Happy Valley

The first homesteaders of Happy Valley were Christian and Matilda Deardorff. They claimed numerous acres of land under the U.S. Donation Land Offers program in 1851, and named it "Christilla Valley." As time went by, Deardorff used parcels of his land as a means of paying the men who worked for him, and the property changed hands many times as families came and went. Several pioneer families are still prominent residents today. Officially incorporated in 1965, increased urbanization of surrounding cities caused Happy Valley to experience tremendous growth in the late 1990’s, and it remains one of Oregon’s fastest growing areas. Neighboring communities include Sunnyside, Damascus and Estacada.

Vibe and Style

Residents of Happy Valley enjoy a high-quality lifestyle and take pride in the area’s plentiful neighborhoods. The city’s casual and friendly attitude provides a positive atmosphere for raising a family or establishing a new business venture. As a major center for the growing healthcare industry, the number of medical and business professionals attracted to Happy Valley has increased. Residents seek a community supportive of their occupation with a relaxed environment in a smaller city.

Many of the area Portland homes are newer construction and consist of a wide variety of single family residences. Choose from single and multi-level, luxury and townhomes as well as sprawling estates. The area also has a number of gated communities with amenities such as pools, gyms and neighborhood associations.

Local Scene

In addition to the healthcare industry, new retail and service developments contribute to the area’s economic expansion. At the heart of this expansion is the Happy Valley Towne Center, which has an abundance of shopping, dining and entertainment opportunities. The anchor of the mall is New Seasons Market, where patrons can support local farmers, growers and businesses by purchasing local, sustainable foods and products. For down home southern cooking, locals frequent the popular eatery Shane’s Rib Shack. Serving up large portions of quality, slow-cooked barbecue based on secret family recipes, patrons never leave hungry.

Outdoor Sanctuary

The area’s outdoor activities focus on camaraderie and togetherness. The local group, Happy Valley Hikers, provides residents the opportunity to explore surrounding nature while getting to know new people and neighbors. Families often recreate at the Happy Valley Park where both kids and adults can play and exercise. During the warmer months, locals cool off at the park’s Splash Pad, featuring 16 water sprays, showers and streams. Other park amenities include paved trails, covered areas, playgrounds, horseshoe pits and a fully fenced off-leash dog park.

Map of Community