Union
Oregon

What stands out

If you had to describe Union County in numbers, start here: winter sunshine is in the bottom 3% of American counties (-1.8 on the USDA scale), population growth is in the bottom 13% of American counties (-0.8% a year), and the home price against local income is in the top 14% of American counties (3.3 years of income). Within Oregon it ranks 25th of 36 counties for winter sunshine, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Union County, Oregon. 26,286 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.8% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -132).

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 $61,946 a year, higher than 54% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $52,345. Unemployment runs 4.7%, higher than 85% of American counties. 7% of workers work from home.

Oregon takes 8.2% of that median income in state income tax, about $5,101 a year.

Home

The median home costs $337K, pricier than 77% of American counties, about 3.3 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $884 a month. Property tax is 0.83% of home value, roughly $2,021 a year on that median home, lower than 53% of American counties. 67% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.8 per 1,000 residents, lower than 57% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 17 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 77.0 years, longer than 64% of American counties. There are 53 active physicians in the county, about 20.2 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 5.0 of 5 stars. 6.6% 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. 93% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 35 points. 74% 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 47°F, highs near 58 and lows near 35, colder than 86% of American counties. About 25 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 31 out of 100, safer than 69% of American counties; the county has had 10 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 233 Mbps down, faster than 65% of American counties. There are 5 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.0 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.