This small Willamette Valley city of 11,000 residents serves as home to Western Oregon University, bringing a college-town atmosphere to rural Polk County. The valley's mild marine climate creates wet winters with temperatures in the 40s and dry summers reaching the 80s. Rainfall exceeds 40 inches annually, concentrated in November through March. The city sits at 200 feet elevation, surrounded by grass seed farms and oak-covered foothills. Mount Jefferson's snowy peak is visible on clear days 60 miles east. Monmouth's small-town pace contrasts with Salem, just 15 miles north.
