas Public Schools, Walmart and Forest River. In fact, healthcare, manufacturing, education and retail are Dallas’s most prominent industries.
For your retail needs, look no further than Walmart, located in Dallas.
Mak Grills is a local metal fabrication company employing some of the residents of Dallas.
West Valley Hospital serves the community of Dallas.
People are utilizing the shopping choices in historic downtown Dallas.
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Short summers, natural disaster risks and lower-than-average crime rates
Summers are short and dry in Dallas, while winters are cold, wet and often cloudy. The city has 156 sunny days each year, nearly 50 fewer than the rest of the country. The average yearly rainfall in Dallas is 54 inches, higher than the nation’s 38-inch average.
There’s a risk of wildfires here, partially because of recent droughts. The Dallas Fire Department is centrally located to reduce response times during an emergency. Oregon is also a seismically active area. Residents can sign up for the ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning System to receive alerts before strong shaking starts. Another hazard the city experiences is around 15 days of unhealthy air pollution annually, which can cause breathing problems and throat irritation. People are advised to wear masks during these air advisory periods.
The violent and property crime rates in Dallas are below both the Oregon and national averages. In fact, property crime is 32% lower and violent crime is 18% lower than the state.
Pleased to have been serving mid-Willamette Valley clients since 1991, Craig is a consistent top producer that works with dozens of referral clients each year. His specialties are residential re-sale, land development, new home construction and sales. Craig applies marketing and negotiation expertise to the maximum advantage of his clientele.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
