Fossil, Oregon
City · Population 452 · #195 in Oregon
About Fossil
Fossil is a tiny community in eastern Oregon with an estimated population of 452.
Fossil holds the status of an incorporated city with its own municipal government. The community covers 0.78 square miles, giving it a balanced suburban layout with room to breathe at roughly 579 residents per square mile.
📰 Fossil News Today
- Rowe Creek Complex / August 15, 2026 centraloregonfire.org · Aug 15
- Wildfire Map Spotlight: North-Central and Eastern Oregon Wildfires IQAir · Aug 18
- John Day Fossil Beds back open after central Oregon wildfires burn through OregonLive.com · Aug 7
- Oregon's John Day Fossil Beds reopen as wildfire risk reduced Statesman Journal · Aug 7
- Which Is the Better Energy ETF: State Street's Fossil Fuel XOP or iShares' Clean Energy ICLN? The Motley Fool · Aug 15
Live headlines via Google News — updates through the day.
What Makes Fossil Unique
- The only place in America named Fossil — a truly one-of-a-kind name among 32,000+ US communities.
- Positioned in eastern Oregon, convenient to the region's corridors and crossings.
- Part of the fabric of Oregon — one of 426 recognized communities statewide.
Why People Love It Here
- Small-town pace of life: less traffic, more community, and neighbors who wave.
- Cost of living typically runs below the big-metro average.
- Well connected: 3+ neighboring communities within 24 miles.
🍽️ Where to Eat in Fossil
- Brenda's Blessings — pizza (café)
- The Royal Stag
Local spots mapped by the OpenStreetMap community.
🎡 Fun Things to Do
- Arch Trail · Attraction
- Fossil Digging site · Attraction
Attractions mapped by the OpenStreetMap community.
🏞️ Parks & Outdoors in Fossil
- John Day Fossil Beds - Clarno Unit · Nature reserve reviews ★
- Pine Creek Conservation Area · Nature reserve reviews ★
- Bear Hollow County Park · Nature reserve reviews ★
- Julia A Henderson Pioneer Park · Nature reserve reviews ★
- Shelton Wayside County Park · Nature reserve reviews ★
- Wheeler Court House Park reviews ★
Parks mapped by the OpenStreetMap community · "reviews" opens each park's live Google reviews.
🏫 Schools in Fossil
- Fossil Charter School
Public schools, U.S. Dept. of Education (NCES) 2023–24 directory.
⚡ Quick Facts
StateOregon
TypeCity
Population (2024)452
Rank in state#195 of 240
Land area0.78 sq mi
Density579/sq mi
Coordinates44.9981, -120.2146