Cottage Grove, Oregon, in Lane county, is 17 miles S of Springfield, Oregon (center to center) and 120 miles S of Portland, Oregon. The city is conveniently located inside the Eugene - Springfield metropolitan area. There are an estimated 8,445 people in Cottage Grove The community was named by the postmaster, whose home was in an oak grove.

Known for its historic covered bridges, Cottage Grove is a friendly, recreation and family-oriented small town. Located at the southern end of the Willamette Valley, Cottage Grove has many opportunities for family vacations. Dorena Lake and Cottage Grove Lake, located only minutes from the downtown area, offer overnight and day picnicking opportunities as well as boating, fishing, swimming and camping. Fishing and angling are available at Row River, below the Dorena Dam, and in Dorena Lake itself. Fishermen have caught both trout and catfish in Dorena Lake, and rainbow and cutthroat trout in Row River. Dorena Lake is also famous for its windsurfing.

Golfers have three courses to choose from - Middlefield Village Golf Course, along the Row River, Hidden Valley Golf course at the foot of Mount David, and Emerald Valley Golf Course, located 10 miles north of Cottage Grove in Creswell.

Visiting art galleries, specialty shops and antique shops is a favorite pastime in Cottage Grove. Many of the shops are within walking distance of each other, making it a perfect place for that day out for browsing from shop to shop.

Hospitality abounds at the many places to dine and stay at in Cottage Grove, either in town or by one of the two lakes. Accommodations in Cottage Grove are near such diversions as tennis, hiking, swimming, and sailing. They offer access to the downtown shopping area and the city's three parks. Cottage Grove also has family dining at reasonable prices.

For golfing, camping, fishing, or just a fun day in town, Cottage Grove is the place to visit.

Once thought of as a timber dependent community, Cottage Grove has successfully begun to diversify its economy. Diversification seems to be helping Lane County's economy, as well as Cottage Grove's.  There have been significant impacts on the area from increased employment in small technology related firms. Also, tourism in Lane County has increased over the last three to five years. Cottage Grove has seen some new eating establishments and remodeling of old ones.

Cottage Grove has the council-manager form of government. There is a seven-member council including the Mayor.  

The City provides full-time police  and operates the water and wastewater systems serving the City.  The City also operates a public library, which is open six days a week, and provides planning and development, and park maintenance.  

The first thing most newcomers to Cottage Grove notice is that people they don't know will look them in the eye and speak with them on the street. The second thing is the quality and variety of the people.

Housing Cost

Estimated median house/condo value in 2005: $139,700

Demographics

The July 1, 2005 population estimate from Portland State University for Cottage Grove was 9,110. Between 1980 and 1990, the population of Cottage Grove grew by 3.6%.

Weather

The average high temperature in July and August is 77 degrees with the average low on summer nights in the 50's. The coldest month is January, with an average low of 34 degrees and highs in the 40's.

Oregon has a reputation for heavy rain, but tends to be gentle enough not to disrupt most outdoor activities. In winter, days are mostly cloudy and early morning fog or overcast skies are common. Summers are sunny and dry, with rain on only three or four days in July and August. Snow within Cottage Grove is rare, but the nearby mountains accumulate a snowpack that enhances the view from the City and provides winter recreation areas close at hand.

Information provided by idcide.com and city data.com