Malheur
Oregon

What stands out

Three things set Malheur County apart from the other 3,142 counties: rainfall is in the bottom 5% of American counties (14 inches a year), the school test score is in the bottom 6% of American counties (2.49 where 3.0 is grade level), and homeownership is in the bottom 6% of American counties (59%). Within Oregon it ranks 8th of 36 counties for rainfall, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Malheur County, Oregon. 31,538 people live here with you. The population grew 0.6% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +188).

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 $48,371 a year, lower than 82% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $48,708. Unemployment runs 4.4%, higher than 79% of American counties. 8% of workers work from home.

Oregon takes 8.1% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,913 a year.

Home

The median home costs $314K, pricier than 72% of American counties, about 3.0 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $767 a month. Property tax is 0.89% of home value, roughly $1,669 a year on that median home, higher than 52% of American counties. 59% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.2 per 1,000 residents, higher than 69% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 23 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 75.9 years, longer than 51% of American counties. There are 33 active physicians in the county, about 10.5 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.0 of 5 stars. 9.5% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.54 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 94% of American counties. 81% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 46 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 56% 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 64 and lows near 37, colder than 73% of American counties. About 14 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 48 out of 100, safer than 52% of American counties; the county has had 7 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 150 Mbps down, slower than 71% of American counties. There are 14 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.9 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 2 breweries.