Living in The Dalles, Oregon: What to Know Before You Move
Mt Hood / Columbia Gorge · Oregon

Living in The Dalles, Oregon
(2026 Complete Guide)

What Is Living in The Dalles, Oregon Like?

You've probably driven through The Dalles on the freeway and kept going toward the coast or the high desert. Most people do — which is exactly why those who stop and look closer are sometimes surprised by what they find. This is the county seat of Wasco County, the largest city on the Oregon side of the Columbia River east of the Portland metro, and a city of 15,917 people that has quietly landed on the radar of remote workers, Portland escapees, and outdoor enthusiasts who want Mount Hood skiing and Columbia Gorge windsurfing within the same zip code. The city sits tucked between basalt cliffs and the river, shaped by the interstate running along its southern edge and US-197 connecting it to the high desert ranching country to the south.

The economy here runs on a more diverse mix than most towns this size realize. Google has operated data centers in The Dalles since 2006, investing $1.8 billion in its campus and breaking ground on a fifth data center in September 2024 — a $600 million, 290,000-square-foot expansion tied to AI infrastructure demand. A major regional health system anchors the healthcare side of the economy. North Wasco County School District 21 serves the city's families, with 2,847 students enrolled in 2025-26 across its schools. Agriculture — particularly cherry orchards on the Columbia River benchlands — and Wasco County government round out the base. This is not a one-industry town, and that has kept it more stable than many smaller Oregon communities.

Housing runs noticeably below the Portland metro and below the Oregon state average, which is the fact that tends to hook people once they run the numbers. Oregon's lack of a state sales tax adds to the everyday savings. The Dalles Riverfront Trail stretches eight to ten miles along the Columbia, paved and ADA accessible, and Sorosis Park on the upper ridge above downtown received more than $1 million in improvements in 2024-2025. With 177 sunny days a year — more than Portland but less than Bend — the climate leans drier and warmer than the west side, which is a genuine draw for people who have had enough of Portland gray. The catch is wind: the Columbia Gorge is a natural wind tunnel, and the gusts that make this a world-class windsurfing destination are the same ones that will rattle your windows in February.

Whether you're weighing a move from Portland, relocating for a job, or looking for a smaller city with real outdoor access and prices that don't require a second income, the sections below break down The Dalles's neighborhoods, housing market, daily life, commute realities, and what makes weekends here worth sticking around for.

The Dalles scenery

The Dalles at a Glance

15,917
Population
$58,000
Min. income to rent comfortably
$105,877
Min. income to buy a home
88°F
Avg. summer high
177
Sunny days per year
85 min
Avg. commute to Portland, OR

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Why Are People Moving to The Dalles?

The Price Point Is Real

The Dalles's typical home price of $396,291 (Zillow Home Value Index, July 2026) sits well below what buyers encounter in Hood River — noticeably higher on both sides of the Gorge — and a long way below the Portland metro. For buyers priced out of the west side, that gap is the opening move. See the full cost-of-living breakdown, including rent figures and tax rates, on the cost of living page.

The city approved zoning changes in 2025 that allow triplexes, quadplexes, and cottage clusters in low-density zones, and a 76-unit affordable housing project was approved with funding secured. Supply is thin — Wasco County estimates a need for close to 660 new homes by 2040 — but the city is moving to address it faster than most communities this size.

Google Changed the Story

When Google arrived in 2006, The Dalles was best known as the end of the Oregon Trail and the place you drove through to get somewhere else. The company's $1.8 billion campus investment changed that. A fifth data center broke ground in September 2024, and the tech infrastructure employment — along with the support economy it generates — has brought higher-income households and remote workers who want the campus proximity without Portland prices.

That said, Google's on-site headcount is a fraction of what a campus that size implies. Most new arrivals are not Google employees; they're people who looked at the math and found it compelling.

The Outdoor Access Argument

Few cities this size sit inside a National Scenic Area. The Columbia River Gorge surrounding The Dalles offers windsurfing, kiteboarding, rock climbing, whitewater rafting, salmon and steelhead fishing, and canyon hiking. Mount Hood's ski areas are within reach for a day trip. The Dalles Riverfront Trail gives you eight to ten miles of paved, ADA-accessible path along the river without getting in your car. That combination — river, desert, mountain — is hard to replicate at this price point anywhere in the Pacific Northwest.

A Conservative Small City With Deep Roots

Lewis and Clark camped here in 1805 and 1806. Oregon Trail emigrants made their final routing decision at this exact bend in the river, choosing between floating the Columbia or climbing the Barlow Road. That history is still visible at the Fort Dalles Museum and The Dalles Commercial Historic District. Residents tend to lean conservative, most are homeowners, and the community has a dense suburban feel — not a trendy food-and-culture scene, but a stable, rooted one where people tend to know their neighbors.

People move here for lifestyle first. The trade-off is that it is a genuine small city, and some things — specialty retail, dining variety, entertainment — require driving. Explore the neighborhood breakdown to understand which parts of town give you the most day-to-day convenience.

What Daily Life Feels Like in The Dalles

The Geography Runs Vertical

The Dalles stacks in layers. The historic commercial core and the riverfront sit at river level, Cherry Heights and Columbia View Heights climb the basalt slopes above downtown, and Chenoweth spreads out on a plateau to the northwest. Where you live determines your relationship to wind, views, and how much uphill driving you do on a Tuesday.

Downtown is actively being remade. The First Street Streetscape Project broke ground and was under construction as of mid-2025, adding pedestrian enhancements, landscaped planter bays, and upgraded sidewalks. The Federal Street Plaza broke ground in May 2026, adding shade structures, seating, a water feature, and basalt boulders that reflect the regional landscape. The construction is disruptive now; the results should matter to anyone buying downtown-adjacent in the next few years.

Errands and Shopping

A serious shopping trip — anything beyond groceries and hardware — means driving, or ordering online. The Dalles handles everyday needs but not specialty retail. That is the honest picture, and it surprises people who are used to a Portland-level commercial density. Most residents make a deliberate peace with it; those who don't tend to move back west within two years.

The Schools

North Wasco County School District 21 serves the city with 2,847 students enrolled in 2025-26. On 2024-25 state assessments, 19.1% of students reached math proficiency and 31.6% reached reading proficiency — below state averages, and a real consideration for families with school-age children. The district offers active OSAA athletics programs; the Riverhawks mascot and Friday night football are genuine community events. For a deeper look at school options and boundaries, see the schools page.

The Wind Is Not a Minor Detail

Longtime residents will tell you about the wind before they mention almost anything else. The same Gorge geography that fills the riverfront trail with kiteboarders in summer sends sustained gusts through residential neighborhoods year-round. Spring is the most intense stretch. New arrivals from the west side consistently underestimate it. Factor it into your landscaping plans, your outdoor furniture choices, and your tolerance for ambient noise on breezy evenings.

Where People Actually Gather

Sorosis Park, on the upper ridge with panoramic views toward Mount Adams, is where families with kids spend warm afternoons. The disc golf course, tennis courts, and the newly opened Tree Top Playpark draw a steady crowd. The Dalles Riverfront Trail becomes the social spine of the city on weekends — cyclists, walkers, and fishermen share it without friction. The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center grounds give visitors and locals alike a reason to linger on the west side of town. For more on trails, parks, and outdoor access, see the parks and recreation page.

The Dalles Housing Market Right Now

The typical home price in The Dalles sits at $396,291 (Zillow Home Value Index, July 2026) — meaningful context for anyone benchmarking against Hood River or the Portland west side. See the full cost of living breakdown for rent figures, tax rates, and how that price compares to Oregon benchmarks.

Typical two-bedroom rent runs $1,500 to $1,820 per month. The city's effective property tax rate is approximately 0.80%, which is on the lower end for Oregon. Oregon has no state sales tax, which shows up in everyday spending in ways that add up.

What the Supply Picture Looks Like

No new multi-family buildings were constructed in The Dalles between 2019 and 2025. The 2025 zoning changes — allowing triplexes, quadplexes, and cottage clusters in low-density zones — are designed to loosen that constraint, and a 76-unit affordable housing project secured funding and approval the same year. The supply pipeline is moving, but slowly relative to demand.

The median household income in The Dalles is $62,614 — below the income needed to comfortably carry the typical home at current prices. That gap is real, and it shapes who can buy here without outside equity or a dual income. Buyers coming in with equity from a higher-priced market are in a different position than first-time buyers starting from scratch. For financing guidance and first-time buyer programs, see the first-time homebuyer page.

What Buyers Should Know Going In

The market here is not the frenetic pace of the Portland suburbs, but well-priced homes in desirable parts of the city do not sit indefinitely. Some areas — the ridge neighborhoods with river views — command premiums that put them above the city-wide typical figure. Entry-level inventory tends to move faster than the overall average suggests. Come with a clear sense of which neighborhoods match your priorities; the neighborhoods page breaks down the character of each area. The safety picture is also worth understanding before you narrow your search — see the safety page for the full crime context.

The Dalles Neighborhoods

The Dalles has several distinct areas — each with its own character and appeal. Here’s a breakdown to help you narrow down where to focus your home search.

🏡 Chenoweth

Chenoweth spreads across a plateau to the northwest of downtown and offers the most conventional suburban feel in The Dalles — established streets, easy access to schools and commercial corridors, and a mix of ranch-style and split-level homes that suits families with kids and buyers who want predictability over views.

🏠 Cherry Heights

Cherry Heights climbs the basalt slopes above downtown and delivers some of the city's best elevated views of the Columbia River — the neighborhood suits buyers who want a dramatic setting and are comfortable with the hillside terrain that comes with it.

🌳 Downtown The Dalles / Trevitt's Addition

The historic commercial core and adjacent Trevitt's Addition put you within walking distance of the Riverfront Trail, the Fort Dalles Museum, and the active downtown revitalization underway — ideal for buyers who want older character homes and the city's most walkable streets.

🏘 Dry Hollow

Dry Hollow sits in a natural draw east of downtown with a quieter, more tucked-away character — it attracts buyers who want separation from the commercial activity while staying close to city services, with a mix of modest single-family homes on larger lots.

🏔 Whispering Pines Estates

Whispering Pines Estates offers some of the newer construction in The Dalles in a more residential, low-density setting — suited to buyers looking for recent-vintage homes and a neighborhood feel that's removed from the downtown activity.

🌆 Pomona Meadows

Pomona Meadows is a quieter residential area that appeals to buyers who prioritize space and a lower-key neighborhood character, with single-family homes and easy access to the open country on the edges of the city.

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Pros & Cons of Living in The Dalles

The Pros

  • Home prices far below Portland with a genuine river-town, small-city feel
  • Steady employment anchored by Google's data center campus and a regional hospital
  • Year-round outdoor access to the Columbia River Gorge, Mount Hood, and wine country
  • Sunny, dry summers compared to much of western Oregon

The Cons

  • Property crime runs higher than national and state averages
  • Median household income trails the Oregon state median significantly
  • Hot, dry summers with occasional extreme heat waves and cold winter snaps
  • Limited big-city amenities and specialty healthcare require a drive to Portland

Getting Around & Commuting in The Dalles

You Will Need a Car

Most daily errands in The Dalles require a car. The city is served by the interstate, US-30, and US-197 — the routes that connect it to the region. Within the city, the compact downtown core is walkable once you're in it, but moving between the riverfront, the ridge neighborhoods, and the commercial corridors on the plateau means driving. Plan accordingly when you're evaluating which neighborhood to live in.

The Portland Commute Is Honest About Its Length

The commute to Portland runs about 85 minutes under normal conditions. That is a real hour-plus-change each way — not a casual drive. The stretch through the Gorge is scenic and generally clear, but winter weather events can extend it unpredictably, and strong wind advisories occasionally close the highway to high-profile vehicles. Remote workers get the best of The Dalles's deal; daily Portland commuters are making a genuine sacrifice of time.

Hood River sits about 20 miles west and offers additional services, dining, and a slightly larger commercial footprint — a frequent destination for The Dalles residents who want a shorter drive for things the city doesn't have.

Regional Connectivity

US-197 runs south from The Dalles into the high desert toward Maupin and the Deschutes River canyon — a route used by anglers, hunters, and anyone heading to the central Oregon ranching country. US-30 follows the historic Columbia River Highway along the south bank. Neither replaces the interstate as the workhorse route, but both matter to residents whose lives extend beyond the Gorge corridor.

Air Travel

Portland International Airport (PDX) is approximately 80 miles west — the nearest major commercial airport. The Dalles also has a local general aviation airport for small aircraft. For practical purposes, anyone flying commercially is driving to PDX.

Who Thrives Here, Commute-Wise

SituationThe Dalles WorksThe CatchBest For
Full remote workerStrong — best of the dealBroadband varies by neighborhoodNature Value
Hood River commuter20 miles westHood River also has limited supplyCommuter
Local employer (health system, district, county)Works in-city; no freeway neededLocal wages reflect local economyFamilies First-Time
Daily Portland commuterDoable but demandingAbout 85 minutes each wayCommuter
Retiree or semi-retiredExcellent — no commute dependencySpecialist medical requires travelQuiet Views
Google campus employeeOn-site, no commuteOn-site roles are limited in numberTech Value

The commute table tells the honest story: The Dalles rewards people whose work doesn't pull them west every day. For retirees weighing the lifestyle here, see the retiring in The Dalles page.

Schools in The Dalles

Families relocating to The Dalles have public, private, and higher-education options nearby. Here’s a quick overview.

🎓 School District

North Wasco County School District 21 serves K–12 students across The Dalles and the surrounding area.

🏆 Graduation Rate

The 4-year high-school graduation rate here is approximately 82.5%.

📚 Higher Education

Oregon’s public universities — the University of Oregon, Oregon State University, and Portland State University — offer four-year degrees statewide, with a network of 17 community colleges providing two-year and workforce programs.

🌐 Online Learning

Oregon State University Ecampus and Portland State University Online offer fully accredited online degrees for remote learners across the state.

Safety in The Dalles

A quick look at how The Dalles compares on the numbers that matter most when weighing a neighborhood or a move.

🛡 Violent Crime

Approximately 4 per 1,000 residents.

🔒 Property Crime

Approximately 33.3 per 1,000 residents.

Compared to the most recent national figures from the Bureau of Justice Statistics (2024), The Dalles’s violent crime is above the national average (about 3.7 per 1,000), and property crime is above the national average (about 18.4 per 1,000).

Against Oregon as a whole, The Dalles’s violent crime is somewhat above the state average, and property crime is somewhat above the state average (Bureau of Justice Statistics, Crime Known to Law Enforcement, 2024 (tables 2 and 3)).

Crime rates can vary a lot within a single city, so the citywide numbers above are only a starting point. Some neighborhoods in The Dalles run well below these averages, while others run higher — the kind of block-by-block detail that matters most when you’re actually choosing where to live. The full guide below breaks it down neighborhood by neighborhood.

Working in The Dalles

The Dalles’s largest employers span several industries — here are some of the anchors of the local job market.

🏥 Mid-Columbia Medical Center

Healthcare

🎓 North Wasco County School District

Education

🏛 Wasco County

Municipal government

🏛 City of The Dalles

Municipal government

💻 Google

Technology

Parks & Recreation in The Dalles

Some of the outdoor spaces that shape everyday life in The Dalles.

🌱 Sorosis Park

The Dalles residents don’t have to go far for green space — spots like Sorosis Park are part of everyday life here, whether that’s a morning walk, a weekend hike, or just somewhere to unwind outside. The full guide below covers more of what The Dalles has to offer for parks and outdoor recreation.

The Dalles

Retiring in The Dalles

The Dalles draws retirees for its balance of amenities, outdoor access, and cost. Here’s what to weigh.

🌤 Climate

The Dalles averages 177 sunny days a year — notably drier and sunnier than Portland, with hot summers that regularly push into the 90s and mild winters by Oregon standards. The Columbia Gorge wind is the defining seasonal factor: spring brings the strongest gusts, while fall tends to be the most settled and pleasant stretch of the year.

🍴 Lifestyle

The Dalles offers a quieter pace centered around the river, the parks, and a historic downtown undergoing active renovation. Independent coffee shops and casual dining are well covered for a city this size, and the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center provides ongoing cultural programming. Specialty shopping and larger medical facilities require driving, which is the realistic trade-off for the lifestyle and price point.

🏚 55+ Communities

No 55+ communities were found in The Dalles. Retirees typically buy into the existing single-family neighborhoods — Cherry Heights and Columbia View Heights for views, Chenoweth for convenience — or look at smaller towns like Dufur nearby. The retiring page covers the full picture including healthcare access.

✈ Getting Around

Most errands require a car, though the compact downtown and the Riverfront Trail are genuinely walkable for residents who live near river level. Portland International Airport (PDX) is approximately 80 miles west — the nearest major commercial airport — making air travel a planned event rather than a quick trip.

🏛 Oregon Taxes for Retirees — What to Know

Tax laws change frequently and individual situations vary. This is general information, not tax advice — always consult a qualified Oregon tax professional or CPA for personalized retirement tax planning.

Weekends & Local Favorites in The Dalles

On the River and the Ridge

The Dalles Riverfront Trail is where weekends begin for most residents. Eight to ten miles of paved path along the Columbia — with consistent wind, big river views, and enough distance to make a real workout of it. Cyclists, walkers, and families with strollers share it without much friction.

Sorosis Park on the upper ridge is the city's other gathering point. After its 2024-2025 renovation, the park now features the Tree Top Playpark playground, disc golf, tennis courts, softball fields, volleyball pits, and the historic 1911 Vogt Fountain — with panoramic views toward Mount Adams on clear days. On a warm Saturday, this is where you find most of the families with kids.

History and Culture Worth a Visit

The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum sits on the west edge of town and covers the full geological and human history of the Gorge — the kind of place that takes a couple of hours and rewards a return visit. The Fort Dalles Museum is the oldest history museum in Oregon, housed in the original 1856 surgeon's quarters. Old St. Peter's Landmark looms over downtown as one of the Gorge's most recognizable architectural landmarks. Klindt's Booksellers — the oldest bookstore in Oregon — is the kind of institution that puts a small city on a different kind of map.

The Dalles Commercial Historic District and Sunshine Mill Winery give the downtown core a sense of permanence that newer communities spend decades trying to manufacture.

Where Locals Eat and Drink

Cousins' Restaurant & Saloon is the closest thing The Dalles has to an institution — a full-service spot that draws both longtime residents and visitors who've been making the stop for years. Cousins' Country Inn rounds out the family's local footprint. For pizza, Spooky's Pizza has a following. Casa El Mirador handles the Mexican food side of things. Rivertap Restaurant and Pub pulls a mix of locals and trail users.

Coffee is well covered for a city this size. Holstein's Coffee Co and Grinders Coffee are the independent anchors. T & T Coffee and Bagels draws a morning crowd. The Riv Cafe and The Coffee Shop fill out the options for anyone who needs a reliable flat white before tackling the riverfront trail.

Into the Gorge and Beyond

Windsurfing and kiteboarding are legitimate reasons people move here, not just weekend activities — the Gorge wind is consistent enough to build a hobby around. Rock climbing, kayaking, whitewater rafting, and fishing for salmon, steelhead, and sturgeon are all within range. In winter, Mount Hood's ski areas are the natural extension. The city's position at the eastern edge of the Scenic Area means you can be in the ponderosa pine country of Sherman County in 30 minutes, or working your way up a Gorge trail in 10. For a deeper look at outdoor options, the parks and recreation page covers the specifics.

Local favorites in The Dalles

Restaurants

  • Cousins' Restaurant & Saloon
  • Cousins' Country Inn
  • Spooky's Pizza
  • Casa El Mirador
  • Rivertap Restaurant and Pub

Outdoors

  • Sorosis Park
  • The Dalles Riverfront Trail
  • Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum grounds

Coffee

  • The Riv Cafe
  • Grinders Coffee
  • Holstein's Coffee Co
  • T & T Coffee and Bagels
  • The Coffee Shop

Top Things Locals Say About The Dalles

The best intel about a city comes from the people who actually live there. Here’s what The Dalles residents say when newcomers ask the questions everyone’s thinking.

“I knew the commute would be long, but I didn't understand what the Gorge wind would actually feel like living here — not just on the trail, but on my back porch every evening. Month three, I stopped fighting it and bought a kite. Now I live for it.”

— Recent The Dalles home buyer

“What's the most surprising thing about living in The Dalles?”

Most people are surprised by how much the wind defines life here — and then by how quickly they adapt to it. The Cherry Heights neighborhood gets it full force. The other thing that catches people off guard is how self-contained the city is: there's more going on here than you'd expect from a city this size, but less variety than anything on the west side. You stop apologizing for it and just start planning trips to Portland a little more deliberately.

“What do locals love most about The Dalles?”

The river access and the sense of space. You can be on the Riverfront Trail in five minutes from almost anywhere in the city, and on a clear day looking toward Mount Adams, it's hard to argue with the setting. Sorosis Park after the renovation is genuinely excellent. There's also a real sense of community — people know each other here in a way that doesn't happen in larger cities, and that matters more than most people expect when they first arrive.

“What should newcomers to The Dalles know?”

Don't underestimate the wind — February and March can be relentless. Plan your grocery runs strategically if you want specialty items, because a serious shopping trip means driving. The downtown revitalization is real and worth being optimistic about, but it's mid-construction and won't look finished for another year or two. And get comfortable with the 85-minute Portland drive before you commit — it's fine for occasional trips, but it changes your relationship with the city if you need to make it regularly.

“How much do you need a car in The Dalles?”

You need one for most things. The downtown core is walkable once you're in it, and the Riverfront Trail is right there on foot for residents who live near river level. But moving between the riverfront, the Chenoweth plateau, and the ridge neighborhoods — and handling everyday errands across the city — means driving. Most residents use their car daily. Commercial flights mean the drive to PDX.

Cities Near The Dalles

Other communities near The Dalles worth a look — each with its own character and price point.

CityDistanceBest ForVibeMedian RentMedian Buy
Hood River20 miOutdoor lifestyle seekers, higher budgetsEnergetic, resort-adjacent, pricier$2,825$721,304
Dufur15 miRural living, similar price pointQuiet, agricultural, very small$1,300$400,000
Mosier10 miPrivacy seekers, Gorge viewsTiny, scenic, noticeably pricier$1,700$550,000

More Helpful Guides for The Dalles

Going deeper on The Dalles? Our blog series covers everything from first-time buying to retiring here — explore the guides below.

Local Expert Takeaway: The Dalles rewards people who do their homework and go in clear-eyed. The price point is real, Google's footprint is growing, and the outdoor access is genuinely exceptional — but the daily Portland commute is about 85 minutes each way, the school assessment numbers require honest consideration, and the Gorge wind is not background noise. Sorosis Park and the Riverfront Trail are where this city shows its best self on a Saturday. If your work is local or remote, and you want a smaller, rooted community inside one of the most dramatic landscapes in the Pacific Northwest, The Dalles makes a compelling case.

Quick Takeaways & FAQs

✅ Google's $1.8 billion campus investment has brought stable tech-sector employment and remote workers to a city that already had a solid healthcare and government employment base.

⚠️ The daily Portland commute runs about 85 minutes each way — manageable for occasional trips, genuinely demanding as a daily routine.

📍 Downtown is mid-renovation: the First Street Streetscape Project and the new Federal Street Plaza both broke ground in 2025-2026, so buying downtown-adjacent now means betting on what's coming, not what's there yet.

What is the typical home price in The Dalles, Oregon?
The typical home price in The Dalles is $396,291 according to the Zillow Home Value Index as of July 2026. That sits noticeably below Hood River and Mosier, and well below the Portland metro. Dufur runs about the same. Oregon's 0.80% effective property tax rate and lack of a state sales tax add to the affordability picture, though the median household income in The Dalles is below what's needed to comfortably carry that price — so buyers coming in with outside equity or dual incomes are in a stronger position.
How far is The Dalles from Portland?
The drive runs about 85 minutes under normal conditions via the interstate through the Gorge. The stretch is scenic and usually clear, but winter weather events and high-wind advisories can extend the trip or, in rare cases, temporarily close the highway. For remote workers or occasional Portland visitors, it's manageable. For daily commuters, it's a real time commitment — typically two to three hours of driving per day.
What are the schools like in The Dalles?
The Dalles is served by North Wasco County School District 21, with 2,847 students enrolled in 2025-26. On 2024-25 state assessments, 19.1% of students reached math proficiency and 31.6% reached reading proficiency — below state averages. The district has active OSAA athletics programs and a strong community following around Riverhawks sports. Families considering a move should look carefully at school boundaries and individual campus options, covered in detail on the schools page.
Why is Google located in The Dalles?
Google chose The Dalles in 2006 primarily for its access to hydroelectric power from The Dalles Dam, a stable electrical grid, available land, and Columbia River water for cooling. The company has since invested $1.8 billion in the campus and broke ground on a fifth data center in September 2024 — a $600 million facility tied to AI infrastructure expansion. While Google's on-site employment is in the hundreds rather than thousands, the campus has reshaped the city's economic identity and drawn higher-income households and remote workers.
Is The Dalles a good place for outdoor enthusiasts?
It's one of the better-positioned small cities in Oregon for outdoor access. The Columbia Gorge acts as a natural wind tunnel, making The Dalles and the surrounding area world-class for windsurfing and kiteboarding. Rock climbing, kayaking, whitewater rafting, and fishing for salmon, steelhead, and sturgeon are all within easy range. The Dalles Riverfront Trail runs eight to ten miles along the Columbia. Mount Hood ski areas are accessible for day trips in winter. The catch is that the same wind that makes outdoor recreation excellent makes some days genuinely unpleasant if you're not into it.

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Todd Davidson

Todd Davidson

About the Author

Todd Davidson is the founder of The Move Genie, a premier digital resource offering in-depth city guides, neighborhood profiles, and localized market insights for communities nationwide. Drawing on an extensive background in home financing and real estate, he established the platform to streamline the relocation process, helping families make confident, data-driven decisions when comparing new areas.