Sherman
Oregon

What stands out

Three things set Sherman County apart from the other 3,142 counties: winter sunshine is in the bottom 2% of American counties (-2.0 on the USDA scale), the overdose death rate is in the bottom 4% of American counties (0 per 100,000), and rainfall is in the bottom 4% of American counties (13 inches a year). Within Oregon it ranks 21st of 36 counties for winter sunshine, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Sherman County, Oregon. 1,900 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population held steady at 0.2% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +7).

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 $57,171 a year, lower than 61% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $65,115. Unemployment runs 3.3%, lower than 53% of American counties. 10% of workers work from home.

Oregon takes 8.2% of that median income in state income tax, about $4,683 a year.

Home

The median home costs $289K, pricier than 67% of American counties, about 2.5 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,057 a month. Property tax is 0.77% of home value, roughly $1,442 a year on that median home, lower than 58% of American counties. 70% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.9 per 1,000 residents, higher than 51% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 79.4 years, longer than 87% of American counties. There are 2 active physicians in the county, about 10.5 per 10,000 people. 5.9% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.34 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 77% of American counties. 88% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 59 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 90% 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 64 and lows near 41, colder than 65% of American counties. About 13 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 17 out of 100, safer than 83% of American counties; the county has had 10 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 116 Mbps down, slower than 83% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation.