Best counties to live in Oregon
What makes a particular county the best? Oftentimes, it's a good mix of opportunities for fun outdoor activities and cultural attractions. Throw in some historical sites, good schools, job opportunities, and affordable housing, and the county will most likely have happy residents.
Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to live in Oregon using rankings from Niche. Niche ranks counties by a variety of factors including: public schools, educational attainment, cost of living, and housing.
Many counties on the list are experiencing growth due to their job opportunities, education, or home values. Others are adored for their historic or well-designed value, or devotion to cultural opportunities. Keep reading to see if your county made the list.
#6. Deschutes County
- Median home value: $364,600 (67% own)
- Median rent: $1,208 (33% rent)
- Median household income: $67,043
- Top public schools: Summit High School (A), Realms Middle School (A), Highland Magnet School at Kenwood (A)
- Top private schools: Cascades Academy (A), Trinity Lutheran School (A), Central Christian School (B+)
- Top places to live: Bend (B+), Redmond (B), Deschutes River Woods (B)
#5. Clackamas County
- Median home value: $395,100 (71% own)
- Median rent: $1,295 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $80,484
- Top public schools: Lakeridge High School (A+), Lake Oswego Senior High School (A+), West Linn High School (A+)
- Top private schools: La Salle Catholic College Preparatory (A), Portland Waldorf School (A), North Clackamas Christian School (B)
- Top places to live: West Linn (A+), Lake Oswego (A+), Happy Valley (A)
#4. Hood River County
- Median home value: $373,600 (67% own)
- Median rent: $1,133 (33% rent)
- Median household income: $65,679
- Top public schools: Westside Elementary School (A), May Street Elementary School (A), Hood River Valley High School (B+)
- Top private schools: Horizon Christian School (B+), Bright Beginnings Preschool & Kindergarten (unavailable), Mid-Columbia Adventist Christian School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Hood River (A), Odell (B), Cascade Locks (C+)
#3. Washington County
- Median home value: $386,600 (62% own)
- Median rent: $1,359 (38% rent)
- Median household income: $82,215
- Top public schools: School of Science & Technology (A+), International School of Beaverton - High School (A+), Westview High School (A)
- Top private schools: Catlin Gabel School (A+), Oregon Episcopal School (A+), Jesuit High School (A+)
- Top places to live: Bethany (A+), Cedar Mill (A+), Cedar Hills (A+)
#2. Multnomah County
- Median home value: $386,200 (55% own)
- Median rent: $1,237 (45% rent)
- Median household income: $69,176
- Top public schools: Riverdale Grade School (A), Riverdale High School (A), Grant High School (A)
- Top private schools: Northwest Academy (A+), St. Mary's Academy (A+), Central Catholic High School (A)
- Top places to live: Healy Heights (A+), Eastmoreland (A+), Arlington Heights (A+)
#1. Benton County
- Median home value: $331,300 (57% own)
- Median rent: $1,081 (43% rent)
- Median household income: $62,077
- Top public schools: Hoover Elementary School (A), Corvallis High School (A), Crescent Valley High School (A)
- Top private schools: Santiam Christian School (B+), Corvallis Waldorf School (unavailable), Ashbrook Independent School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Corvallis (A), Philomath (A), Adair Village (A)
