Wallowa
Oregon

What stands out

Against every county in America, Wallowa County is unusual in three ways: the restaurant count per person is among the most in America (2.8 per 1,000), the average commute is in the bottom 2% of American counties (13 minutes), and winter sunshine is in the bottom 3% of American counties (-1.8 on the USDA scale). Within Oregon it ranks 1st of 33 counties for the restaurant count per person.

Where you are

You live in Wallowa County, Oregon. 7,439 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population grew 0.3% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +80).

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 $62,238 a year, higher than 55% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $52,648. Unemployment runs 5.4%, higher than 93% of American counties. 16% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 13 minutes each way.

Oregon takes 8.2% of that median income in state income tax, about $5,127 a year.

Home

The median home costs $441K, pricier than 89% of American counties, about 4.4 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $841 a month. Property tax is 0.63% of home value, roughly $2,131 a year on that median home, lower than 73% of American counties. 74% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.4 per 1,000 residents, lower than 75% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 79.4 years, longer than 87% of American counties. There are 17 active physicians in the county, about 22.9 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.0 of 5 stars. 7.4% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.04 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 52% of American counties. 93% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 36 points. 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 46°F, highs near 57 and lows near 35, colder than 89% of American counties. About 24 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 38 out of 100, safer than 62% of American counties; the county has had 11 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 106 Mbps down, slower than 86% of American counties. There are 18 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 2.8 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery, 3 museums.