CountyScore

Clatsop County

Oregon · OR

#23 in Oregon
64.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Clatsop County, Oregon

Clatsop County tops national comparison

Clatsop County's composite score of 64.5 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0, ranking it in the top 35% of U.S. counties. This strong position reflects exceptional tax efficiency and balanced livability factors.

Close to Oregon average

Clatsop County scores 64.5 compared to Oregon's 66.6 average, placing it just slightly below the state midpoint. The county demonstrates solid livability with particular strengths in tax structure and housing affordability.

Tax rates and affordability excel

Clatsop County boasts the second-lowest effective tax rate at 0.704% and a strong cost score of 68.0, with median home values of $437,800 and rents at just $1,130/month. These affordability strengths make it attractive to cost-conscious residents seeking a small-town lifestyle.

Income opportunities limited

Clatsop County's income score of 28.2 reflects a median household income of just $68,705, limiting earning potential compared to state benchmarks. This income gap is the main factor preventing the county from scoring higher overall on livability measures.

Great for cost-conscious coastal seekers

Clatsop County suits retirees, remote workers, and families prioritizing affordable coastal living and low taxes over wage growth. If you value small-town charm, accessible housing, and tax efficiency, this county delivers solid livability at reasonable cost.

Score breakdown

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

Tax82.5Cost68SafetyComing SoonHealth73.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome28.2Risk4.9WaterComing Soon
🏛82.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠68
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼28.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤73.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡4.9
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 Clatsop County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Gila County
Arizona
64.5
Median income: $59,089
Washington County
Arkansas
64.5
Median income: $66,426
Del Norte County
California
64.5
Median income: $66,780
Elkhart County
Indiana
64.5
Median income: $65,617
Dallas County
Iowa
64.5
Median income: $102,349

Deep Dives

Clatsop County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Clatsop County

via TaxByCounty

Clatsop County taxes significantly below average

Clatsop County's effective tax rate of 0.704% is well below the national median of 1.1%, ranking it in the bottom third of U.S. counties. Despite a higher median home value of $437,800, Clatsop residents pay $3,084 annually—just 15% above the national median of $2,690.

Below-average Oregon rate with coastal homes

Clatsop County's 0.704% effective rate falls noticeably below Oregon's 0.775% state average, making it one of the more tax-friendly counties in the state. The median property tax of $3,084 remains below the state median of $2,745, despite higher home values reflecting coastal demand.

Clatsop County versus coastal neighbors

Clatsop County's 0.704% rate is lower than Columbia County (0.755%) but significantly lower than Benton County (0.978%). On the Oregon coast, Clatsop offers one of the more favorable tax rates for homebuyers seeking coastal living.

Your Clatsop County tax bill

The median Clatsop County home valued at $437,800 generates an annual property tax of $3,084. Whether financed with a mortgage ($3,096) or owned outright ($3,063), your tax obligation remains remarkably consistent.

Verify your assessment accuracy

Even in lower-tax counties, assessments sometimes exceed market value, particularly after property transfers. Clatsop County homeowners can request an assessment review free of charge; discrepancies discovered can lower future tax bills.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Clatsop County

via CostByCounty

Clatsop County: Slightly Above National Average

Clatsop County's rent-to-income ratio of 19.7% sits just barely above Oregon's state average (19.4%) and matches national affordability trends closely. With median income of $68,705 (8% below national average), residents are paying proportional housing costs.

Clatsop Sits Right at Oregon's Affordability Middle

At 19.7%, Clatsop County's rent-to-income ratio is virtually identical to Oregon's state average, making it a median-affordability county. Its $1,130 median rent is just $7 below the state average, reflecting typical Oregon housing market pressures.

Coastal County Priced Below Urban Neighbors

Clatsop's $1,130 rent is lower than Benton ($1,359), Columbia ($1,221), and Clackamas ($1,693), offering coastal living at a discount. Yet homes here average $437,800—higher than inland Baker ($247,700) and Coos ($302,800) counties.

Balanced Between Rent and Ownership Costs

Renters in Clatsop spend $1,130 monthly (19.7% of income), while homeowners pay $1,303, both moderate for Oregon standards. The $437,800 median home value offers a middle ground between rural and suburban Oregon markets.

Clatsop for Balanced Coastal Living

Clatsop County suits those seeking a small-town coastal lifestyle without extreme affordability pressures—it's affordable compared to Portland suburbs but pricier than inland rural counties. If beach access and community feel matter as much as housing costs, Clatsop delivers solid value.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Clatsop County

via IncomeByCounty

Clatsop County lags the national income standard

Clatsop County's median household income of $68,705 falls $6,050 short of the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it below the national middle class benchmark. The shortfall reflects Clatsop's limited urban job base and reliance on seasonal tourism and fishing.

Lower-middle income ranking in Oregon

Clatsop County earns $1,260 below Oregon's median of $69,965, ranking in the lower half of state counties. Per capita income of $40,991 slightly exceeds the state average, reflecting age demographics rather than higher individual earnings.

Income gaps with surrounding counties

Clatsop County's $68,705 median trails Columbia County ($86,359) to the south and Tillamook to the north. These disparities reflect differences in employment diversity and proximity to Portland's job market.

Housing costs remain reasonable

Clatsop County's rent-to-income ratio of 19.7% is favorable, placing housing costs well within the 30% affordability threshold. A median home value of $437,800 is substantial but manageable relative to median incomes.

Seek remote work and skills training

Clatsop County residents can offset local income constraints by pursuing remote employment or upskilling in high-demand fields through online education. Building a second income stream or leveraging home equity can accelerate wealth accumulation in this lower-income coastal market.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Clatsop County

via HealthByCounty

Clatsop County slightly above national average

At 76.7 years, Clatsop County's life expectancy falls short of the U.S. average of 78.9 years by 2.2 years. The county's 15.2% poor or fair health rate exceeds the national average of 13.5%.

Below Oregon's health benchmark

Clatsop County's 76.7-year life expectancy lags Oregon's 77.0-year state average, placing it in the lower half of the state. Health challenges here reflect broader rural and coastal Oregon trends.

Struggling among Pacific Northwest peers

Clatsop County's life expectancy of 76.7 years trails Columbia (77.6) and Yamhill counties. Its uninsured rate of 8.7% is the highest among measured neighbors, indicating greater access barriers.

Provider shortages challenge residents

Clatsop County has only 62 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—well below the national standard of 100. At 8.7% uninsured, the county has the highest uninsured rate among its regional peers, limiting preventive care access.

Don't delay—enroll in coverage today

With nearly 1 in 11 Clatsop County residents uninsured, gaps in healthcare access are urgent. Visit your local community health center or healthcare.gov to explore Medicaid and marketplace plans available now.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Clatsop County

via RiskByCounty

Clatsop County: High National Risk

Clatsop County scores 95.07 on the composite risk scale, ranking among the nation's highest-risk counties and nearly 32 points above Oregon's 63.43 state average. This coastal county faces significant multi-hazard exposure driven by water and seismic threats.

Oregon's Riskiest County

Clatsop County ranks as one of Oregon's highest-risk counties by composite score, reflecting its unique coastal geography and seismic setting. Only a handful of Oregon counties approach this risk level.

Riskier Than Coastal Peers

Clatsop County's 95.07 score exceeds neighboring Tillamook County and other coastal counties, driven by exceptionally high flood (96.40) and earthquake (96.50) risks. Its position at the mouth of the Columbia River amplifies flood vulnerability compared to southern Oregon coastal counties.

Floods and Earthquakes Dominate

Flood risk soars to 96.40—the county's most severe threat—reflecting heavy winter rains, storm surge potential, and river proximity. Earthquake risk is nearly as dangerous at 96.50, positioning Clatsop residents near major Cascadia Subduction Zone rupture zones where tsunamis and ground shaking create compounded coastal risks.

Coastal Hazard Insurance Is Mandatory

Flood insurance is non-negotiable for Clatsop County residents; most lenders require it for properties in designated flood zones, and the risk extends beyond mapped areas. Earthquake insurance protects against the subduction zone threat, and tsunami evacuation planning is essential for coastal communities.

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.