Baker
Oregon

What stands out

If you had to describe Baker County in numbers, start here: winter sunshine is in the bottom 3% of American counties (-1.8 on the USDA scale), the restaurant count per person is in the top 7% of American counties (1.4 per 1,000), and the home price against local income is in the top 12% of American counties (3.5 years of income). Within Oregon it ranks 25th of 36 counties for winter sunshine, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Baker County, Oregon. 16,685 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.1% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +98).

Oregon has no sales tax and a graduated income tax that reaches 9.9% at modest incomes, plus an estate tax that begins at $1 million, the lowest threshold in the country. Portland adds regional income taxes for homeless services and preschool. Statewide land-use rules limit sprawl, which keeps home prices high in the Willamette Valley. The state does not tax Social Security.

Money

The typical household here brings in $51,657 a year, lower than 75% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $50,270. Unemployment runs 4.7%, higher than 85% of American counties. 9% of workers work from home.

Oregon takes 8.1% of that median income in state income tax, about $4,201 a year.

Home

The median home costs $307K, pricier than 71% of American counties, about 3.5 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $776 a month. Property tax is 0.89% of home value, roughly $2,055 a year on that median home, higher than 52% of American counties. 72% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.8 per 1,000 residents, lower than 56% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 27 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 76.0 years, longer than 52% of American counties. There are 25 active physicians in the county, about 15.0 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 1.0 of 5 stars. 6.5% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

91% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 50 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 78% of eligible voters turned out. Under Oregon law you need local approval to carry a concealed handgun, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 48°F, highs near 59 and lows near 37, colder than 81% of American counties. About 19 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 49 out of 100, safer than 51% of American counties; the county has had 12 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 156 Mbps down, slower than 68% of American counties. There are 6 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.4 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 2 breweries.