Best Web Design in Corvallis, OR (2026)

Web Design for Corvallis, Oregon

Corvallis, whose Latin-derived name means 'heart of the valley,' is a Willamette Valley college town built around Oregon State University and the surrounding farmland. It is the most educated city in Oregon, one of the most bike-friendly cities in America, and the westernmost U.S. city over 50,000 people. Beaver orange and green, a beloved farmers' market, and an eccentric kinetic-sculpture race define its character.

AppWT works with Corvallis, OR businesses from Livonia, Michigan, mostly online and travelling as needed.

About Corvallis

Also known as. Heart of the Valley.

History. Joseph C. Avery staked the first 640-acre claim at the confluence of the Willamette and Marys Rivers in 1845; the town was first called Marysville. Renamed Corvallis by an act of the Oregon Territorial Legislature on December 20, 1853, using the Latin for 'heart of the valley' to avoid confusion with Marysville, California. Named the seat of Benton County in 1851 and briefly served as Oregon's territorial capital in 1855 before the seat moved permanently to Salem. Incorporated as a city in 1857. Hewlett-Packard opened a large plant northeast of the city in 1976; Oregon State advanced to university status, becoming Oregon State University in 1961.

Local economy. Oregon State University, a land-grant institution with about 38,000 students, is the largest employer in Benton County and anchors the economy. Samaritan Health Services is a major regional healthcare employer. Hewlett-Packard operates a large R&D campus in Corvallis, a legacy of its 1976 arrival. Technology, advanced materials, clean-tech, and life-sciences firms such as SIGA Technologies contribute to a diversified economy.

Culture and community. The da Vinci Days Graand Kinetic Challenge, held since the early 1990s, races human-powered kinetic art sculptures over land, sand, mud, and two miles of the Willamette River. The Corvallis-OSU Symphony is the oldest continuously operating orchestra in Oregon. The Benton County Fair & Rodeo dates to 1859, and the Corvallis Farmers' Market is a downtown mainstay. Sports center on Oregon State's Beavers (NCAA Division I) and the Corvallis Knights of the summer collegiate West Coast League. Beer culture shows up in events such as SeptemBeerFest and BlockTober Fest.

What makes Corvallis distinct. Corvallis is the most educated city in Oregon, with roughly 55 percent of adults holding at least a bachelor's degree, among the highest shares in the nation. It is the westernmost city in the contiguous 48 states with a population over 50,000. It earned a Gold bike-friendly rating from the League of American Bicyclists, with one of the highest bicycle-commuting rates in the country (over 11 percent). The city operates a fareless public transit system. Surrounding Benton County was cited in a 2003 study as one of the least religious counties per capita in the United States.

Corvallis Landmarks and Local Life

• Oregon State University campus - including Reser Stadium
• Historic Benton County Courthouse.
• Avery Park along the Marys River.
• Peavy Arboretum and the McDonald-Dunn Research Forest.
• William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge just south of the city.