Corvallis, Oregon

Corvallis is a city located in central western Oregon (population estimated over 53,000) and the county seat of Benton County. Originally called Marysville (after early settler Mary Lloyd), in 1853 the legislative assembly changed the city's name to Corvallis from the Latin phrase "cor vallis," meaning "heart of the valley." Situated midway in the Willamette Valley, Corvallis is about 85 miles south of Portland, 30 miles south of the state capital, Salem, ten miles west of Albany and the I-5 highway, and 44 miles north of Eugene-Springfield. The median income for a city household is approximately $35,236, and the median income for a family is $53,208.

Corvallis is admired for its tree-lined streets and numerous parks, its historic courthouse, its popular public library, storefronts, homes, and other structures, its traditional downtown with small shops and restaurants, and its Riverfront Commemorative Park, which runs along the Willamette River, on the eastern edge of downtown. Designated a "Bike-Friendly City," Corvallis has many miles of bike paths, trails, and roadside bicycle lanes.

The 577 acre campus of Oregon State University, which is the major local employer, is located near the edge of the main downtown area. The university campus complements the city with an abundance of trees and handsome buildings. The university also brings a wealth of educational, research, and cultural resources to the community, as well as major college sports events. Another large city employer is Hewlett-Packard, whose printer cartridge manufacturing and prototyping facility is located in the northeast area of town.