CountyScore

Clackamas County

Oregon · OR

#33 in Oregon
59.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Clackamas County, Oregon

Clackamas clearly above national average

Clackamas County's composite score of 59.8 exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it well into the top half of U.S. counties. This performance reflects a county with strong income potential and low environmental risk.

Below Oregon's typical county

Clackamas County scores 59.8 versus Oregon's state average of 66.6, ranking it in the lower-middle tier among Oregon counties. The gap stems primarily from high housing costs that offset the county's other advantages.

High earners, low tax burden

Clackamas County leads in income (48.9) with a median household income of $100,360—the highest among all eight counties—and maintains an excellent tax score of 77.7. The county's risk score of 5.1 is also among the lowest, signaling economic and environmental stability.

Housing costs limit newcomers

The cost score of 47.2 reflects steep housing prices, with median home values at $577,900 and median rent at $1,693/month—the highest in this group. This affordability challenge makes the county difficult for families without substantial down payments or income.

Perfect for high-income families

Clackamas County best suits affluent families and established professionals who earn substantial incomes and can afford premium housing costs. If you prioritize career advancement, low risk, and financial security over budget constraints, this county offers strong livability.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax77.7Cost47.2SafetyComing SoonHealth80.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome48.9Risk5.1WaterComing Soon
🏛77.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠47.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼48.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤80.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡5.1
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Clackamas County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Dillingham Census Area
Alaska
59.8
Median income: $74,250
Denver County
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59.8
Median income: $91,681
Orleans Parish
Louisiana
59.8
Median income: $55,339
Hinds County
Mississippi
59.8
Median income: $49,966
Ontario County
New York
59.8
Median income: $79,814

Deep Dives

Clackamas County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Clackamas County

via TaxByCounty

Clackamas County taxes near national levels

Clackamas County's 0.874% effective tax rate sits slightly below the national median of 1.1%, putting it in the middle range of U.S. counties. At $5,051 in median annual tax, Clackamas County residents pay about 88% more than the national median of $2,690, driven by above-average home values.

Mid-range Oregon rate, high home values

Clackamas County's 0.874% effective rate ranks in the middle of Oregon counties, slightly above the state average of 0.775%. The median property tax of $5,051 is among Oregon's highest because the county's median home value of $577,900 is the second-highest in the state.

Clackamas County in metro Portland context

Clackamas County's 0.874% rate is lower than Benton County's 0.978% but higher than Yamhill County's rates. The $5,051 median tax bill reflects strong home values; only Multnomah County rivals it in absolute tax dollars paid.

Your Clackamas County tax bill

The median Clackamas County home valued at $577,900 incurs approximately $5,051 in annual property taxes. Mortgage-holding homeowners pay slightly more at $5,185, while those owning outright pay $4,788.

Challenge your assessment

Clackamas County homeowners often find their properties assessed above comparable recent sales, especially in fast-moving neighborhoods. Filing a formal appeal with the county assessor is free and can result in meaningful tax savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Clackamas County

via CostByCounty

Clackamas: Highest Income, Still Tight Housing

Clackamas County has Oregon's highest median household income at $100,360—34% above the national average—yet renters still spend 20.2% of earnings on rent. This paradox reveals how rapidly housing costs have outpaced income growth in the Portland suburbs.

Prosperity Doesn't Equal Affordability Here

Despite leading Oregon counties in median income, Clackamas ranks near the state average for affordability with a 20.2% rent-to-income ratio. Its $1,693 median rent (49% above state average) and $577,900 median home value make it Oregon's priciest market in this group.

Clackamas County's Suburban Premium

Clackamas's $1,693 rent and $577,900 home values significantly exceed those in Columbia ($1,221 rent, $390,600 homes) and Benton ($1,359 rent, $481,700 homes). The Portland suburb premium reflects strong demand but limits affordability even for high-earning households.

High Income Can't Offset Premium Costs

Renters allocate $1,693 monthly (20.2% of income) while homeowners spend $1,972, leaving households with less cushion despite six-figure incomes. At $577,900, median home prices mean most buyers need substantial savings or dual high incomes.

Clackamas for Those with Strong Incomes

Clackamas County rewards high earners seeking suburban Portland access, excellent schools, and strong job markets—but it's the nation's most expensive county in this analysis. If you're making well above regional averages and prioritize commute convenience, the numbers work; otherwise, explore counties farther from the metro core.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Clackamas County

via IncomeByCounty

Clackamas County significantly outpaces the nation

Clackamas County's median household income of $100,360 towers $25,605 above the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it in the top income tier nationally. This prosperity reflects Portland's suburban growth and access to metro employment.

Oregon's highest-earning county

Clackamas County ranks decisively above all other Oregon counties with a median income $30,395 higher than the state average of $69,965. Per capita income of $51,666 similarly leads the state, well ahead of the $37,652 average.

Clear income leader in the Willamette Valley

Clackamas County's $100,360 median far exceeds neighboring Benton ($76,011), Marion, and Multnomah counties, driven by suburban wealth and proximity to Portland's job market. Income disparity across the metro region underscores geographic opportunity gaps.

High incomes offset expensive housing

Despite a median home value of $577,900, Clackamas County's rent-to-income ratio of 20.2% remains manageable because high incomes absorb housing costs. The county achieves affordability through earnings, not through cheap housing.

Maximize wealth-building opportunities now

Clackamas County residents earning above-average incomes have unique capacity to invest beyond homeownership—consider diversified portfolios, retirement accounts, and education funds. High earners should consult a financial planner to optimize tax strategy and generational wealth transfer.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Clackamas County

via HealthByCounty

Clackamas County excels on health metrics

At 79.9 years, Clackamas County's life expectancy exceeds the U.S. average of 78.9 years. With a 13.5% poor or fair health rate, the county matches the national benchmark for population health.

Strong performer within Oregon

Clackamas County's 79.9-year life expectancy ranks in Oregon's top five, exceeding the state average of 77.0 years by nearly 3 years. The county consistently demonstrates better-than-average health outcomes across age groups.

Outpaces Portland metro peers

Clackamas County's life expectancy of 79.9 years trails Benton (82.4) but exceeds Multnomah and most surrounding counties. Its 5.6% uninsured rate is among the lowest in the state.

Solid access to primary and mental care

Clackamas County has 92 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, approaching national adequacy levels. With 427 mental health providers per 100,000 and just 5.6% uninsured, access barriers are relatively low.

Check your insurance status now

While 94.4% of Clackamas County residents have coverage, 5.6% remain uninsured and vulnerable. Verify your coverage options at healthcare.gov or contact OHP to ensure continuous protection.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Clackamas County

via RiskByCounty

Clackamas County: High-Risk Profile

Clackamas County scores 94.88 on the composite risk scale, earning a "Relatively High" national rating and significantly exceeding Oregon's 63.43 state average. This marks one of Oregon's riskiest counties, with multiple hazards combining to create elevated exposure.

Among Oregon's Riskiest Counties

Clackamas County ranks among the top tier of Oregon counties by composite disaster risk, placing it well above the statewide median. The county faces compounded threats from earthquakes, floods, and wildfires simultaneously.

Highest Risk in Portland Metro Area

Clackamas County's 94.88 score is the highest among Portland area counties—exceeding Marion (79.28), Washington, and Multnomah counties. Its location in the Willamette Valley and proximity to the Cascade Range expose it to convergent natural hazards.

Earthquakes, Floods, and Wildfires Threaten

Earthquake risk peaks at 98.60, among the nation's highest, while flood risk of 93.70 reflects major exposure to Clackamas and Molalla river systems. Wildfire risk of 86.77 increasingly affects eastern county communities as fire seasons intensify, and even tornado risk (38.10) exceeds national averages.

Prepare for Multiple Hazards Aggressively

Clackamas County residents need earthquake, flood, and comprehensive homeowners insurance to cover the full spectrum of regional threats. Seismic retrofitting, backup generators, and evacuation plans are equally important for a county facing compounding disaster risks.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.