Columbia County's composite score of 65.8 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 30% of U.S. counties. This solid performance reflects balanced strengths across tax, cost, and income dimensions.
2 / 5
Nearly matches Oregon average
Columbia County scores 65.8 versus Oregon's state average of 66.6, placing it just at the state median and indicating typical livability for the state. The county demonstrates well-rounded performance without major standout weaknesses.
3 / 5
Tax efficiency and reasonable housing
Columbia County excels with a tax score of 81.0 and an effective tax rate of 0.755%, paired with a cost score of 64.2 and median home values of $390,600. Median rent at $1,221/month offers moderate affordability while supporting a median household income of $86,359.
4 / 5
Risk factors deserve attention
Columbia County's risk score of 29.3 is the second-highest among these eight counties, suggesting environmental or economic concerns worth monitoring. While not alarming, this factor moderately constrains overall livability compared to lower-risk counties.
5 / 5
Balanced choice for moderate earners
Columbia County suits middle-income families and workers seeking a balanced mix of affordability, tax efficiency, and reasonable risk. If you want solid livability without extremes in either direction, this county offers steady, predictable quality of life.
Columbia County's composite score of 65.8 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 30% of U.S. counties. This solid performance reflects balanced strengths across tax, cost, and income dimensions.
Nearly matches Oregon average
Columbia County scores 65.8 versus Oregon's state average of 66.6, placing it just at the state median and indicating typical livability for the state. The county demonstrates well-rounded performance without major standout weaknesses.
Tax efficiency and reasonable housing
Columbia County excels with a tax score of 81.0 and an effective tax rate of 0.755%, paired with a cost score of 64.2 and median home values of $390,600. Median rent at $1,221/month offers moderate affordability while supporting a median household income of $86,359.
Risk factors deserve attention
Columbia County's risk score of 29.3 is the second-highest among these eight counties, suggesting environmental or economic concerns worth monitoring. While not alarming, this factor moderately constrains overall livability compared to lower-risk counties.
Balanced choice for moderate earners
Columbia County suits middle-income families and workers seeking a balanced mix of affordability, tax efficiency, and reasonable risk. If you want solid livability without extremes in either direction, this county offers steady, predictable quality of life.
Score breakdown
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Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Columbia County's effective tax rate of 0.755% falls below the national median of 1.1%, placing it in the lower-middle range of U.S. counties. At $2,948 annually on the median home, Columbia County residents pay 10% above the national median of $2,690.
Close to Oregon average, middle-tier county
Columbia County's 0.755% effective rate closely matches Oregon's state average of 0.775%, ranking it near the middle of Oregon's counties. The median property tax of $2,948 slightly exceeds the state median of $2,745 due to Columbia County's higher median home value of $390,600.
Columbia County in northwest Oregon
Columbia County's 0.755% rate sits between Clatsop County's lower 0.704% and Tillamook County's rates. The $2,948 median tax bill places Columbia County residents in the middle of northwest Oregon communities in terms of property tax burden.
Your Columbia County tax bill
The median Columbia County home valued at $390,600 results in an annual property tax of approximately $2,948. Homeowners with mortgages pay $2,906, while those owning free-and-clear pay $3,085.
Request a reassessment if needed
Columbia County homeowners whose properties have declined in value or were recently overassessed can appeal to the county assessor. An appeal is simple to file and costs nothing, potentially lowering your tax burden if your home's market value has shifted.
Columbia County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.0% beats both Oregon's state average (19.4%) and national trends, reflecting strong affordability. With median income of $86,359 and rent of just $1,221, households here keep more than 83% of income for other needs.
Among Oregon's Most Affordable Counties
Columbia County ranks in Oregon's upper affordability tier with a 17.0% rent-to-income ratio, below the state average of 19.4%. Its $1,221 median rent is only $84 above state average while income runs significantly higher than many Oregon counties.
Columbia Balances Affordability and Value
Columbia's 17.0% rent-to-income ratio beats Clatsop (19.7%), Benton (21.4%), and Curry (21.4%) despite similar or higher absolute rents. The county offers better income-to-cost alignment than most comparable Pacific Northwest communities.
Renters and Owners Both Find Balance
Renters pay $1,221 monthly (17.0% of income) while homeowners spend $1,441, leaving substantial room in household budgets. At $390,600, median home values remain accessible compared to Portland-area counties.
Columbia County: Strong Value Play
Columbia County rewards cost-conscious households seeking Pacific Northwest small-town character without sacrificing affordability or income potential. If you earn above-average income and want housing that doesn't dominate your budget, few Oregon counties offer better numbers.
Columbia County's median household income of $86,359 surpasses the U.S. median of $74,755 by $11,604, positioning it in the upper-middle income tier nationally. This strength reflects Columbia's proximity to Portland and a diverse manufacturing and forestry base.
Upper-middle ranking among Oregon counties
Columbia County earns $16,394 above Oregon's median of $69,965, placing it firmly in the upper third of state counties. Per capita income of $39,526 slightly exceeds the state average of $37,652.
Columbia outperforms nearby coastal counties
Columbia County's $86,359 median substantially exceeds Clatsop ($68,705) and Coos County ($60,313), but trails the Portland-area affluence of Clackamas ($100,360). The county occupies a sweet spot between rural coast and urban metro.
Strong affordability with reasonable housing
Columbia County combines a favorable rent-to-income ratio of 17.0% with a median home value of $390,600, creating genuine affordability for middle-income families. Residents spend well under the 30% housing affordability threshold.
Invest in homeownership and retirement
Columbia County's balance of good income and affordable housing creates ideal conditions for building equity through ownership. Households should prioritize maxing retirement contributions and considering real estate investment to capitalize on regional economic momentum.
At 77.6 years, Columbia County's life expectancy closely tracks the U.S. average of 78.9 years. The county's 18.0% poor or fair health rate exceeds the national average of 13.5% by 4.5 percentage points.
Slightly above Oregon average
Columbia County's 77.6-year life expectancy modestly exceeds Oregon's 77.0-year state average. However, the county's 18.0% poor or fair health rate signals persistent health challenges for a significant portion of residents.
Middling health among rural peers
Columbia County's 77.6-year life expectancy ranks above Baker (75.2) and Curry (73.9) but below Clackamas (79.9). The county's 6.9% uninsured rate is better than Clatsop's 8.7%.
Severe primary care provider shortage
Columbia County has just 26 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—less than one-quarter the national standard—creating significant access barriers for preventive and routine care. With 6.9% uninsured and limited providers, many residents face dual access challenges.
Coverage alone isn't enough—find a provider
While 93.1% of Columbia County residents have insurance, just 26 primary care providers per 100,000 means long waits and travel. Enroll at healthcare.gov if uninsured, then work with your provider to navigate local care options.
Columbia County scores 70.67 on the composite risk scale, earning a "Relatively Low" rating despite exceeding Oregon's 63.43 state average by about 7 points. Compared nationally, the county faces moderate exposure with manageable hazard profiles.
Mid-Range Safety Among Oregon
Columbia County ranks in the safer half of Oregon's 36 counties, with above-average scores offset by comparatively lower exposure to certain hazard types. The county's risk profile is more favorable than most coastal and metro-area peers.
Safer Than Coastal Clatsop County
Columbia County's 70.67 score is substantially lower than neighboring Clatsop County (95.07), reflecting inland positioning away from coastal flood and tsunami threats. It mirrors Tillamook County's moderate profile but benefits from lower overall earthquake emphasis in its location.
Earthquakes and Floods Are Primary Threats
Earthquake risk ranks highest at 94.53, reflecting regional seismic activity, while flood risk of 68.16 results from heavy winter precipitation and river systems. Wildfire (30.50) and tornado (13.30) risks are notably lower, making Columbia County one of Oregon's least fire-prone counties.
Earthquake and Flood Coverage Recommended
Earthquake insurance is essential given the county's high seismic risk; most standard policies exclude this coverage entirely. Flood insurance protects against winter storm and river flood damage, especially for properties near the Columbia, Nehalem, or Tillamook river systems.