Choosing where to put down roots is a big call. Most families want a mix of affordable homes, safe neighborhoods, strong schools, good health care, and year-round things to do. Using 2025 Niche ratings—factoring cost of living, schools, recreation, health care, and even weather—here’s a concise guide to Oregon counties that balance those priorities.
How to Read This List
Each county includes Niche “good for families,” public school and cost-of-living grades, plus population, median income and home value, and a few top places to live. Use it as a starting point to match your budget and lifestyle.
25. Lincoln County
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Grades: Families C | Schools C+ | Cost D+ | Weather A+ | Outdoors A
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Population: 50,632 | Income: $61,314 | Home: $387,700
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Top spots: Newport (B), Lincoln Beach (C+), Toledo (C+)
24. Coos County
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Grades: Families C | Schools C+ | Cost C- | Weather A+ | Outdoors A
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Population: 64,832 | Income: $60,313 | Home: $302,800
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Top spots: North Bend (B), Bandon (B-), Barview (C)
23. Crook County
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Grades: Families C | Schools B- | Cost C- | Weather A- | Outdoors A-
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Population: 25,651 | Income: $81,675 | Home: $423,300
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Top spot: Prineville (C+)
22. Clatsop County
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Grades: Families C | Schools B- | Cost D+ | Weather B | Outdoors A
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Population: 41,343 | Income: $68,705 | Home: $437,800
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Top spots: Gearhart (B), Astoria (B-), Seaside (C+)
21. Klamath County
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Grades: Families C | Schools C | Cost C | Weather C | Outdoors A-
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Population: 69,812 | Income: $59,353 | Home: $255,700
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Top spots: Altamont (B-), Klamath Falls (C), Bonanza (B-)
20. Morrow County
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Grades: Families C+ | Schools C+ | Cost C+ | Weather A | Outdoors B-
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Population: 12,249 | Income: $70,217 | Home: $229,800
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Top spots: Irrigon (C+), Boardman (C), Ione (C+)
19. Wasco County
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Grades: Families C+ | Schools C | Cost C- | Weather A- | Outdoors A
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Population: 26,603 | Income: $63,602 | Home: $332,500
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Top spots: The Dalles (C+), Chenoweth (C+), Maupin (B)
18. Baker County
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Grades: Families C+ | Schools B- | Cost C | Weather C+ | Outdoors B+
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Population: 16,796 | Income: $57,844 | Home: $247,700
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Top spots: Baker City (B), Richland (C+), Haines (C+)
17. Lake County
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Grades: Families C+ | Schools C+ | Cost C+ | Weather A- | Outdoors A-
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Population: 8,254 | Income: $61,222 | Home: $219,400
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Top spots: Lakeview (B), Paisley (B-)
16. Lane County
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Grades: Families C+ | Schools C+ | Cost D+ | Weather A | Outdoors A
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Population: 382,628 | Income: $69,311 | Home: $395,800
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Top spots: Eugene (B), Coburg (B-), Creswell (B-)
15. Polk County
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Grades: Families C+ | Schools C | Cost D+ | Weather C- | Outdoors A-
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Population: 88,553 | Income: $81,318 | Home: $419,500
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Top spots: Monmouth (B-), Independence (C+), Dallas (C+)
14. Jackson County
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Grades: Families C+ | Schools C+ | Cost D+ | Weather A | Outdoors A
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Population: 222,563 | Income: $71,443 | Home: $400,200
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Top spots: Ashland (A), Jacksonville (B), Talent (B)
13. Union County
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Grades: Families C+ | Schools B- | Cost C | Weather A- | Outdoors A-
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Population: 26,192 | Income: $64,212 | Home: $260,500
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Top spots: La Grande (B-), Island City (B-), North Powder (C+)
12. Jefferson County
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Grades: Families C+ | Schools C | Cost C- | Weather B+ | Outdoors A-
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Population: 24,973 | Income: $73,051 | Home: $339,200
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Top spots: Madras (B-), Warm Springs (B-), Culver (C+)
11. Malheur County
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Grades: Families C+ | Schools B | Cost C | Weather B+ | Outdoors B
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Population: 31,701 | Income: $49,902 | Home: $221,300
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Top spots: Nyssa (B-), Ontario (C+), Adrian (B)
10. Umatilla County
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Grades: Families B- | Schools C+ | Cost C | Weather A | Outdoors A-
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Population: 80,087 | Income: $68,958 | Home: $256,100
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Top spots: Pendleton (B), Stanfield (B-), Umatilla (B-)
9. Yamhill County
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Grades: Families B- | Schools B- | Cost D+ | Weather B- | Outdoors A
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Population: 108,122 | Income: $87,084 | Home: $442,700
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Top spots: Newberg (B), Dundee (B-), McMinnville (B-)
8. Marion County
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Grades: Families B- | Schools B- | Cost D+ | Weather B- | Outdoors A
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Population: 346,532 | Income: $74,624 | Home: $383,300
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Top spots: Silverton (B-), Salem (B-), Turner (B-)
7. Deschutes County
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Grades: Families B | Schools B | Cost D | Weather A | Outdoors A
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Population: 203,026 | Income: $87,640 | Home: $596,000
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Top spots: Bend (B+), Redmond (B), Deschutes River Woods (B-)
6. Clackamas County
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Grades: Families B | Schools C+ | Cost D | Weather C+ | Outdoors A+
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Population: 422,308 | Income: $100,360 | Home: $577,900
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Top spots: Lake Oswego (A+), West Linn (A), Stafford (B+)
5. Wallowa County
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Grades: Families B | Schools A- | Cost C- | Weather B- | Outdoors A-
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Population: 7,532 | Income: $65,559 | Home: $371,900
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Top spots: Enterprise (B+), Joseph (C+), Lostine (C+)
4. Benton County
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Grades: Families B+ | Schools A- | Cost D | Weather A- | Outdoors A
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Population: 96,359 | Income: $76,011 | Home: $481,700
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Top spots: Corvallis (A-), Philomath (B+), Adair Village (A-)
3. Multnomah County
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Grades: Families A- | Schools B | Cost D- | Weather B | Outdoors A+
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Population: 803,863 | Income: $86,247 | Home: $528,000
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Top spots: Goose Hollow (A+), Northwest District (A+), Pearl (A+)
2. Hood River County
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Grades: Families A- | Schools B+ | Cost D+ | Weather C | Outdoors A
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Population: 23,958 | Income: $82,095 | Home: $571,200
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Top spots: Hood River (A-), Mount Hood (A-), Parkdale (B-)
1. Washington County
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Grades: Families A- | Schools B- | Cost D | Weather B | Outdoors A
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Population: 600,266 | Income: $104,434 | Home: $558,500
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Top spots: Bethany (A+), Cedar Mill (A), Cedar Hills (A)
Choosing the Right Fit
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Seeking Top Schools? Benton, Wallowa, and Multnomah score well for academics.
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Outdoor Families: Clackamas, Deschutes, and Multnomah offer A-range outdoor access.
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Balancing Budget: Malheur, Lake, and Morrow stand out for lower median home values.
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Urban Amenities: Washington and Multnomah pair city conveniences with parks, transit, and culture.
Tip: Visit neighborhoods at different times of day, compare commute routes, and check district-level school data to fine-tune your pick.
