Counties in Oregon with the most pre-war homes
Pre-war homes—those built before 1939—are architectural gems. They are sturdy, charming, and often what people are referring to when they look at the prevalent colorless, linear designs of today and lament “they just don’t make them like they used to.”
In some ways, that’s a good thing. Pre-war homes often contained materials we know to be hazardous today, like asbestos and lead. But their signature characteristics, including hardwood floors, nickel accents, ornate crown molding, and high ceilings, are among the features many people look for in a dream home.
Preserving the history of these properties, many of which you’ll find on the National Register of Historic Places, is labor that often extends beyond the scope of an individual homeowner. Depending on where these homes are located, special permission by local historic commissions may be required before renovations can be done in an effort to preserve their historic architectural integrity.
Stacker compiled a list of counties in Oregon with the most pre-war homes using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Counties are ranked by the highest percent of homes that were built before 1939 based on 2020 5-year estimates.
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#30. Clackamas County
- Homes built since 2000: 20.5%
- Median year built: 1983
- Total homes: 168,828
#29. Lane County
- Homes built since 2000: 16.7%
- Median year built: 1976
- Total homes: 163,617

#28. Jackson County
- Homes built since 2000: 22.4%
- Median year built: 1982
- Total homes: 96,318
#27. Polk County
- Homes built since 2000: 26.6%
- Median year built: 1984
- Total homes: 32,572
#26. Douglas County
- Homes built since 2000: 17.0%
- Median year built: 1977
- Total homes: 50,649
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#25. Lincoln County
- Homes built since 2000: 17.4%
- Median year built: 1979
- Total homes: 31,751

#24. Marion County
- Homes built since 2000: 16.9%
- Median year built: 1978
- Total homes: 127,505
#23. Benton County
- Homes built since 2000: 21.2%
- Median year built: 1978
- Total homes: 38,713
#22. Linn County
- Homes built since 2000: 18.9%
- Median year built: 1977
- Total homes: 50,936
#21. Lake County
- Homes built since 2000: 16.8%
- Median year built: 1976
- Total homes: 4,538
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#20. Malheur County
- Homes built since 2000: 9.4%
- Median year built: 1974
- Total homes: 11,936
#19. Yamhill County
- Homes built since 2000: 23.3%
- Median year built: 1986
- Total homes: 39,504
#18. Tillamook County
- Homes built since 2000: 23.3%
- Median year built: 1981
- Total homes: 19,157
#17. Umatilla County
- Homes built since 2000: 17.0%
- Median year built: 1976
- Total homes: 30,722
#16. Morrow County
- Homes built since 2000: 15.8%
- Median year built: 1979
- Total homes: 4,699
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#15. Coos County
- Homes built since 2000: 12.6%
- Median year built: 1972
- Total homes: 31,246
#14. Klamath County
- Homes built since 2000: 15.1%
- Median year built: 1976
- Total homes: 33,703
#13. Grant County
- Homes built since 2000: 13.3%
- Median year built: 1973
- Total homes: 4,426
#12. Columbia County
- Homes built since 2000: 18.1%
- Median year built: 1978
- Total homes: 21,421
#11. Wasco County
- Homes built since 2000: 13.4%
- Median year built: 1972
- Total homes: 11,712
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#10. Hood River County
- Homes built since 2000: 24.0%
- Median year built: 1978
- Total homes: 10,034
#9. Harney County
- Homes built since 2000: 13.5%
- Median year built: 1973
- Total homes: 3,897
#8. Wallowa County
- Homes built since 2000: 17.3%
- Median year built: 1973
- Total homes: 4,234

#7. Wheeler County
- Homes built since 2000: 15.4%
- Median year built: 1978
- Total homes: 991
#6. Clatsop County
- Homes built since 2000: 15.6%
- Median year built: 1974
- Total homes: 22,609
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#5. Multnomah County
- Homes built since 2000: 17.1%
- Median year built: 1969
- Total homes: 353,735
#4. Union County
- Homes built since 2000: 13.1%
- Median year built: 1973
- Total homes: 11,863
#3. Gilliam County
- Homes built since 2000: 12.3%
- Median year built: 1958
- Total homes: 1,145
#2. Baker County
- Homes built since 2000: 11.8%
- Median year built: 1970
- Total homes: 9,062
#1. Sherman County
- Homes built since 2000: 6.6%
- Median year built: 1958
- Total homes: 905
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