Cornelius

Property Management

Neighborhood

Cornelius: Rural Charm with Suburban Amenities

Cornelius is a town of more than 12,000 residents in suburban Washington County. It sits along the Tualatin Valley Highway, with Forest Grove to the west and Hillsboro to the east. With a rich history as a farming community, Cornelius now bridges the bustling suburbs of the Portland-metro area with the agricultural and timber lands which fill the western part of the county. Residents here enjoy a slower pace of life with plenty of available outdoor recreation options. They also benefit from the city’s proximity to the urban conveniences Portland provides. Together, these features make Cornelius a top destination for Portland-area renters.

Cornelius History

The first residents of Cornelius came to the Tualatin Valley in the mid-1900s along the Oregon Trail. One of the area’s most prominent citizens was T.R. Cornelius, who was born in Missouri and traveled to Oregon in 1845. Three years later, Cornelius joined a government militia and participated in battles against several native tribes. He eventually settled on 640 acres of land near the modern-day city of Cornelius. Years later, he reenlisted in the militia and fought in more battles against the Yakima nation — eventually earning the rank of colonel.

Cornelius was elected to the provisional Oregon Territorial Legislature and served three terms. When Oregon entered the Union in 1859, Cornelius continued serving in the state legislature as one of Oregon’s first state senators. In 1871, Cornelius returned to his farm. He eventually built a grain warehouse, creamery, two sawmills, and a grocery store, along with several houses and barns. Before the town’s incorporation in 1893, citizens agreed by common consent to name the city Cornelius in honor of its most famous resident.

Cornelius Today

Agriculture still plays an important role in the Cornelius community. While the town itself is small, the surrounding area is dotted with wineries and berry farms, and the lush forests of the Chehalem Mountains are not far away.

Cornelius doesn’t administer its own school system, so the city’s children attend either the Forest Grove or Hillsboro School Districts — both of which are highly rated. The city also enjoys a low crime rate.

In addition, Cornelius is just minutes away from Hillsboro, which features a wealth of suburban conveniences. Cornelius residents are also just a short drive away from Downtown Portland, where they can find the region’s best shopping, dining, and entertainment attractions. Taken together, these factors make Cornelius a great place to live.

Cornelius Homeowner Statistics

According to the neighborhood information site Niche, Cornelius has a median household income of $60,766, and a median home value of $215,900. What’s more, 79% of Cornelius residents own their homes.

The city’s sparse suburban feel, agricultural heritage, and proximity to big-city conveniences make Cornelius an attractive destination for renters. Plus, the low ratio of homeowners to renters means there’s little competition and lots of opportunity for investment property owners. According to RentCafe, the average Cornelius resident pays between $1,000 and $1,500 in monthly rent. That could become a healthy source of cash flow for an owner wanting to dive into the rental home market.

Rent Portland Homes by Darla Andrew Can Help

If you’re a homeowner in the Cornelius area who’s interested in becoming an investment property owner, we can help. We’re a full-service property management company assisting owners in maximizing their investments throughout Portland and surrounding communities.

Contact us by phone today at (503) 515-3170 or fill out the contact form on our website. You can also request a complimentary rental analysis, which will help you determine if your home could become a profitable rental. Your property could become the next hot rental in Cornelius. We’d love to show you how!