Jefferson
Oregon

What stands out

Three things set Jefferson County apart from the other 3,142 counties: unemployment is in the top 6% of American counties (5.5%), the home price against local income is in the top 7% of American counties (4.0 years of income), and rainfall is in the bottom 9% of American counties (18 inches a year). Within Oregon it ranks 4th of 36 counties for unemployment.

Where you are

You live in Jefferson County, Oregon. 24,659 people live here with you. The population grew 0.5% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +162).

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 $69,345 a year, higher than 73% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $56,133. Unemployment runs 5.5%, higher than 94% of American counties. 7% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 26 minutes each way.

Oregon takes 8.3% of that median income in state income tax, about $5,749 a year.

Home

The median home costs $436K, pricier than 89% of American counties, about 4.0 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $878 a month. Property tax is 0.81% of home value, roughly $2,486 a year on that median home, lower than 55% of American counties. 70% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.0 per 1,000 residents, higher than 59% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 28 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 74.2 years, shorter than 68% of American counties. There are 26 active physicians in the county, about 10.5 per 10,000 people. 8.0% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.75 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 81% of American counties. 88% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 31 points. 68% 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 50°F, highs near 62 and lows near 38, colder than 74% of American counties. About 18 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 50 out of 100, riskier than 50% of American counties; the county has had 22 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 129 Mbps down, slower than 78% of American counties. There are 7 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.