Halfway, Oregon: Does It Exist? (Yes—It's a Real Town)

Correction: Halfway, Oregon does exist. It is a small city in Baker County, in the northeastern part of the state, nestled in the Pine Valley near the Wallowa Mountains.

Key Facts

• Population: ~350 (2020 census)
• Elevation: ~2,650 ft (808 m)
• Location: On Oregon Route 86, between Richland and Cornucopia; ~50 miles east of Baker City.
• Notable: In 1999, the town temporarily renamed itself "Half.com" (after the e-commerce company) in a promotional deal—the first U.S. city to rename for a dot-com.

Why the Confusion?

Its tiny size, remote location, and the 1999 stunt led some to assume it was fictional. But Halfway is very real—a gateway to the Eagle Cap Wilderness, Hells Canyon, and some of Oregon's most rugged beauty.

If you're driving through Baker County on OR-86, you'll pass right through it. Blink, and you might miss it—but it's there.