Track Town USA is not just a slogan in Eugene. The Prefontaine Classic brings a Diamond League meet to Hayward Field every July, and the riverside path and trails around town are busy with runners year-round. It is also a university town, home to the Oregon Ducks, so autumn Saturdays at Autzen Stadium shape the calendar for about 180,000 locals.
The feel is green, creative and a little scruffy. Whiteaker is the edgy neighborhood, South Eugene is leafy, and the Saturday Market is a real institution. Spencer Butte and Skinner Butte give you views close to town, the McKenzie River and its waterfalls are a day trip, and the coast at Florence is about an hour away. Rent is moderate for the West Coast, and violent crime sits below the national average. Bike theft and car break-ins are the usual complaints, and there are homeless camps along some river paths. Expect a long, gray, wet winter and grass pollen in spring.
Cities with a similar character, anywhere on the site.
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- Known as
- Track Town USA; Emerald City; Emerald Valley; Home of the Ducks
- Founded
- 1846 settled (Eugene Skinner); 1862 incorporated
- Airports
- Eugene Airport (EUG, Mahlon Sweet Field), about 9 mi northwest of downtown, nonstop to several West Coast and hub cities; Portland International (PDX) about 110 mi north; Salem McNary field has no scheduled service; Redmond/Bend (RDM) about 130 mi east
- Tipping
- Restaurants 18-20% for table service; counter service and coffee $1-2 optional; bars $1-2 per drink; taxis and rideshare 15-20%; hotel housekeeping $3-5 per night; bellhop $1-2 per bag; Oregon has no sales tax and servers earn full minimum wage but tipping is still customary
About this data
Population from Census Vintage 2025 (city 178,618 via everycityintheusa citing Census; MSA 381,584 via FRED, July 1, 2025). Area, elevation and coordinates from Wikipedia. Crime and cost of living from everycityintheusa (approximate). Median rent and hotel rates are estimates not verified due to rate limiting. Tipping, distances and event months are approximate and not live-verified. Event dates vary by year.
