Cairo, Oregon

Cairo is an unincorporated community in Malheur County, Oregon, United States. It is located approximately 13 miles southeast of Ontario, near the Idaho border, along U.S. Route 20/26.

Historically, Cairo served as a minor agricultural and ranching center in the region. Its name is said to be derived from the Egyptian city of Cairo, although the specific reasons for the naming remain debated. Some local lore suggests the name was chosen due to the arid climate and sandy soil in the area, reminiscent of parts of Egypt. Other accounts point to the area's irrigation systems and reliance on the Owyhee River as a parallel to the Nile's importance in Egypt.

While never a large population center, Cairo historically included a post office, school, and various businesses that served the surrounding rural communities. The post office was established in 1890 and discontinued in 1968.

Today, Cairo primarily consists of scattered residences and agricultural land. There are few remaining commercial establishments. The area remains sparsely populated and largely dependent on agriculture, including livestock grazing and crop production.