Gilliam County's composite score of 73.1 places it 23 percentile points above the national median of 50.0, ranking it in the top quartile of U.S. counties. This exceptional performance reflects strong fundamentals across measured dimensions.
2 / 5
Outperforms the Oregon average
At 73.1, Gilliam surpasses Oregon's state average of 66.6 by nearly 7 points, ranking it in the top half of Oregon counties. The county stands as a rare high performer in the state's rural eastern region.
3 / 5
Affordability and cost structure excel
Gilliam shines with a cost score of 78.8, supported by a median home value of just $158,400 and rent averaging $1,084/month. Health outcomes at 72.7 are robust, and the county maintains relatively low tax burden at 73.9.
4 / 5
Income and environmental risk require attention
The income score of 25.3 reflects median household earnings of $64,219, indicating limited high-wage opportunity. More significantly, the risk score of 97.3 is the county's most concerning metric, suggesting notable environmental or natural hazard vulnerabilities.
5 / 5
Best for risk-tolerant, value-seeking families
Gilliam suits families and retirees seeking maximum affordability with solid health and tax benefits, who are comfortable with elevated environmental risks. It's ideal for those willing to trade convenience for exceptional cost advantages.
Gilliam County's composite score of 73.1 places it 23 percentile points above the national median of 50.0, ranking it in the top quartile of U.S. counties. This exceptional performance reflects strong fundamentals across measured dimensions.
Outperforms the Oregon average
At 73.1, Gilliam surpasses Oregon's state average of 66.6 by nearly 7 points, ranking it in the top half of Oregon counties. The county stands as a rare high performer in the state's rural eastern region.
Affordability and cost structure excel
Gilliam shines with a cost score of 78.8, supported by a median home value of just $158,400 and rent averaging $1,084/month. Health outcomes at 72.7 are robust, and the county maintains relatively low tax burden at 73.9.
Income and environmental risk require attention
The income score of 25.3 reflects median household earnings of $64,219, indicating limited high-wage opportunity. More significantly, the risk score of 97.3 is the county's most concerning metric, suggesting notable environmental or natural hazard vulnerabilities.
Best for risk-tolerant, value-seeking families
Gilliam suits families and retirees seeking maximum affordability with solid health and tax benefits, who are comfortable with elevated environmental risks. It's ideal for those willing to trade convenience for exceptional cost advantages.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛73.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Gilliam County's effective tax rate of 1.008% places it in the top 5% of U.S. counties for property tax burden. Despite a modest median home value of $158,400, homeowners pay $1,597 annually—well below the national median of $2,690 in absolute dollars, but at an unusually steep rate.
Oregon's fourth-highest tax rate
At 1.008%, Gilliam ranks 4th highest among Oregon's 36 counties, significantly exceeding the state average of 0.775%. Only three counties in Oregon levy higher rates, reflecting Gilliam's reliance on property tax revenue.
Steep taxes for eastern Oregon
Gilliam's 1.008% rate far exceeds nearby Grant County (0.761%) and Harney County (0.968%), making it the priciest county by rate in the central-eastern region. The rate more than offsets Gilliam's lower property values.
What $158,400 homes cost to own
The median Gilliam homeowner pays $1,597 annually on a home valued at $158,400, driven by the county's high 1.008% rate. Owners with mortgages pay $1,825, while those without pay $1,346.
Challenge high assessments
Gilliam County's steep tax rate makes accurate assessments especially important—overvaluation hits harder here than elsewhere. If you believe your home is assessed above its fair market value, filing an appeal could yield significant savings.
Renters in Gilliam County spend 20.3% of their income on housing, slightly above Oregon's state average of 19.4% but close to the national norm. Median household income of $64,219 trails the national average, yet $1,084 monthly rent remains well below what coastal and metro areas command.
Modest rents, moderate affordability stress
Gilliam County's rent-to-income ratio of 20.3% puts it slightly above Oregon's 19.4% state average, making it a moderately affordable county within the state. Rents run $53 below the state median, reflecting its small-town character in Oregon's agricultural heartland.
Cheaper than recreation hubs, pricier than ranching towns
Gilliam's $1,084 rent sits between Grant County's bargain $840 and Deschutes' steep $1,674, offering a middle option across Oregon's interior. Home values of $158,400 are among the region's lowest, appealing to buyers seeking rural living on modest budgets.
Rent takes slightly more than mortgage
A typical Gilliam household earning $64,219 pays $1,084 in rent (20.3% of income) or $646 in owner costs (12.1% of income). Homeownership here is significantly cheaper than renting, creating a strong financial incentive to buy if you can qualify for a mortgage.
Agricultural Oregon: affordable for intentional movers
Gilliam County appeals to those seeking rural living with reasonable housing costs—rents are lower than Deschutes and homes cost far less than the state's premium destinations. Compare its $1,084 rent to nearby counties if you're drawn to Oregon's farm country and small-town pace.
Gilliam County's median household income of $64,219 falls short of the national median of $74,755 by approximately $10,500. This gap reflects the realities of rural agriculture and limited job diversity in north-central Oregon.
Slightly above Oregon's county baseline
Despite national shortfalls, Gilliam County's $64,219 median exceeds Oregon's county average of $69,965 by a narrow margin. Per capita income of $34,999 approaches the state average of $37,652.
Middle ground in rural Oregon cluster
Gilliam's income sits between Grant County ($59,800) and Jefferson County ($73,051), reflecting mixed agricultural and service economies. The county earns less than Deschutes and Hood River but more than Harney County ($48,338).
Housing highly affordable here
A 20.3% rent-to-income ratio keeps housing costs manageable, and median home values of just $158,400 make homeownership accessible. Gilliam offers genuine affordability for working families seeking rural stability.
Leverage Gilliam's low cost of living
Lower housing costs create space to build savings and invest—a rare advantage in today's market. Redirect housing savings into retirement accounts, education funds, or a diversified portfolio to compound wealth over decades.
Gilliam County residents live to an average of 76.4 years, roughly matching the U.S. average of 76.4 years, but 17.2% report poor or fair health—above the national rate of 16.1%. For a rural county, Gilliam maintains middle-ground health outcomes but faces room for improvement.
Slightly below Oregon's health profile
At 76.4 years, Gilliam County's life expectancy falls 0.6 years below Oregon's state average of 77.0 years, placing it in the lower-middle tier of state health rankings. The 7.6% uninsured rate is slightly below the state average of 8.1%, though rural healthcare access remains a constraint.
Highest uninsured in eastern region
Gilliam's 7.6% uninsured rate is the lowest among the examined eastern Oregon counties, but its 50 primary care providers per 100,000 residents ranks second-lowest in the region. The county's mental health provider density of 148 per 100K is the sparsest in eastern Oregon, creating a mental health desert.
Extreme rural provider shortage
Gilliam County has only 50 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—roughly one-quarter of Deschutes County's ratio—forcing many residents to travel for basic care. Mental health support is nearly nonexistent, with just 148 providers per 100K, meaning residents facing depression, anxiety, or addiction struggle to find local treatment.
Insurance is the first step
With limited providers within county lines, Gilliam residents must maximize their insurance to reach care in neighboring areas. Check Oregon Health Plan eligibility and marketplace plans at healthcare.gov, and ask your provider about telehealth options to bridge rural care gaps.
Gilliam County's composite risk score of 2.74 places it among America's safest counties, far below the national average. Despite Oregon's overall higher hazard exposure, Gilliam stands as one of the state's lowest-risk communities. This very low rating reflects minimal flood, tornado, and earthquake threats.
Oregon's Safest County by Far
Gilliam's 2.74 score sits well below Oregon's state average of 63.43, making it the state's least hazardous county. Earthquake risk of 27.89, flood risk of 6.97, and tornado risk of 1.37 all remain minimal. While wildfire poses some concern at 88.30, the overall risk profile remains remarkably low.
The Low-Risk Anchor of Eastern Oregon
Gilliam's minimal exposure contrasts sharply with even its closest neighbors—Grant County (32.12) and Jefferson County (29.87) both carry ten times higher composite risk. Hood River County (32.06) similarly faces elevated exposure compared to Gilliam's exceptional safety. The county occupies a unique position of very low disaster vulnerability in Oregon's generally hazard-prone eastern region.
Wildfire: Gilliam's Only Significant Concern
Wildfire represents the sole substantial hazard facing Gilliam County at 88.30, though this remains manageable with standard fire prevention. All other major natural disasters—floods, earthquakes, and tornadoes—score below 28, creating minimal exposure. The county's semi-arid landscape and minimal seismic activity provide exceptional safety advantages.
Standard Coverage Typically Sufficient
Gilliam residents can rely on standard homeowners insurance without the specialized earthquake or flood coverage required elsewhere. Focus on wildfire preparedness through defensible space maintenance and vegetation management around structures. A basic insurance review every few years should suffice given the county's very low overall disaster risk.