Our Communities

Welcome to Ontario

Nestled on the lush banks of the Snake River, Ontario is proud to be the first city you encounter in Oregon when traveling west from the Idaho border. Once you enter the unique and rugged landscape of the Treasure Valley, you will come to understand why many people become reluctant to leave. Those who choose to live here recognize the appeal and importance of a family-oriented lifestyle. As a result, the vigor and diversity of the surrounding geography is reflected in the community.

Ontario is the laid-back town you dream about when you want to escape the hectic schedules that accompany large cities. It is a city where you will find genuine, welcoming, and down to earth residents. Alongside the friendly natives, Ontario carries a fascinating history with the rich traditions of a diverse population.

As a border town, the City of Ontario is very distinct in that it is the hub of the Western Treasure Valley. The night time population amounts to about 11,000 people while the day time population is often estimated at 60,000 people.

Ontario boasts a myriad of recreational activities for all ages, interests, and skill levels. Flourishing parks span over 61 acres within the city limits, so there is no shortage of opportunities to appreciate the landscapes. Here you can enjoy cycling, mountain biking, hiking, golfing, camping, fishing, bird watching, kayaking, paddle boarding, horseback riding, and much more. If that is not enough, Ontario is situated only two hours from four separate ski resorts that offer downhill skiing, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, and ice skating.

Our city is full of engaging activities and beautiful scenery with four well-defined seasons. Because of this, visits to Ontario, Oregon are ideal at any point in time.

Demographic Profile of Ontario

As a border town, the City of Ontario is very unique in that it has a night time population of about 11,000 people and a day time population that is estimated at 60,000 people. Ontario, Oregon is the central hub of the Western Treasure Valley.

*See Oregon’s Tax Law

For a more extensive demographic profile, please contact the Ontario Area Chamber of Commerce office or the Malheur Economic Development office.

City Of Ontario
Website: www.ontariooregon.org
Address: 444 SW 4th St, Ontario, OR 97914

Snake River Economic Development Association
Website: www.snakerivereda.com
E-mail: kkamo@tvcc.cc
Address: 650 College Blvd, Ontario, OR 97914

Welcome to Malheur County

Welcome to Malheur County, located in beautiful Eastern Oregon. It is a place filled with fascinating history, diverse landscape, and friendly people. Malheur County is one of Oregon’s best-kept secrets!

Located in Oregon’s southeast corner, the county is the state’s second largest. It is 94 percent rangeland, two-thirds of which is controlled by the Federal Bureau of Land Management. Today, irrigated fields in the county’s northeastern corner, known as Western Treasure Valley, are the center of intensive and diversified farming.

One of Malheur County’s greatest resources is its people — people that still believe in hard work and traditional values. Malheur County has beautiful, enchanting scenery and a wide variety of excellent recreational opportunities.

The name Malheur is French for “bad hour.” Legend has it some French trappers and traders were in the area searching for furs. Their trip was unsuccessful and they were attacked by Indians, a portion of the party was killed and others wounded. Because of the misfortunes of their trip, the French named the river Malheur, or loosely translated, “unhappy river.”

The county was created in 1887, and Henry C. Murray was appointed the first sheriff. Vale was granted temporary status as county seat, and battled with Ontario and Jordan Valley for the permanent title.

The law called for a majority vote, and a county-wide election was held in 1888. Vale won the election, with Jordan Valley second and Ontario third, but because Vale did not receive the required majority, a second election between the top two contenders was held, with Vale receiving 459 votes and Jordan Valley 138.

The first courthouse was built in 1887, for $1,400. Rhinehart donated the site for a new courthouse, and a committee raised and donated $10,000 for the two-story stone building completed in 1902.

In addition to Ontario, Jordan Valley, and Vale, there are several other communities of size in Malheur County: Nyssa and Adrian are incorporated cities, while Juntura, Ironside, Jamieson, Westfall, Harper, Arock, Annex and Brogan are unincorporated communities.

For more information, please visit the Malheur County website.

Welcome to Fruitland

The city of Fruitland is a rural community of just over 4,500 residents located across the Snake River from Ontario, Oregon. The original town site consisted of 160 acres, mostly planted in orchards of apples and prunes. The little community surrounded by some of the finest orchards in the valley became known as Fruitland.

Fruitland is committed to a progressive proactive community that focuses on achieving unity, maintaining quality of life, and preserving our heritage. Fruitland’s vision is to be a community that combines all aspects of a quality of life for all citizens including: high quality education, a safe community, active participation, aesthetically pleasing surroundings, an entrepreneurial spirit.

For more information, please visit the City of Fruitland’s website and the Fruitland School District website.

Welcome to Nyssa

A long growing season coupled with an adequate water supply ensure continued agricultural production in the Western Treasure Valley. The community of 3,000 people is the hub of an agricultural area of 264,000 acres. The crops produced on this fertile soil include onions, sugar beets, potatoes, corn, wheat, soybeans, mint, seeds from coriander, lettuce, onions, chives, alfalfa and even poplar trees. Livestock raised here includes beef, emu, ostrich, and buffalo. There are several dairies providing milk for consumers and cheese factories. Nyssa also has several major agricultural equipment dealerships.

As people retire, or their life situation changes, their well-built, well cared-for homes, come on the real estate market at very reasonable prices. Sale prices are usually 75 percent of similar Ontario homes or 50 percent of Boise homes. Nyssa has room for new homes in several neighborhoods. A Boise commute takes less than an hour from the simple rural lifestyle enjoyed in Nyssa. A commute to Ontario or Vale is long enough to give you time to prepare for work or unwind on the way home, or short enough to avoid heavy traffic mornings.

Culturally strong, Nyssa is a great place to touch the world. The City Council, School Board, and several parent organizations continually seek participation as parents and citizens are the foundation of any school or town. The store clerks and the police will learn your name – just to be helpful to you. Two health clinics will provide all your health care needs. Volunteers are active in the fire department, with the ambulance service, and in the police reserves, including school cadets. Multiple restaurants offer everything from Chinese to Mexican foods. Thunderegg Days, a large rock show held every year, highlights the geodes found in and around Nyssa, a college rodeo and the Nyssa Nite Rodeo keep the summer evenings exciting. Four historic buildings on the National Registry in Nyssa are the city hall, the Oregon Trail Ag Museum, the Hotel Western and the Green Lantern Saloon.

Year round mild weather, abundant water for your gardens, Idaho Power, Idaho television, Idaho and local newspapers, and being in the Mountain Time Zone helps Nyssa lead the rest of the state of Oregon.

For more information, please visit the City of Nyssa website, the Nyssa Chamber of Commerce website, and the Nyssa School District website.

Welcome to Vale

The first town on the Oregon Trail, Vale is rich in the pioneering spirit and takes pride in its history and heritage. The city’s past comes to life in a series of Oregon Trail murals professionally painted on building walls throughout the town. Early 1900s architecture predominates in the downtown area and attests to the historical contribution made by Vale in the settling of Oregon. Rinehart’s Stone House, the area’s first hotel built in 1872 and Vale’s oldest standing building, it is on the National Register of Historic Places and maintained as a museum. These sites and others can be seen on a horse-drawn buggy tour offered by Wilcox Horse and Buggy Tours.

Vale is a bustling rural community called home by 1,650 friendly people. The city is the Malheur County seat and the trade area for more than 5,500 residents. Eighty-five retail and service businesses provide shopping opportunity, including a 20,000 square-foot modern grocery store.

Vale is also a city looking to the future. Two new subdivisions have been constructed so families can build new homes. The Area Chamber of Commerce restoration of the downtown area, is complete with classical street lamps. The school district serves 1,200 students and boasts high school athletic complex; the elementary school was remodeled and expanded. The city council is taking a positive, proactive approach to attracting business and commerce to increase local employment opportunities and increase services.

Nine church denominations provide a variety of worship and ministry opportunities. Civic and nonprofit organizations give children, youth, and adults opportunity for volunteerism and activities. Vale has a family health clinic staffed by a full-time physician, a 50-bed nursing home, and excellent ambulance service. Access to a full-service medical center is just minutes away in Ontario. The city library and Treasure Valley Community College Outreach Center are both connected to the Internet. Global information and education are available to help local students excel.

Recreation opportunities abound in the Vale area. The city is home for the Vale District office of the Bureau of Land Management. The office manages more than 5 million acres of land open to the public for hunting, hiking, rock climbing, boating, rock hounding and exploring. This immense “backyard” provides an abundance of wildlife and scenery. Large reservoirs, rivers, and streams nearby provide places for swimming, boating, water skiing and fishing.

Vale has five parks and two under developments. Wadleigh Park with 14.5 acres adjoins the city swimming pool and rodeo grounds. Amenities include baseball and soccer fields, horseshoe pits and a covered picnic canopy with barbeque facilities. Adult and youth league sports groups utilize the facility year-round. Geothermal resources help heat the municipal swimming pool. These hot springs prompted the original settlement of Vale more than 150 years ago. Local community events include the Vale 4th of July Rodeo, Oregon Trail Days, Ranch Rodeo, local sporting events and parades and races.

Families take great pride in the accomplishments of their children who are students. Twelve hundred attend the Vale School District which serves grades K-12. Mt. Moniah Academy, a private school, serves grades K-8. Preschool opportunities are provided by Head Start and other private early childhood education organizations. Several local students have gone on to excel in college, university, and professional endeavors receiving national recognition. Community support for students in scholastic and athletic programs is very strong.

There is a wide variety of housing selection, from smaller “starter” homes to large houses on acreage. Existing homes are available and affordable. Two subdivisions increase housing selection. Since Vale is within easy commuting distance of nearby employers and other major facilities, it is a wonderful place to call home. For further information, call the Vale Chamber of Commerce at 541-473-3800, Vale City Hall at 541-473-3133.

For more information, please visit the City of Vale website, the Vale Chamber of Commerce website, and the Vale School District website.