Grants Pass, OR, United States

Capital City

With a population of just 39,189, Grants Pass is a sleepy outpost in the Rogue Valley, far removed from the glitz of Oregon's major cities. The mild climate and scenic river views come at a price - the area is conservative-leaning, and the Ku Klux Klan had a strong presence here until the 1960s. While the city touts its outdoor recreation, bureaucracy is a persistent headache, with the city council overseeing an array of volunteer-run departments. For those seeking a quiet, outdoorsy lifestyle in a politically homogeneous region, Grants Pass may fit the bill, but others may find the lack of diversity and heavy-handed local government a turnoff.