Wasco
Oregon

What stands out

If you had to describe Wasco County in numbers, start here: winter sunshine is in the bottom 2% of American counties (-2.0 on the USDA scale), the school test score is in the bottom 5% of American counties (2.45 where 3.0 is grade level), and the home price against local income is in the top 9% of American counties (3.8 years of income). Within Oregon it ranks 21st of 36 counties for winter sunshine, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Wasco County, Oregon. 26,639 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.8% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (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 $61,316 a year, higher than 53% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $56,698. Unemployment runs 4.3%, higher than 78% of American counties. 7% of workers work from home.

Oregon takes 8.2% of that median income in state income tax, about $5,046 a year.

Home

The median home costs $405K, pricier than 86% of American counties, about 3.8 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $929 a month. Property tax is 0.93% of home value, roughly $2,763 a year on that median home, higher than 55% 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 59% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 22 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 76.2 years, longer than 54% of American counties. There are 73 active physicians in the county, about 27.4 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 4.0 of 5 stars. 8.8% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.60 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 95% of American counties. 86% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 6 points. 75% 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 51°F, highs near 62 and lows near 40, colder than 71% of American counties. About 19 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 82 out of 100, riskier than 82% of American counties; the county has had 26 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 173 Mbps down, slower than 62% of American counties. There are 8 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.1 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery, 5 museums.