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About The Dalles Schools Housing Chamber of Commerce

The Dalles is a sunny small town and, according to Men's Journal, was considered one of the top up-and-coming towns in the United States in 2008. An article in the AAA magazine 'Via' sums up this eastern Oregon town quite nicely.

It's a town of hard-working people who come together to make extraordinary things happen. Things like:

Building the Q-Life 18-mile fiber optic loop
Recruiting Google to build a data center
Constructing a 9-mile waterfront trail for running, walking and cycling
Renewing its historic downtown business district

Located along the banks of the mighty Columbia River, just 84 miles east of Portland, The Dalles is the eastern gateway to the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.

300 days of sun (annually) nurtures bountiful agricultural products, including world-renowned cherries, grapes and wheat.

Cyclists, geocachers, hikers, hunters, fishers, history buffs, wind sports enthusiasts and wine lovers have discovered The Dalles and its surrounding area.

Area History

Steeped in history and culture, the area served as a center of Native American trade for 10,000 years. Lewis & Clark camped along the shores, and pioneers on the Oregon Trail had to make a decision at The Dalles whether to brave a crossing of the Columbia River or to continue by land, up and around 11,000 foot Mt. Hood.

Area Statistics

The Dalles' population is just over 13,000 with a service area of approximately 85,000 and is home to Columbia Gorge Community College, which offers the first wind-power training program in the Pacific Northwest, Google's Data Center, numerous orchards, vineyards and wineries, and a thriving business community.

While Portland accumulates 37 inches of rain annually and, nearby Hood River County receives 31 inches, The Dalles receives only 14.41 inches.

Green Energy in The Gorge

Windmills in the eastern Gorge
photo courtesy justinbailie.com

Recently, the Gorge has become home to a cleaner, greener energy--apart from the dams that supply hydroelectric power to the region--namely wind which the Gorge has plenty of.

Three major wind farm projects, backed by Oregon governor Ted Kulongoski were put into place in 2006 and are just now coming to fruition. By 2024, Northwest wind farms may be producing as much as 6,000 megawatts of power, nearly as much as Grand Coulee Dam.

The Dalles Trivia

The name of the city comes from the French word dalle (meaning either "sluice" or "flagstone" and referring to the columnar basalt rocks carved by the river), what the French-Canadian employees of the North West Company called the now-inundated rapids of the Columbia River between the present-day city and Celilo Falls. The population was 12,156 at the 2000 census and was estimated at 12,520 in 2006. Also in the same area was the Petite Dalles or Little Dalles, or Short Narrows, which is now also inundated.

The Dalles residents are known as "Dallesians" although other titles have been suggested. The Dalles is one of three US cities whose name is preceded by the article "the": The Hills TX, The Colony TX, and The Dalles OR.

According to The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce, "living in The Dalles is simply sunsational!"

North Wasco County School District serves approximately 3,000 students in Kindergarten through grade 12.

Three elementary schools serve grades Kindergarten through fifth.

The sixth through eighth grades are located at The Dalles Middle School.

The two high schools have been combined to form one 4A high school. The ninth grade is located on the Wahtonka campus and grades 10 through 12 are located on The Dalles campus.

St. Mary's Academy Catholic school serves PK through 8th grades.

One charter school, Mosier Community School, serves approximately 100 students in grades K through 6.

The district is organized with a seven-member elected board of directors and a board-appointed budget committee. The district employs over 200 teachers, counselors and librarians, with an additional 185 support staff. A strong connection with Columbia Gorge ESD and Columbia Gorge Community College

exists to support an effective educational environment.

The Bungalow

Bennet House, The Dalles

Like many towns in the Northwest, the architectural style of choice in The Dalles is characterized by the 'Bungalow' or 'Craftsman' style home typical of the 1920's, 30's and 40's. The steep-pitched roofs and decorative trim details are characteristic of the Arts & Crafts movement of the early 20th century. Many homes in The Dalles are fully restored Victorian beauties and some are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Statistics

2008 cost of living index in City of The Dalles: 93.7 (less than average, U.S. average is 100)
Most Commonly Used Housing Fuel:
- Electricity (69%)
- Utility gas (20%)
- Fuel oil, kerosene, etc. (5%)
- Wood (4%)
- Other fuel (1%)
Population in July 2007: 13,470.
Estimated median house or condo value in 2007: $183,921
Elevation: 151 feet
Land area: 5.26 square miles.
Population density: 2561 people per square mile average

For more information and recent statistics on housing and other demographics for The Dalles visit City-Data.com.

Visit The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce website for more information about The Dalles and its surrounding communities.

Taking a Look
Back...

Taking a look a back at the rich history of The Dalles reveals a story that includes a vital tribal trading and fishing place, a cross-roads where Lewis & Clarke found their way west to Fort Lewis, and the Pacific Ocean, their final destination.

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