6 Safest Small Communities To Settle In Oregon

Picture a quiet stretch of Oregon at dawn. Soft light hits the dunes, or low fog sits over the hills, and the day starts without noise or rush. It feels like a break from life in dense cities. Many people come to Oregon for this slower pace and its easy connection to nature. The towns in this guide have fewer than 50,000 residents and are known for quiet streets, steady routines, and a strong sense of community.

According to FBI data, each town has violent crime rates well below the state average. Each location has its own personality, yet all create a calm environment for settling in.

Lake Oswego

Lake Oswego is a calm suburban town with about 40,400 residents and some of the lowest crime rates in the Portland metro area. Public safety reports show that Lake Oswego experiences lower violent-crime levels than many Portland-area communities, with property crime also trending below Oregon’s statewide average.

The town feels walkable, quiet, and close to nature. A starting point for seeing the area is George Rogers Park, where riverside trails, open lawns, and tall trees create an easy spot for walking or birdwatching. The park also has the historic Oswego Iron Furnace, one of the town’s oldest landmarks.

Oswego Lake and Tryon Creek State Natural Area are a few more highlights that show the town’s connection to water and forest.

Bandon

Bandon is a small coastal town with about 3,300 residents and a calm, open feel. It sits along the southern Oregon shoreline, known for dramatic sea stacks and long beaches. Bandon reports relatively low violent-crime levels for a coastal town, contributing to its relaxed, small-community feel. The slower pace, small population, and coastal setting keep the town feeling steady and relaxed.

Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint is a popular place to walk, look for tide pools, and watch for whales in spring and fall. The Coquille River Lighthouse is a short drive away and has easy trails with ocean views. Many visitors spend time fishing or crabbing from the harbor piers.

Old Town Bandon has small shops, art galleries, and cafés where you can wander without crowds or noise.

John Day

John Day has a little over 1,600 residents and sits in Oregon’s eastern high desert, surrounded by mountains, fossil beds, and quiet open space. Grant County generally reports low levels of violent crime for a rural area. The wide landscape, clear nights, and low population create a slow, steady pace of life.

Residents and visitors can hike the Malheur National Forest and see old plant and animal layers or join ranger talks. Fishing spots like the nearby Prairie City Reservoir offers simple, quiet days on the water for fishing. The Blue Mountain Scenic Byway is a peaceful drive through meadows and hills.

A stop at the Kam Wah Chung State Heritage Site adds local history with stories from Chinese pioneers who lived in the area.

Myrtle Point

Myrtle Point is a quiet town of about 2,700 residents in Coos County. It sits in a river valley and has a long history tied to the logging industry. Local law enforcement data indicates that Myrtle Point experiences low levels of reported violent crime, reinforcing its small-town sense of security. The town has a friendly, slow pace that feels welcoming to new residents.

The Coos County Logging Museum shows early tools and stories from the region. The nearby Hoffman Memorial State Wayside is a local place for trekking or for spending time among myrtlewood trees. For those interested in shooting sports, Myrtle Point Sportsmen’s Gun Club is a place to shoot trap.

Gearhart

Gearhart is a small north coast town with about 2,000 residents and a calm, open feel. Gearhart is widely regarded as one of the calmer, lower-crime communities on the north Oregon coast, with consistently low levels of reported violent crime.

Beach access is a starting point for seeing the shoreline, where wide dunes give the area a quiet, breezy atmosphere. Gearhart Golf Links, one of the oldest courses in Oregon, draws golfers, and the nearby Necanicum Estuary Natural History Park has routes for walking and biking. At low tide, locals dig for razor clams along the beach.

Sandy

Sandy is a small Oregon town with about 12,800 residents and a strong reputation for safety. Sandy maintains a reputation for being a safe community, with violent crime levels that remain low for a growing mountain gateway town. Sandy sits at the base of Mount Hood, which makes it a home for people who enjoy time outdoors.

The Sandy River Trail is a peaceful place where fish move through the water, and eagles circle above the trees. In winter, many residents spend time at the nearby Mt. Hood Meadows for skiing and snowboarding. Jonsrud Viewpoint has a wide view of Mount Hood and the surrounding scenery. The Sandy Historical Society has exhibits that show more about the city and its past.

Overall Sense of Safety and Community

These six small communities show how peaceful life in Oregon can feel when crime is low and nature is close by. Each town or county has its own personality, yet all share steady routines, friendly neighborhoods, and easy access to the outdoors. The crime rates are well below the state average, which supports a sense of security for families, retirees, and anyone ready for a slower pace.