countyscore
47.8
County Score
Income & Jobs 83.8Health 73.4Property Tax 67.7

County Report Card

About Crook County, Oregon

A Competitive National Performer

Crook County boasts a 48.0 composite score, nearly reaching the national median of 50.0. It is one of the highest-performing counties in the region.

Surpassing the Oregon State Average

The county easily exceeds the Oregon average of 42.5. Its strong economic and health indicators make it a standout destination within the state.

High Incomes and Environmental Resilience

The county shines with an income score of 85.5 and a risk score of 66.4. Residents enjoy a median household income of $81,675 and low tax burdens.

Housing Costs and School Development

Cost remains the biggest challenge with a score of 14.3 as home values rise to $423,300. Education also lags other dimensions with a score of 28.1.

The Choice for Wealthy Adventurers

Crook County is ideal for high-earning professionals who value personal safety and environmental stability. It is a premium destination for those who can afford the rising cost of Central Oregon real estate.

2040608010067.714.95273.428.183.866.43537.1Tax67.7Cost14.9Safety52Health73.4Schools28.1Income83.8Risk66.4Water35Weather37.147.8/100
This county
National avg
4 above average4 below average

Crook County DNA

Foverall

How Crook County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Crook County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (83.8/100) but notably weak in Cost of Living (14.9/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
67.7+15.700000000000003
Cost
14.9-33.1
Safety
52
Health
73.4+23.400000000000006
Schools
28.1-25.9
Income
83.8+32.8
Risk
66.4+19.400000000000006
Water
35-23
Weather
37.1-18.9
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Compare mortgage rates in Crook County

Whether buying or refinancing in Crook County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$467,000

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,283/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$467,000/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$51,320/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum5.7x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $81,965/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

19.5

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Nearby counties

Deschutes County
Oregon
44.5
Wheeler County
Oregon
53.7
Jefferson County
Oregon
49.1
Wasco County
Oregon
33.3
Gilliam County
Oregon
44.6
Sherman County
Oregon
52.7
Grant County
Oregon
66.9
Lake County
Oregon
64.3

Deep Dives

Crook County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Crook County

via TaxByCounty

Crook County offers exceptional tax value

Crook County's effective tax rate of 0.639% ranks in the nation's bottom 10% of counties, far below the national median of 1.1%. Despite a healthy median home value of $423,300, residents pay just $2,703 annually—only 1% above the national median of $2,690.

Oregon's lowest effective tax rate

Crook County boasts the lowest effective tax rate in Oregon at 0.639%, dramatically below the state average of 0.775%. The median property tax of $2,703 ranks among Oregon's lowest, making Crook County exceptionally affordable for central Oregon homebuyers.

Crook County in central Oregon context

Crook County's 0.639% rate is substantially lower than nearby Deschutes County and Wasco County, offering the best tax value in the region. The $2,703 median tax bill attracts homebuyers seeking reasonable taxes with strong home values.

Your Crook County tax bill

The median Crook County home valued at $423,300 generates an annual property tax of approximately $2,703. Homeowners with mortgages pay $2,841, while those owning free-and-clear pay $2,319.

Verify your home's assessed value

Even in tax-friendly Crook County, assessments can occasionally exceed market value, especially for recently purchased properties. Filing a free appeal with the county assessor if your assessment seems high could provide additional savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Crook County

via IncomeByCounty

Crook County meets and slightly exceeds national average

Crook County's median household income of $81,675 outpaces the U.S. median of $74,755 by $6,920, placing it solidly in the middle-to-upper-income tier nationally. This strength is notable for a rural central Oregon county.

Upper-middle income ranking in Oregon

Crook County earns $11,710 above Oregon's median of $69,965, ranking in the upper third of state counties. Per capita income of $41,804 similarly exceeds the state average of $37,652.

Crook outperforms eastern Oregon peers

Crook County's $81,675 median surpasses Baker County ($57,844) and many other central and eastern Oregon counties. The county rivals Benton County ($76,011) and benefits from outdoor recreation and light manufacturing employment.

Balanced affordability and income

Crook County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.0% is favorable, with residents spending less than one-fifth of income on rent. Median home values of $423,300 remain reasonable relative to the county's above-average household earnings.

Build wealth in a growing market

Crook County's combination of rising population, good incomes, and reasonable housing creates conditions for appreciation and equity building. Households should capitalize on this stability through homeownership and diversified investments as the county continues its growth trajectory.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Crook County

via CrimeByCounty

Crook County Ranks High for Safety

Crook County is exceptionally safe, boasting a score of 98.3 and a low crime rate of 1076.5 per 100K. This is less than half of the national average crime rate.

One of Oregon's Safest Areas

The county's safety score of 98.3 outperforms the state average of 96.3. Total crime of 1076.5 per 100K is well below the Oregon average of 2,366.2.

Safer Than Regional Urban Centers

Crook County maintains a quieter profile than its neighboring counties, with only four reporting agencies needed to track its low incident volume. Property crime is particularly low here.

Exceptionally Low Property Crime

Violent crime at 256.1 per 100K is near the state average, but property crime is remarkably low at 820.4. This creates an environment where theft is relatively rare.

Preserving Your Peace of Mind

Use basic smart home tech, like door sensors, to maintain the high standard of safety in Crook. Community vigilance is the most effective way to keep crime rates low.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Crook County

via WeatherByCounty

Cool and Dry High Desert

Crook County averages 48.3°F annually, which is cooler than the national median of 54°F. It is an exceptionally dry region, receiving only 11.4 inches of precipitation per year.

One of Oregon's Driest Counties

The county's 11.4 inches of rain is far below the state average of 37.4 inches, marking it as a true semi-arid climate. Its 48.3°F average temperature also tracks cooler than the statewide average of 50.5°F.

Hotter Summers Than Coastal Regions

Crook experiences 35 days of extreme heat annually, far more than the mild coastal counties. However, its winter average of 33.0°F is much warmer than the deep mountain freezes found in Baker County.

Sunny Heat and Moderate Snow

July averages 68.0°F with many days topping 90°F, while winters bring an average of 19.6 inches of snow. January temperatures average 32.5°F, creating a clear four-season cycle.

Prepare for Sun and Snow

With 35 days of extreme heat, air conditioning and sun protection are vital for residents. You will also need snow removal tools to manage the 19.6 inches of annual snowfall during the winter months.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Crook County

via SoilByCounty

High Desert Mineral Earth

Data regarding pH and taxonomic orders for Crook County is currently limited. In this high-desert environment, soils typically differ from the state's moist western regions and may sit closer to the national median pH of 6.5.

Arid Textures of the Interior

Specific sand, silt, and clay percentages are not recorded in the available county metrics. Local growers usually encounter mineral-rich soils that may require significant organic amendments to match the productivity of western Oregon.

Building Capacity in Dry Land

With organic matter and water capacity data missing, Crook County presents a blank canvas for regenerative gardening. Adding mulch and compost is essential to help the soil reach the state's average fertility standards.

Managing Rapid Interior Drainage

Formal drainage classes are unassigned for the county's primary soil tracts. In this arid climate, ensuring that your soil can hold onto water is just as important as ensuring it doesn't flood during rare heavy storms.

Rugged Gardening in Zone 6b

Crook County’s USDA Hardiness Zone 6b requires plants that can endure cold desert winters and high-summer heat. Focus on drought-tolerant herbs, hardy fruit trees, and short-season crops to find success in this challenging environment.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Crook County

via LawnByCounty

Challenging High-Desert Lawn Care

Crook County’s score of 37.2 reflects a challenging environment where Hardiness Zone 6b winters meet very dry summers. Lawns here require significantly more intervention than those in the wetter western part of the state.

Sparse Rain and Intense Summer Heat

The county receives a meager 11.4 inches of annual precipitation, far below the 30-50 inches lawns prefer. With 35 extreme heat days, your grass faces significant evaporation stress, making smart irrigation the most critical part of your routine.

Testing for High Desert Alkalinity

Specific soil data for Crook County is currently unavailable, but high-desert soils often lean toward alkalinity. You should test your soil to see if sulfur is needed to lower the pH, ensuring your grass can access essential micronutrients.

Strategic Watering for Dry Soil

With 82.7% of the county currently abnormally dry, water conservation is a local necessity. Focus on early morning watering to minimize evaporation and use a weather-based irrigation controller to match your lawn's actual needs.

Wait for the Late Spring Frost

Choose drought-hardy species like Buffalo grass or specialized Tall Fescue blends for this region. Be patient with planting, as the last spring frost doesn't occur until June 2, giving you a shorter but intense window for establishment.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Crook County's county score?
Crook County, Oregon has a composite county score of 47.8 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Crook County rank among counties in Oregon?
Crook County ranks #9 among all counties in Oregon on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Crook County, Oregon?
The median annual property tax in Crook County is $2,972, with an effective tax rate of 0.64%. This earns Crook County a tax score of 67.7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Crook County?
The median household income in Crook County, Oregon is $81,965 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Crook County earns an income score of 83.8/100 on CountyScore.
Is Crook County, Oregon a good place to live?
Crook County scores 47.8/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #9 in Oregon. The best way to evaluate Crook County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Crook County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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