Your Guide to Buying a Home in Lake Oswego, OR

In the 1990 U.S. Census, the median household income in Lake Oswego was $57,499--nearly twice the income of other Portland suburbs. The average housing values were also higher--$142,600 compared to $59,200 in Portland. Today the Median Family Income is $60,949 and the average home purchase of a 2,000 sq ft home is $230,000.

Lake Oswego’s original neighborhoods reflect a glimpse of England, with English Cottage and Tudor Revival homes designed by architect Richard Sundeleaf between 1920 and 1940, but most residents live in new developments designed to accommodate busy urban lifestyles.

The City has 17 neighborhood associations and more than 12 citizen advisory boards. The Lake Oswego City Charter establishes a council-manager form of government, which vests policy authority in a volunteer City Council and administrative authority for day-to-day operations in an appointed, professional City Manager (Douglas Schmitz). The Lake Oswego City Council consists of a mayor and six councilors who serve four-year terms.

Lake Oswego has full-service police and fire departments, a heavily-used library and an award-winning senior center. The City also provides planning, engineering, water, sanitary sewer and surface water systems. In addition, there is a City-owned water sports center on the Willamette River, two public swimming facilities on the 405-acre Oswego Lake, a self-financed, 18-hole public golf course and an indoor tennis center.

The city’s primary sources of revenue are property taxes, sales and services, franchise fees and intergovernmental agreements. The primary expenditures are public safety, parks and recreation, debt service, redevelopment, library and general administration.

The schools in Lake Oswego rate among the best in the country. More than 80% of the high school students attend college. The Lake Oswego School District operates two high schools, two junior high schools and nine elementary schools. There are several colleges in or near Lake Oswego--Lewis & Clark College and its affiliate Northwestern School of Law, Marylhurst University, and Portland Community College (Sylvania campus).