Eugene

Eugene is the second largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon and the county seat of Lane County. It is located at the south end of the Willamette Valley, at the confluence of the McKenzie and Willamette rivers, about 50 miles east of the Oregon Coast. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, Eugene has a population of 156,185, and Lane County has a population of 351,715. While Eugene has long been the second largest city in Oregon, it was briefly surpassed by Salem between 2005 and 2007. The Eugene-Springfield, Oregon MSA is the 144th largest metropolitan statistical area of the U.S, and the third largest in the state, behind the Salem Metropolitan Area. Eugene is home to the University of Oregon. The city is also noted for its natural beauty, recreational opportunities, focus on the arts, activist political leanings, and residents with "alternative" lifestyles. Eugene's slogan is "A Great City for the Arts and Outdoors." It is also referred to as the "Emerald City", and "Track Town, USA." The Nike corporation had its beginnings in Eugene.