Sexually transmitted infections are on the rise, putting more people at risk as they spread. Chlamydia rates have nearly doubled since 2000, while the rate of gonorrhea went up by 50% over the same period. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that syphilis rates are reaching levels last seen in the 1950s.
But some regions of the U.S. are seeing higher rates than others.
Stacker used CDC data to look at which counties reported the highest rate of sexually transmitted infections in Oregon. Counties are ranked by the rate of chlamydia infections, the most prominent STI at the national level, with gonorrhea and then syphilis rates serving as tiebreakers. This story focuses on bacterial infections, which can be cured, rather than viral infections such as HIV and herpes. At the county level, 2021 cases are the most recent available from the CDC, but state and national-level data for 2022 are also included. This story focuses on sexual transmissions and does not include congenital syphilis cases that were inherited from the mother.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent the spread of STIs for people with multiple sexual partners, but research has found a decreasing rate of condom use among straight, bisexual, and gay male populations.
During the HIV/AIDS epidemic throughout the 1980s and 1990s, public health efforts advocating for condom use helped curb the spread of the virus. Today, however, condoms are no longer the only tool. Pills such as PrEP lower the risk of contracting HIV from sex by as much as 99%.
While more recent data is not available, the latest CDC survey from 2011-2015 showed less than half of unmarried men used condoms during the last time they had sex.
Among high school students having sex, the share using condoms has fallen from 60% in 2011 to 52% in 2021. While one-third of sexually active students used hormonal birth control, only 10% used both condoms and birth control. Methods like the pill and IUDs are effective at preventing pregnancy but do not stop the spread of STIs.
Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis are technically bacterial infections—meaning they can be cured with antibiotics—but they can still have lasting health impacts, including pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility. These risks are heightened when left untreated, which many STIs are as they don't obviously present themselves.
The CDC recommends annual testing for cisgender women, transgender men, and gender-nonconforming people with cervixes. It also recommends annual testing for males with male sexual partners. People in these groups who frequently have sex with anonymous partners should be tested every three to six months. Anyone with symptoms should always get tested according to the guidelines.
The CDC says there is little evidence that screening among straight men lowers the spread, and the agency's limited budget is put towards programs benefiting the most at-risk groups. However, some public health groups advocate for testing among all people regardless of sex and sexual orientation.
Data from the National Survey of Family Growth shows men on average have more opposite-sex sexual partners than women, and some argue that catching STIs throughout a sexual network rather than just for the most at-risk groups could curb their spread.
Soon, a pill may also help counter the spread of STIs. DoxyPEP can be taken 24 to 72 hours after unprotected sex and stops an STI before it becomes spreadable and symptomatic. The CDC has shared proposed guidelines recommending it for men who have sex with men and transgender women. The drug was originally approved for treating inhalation of anthrax, and doctors can prescribe it for off-label use.
Read on to see how STI infection rates in Oregon compare nationally, and the top counties.
You may also like: The truth about minimum coverage requirements in Oregon
Emma Rubin // Stacker
1 / 36State-level statistics
- Chlamydia cases: 365.6 per 100K (#39 nationally, 15,504 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 129.6 per 100K (#40 nationally, 5,494 cases)
- Primary and secondary syphilis cases: 26.3 per 100K (#10 nationally, 1,117 cases)
Manuela Durson // Shutterstock
2 / 36#35. Curry County
- Chlamydia cases: 88.7 per 100K people (21 case)
- Gonorrhea cases: 25.3 per 100K people (6 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 0 cases
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 0 cases
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 0 cases
Dee Browning // Shutterstock
3 / 36#34. Grant County
- Chlamydia cases: 96.3 per 100K people (7 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 13.8 per 100K people (1 case)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 0 cases
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 0 cases
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 0 cases
#33. Harney County
- Chlamydia cases: 145.2 per 100K people (11 case)
- Gonorrhea cases: 13.2 per 100K people (1 case)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 13.2 per 100K people (1 case)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 0 cases
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 13.2 per 100K people (1 case)
#32. Wallowa County
- Chlamydia cases: 145.8 per 100K people (11 case)
- Gonorrhea cases: 13.3 per 100K people (1 case)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 0 cases
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 0 cases
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 0 cases
You may also like: Richest billionaires in Oregon
Arpad Jasko // Shutterstock
6 / 36#31. Gilliam County
- Chlamydia cases: 149.6 per 100K people (3 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 0 cases
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 0 cases
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 0 cases
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 0 cases
Dominic Gentilcore PhD // Shutterstock
7 / 36#30. Lake County
- Chlamydia cases: 157.1 per 100K people (13 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 24.2 per 100K people (2 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 0 cases
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 0 cases
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 0 cases
#29. Coos County
- Chlamydia cases: 164.6 per 100K people (107 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 47.7 per 100K people (31 case)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 4.6 per 100K people (3 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 4.6 per 100K people (3 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 0 cases
#28. Lincoln County
- Chlamydia cases: 200.5 per 100K people (102 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 70.8 per 100K people (36 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 17.7 per 100K people (9 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 11.8 per 100K people (6 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 5.9 per 100K people (3 cases)
#27. Douglas County
- Chlamydia cases: 201.8 per 100K people (226 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 58.0 per 100K people (65 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 5.4 per 100K people (6 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 5.4 per 100K people (6 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 0 cases
You may also like: Coldest Septembers in Oregon since 1895
#26. Baker County
- Chlamydia cases: 207.8 per 100K people (35 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 207.8 per 100K people (35 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 23.7 per 100K people (4 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 17.8 per 100K people (3 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 5.9 per 100K people (1 case)
#25. Sherman County
- Chlamydia cases: 209.8 per 100K people (4 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 52.4 per 100K people (1 case)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 0 cases
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 0 cases
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 0 cases
#24. Tillamook County
- Chlamydia cases: 212.6 per 100K people (59 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 68.5 per 100K people (19 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 10.8 per 100K people (3 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 10.8 per 100K people (3 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 0 cases
#23. Clatsop County
- Chlamydia cases: 241.6 per 100K people (101 case)
- Gonorrhea cases: 52.6 per 100K people (22 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 9.6 per 100K people (4 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 7.2 per 100K people (3 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 2.4 per 100K people (1 case)
#22. Yamhill County
- Chlamydia cases: 242.1 per 100K people (262 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 65.6 per 100K people (71 case)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 12.9 per 100K people (14 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 9.2 per 100K people (10 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 3.7 per 100K people (4 cases)
You may also like: See how much it costs to attend Portland Timbers games
Bob Pool // Shutterstock
16 / 36#21. Josephine County
- Chlamydia cases: 251.3 per 100K people (222 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 101.9 per 100K people (90 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 13.6 per 100K people (12 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 7.9 per 100K people (7 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 5.7 per 100K people (5 cases)
#20. Deschutes County
- Chlamydia cases: 262.2 per 100K people (537 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 81.1 per 100K people (166 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 11.2 per 100K people (23 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 8.8 per 100K people (18 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 2.4 per 100K people (5 cases)
#19. Linn County
- Chlamydia cases: 264.2 per 100K people (343 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 90.9 per 100K people (118 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 23.9 per 100K people (31 case)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 19.3 per 100K people (25 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 4.6 per 100K people (6 cases)
#18. Hood River County
- Chlamydia cases: 270.2 per 100K people (65 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 49.9 per 100K people (12 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 24.9 per 100K people (6 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 16.6 per 100K people (4 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 8.3 per 100K people (2 cases)
#17. Clackamas County
- Chlamydia cases: 271.2 per 100K people (1,146 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 86.1 per 100K people (364 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 30.8 per 100K people (130 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 23.2 per 100K people (98 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 7.6 per 100K people (32 cases)
You may also like: Hottest Octobers in Oregon since 1895
kenneth korb // Shutterstock
21 / 36#16. Columbia County
- Chlamydia cases: 284.5 per 100K people (151 case)
- Gonorrhea cases: 65.9 per 100K people (35 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 11.3 per 100K people (6 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 7.5 per 100K people (4 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 3.8 per 100K people (2 cases)
#15. Crook County
- Chlamydia cases: 287.5 per 100K people (74 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 85.5 per 100K people (22 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 3.9 per 100K people (1 case)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 3.9 per 100K people (1 case)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 0 cases
#14. Jackson County
- Chlamydia cases: 307.5 per 100K people (688 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 76.9 per 100K people (172 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 18.3 per 100K people (41 case)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 13.4 per 100K people (30 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 4.9 per 100K people (11 case)
Cynthia Liang // Shutterstock
24 / 36#13. Polk County
- Chlamydia cases: 309.5 per 100K people (276 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 77.4 per 100K people (69 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 13.5 per 100K people (12 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 9.0 per 100K people (8 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 4.5 per 100K people (4 cases)
#12. Union County
- Chlamydia cases: 324.3 per 100K people (85 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 68.7 per 100K people (18 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 3.8 per 100K people (1 case)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 3.8 per 100K people (1 case)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 0 cases
You may also like: Hottest Marches in Oregon since 1895
Yanqiang Dai // Shutterstock
26 / 36#11. Washington County
- Chlamydia cases: 340.7 per 100K people (2,047 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 99.4 per 100K people (597 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 22.5 per 100K people (135 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 15.0 per 100K people (90 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 7.5 per 100K people (45 cases)
Bob Pool // Shutterstock
27 / 36#10. Morrow County
- Chlamydia cases: 365.8 per 100K people (45 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 121.9 per 100K people (15 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 0 cases
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 0 cases
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 0 cases
#9. Wasco County
- Chlamydia cases: 370.4 per 100K people (99 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 97.3 per 100K people (26 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 22.5 per 100K people (6 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 22.5 per 100K people (6 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 0 cases
#8. Klamath County
- Chlamydia cases: 376.3 per 100K people (264 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 258.0 per 100K people (181 case)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 8.6 per 100K people (6 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 4.3 per 100K people (3 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 4.3 per 100K people (3 cases)
#7. Lane County
- Chlamydia cases: 389.1 per 100K people (1,491 case)
- Gonorrhea cases: 152.7 per 100K people (585 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 32.4 per 100K people (124 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 19.8 per 100K people (76 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 12.5 per 100K people (48 cases)
You may also like: The most popular grocery items for Christmas in Oregon, according to Instacart
Bob Pool // Shutterstock
31 / 36#6. Umatilla County
- Chlamydia cases: 392.6 per 100K people (314 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 128.8 per 100K people (103 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 28.8 per 100K people (23 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 22.5 per 100K people (18 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 6.3 per 100K people (5 cases)
cpaulfell // Shutterstock
32 / 36#5. Benton County
- Chlamydia cases: 420.8 per 100K people (404 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 117.7 per 100K people (113 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 7.3 per 100K people (7 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 3.1 per 100K people (3 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 4.2 per 100K people (4 cases)
#4. Marion County
- Chlamydia cases: 486.9 per 100K people (1,690 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 156.4 per 100K people (543 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 39.8 per 100K people (138 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 30.0 per 100K people (104 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 9.8 per 100K people (34 cases)
Hugh K Telleria // Shutterstock
34 / 36#3. Malheur County
- Chlamydia cases: 501.7 per 100K people (159 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 249.3 per 100K people (79 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 6.3 per 100K people (2 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 3.2 per 100K people (1 case)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 3.2 per 100K people (1 case)
Josemaria Toscano // Shutterstock
35 / 36#2. Multnomah County
- Chlamydia cases: 544.5 per 100K people (4,374 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 318.0 per 100K people (2,555 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 82.5 per 100K people (663 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 50.8 per 100K people (408 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 31.7 per 100K people (255 cases)
You may also like: Best counties to retire to in Oregon
#1. Jefferson County
- Chlamydia cases: 626.3 per 100K people (157 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 267.3 per 100K people (67 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 63.8 per 100K people (16 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 39.9 per 100K people (10 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 23.9 per 100K people (6 cases)
This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 49 states.
