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About Eugene
Eugene is Oregon’s third largest city and is located at the southern end of the lush Willamette Valley. Eugene is the county seat for Lane County, which is approximately the size of Connecticut and extends from the Cascade Mountains summit to the Pacific Ocean. The Willamette River runs through the city.

Combined with Springfield, adjacent to Eugene to the east, approximately 225,000 people live in the immediate metropolitan area.

Mild winters, long growing seasons, plenty of rain (but fairly dry summer months), proximity to outdoor recreation, a diverse economy and very few extreme weather events make Eugene an attractive place to live.

Population
Eugene 146,160
Springfield 55,860
Lane County 336,085
Oregon 3,631,440

McKenzie River
The McKenzie is the sole source of water for Eugene residents. The water is soft, having only 20 to 25 mg/l (milligrams per liter) hardness and a pH factor of 7.4.

Early history
Once inhabited by the Kalapuya tribe of Native Americans, the city of Eugene was founded by Eugene Skinner, who built the first cabin in 1846 near what is now called Skinner Butte. Eugene and the surrounding area was an attractive destination for pioneers arriving from journeys along the Oregon and Applegate trails.

Skinner and Judge David Risdon platted and recorded Eugene City in 1852; the town was incorporated in 1862. The name was changed to Eugene in 1864, and the first city council was elected in 1865.

Eugene’s population began to grow rapidly after the Oregon-California Railway was completed in 1871.

Find out more about Eugene at these web sites:

Eugene Chamber of Commerce

Convention and Visitor's Association of Lane County

Lane Transit District

City of Eugene

Lane County

University of Oregon

Eugene Schools

Bethel School District

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