Best counties to raise a family in Oregon
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Best counties to raise a family in Oregon
For people looking to find a home to raise a family in, choosing a county is an important decision. Most families place affordable homes, safe neighborhoods, a quality school system, and family-friendly activities at the top of their wish lists.
Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to raise a family in Oregon using data from Niche. Niche ranks counties based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, health care, recreation, and weather.
The list features counties that boast some of the top schools and fun, family-friendly activities for every season. Keep reading to explore the best counties to raise a family. Maybe you’ll find one that suits your brood.
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#30. Grant County, Oregon
– Population: 7,225
– Median home value: $160,100 (77% own)
– Median rent: $717 (23% own)
– Median household income: $51,100
– Top public schools: Seneca Elementary School (grade A minus), Dayville School (grade B), Monument School (grade B minus)
– Top private schools: Long Creek (grade B), Canyon City (grade B), John Day (grade B minus)
– Top places to live: grade C minus
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#29. Columbia County, Oregon
– Population: 52,381
– Median home value: $312,700 (77% own)
– Median rent: $1,134 (23% own)
– Median household income: $73,909
– Top public schools: St. Helens Arthur Academy (grade B), Grant Watts Elementary School (grade B minus), St. Helens Middle School (grade C+)
– Top private schools: Columbia County Christian School (grade unavailable), Scappoose Adventist School (grade unavailable)
– Top places to live: Rainier (grade B minus), Scappoose (grade B minus), Warren (grade C+)
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#28. Linn County, Oregon
– Population: 127,200
– Median home value: $265,900 (67% own)
– Median rent: $1,087 (33% own)
– Median household income: $63,313
– Top public schools: West Albany High School (grade A minus), Liberty Elementary School (grade B+), Lourdes Public Charter School (grade B+)
– Top private schools: East Linn Christian Academy (grade B), Albany Christian School (grade unavailable), Good Shepherd Lutheran School (grade unavailable)
– Top places to live: Albany (grade B minus), Millersburg (grade B minus), Tangent (grade C+)
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#27. Coos County, Oregon
– Population: 64,619
– Median home value: $238,100 (69% own)
– Median rent: $872 (31% own)
– Median household income: $52,548
– Top public schools: Hillcrest Elementary School (grade B), Harbor Lights Middle School (grade B), Powers High School (grade B)
– Top private schools: Kingsview Christian School (grade unavailable), Christ Lutheran Church & School (grade unavailable), Alternative Youth Activities (grade unavailable)
– Top places to live: North Bend (grade B minus), Bandon (grade B minus), Barview (grade C+)
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#26. Lincoln County, Oregon
– Population: 49,866
– Median home value: $287,200 (69% own)
– Median rent: $999 (31% own)
– Median household income: $54,961
– Top public schools: Newport High School (grade A minus), Waldport Middle School (grade B), Yaquina View Elementary School (grade B)
– Top private schools: Lincoln City Christian School (grade A minus), Samaritan Early Learning Center (grade unavailable), Nye Beach Montessori School (grade unavailable)
– Top places to live: Newport (grade B), Toledo (grade C+), Lincoln Beach (grade C+)
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#25. Douglas County, Oregon
– Population: 110,680
– Median home value: $224,400 (71% own)
– Median rent: $899 (29% own)
– Median household income: $52,479
– Top public schools: Oakland High School (grade B+), Lincoln Middle School (grade B+), Oakland Elementary School (grade B+)
– Top private schools: Canyonville Academy (grade A minus), Umpqua Valley Christian School (grade C+), Cobb Children’s Learning Center (grade unavailable)
– Top places to live: Green (grade B minus), Roseburg (grade B minus), Oakland (grade B minus)
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#24. Baker County, Oregon
– Population: 16,539
– Median home value: $190,100 (72% own)
– Median rent: $717 (28% own)
– Median household income: $46,922
– Top public schools: Baker Early College (grade A minus), Haines Elementary School (grade B+), Pine Eagle Charter School (grade B)
– Top private schools: Harvest Christian Academy (grade unavailable)
– Top places to live: Baker City (grade B minus), Richland (grade B minus), Huntington (grade C)
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#23. Lake County, Oregon
– Population: 8,119
– Median home value: $160,100 (62% own)
– Median rent: $770 (38% own)
– Median household income: $50,685
– Top public schools: Union Elementary School (grade A minus), Lakeview Senior High School (grade B), Daly Middle School (grade B)
– Top private schools: Solid Rock Christian School (grade unavailable)
– Top places to live: Lakeview (grade B), Paisley (grade B+)
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#22. Crook County, Oregon
– Population: 24,300
– Median home value: $296,500 (74% own)
– Median rent: $976 (26% own)
– Median household income: $64,820
– Top public schools: Powell Butte Community Charter School (grade B), Crook County High School (grade B minus), Crooked River Elementary School (grade B minus)
– Top private schools: Crook County Christian School (grade unavailable), Coic – Prineville (grade unavailable)
– Top places to live: Prineville (grade C+)
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#21. Clatsop County, Oregon
– Population: 40,720
– Median home value: $340,700 (61% own)
– Median rent: $994 (39% own)
– Median household income: $61,846
– Top public schools: Warrenton High School (grade B), Seaside High School (grade B), Astoria Senior High School (grade B)
– Top private schools: Anchor Christian Academy (grade unavailable), Shooting Stars Child Development Center (grade unavailable)
– Top places to live: Gearhart (grade B+), Astoria (grade B), Warrenton (grade B minus)
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#20. Morrow County, Oregon
– Population: 11,964
– Median home value: $169,800 (72% own)
– Median rent: $727 (28% own)
– Median household income: $61,659
– Top public schools: Ione School District (grade B minus), Heppner Junior/Senior High School (grade B minus), Heppner Elementary School (grade B minus)
– Top private schools: Irrigon (grade B minus), Boardman (grade C+), Heppner (grade C+)
– Top places to live: grade C
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#19. Tillamook County, Oregon
– Population: 27,129
– Median home value: $309,000 (70% own)
– Median rent: $1,015 (30% own)
– Median household income: $55,730
– Top public schools: Neah-Kah-Nie Middle School (grade B+), Neah-Kah-Nie High School (grade B), Tillamook High School (grade B minus)
– Top private schools: Tillamook Adventist School (grade unavailable), Little Clipper Preschool (grade unavailable), Neskowin Valley School (grade unavailable)
– Top places to live: Bay City (grade B minus), Tillamook (grade C+), Manzanita (grade B)
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#18. Malheur County, Oregon
– Population: 31,313
– Median home value: $162,100 (60% own)
– Median rent: $714 (40% own)
– Median household income: $47,906
– Top public schools: Willowcreek Elementary School (grade A minus), Adrian Elementary School (grade B+), Vale Middle School (grade B+)
– Top private schools: St. Peter Catholic School (grade unavailable)
– Top places to live: Ontario (grade B minus), Nyssa (grade B minus), Adrian (grade A minus)
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#17. Wasco County, Oregon
– Population: 26,603
– Median home value: $253,700 (66% own)
– Median rent: $881 (34% own)
– Median household income: $57,853
– Top public schools: Mosier Community School (grade B), The Dalles High School (grade B minus), Dry Hollow Elementary School (grade B minus)
– Top private schools: St. Mary’s Academy (grade unavailable), Sonrise Academy (grade unavailable), Covenant Christian Academy (grade unavailable)
– Top places to live: The Dalles (grade B minus), Chenoweth (grade C+), Maupin (grade B+)
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#16. Lane County, Oregon
– Population: 380,532
– Median home value: $303,800 (59% own)
– Median rent: $1,093 (41% own)
– Median household income: $59,016
– Top public schools: South Eugene High School (grade A), Charlemagne French Immersion Elementary School (grade A minus), Edison Elementary School (grade A minus)
– Top private schools: Marist Catholic High School (grade A), Oak Hill School (grade A+), Eugene Christian School (grade A)
– Top places to live: Eugene (grade B+), Coburg (grade B minus), Creswell (grade B minus)
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#15. Polk County, Oregon
– Population: 86,347
– Median home value: $319,000 (65% own)
– Median rent: $1,120 (35% own)
– Median household income: $70,238
– Top public schools: West Salem High School (grade A minus), Kalapuya Elementary School (grade B+), Straub Middle School (grade B+)
– Top private schools: Western Christian School (grade B+), Faith Christian School (grade unavailable), Riviera Christian School (grade unavailable)
– Top places to live: Monmouth (grade B minus), Dallas (grade C+), Independence (grade C+)
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#14. Klamath County, Oregon
– Population: 68,899
– Median home value: $200,000 (66% own)
– Median rent: $841 (34% own)
– Median household income: $50,790
– Top public schools: Henley High School (grade B+), Malin Elementary School (grade B+), Keno Elementary School (grade B+)
– Top private schools: Crosspoint Christian School (grade B+), Miss Muffett’s Learning Center (grade unavailable), Klamath Youth Development Center (grade unavailable)
– Top places to live: Altamont (grade B), Klamath Falls (grade C+), Merrill (grade B)
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#13. Union County, Oregon
– Population: 26,255
– Median home value: $206,200 (67% own)
– Median rent: $888 (33% own)
– Median household income: $55,227
– Top public schools: Island City Elementary School (grade B), La Grande High School (grade B), Central Elementary School (grade B)
– Top private schools: Lighthouse Apostolic Academy (grade unavailable), Grande Ronde Academy (grade unavailable), La Grande Adventist School (grade unavailable)
– Top places to live: Island City (grade B minus), La Grande (grade C+), North Powder (grade B minus)
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#12. Jefferson County, Oregon
– Population: 24,232
– Median home value: $267,300 (69% own)
– Median rent: $850 (31% own)
– Median household income: $59,748
– Top public schools: Culver High School (grade B minus), Culver Middle School (grade B minus), Madras High School (grade B minus)
– Top private schools: Madras (grade C+), Camp Sherman (grade B), Warm Springs (grade B minus)
– Top places to live: grade C+
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#11. Wallowa County, Oregon
– Population: 7,330
– Median home value: $285,000 (74% own)
– Median rent: $769 (26% own)
– Median household income: $57,891
– Top public schools: Enterprise Elementary School (grade B+), Wallowa Elementary School (grade B), Enterprise High School (grade B)
– Top private schools: Enterprise Seventh-day Adventist School (grade unavailable)
– Top places to live: Enterprise (grade B), Lostine (grade B minus), Joseph (grade B minus)
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#10. Jackson County, Oregon
– Population: 221,662
– Median home value: $322,100 (65% own)
– Median rent: $1,116 (35% own)
– Median household income: $61,020
– Top public schools: Ashland High School (grade A minus), Ashland Middle School (grade A minus), Hedrick Middle School (grade A minus)
– Top private schools: St. Mary’s School (grade A+), Grace Cascade Christian Schools (grade B+), Rogue Valley Adventist School (grade B)
– Top places to live: Ashland (grade A), Jacksonville (grade B+), Talent (grade B)
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#9. Deschutes County, Oregon
– Population: 194,964
– Median home value: $435,600 (70% own)
– Median rent: $1,425 (30% own)
– Median household income: $74,082
– Top public schools: Realms Middle School (grade A minus), Pine Ridge Elementary School (grade A minus), William E. Miller Elementary School (grade A minus)
– Top private schools: Cascades Academy (grade A minus), Central Christian School (grade B+), Trinity Lutheran School (grade B+)
– Top places to live: Bend (grade B+), Redmond (grade B minus), Terrebonne (grade B minus)
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#8. Yamhill County, Oregon
– Population: 107,024
– Median home value: $353,200 (71% own)
– Median rent: $1,197 (29% own)
– Median household income: $73,409
– Top public schools: Duniway Middle School (grade A minus), Memorial Elementary School (grade A minus), Grandhaven Elementary School (grade B+)
– Top private schools: Delphian School (grade A+), Veritas School (grade A), C.S. Lewis Academy (grade B+)
– Top places to live: Newberg (grade B), Dundee (grade B), McMinnville (grade B)
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#7. Umatilla County, Oregon
– Population: 79,509
– Median home value: $203,800 (67% own)
– Median rent: $854 (33% own)
– Median household income: $63,123
– Top public schools: Armand Larive Middle School (grade B+), Echo School (grade B+), Athena Elementary School (grade B)
– Top private schools: Milton Stateline Seventh-day Adventist School (grade unavailable), Hermiston Christian Center & School (grade unavailable), Hermiston Junior Academy (grade unavailable)
– Top places to live: Hermiston (grade B), Pendleton (grade B minus), Stanfield (grade B minus)
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#6. Marion County, Oregon
– Population: 344,037
– Median home value: $293,800 (61% own)
– Median rent: $1,129 (39% own)
– Median household income: $64,880
– Top public schools: Evergreen Elementary School (grade A minus), Victor Point Elementary School (grade A minus), South Salem High School (grade A minus)
– Top private schools: Blanchet Catholic School (grade A), Livingstone Adventist Academy (grade A minus), Salem Academy (grade B)
– Top places to live: Turner (grade B), Salem (grade B), Silverton (grade B minus)
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#5. Clackamas County, Oregon
– Population: 418,577
– Median home value: $452,200 (71% own)
– Median rent: $1,447 (29% own)
– Median household income: $88,517
– Top public schools: Lake Oswego Senior High School (grade A+), Lakeridge High School (grade A+), Three Rivers Charter School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: La Salle Catholic College Preparatory (grade A), Portland Waldorf School (grade A minus), North Clackamas Christian School (grade B)
– Top places to live: Lake Oswego (grade A+), West Linn (grade A), Happy Valley (grade A)
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#4. Benton County, Oregon
– Population: 94,667
– Median home value: $384,900 (56% own)
– Median rent: $1,201 (44% own)
– Median household income: $68,732
– Top public schools: Crescent Valley High School (grade A), Muddy Creek Charter School (grade A), Corvallis High School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Santiam Christian School (grade B+), Corvallis Waldorf School (grade unavailable), Ashbrook Independent School (grade unavailable)
– Top places to live: Corvallis (grade A), Philomath (grade B+), Adair Village (grade A)
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#3. Multnomah County, Oregon
– Population: 810,011
– Median home value: $437,600 (55% own)
– Median rent: $1,394 (45% own)
– Median household income: $76,290
– Top public schools: Lincoln High School (grade A), Riverdale High School (grade A), Riverdale Grade School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Northwest Academy (grade A+), St. Mary’s Academy (grade A+), Central Catholic High School (grade A)
– Top places to live: Goose Hollow (grade A+), Hillside (grade A+), Pearl (grade A+)
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#2. Washington County, Oregon
– Population: 596,969
– Median home value: $439,300 (61% own)
– Median rent: $1,541 (39% own)
– Median household income: $92,025
– Top public schools: Westview High School (grade A+), International School of Beaverton – High School (grade A+), Sato Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Catlin Gabel School (grade A+), Oregon Episcopal School (grade A+), Jesuit High School (grade A+)
– Top places to live: Bethany (grade A+), Cedar Hills (grade A+), Oak Hills (grade A)
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#1. Hood River County, Oregon
– Population: 23,915
– Median home value: $444,300 (69% own)
– Median rent: $1,168 (31% own)
– Median household income: $77,815
– Top public schools: Westside Elementary School (grade A minus), Hood River Middle School (grade A minus), May Street Elementary School (grade A minus)
– Top private schools: Horizon Christian School (grade B+), Bright Beginnings Preschool & Kindergarten (grade unavailable), Mid-Columbia Adventist Christian School (grade unavailable)
– Top places to live: Hood River (grade A), Odell (grade B), Parkdale (grade C+)
