Harney
Oregon

What stands out

Against every county in America, Harney County is unusual in three ways: rainfall is in the bottom 3% of American counties (12 inches a year), population growth is in the bottom 7% of American counties (-1.2% a year), and the restaurant count per person is in the top 8% of American counties (1.4 per 1,000). Within Oregon it ranks 2nd of 36 counties for rainfall, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Harney County, Oregon. 7,496 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 1.2% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -59).

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 $45,462 a year, lower than 87% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $51,173. Unemployment runs 4.9%, higher than 87% of American counties. 10% of workers work from home.

Oregon takes 8.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,659 a year.

Home

The median home costs $217K, cheaper than 57% of American counties, about 3.0 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $682 a month. Property tax is 1.06% of home value, roughly $1,838 a year on that median home, higher than 64% of American counties. 69% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.1 per 1,000 residents, higher than 63% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 31 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 76.1 years, longer than 53% of American counties. There are 10 active physicians in the county, about 13.3 per 10,000 people. 7.3% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.82 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 76% of American counties. 91% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 61 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 49°F, highs near 61 and lows near 36, colder than 79% of American counties. About 12 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 23 out of 100, safer than 77% of American counties; the county has had 8 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 171 Mbps down, slower than 62% of American counties. There are 8 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.4 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery.