by Kimberly A. Smith

Created on: April 06, 2011   Last Updated: April 07, 2011

Albany is located in the Willamette Valley in western Oregon.  It is a midpoint between the state capital of Salem and the university town of Eugene.  Like many prominent Oregon cities, Albany was named after a prominent East Coast city that was the hometown of early settlers to the region.  One moderately sized city and a number of smaller towns surround Albany.

Corvallis

The largest city in the Albany area, with a population of approximately 50,000, is Corvallis.  The town’s name derives from a Latin phrase meaning “heart of the valley,” referring to its location in the Willamette Valley.  Corvallis is the home of Oregon State University.  The school maintains a strong rivalry with the nearby University of Oregon, and fans regularly travel between the cities to watch competitions between the sports teams.  The annual Civil War game between the two PAC-12 football teams can clog traffic on Interstate 5 between Eugene and Corvallis, even for people who don’t have tickets and are just going to tailgate.

Lebanon

Another small town in the Albany area is Lebanon.  The town has a population of approximately 15,000 residents.  In September, Lebanon is home to the Roots and Rhythms festival, celebrating musicians who have had a significant impact on American culture.  One of Lebanon’s claims to fame is that it is home to the first Wal-Mart that was opened in the state of Oregon.

Jefferson

Jefferson is a town of approximately 2500 people which is located north of Albany.  It is considered to be a part of Salem’s metropolitan district, but is between the two cities.  One popular annual event in Jefferson is the mint festival, and the town has dubbed itself the “Mint Capital of the World.”  This July festival also is famous for its frog jumping competition.

Scio

One of the smallest towns, in the area, Scio was also named after the hometown of one of the founders, Scio, Ohio.  Sometimes, Scio is referred to as the covered bridge capital of the west.  This is a small town that has the advantage of being about 15 minutes from a larger city with all the amenities needed.  It is the type of place where everyone knows each other.  The 2000 census lists the population of Scio at 695 people. 

Millersburg

Millersburg is one of the newest towns in the Albany area, as it was incorporated in 1974.  The population at the 2000 census was about 650 people.  The town has been victim to large layoffs, comparative to its small population, as a major paper mill was shut down in 2009.

The areas around Albany are filled with quaint towns and beautiful countryside.  Travelers with extra time on their hands may want to drive through the valley on highway 99 instead of the major I-5.  This smaller route spends time wandering through farmlands and beautifully wooded areas of Oregon.

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