Thousands of purple irises sprout from fields along the Willamette River every May, heralding spring’s return in Keizer, the Iris Capital of the World. This small city in Marion County is just 4 miles north of Salem, Oregon’s capital. With a population of just under 40,000 residents, Keizer is a welcoming community with annual festivals and an abundance of parks for hiking, biking, fishing and more.
The city is bordered by farmland to the north and west, with the Willamette River to the south and residential areas to the east. Between public parks, highly rated schools and regular community events, Keizer has a lot to offer its residents. “Keizer is a great town with a close-knit community and strong spirit of volunteerism,” says Ali Morrison, a Broker with the Morrison Real Estate Group at Windermere Real Estate who has been selling homes in the area for over 15 years. “It’s just north of Salem, but it has its own unique identity. Proximity to Interstate 5 and an easy commute to Portland are also big attractions.”
Keizer Rapids Park has a boat ramp for residents to access the river in Keizer.
Visitors enjoy a game of beach volleyball at Keizer Rapids Park in Keizer.
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Live music and more at Keizer Rapids Park
The City of Keizer maintains 19 public parks within city limits. Keizer Rapids Park is one public park that includes a dog park, playground, sports courts, disc golf and nature trails. This park also includes Keizer Amphitheater, which hosts live music, performing arts shows and holiday entertainment, and Keizer Rapids Dog Park, perfect for socializing. Another option for outdoor fun is Palma Ciea Park, located on the banks of the Willamette River, which functions as a small nature reserve and offers direct access to the river. Closer to residential neighborhoods, Claggett Creek Park has a picnic area, sports fields and a playground. Just a block away, Chalmer Jones Park has a skate park and community garden right next to the Keizer Community Library. For golfers, McNary Golf Club offers 18 holes on a course dotted with small lakes and meadows. Club membership privileges include access to the course, locker rooms, and clubhouse with a full bar and restaurant.
Another way to get outside in Keizer is at Schreiner’s Iris Gardens, which opens to the public from Mother’s Day to Memorial Day annually for tours through the iris cultivars as they bloom.
The Willamette River is a favorite spot for anglers to fish in Keizer.
Keizer Skatepark is a popular spot for locals to show off their skills.
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From 1900s bungalows and cottages to custom new builds
Keizer’s housing market moves slightly faster than the national average, with houses in Keizer selling after 33 days on the market, compared to the national average listing time of 44 days. Keizer's house prices are below average for Oregon cities, with an average house price of around $500,000 for bungalows and cottages and around $600,000 for modern new construction custom builds. In 2023, 436 homes sold in Keizer, and as of March 2024, there are 43 active homes listed for sale. The CAP Index crime score for Keizer is 5 out of 10, slightly higher than the national average of 4.
A typical row of homes found in the Keizer neighborhood.
Spacious residential two-story homes are prevalent in Keizer, OR.
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Learning through the Salem-Keizer School District
Students growing up in Keizer may attend schools in the Salem-Keizer School District, rated B by Niche. With almost 40,000 students across 65 schools, the Salem-Keizer School District is the second-largest school district in Oregon. This district has six high schools, with McNary High School (rated B by Niche) the only one located within Keizer’s city limits. McNary High School is well-known for its performing arts program, which puts on musicals and plays multiple times throughout the school year.
Another highly rated school in Keizer is Early College High School, rated A by Niche. This public alternative high school has 208 students and was ranked Niche’s #1 Standout High School in Oregon.
Claggett Creek Middle School serves grades 5-8 and is located in Keizer, OR.
McNary High School is a public high school located in Keizer, OR.
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Celebrating irises
KeizerFEST, formerly known as the Keizer Iris Festival, shows off the city’s iris-growing industry. Founded by one of the country’s largest retail iris growers, Schreiner’s Iris Gardens, this annual event includes a parade, a 5K race, a vintage car show, a carnival, and a beer garden with craft and food vendors. Another popular event is the Keizer Holiday Lights Parade, which occurs every December and encourages local organizations to compete for the city’s favorite float.
Locals can enjoy local sports at Volcanoes Stadium, where the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes minor league baseball team hosts games throughout the summer. After baseball season, the stadium hosts concerts, fireworks displays and other community events.
The Keizer Heritage Museum, located inside the Keizer Heritage Community Center, showcases the city’s history dating back to the mid-1800s. Locals can enjoy exhibits like the History of Keizer School, a detailed description of the city’s former one-room schoolhouse, and the founding of the city in 1843.
Marching bands entertain the crowd at the Bloomin' Iris Day Parade in Keizer.
The Bloomin' Iris Day Parade in Keizer includes horses from the St Paul Rodeo.
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Dining out along River Road
Keizer has a selection of restaurants along River Road. For brunch, locals enjoy Mommy & Maddi’s Restaurant, a breakfast spot with classic diner food and Southern American specialties like biscuits and gravy. Keizer Sub Shop, which offers pick-up and dine-in sandwiches, has been a lunchtime favorite since opening in 1987. For dinner, locals head to Sweet Home Thai Cuisine for curries or Pad Thai.
Keizer home cooks have multiple grocery store options, including Target Grocery, WinCo, Safeway and Fred Meyer. For those looking for locally grown produce, Salem hosts twice weekly farmer’s markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays in the summer at the intersection of Union Street and Winter Street.
Casamigos serves delicious home style Mexican food in Keizer.
In-N-Out Burger is an extremely popular spot for burger, fries and shakes in Keizer.
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Commuting into Salem
Keizer is located 4 miles north of Salem along Liberty Street. Commuting between the cities takes 10 minutes during non-peak commute hours and closer to 20 minutes during peak commute hours. Alternatively, locals can take Keizer Transit buses from Keizer Station to downtown Salem. This trip takes around a half hour, and buses leave every 15 minutes during the day.
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.
