Woodburn named a 2026 All-America City for its efforts to strengthen civic health and build trust, and for its civic infrastructure—the network of relationships, partnerships, and capacities driving effective decision-making and problem-solving.

June 28, 2026 - Woodburn, OR, was recognized today as one of ten All-America City Award winners. The National Civic League presented this honor to recognize Woodburn's work to create a thriving and welcoming community where trust and belonging are abundant.

Earlier this year, communities from across the country submitted written applications showcasing their efforts that not only strengthen civic life and rebuild trust but also address pressing challenges and lay the foundation for a better future. The field was narrowed to twenty finalists and this week, these finalist communities traveled to Denver, Colorado, where they connected and shared insights with peers, learned from national thought leaders, and presented their work to a jury of nationally recognized civic leaders. After careful deliberation, the jury selected ten winning communities, including Woodburn, Oregon.

Woodburn, Oregon, calls itself the City of Unity, and the numbers back the motto: 58 percent of residents speak a language other than English at home, 95 percent of city center businesses are Latino-owned, and local students speak more than 30 languages. The city has built its civic life on that diversity rather than around it. The North Marion Tourism Collaborative's American Dream video series tells the stories of immigrant entrepreneurs who came to Woodburn to build businesses, homes, and futures, deepening trust between business owners and city leaders. The Family Resource Center brings multilingual services close to home, leasing space to nonprofit providers at 66 cents per square foot against a $16 market rate so that housing, behavioral health, and family support stay affordable and centralized. And downtown, resident input has shaped placemaking investments from a zócalo-inspired plaza to a restored 1911 theater, creating gathering spaces that reflect the cultures of the people who use them. In Woodburn, unity is the city's daily practice.

Learn more about Woodburn's winning efforts.

We are proud to name Woodburn a 2026 All-America City. What stood out in their application and presentation was not just what they have accomplished, but that they did so by putting residents in charge of shaping their community's future. Woodburn is a model of what civic health looks like in practice: neighbors building trust across difference, institutions opening doors to real participation, and a community that has chosen to face its challenges together. That is exactly the spirit America's 250th anniversary calls us to celebrate.



-Doug Linkhart

President, National Civic League

About the National Civic League

Through a set of complementary programs, the National Civic League advances inclusive civic engagement and promotes innovations in democracy to make decision-making more participatory, equitable, and effective.

The Center for Democracy Innovation works with communities to understand, test, and disseminate the next generation of civic innovations. Civic Genius rebuilds civic culture through deliberative public processes, citizen assemblies, and trainings that strengthen the relationship between governments and the residents they serve. Local Policy Lab partners with local governments to translate promising ideas into action, providing technical assistance, policy resources, and a national network of local leaders committed to strengthening democracy. Spread the Vote expands access to civic participation for Americans facing barriers to voting, through direct support, voter education, and on-the-ground programs.

The League also maintains the Model City Charter, organizes the All-America City Awards, publishes the National Civic Review, sustains the Healthy Democracy Ecosystem Map, and supports an extensive national network of local elected, appointed, and civic leaders.

More information is available at nationalcivicleague.org. 

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