Benton
Oregon

What stands out

Three things set Benton County apart from the other 3,142 counties: winter sunshine is among the cloudiest in America (-2.6 on the USDA scale), life expectancy is in the top 2% of American counties (82.2 years), and high-school completion is in the top 3% of American counties (96%). Within Oregon it ranks 15th of 36 counties for winter sunshine, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Benton County, Oregon. 95,615 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.1% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -223).

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 $72,882 a year, higher than 79% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $67,162. Unemployment runs 3.6%, higher than 56% of American counties. 15% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 17 minutes each way.

Oregon takes 8.3% of that median income in state income tax, about $6,058 a year.

Home

The median home costs $563K, pricier than 95% of American counties, about 4.2 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,321 a month. Property tax is 1.03% of home value, roughly $4,539 a year on that median home, higher than 62% of American counties. 56% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.1 per 1,000 residents, lower than 87% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 13 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 82.2 years, longer than 98% of American counties. There are 476 active physicians in the county, about 49.8 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.0 of 5 stars. 5.9% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.07 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 50% of American counties. 96% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 41 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 74% 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 54°F, highs near 65 and lows near 43, colder than 57% of American counties. About 49 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 91 out of 100, riskier than 91% of American counties; the county has had 15 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 215 Mbps down, faster than 57% of American counties. There are 10 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.9 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 9 breweries.