Lincoln City may be known for miles of Oregon Coast beaches, but it’s Devil’s Lake farther inland that has captured the imagination of locals for hundreds of years. Native Americans reported accounts of an aquatic monster with tentacles that emerged from the 685-acre lake to drag hunters crossing the body of water out of their boats. Since the days of the Native Americans—and perhaps a Kraken-like creature that lurked at the bottom of the lake—Lincoln City has grown into a coastal city of 10,000, though its population can approach 30,000 during the tourist-heavy summer season. Comprised of six districts strung together by Pacific Coast Highway, Lincoln City has a strong creative spirit demonstrated in its visual arts and music scene enjoyed by locals and tourists alike.
Folklore around the 685 acre Devil’s Lake has captured the imagination of locals for hundreds of years.
Lincoln City is known for its miles of beautiful Oregon Coast beaches.
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Creatures big and small spotted on Lincoln City beaches
Stretching along the scenic Oregon Coast, Lincoln City has over 7 miles of sandy beaches and a dramatic headland that hovers over the Pacific Ocean to its north. Beachgoers enjoy hiking, fat-tire biking, clamming, crabbing and beachcombing on the shore. Small fish dart between spiky sea urchins, starfish and hermit crabs, while green and purple sea anemones sway with the lapping water left behind at low tide. Majestic gray whales and humpback whales pass Lincoln City beaches on their way from Alaska to the warmer waters of Mexico for the fall mating season, letting out a blow or two for local whale watchers.
The calmer waters of the 685-acre Devil’s Lake invite kayaking, paddleboarding and fishing for rainbow trout, yellow perch, catfish and bluegill. Near the lake, professional fliers guide elaborately decorated kites through the air above the D River State Recreation Site beach during the Summer and Fall Kite Festivals.
Beachgoers enjoy clamming, crabbing, and beachcombing on the shores of Lincoln City.
Green and purple sea anemones sway with the lapping water left behind at low tide.
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“Float fairies” sprinkle handblown glass ornaments along beaches
Visual art and music echo throughout Lincoln City. The Siletz Bay Music Festival includes chamber ensembles, larger symphonies and jazz performers during the last stretch of summer every year. The North Lincoln County Historical Museum is home to several unique artifacts of local history, from Native American baskets and beadwork to Japanese glass fishing net floats that have washed up on Oregon beaches. Look-alikes are handcrafted by local artisans and hidden on Lincoln City beaches by “float fairies” throughout the year for beachcombers to discover as part of their “Finders Keepers” tradition. For more colorful glass trinkets, the Lincoln City Glass Center lets customers buy or blow their own floats, bowls and paperweights. “The whole coast is pretty artsy, and we’ve got a lot of glass blowing,” says Audra Powell, a broker with Advantage Real Estate. “We have so many rainy months, so people like to get out and craft and do more creative activities in the winter months.”
The North Lincoln County Historical Museum preserves the local history.
The Lincoln City Glass Center lets customers buy or blow their own unique glass float.
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Variety of coastal home styles appreciating in value
Lincoln City has a variety of housing options, from modest ranch-style homes and cottages from the 1970s and 1980s to million-dollar listings on the oceanfront, scattered throughout its six districts. “Each zone has its own distinct character,” Powell says. “The Nelscott area is a surfing community with lots of vacation homes. Roads End would be another community a lot of people seek out. It has some really nice hiking trails with beautiful views.”
The median sales price of a single-family home in the city is $552,500—significantly above the national median of $406,100—and it grows by roughly 5% each year. Homes in the city can linger on the market, spending 21 days longer on the market than the national average. Beachfront condos range from under $200,000 to $650,000 and more.
From beachfront condos to lakeside million dollar homes, Lincoln City has a variety of home styles across its six districts.
The Nelscott area is a surfing community with lots of vacation homes.
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Unique coastal shops and an outlet mall
Lincoln City doesn’t have a traditional, centralized downtown. Instead, each of its six districts has its own unique local businesses, from surf, kite and gift shops to antique and crystal stores, mostly located along Pacific Coast Highway. The Lincoln City Outlets are a popular shopping destination, with brands like Columbia, Nike, The North Face and Pendleton.
Tourism is a main pillar of Lincoln City’s economy, especially during the heavier traffic of the summer months. The Chinook Winds Casino Resort, managed by the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, is one of the city’s main employers.
The Lincoln City Outlets are a popular shopping destination, home to local brands like Pendleton.
As a popular destination for tourists,The Chinook Winds Casino Resort is a major employer in Lincoln City.
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Outdoor education at Career Tech charter high school
The Lincoln County School District serves 4,900 students across 11 regular schools and three public charter schools, earning an overall C-plus grade from Niche. Career Tech—a charter high school focused on career technical education and workplace simulation—has yet to receive a grade from the site. While core subjects are taught in traditional settings, outdoor education programs include marine and environmental sciences, woods and metal fabrication, culinary arts and drone technologies.
Taft high school is one of the 11 traditional schools students can attend in the Lincoln City School District.
Career Tech is a charter high school focused on career technical education and workplace simulation.
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Lincoln City surrounds the Oregon Coast Highway
The scenic Oregon Coast Highway runs through Lincoln City before continuing through Astoria and into Washington state. Highway 18 stems off the Oregon Coast Highway near Lincoln City and travels east until it connects to Highway 99 near McMinnville. Drivers can follow Highway 99 to Portland, about 100 miles—and roughly two hours—away from Lincoln City. Lincoln County Transit administers the Lincoln City Loop and the North County route, which connects the city with other beach towns to the south.
King Tides and storms during winter months
The violent crime rate in Lincoln City has mostly stayed above national and state averages between 2020 and 2025, according to FBI statistics. The city’s property crime rate has also trended above the national average, though it seems to spike during the warmer months when the city experiences an influx of tourists.
Lincoln City enjoys a mild maritime climate with heavier rainfall during the winter months. Its coast experiences King Tides, which occur between mid-November and mid-January, during periods with the highest gravitational pull. These tides may cause flooding in low-lying areas, especially when coupled with winter storms.
Tedi McKnight-Heikes is a real estate Broker at Engel & Völkers West Portland making buying and selling a home an wonderful experience. She is known to be Portland's "Go To" Broker and has been a consistent leader in the Portland real estate arena with a reputation for tenaciously protecting her client's best interests. With 29 years of real estate experience she has built a solid foundation of referral business including corporate clients, attorney & trustee referrals, relocation clients, 1031 tax deferred exchanges, & investors. Tedi serves the real estate market throughout the Portland metropolitan area.
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.
