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Cornelius, OR

Frequently asked questions

Cornelius, OR

Cornelius is a city in Washington County, Oregon, United States. The city lies along Tualatin Valley Highway between Forest Grove to the west and Hillsboro to the east. Cornelius was incorporated in 1893 and is named for founder Thomas R. Cornelius.

In 1845, Benjamin Cornelius immigrated to Oregon with his family, traveling with Joseph Meek. The Cornelius family settled on the Tualatin Plains, near what is now North Plains. The same year, Benjamin Q. Tucker and Solomon Emerick staked land claims and established farms on the land that would eventually become Cornelius. At that time, the area was called Free Orchards; there was no actual community, but the name referred to the orchards on 107 acres (0.43 km²) of land.

In 1871, Benjamin Cornelius's son Colonel Thomas R. Cornelius learned that Ben Holladay planned to extend the Oregon and California Railroad right through Free Orchards. Holladay had been told by Forest Grove and Hillsboro that they would not allow the railroad free right-of-way, so Holladay planned to bypass them and build Free Orchards into a new city that would become the new county seat of Washington County.

In 1893, Free Orchards was incorporated and renamed "Cornelius", to honor the man who spent many years helping build the community. Though Holladay's plan to make Free Orchards into the county seat never materialized, Cornelius survives today as an agricultural town and, increasingly, as a suburb of Portland. The Cornelius Public Library was founded in 1912.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.01 square miles (5.21 km²), all land.

Cornelius places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center - Cornelius, located nearby, serves as a healthcare hub, offering a range of medical services to ensure the community's health needs are met. Pacific University EyeClinic Cornelius provides comprehensive eye care services including vision exams and eye health evaluations. The Forge Fitness offers fitness classes, gym equipment, and personal training sessions to support physical health and fitness goals. Pinnacle Performance and Fitness provides personalized fitness training, nutritional coaching, and wellness programs for individuals of all fitness levels. Pacific Medical Group offers primary care services, preventive screenings, and wellness consultations for individuals and families. Yogasita conducts yoga classes for stress relief, flexibility, and mindfulness to promote mental and physical wellness. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Cornelius, such as the Salmon Creek Greenway Trail and Frenchman's Bar Trail. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

The top sites in Cornelius, OR are Forest Hills Golf Course, Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals, and Fernhill Wetlands.

Population: 14,369 (2022). ZIP Code: 97113. Area codes: 503, 971. Elevation: 180 ft (50 m). Area: 2.34 sq mi (6.06 km²).

FAQs

What is Cornelius, OR known for?

Cornelius is an agricultural paradise, where rolling hillsides, vineyards, and farms abound. With a population of around 12,000, Cornelius is a small city in the heart of the fertile Tualatin Valley. Situated in the Chehalem Mountains American Viticultural Area (AVA), Cornelius is home to four wineries, with three open to the public year-round. Cornelius is an agricultural paradise, where rolling hillsides, vineyards, and farms abound. 

What are the demographics of Cornelius, OR?

Cornelius is a city located in Multnomah County, Washington County, and Yamhill County Oregon. Cornelius has a 2024 population of 15,710. Cornelius is currently growing at a rate of 4.87% annually and its population has increased by 22.81% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 12,792 in 2020. According to the most recent ACS, the racial composition of Cornelius was: White: 63.72%, Other race: 24.12%, Two or more races: 7.16%, Native American: 2.28%, Asian: 1.67%, Black or African American: 1.04%, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0%

Is Cornelius, OR a good place to live?

Cornelius is in Washington County. Living in Cornelius offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Cornelius, there are a lot of parks. Many families live in Cornelius and residents tend to be liberal. The public schools in Cornelius are above average.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Cornelius

World Population Review

Niche

Tualatin Valley

Forest Hills Golf Course

Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals

Fernhill Wetlands

Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center - Cornelius

Pacific University EyeClinic Cornelius

The Forge Fitness

Pinnacle Performance and Fitness

Pacific Medical Group

Yogasita

Salmon Creek Greenway Trail 

Frenchman's Bar Trail

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.