Columbia
Oregon

What stands out

What stands out about Columbia County: winter sunshine is among the cloudiest in America (-2.6 on the USDA scale), the average commute is in the top 5% of American counties (31 minutes), and the school test score is in the bottom 5% of American counties (2.44 where 3.0 is grade level). Within Oregon it ranks 15th of 36 counties for winter sunshine, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Columbia County, Oregon. 52,865 people live here with you. The population grew 0.5% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +401).

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 $83,265 a year, higher than 90% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $54,228. Unemployment runs 4.8%, higher than 86% of American counties. 10% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 31 minutes each way.

Oregon takes 8.4% of that median income in state income tax, about $6,967 a year.

Home

The median home costs $453K, pricier than 90% of American counties, about 3.9 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,134 a month. Property tax is 0.78% of home value, roughly $2,829 a year on that median home, lower than 58% of American counties. 77% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.7 per 1,000 residents, lower than 61% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 37 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 78.3 years, longer than 78% of American counties. There are 22 active physicians in the county, about 4.2 per 10,000 people. 5.8% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.59 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 95% of American counties. 91% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 14 points. 79% 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 52°F, highs near 62 and lows near 43, colder than 65% of American counties. About 48 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 84 out of 100, riskier than 84% of American counties; the county has had 17 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 196 Mbps down, slower than 52% of American counties. There are 4 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.8 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery.