Polk
Oregon

What stands out

Three things set Polk County apart from the other 3,142 counties: winter sunshine is among the cloudiest in America (-2.6 on the USDA scale), rainfall is in the top 3% of American counties (59 inches a year), and the home price against local income is in the top 6% of American counties (4.2 years of income). Within Oregon it ranks 15th of 36 counties for winter sunshine, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Polk County, Oregon. 87,600 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.2% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +192).

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 $77,353 a year, higher than 85% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $52,263. Unemployment runs 4.2%, higher than 75% of American counties. 14% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 23 minutes each way.

Oregon takes 8.3% of that median income in state income tax, about $6,449 a year.

Home

The median home costs $482K, pricier than 92% of American counties, about 4.2 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,158 a month. Property tax is 0.87% of home value, roughly $3,321 a year on that median home, higher than 50% of American counties. 65% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.7 per 1,000 residents, lower than 62% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 17 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 79.6 years, longer than 89% of American counties. There are 106 active physicians in the county, about 12.1 per 10,000 people. 6.0% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.68 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 86% of American counties. 92% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 4 points. 77% 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 64 and lows near 44, colder than 57% of American counties. About 59 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 86 out of 100, riskier than 86% of American counties; the county has had 15 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 229 Mbps down, faster than 64% 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, 1 brewery.