About Heppner, Oregon

The city of Heppner lies about 50 miles south of the Columbia River snuggled against the foothills of the Blue Mountains in north eastern Oregon. Highway 74, also called the Blue Mountain Scenic Byway, winds south from Interstate 84 through Ione, Lexington and Heppner. Rolling hills rising to meet the mountains on the east offer a beautiful view while canyons, rivers and scattered farms also contribute to the picturesque drive. Beyond Heppner, Highway 74 leads into the Blue Mountains and to the towns of Ukiah and La Grande, earning Heppner the name “Gateway to the Blues”.

Heppner was incorporated in 1887 and is the county seat of Morrow County. It is the largest of three communities in the Willow Creek Valley. Heppner is a great place to raise a family or retire. With a population around 1,400, the town offers small town living at its finest with affordable housing, a full service downtown, medical facilities, superior schools and a low crime rate. Most of our residents are employed in agriculture, government, timber and manufacturing. It’s a prime location, offering the best of rural living with convenient access to the larger communities of Hermiston, Pendleton and the Tri-Cities.

Two internet service providers plus wireless internet access provides broadband internet capability to Heppner. Additionally, Morrow County is served with a fiber optic network that links all of the Morrow County schools and government offices, providing excellent bandwidth for video conferencing and data transmission. The Oregon Trail Library District offers free internet access and can order books and other publications from among the 70 libraries and academic institutions via interlibrary loans.

Due to proximity to four streams, the City of Heppner participates in the National Flood Insurance Program. More information about floodplain management and flood insurance issues in Heppner can be found by clicking here. (See also: www.fema.gov)