CountyScore

Harney County

Oregon · OR

#7 in Oregon
71.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Harney County, Oregon

Well above national average

Harney County's composite score of 71.7 ranks it 21 percentile points above the national median of 50.0, placing the county in the top third of U.S. counties for livability. This reflects consistent strength in foundational livability factors.

Exceeds Oregon state benchmark

At 71.7, Harney outperforms Oregon's state average of 66.6 by about 5 points, ranking firmly in the upper tier of Oregon counties. This performance is notable for such a rural, sparsely populated county.

Housing affordability leads the region

Harney posts a cost score of 84.1, the county's strongest dimension, with the lowest median home value at $190,600 and rent at just $675/month—the most affordable among the eight counties. Tax burden at 75.0 provides additional fiscal relief.

Income levels significantly lag

With an income score of 14.9 and median household income of $48,338—the lowest among the eight counties—Harney faces real wage opportunity constraints. Health scores at 69.1 are also the lowest in the county profile, suggesting access challenges.

Suited for ultra-affordable, quiet living

Harney is best for retirees on fixed incomes or remote workers seeking the absolute lowest cost of living combined with extreme rural peace. It's not ideal for families requiring high wage earning potential or robust healthcare access.

Score breakdown

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

Tax75Cost84.1SafetyComing SoonHealth69.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome14.9Risk76.4WaterComing Soon
🏛75
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼14.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤69.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡76.4
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 Harney County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Yakutat City and Borough
Alaska
71.7
Median income: $80,625
Howard County
Arkansas
71.7
Median income: $44,492
Monroe County
Arkansas
71.7
Median income: $43,955
Montrose County
Colorado
71.7
Median income: $66,072
Lawrence County
Indiana
71.7
Median income: $65,551

Deep Dives

Harney County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Harney County

via TaxByCounty

Harney's tax rate ranks in top 10%

At 0.968%, Harney County's effective tax rate places it in the top 10% of U.S. counties by burden—among the highest in America. Despite a median home value of only $190,600, residents pay $1,845 annually, reflecting the county's steep rate.

Oregon's second-highest tax rate

Harney ranks 2nd among Oregon's 36 counties with an effective rate of 0.968%, exceeded only by one other county. This rate far surpasses Oregon's state average of 0.775%, making Harney one of the state's most tax-burdened communities.

Steepest taxes in remote eastern Oregon

Harney's 0.968% rate significantly exceeds Grant County (0.761%) and even Gilliam County (1.008%), making it among the highest-taxed counties in Oregon's east. The burden falls heavily on owners of modest-value properties.

What $190,600 homes cost to own

The typical Harney County homeowner pays $1,845 annually on a median-valued home of $190,600. Mortgage holders pay $1,986, while outright owners pay $1,583 per year.

Assessment appeals matter here

With Oregon's second-highest tax rate, even small overassessments cost Harney homeowners significantly more than elsewhere in the state. If your assessed value seems high, filing an appeal—a free process—could deliver substantial annual savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Harney County

via CostByCounty

Harney's rents are the nation's most affordable

Harney County residents enjoy exceptional rental affordability, with renters spending just 16.8% of income on housing—well below the national average and Oregon's 19.4% state standard. Despite having Oregon's lowest median household income of $48,338, residents pay just $675/month in rent, creating an affordability advantage rarely found nationally.

Oregon's bargain basement for renters

Harney County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.8% ranks it among Oregon's absolute most affordable counties, and its median rent of $675 is the state's lowest. This remote high-desert county offers renters unmatched affordability, though economic opportunities are limited.

Dramatically cheaper than all surrounding counties

Harney's $675 monthly rent undercuts Grant County ($840) by $165 and towers below every other regional county, making it Oregon's rental bargain. The county remains isolated even by eastern Oregon standards, reflecting its sparse population and economy.

Rent or own, costs stay remarkably low

Harney households earning $48,338 pay $675 in rent (16.8% of income) or $812 in owner costs (20.1% of income)—both among the lowest in the state. Notably, homeownership costs slightly more than renting, the opposite of most markets, though both remain highly affordable.

For those seeking extreme affordability

Harney County offers Oregon's most affordable housing if you prioritize low costs above all else—rents at just $675/month beat every other county. However, assess carefully: this remote location offers limited employment, services, and cultural amenities, so affordability must outweigh the isolation trade-offs.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Harney County

via IncomeByCounty

Harney's income 35% below U.S. average

Harney County's median household income of $48,338 represents the lowest in this Oregon cohort, falling roughly $26,400 short of the national median of $74,755. This steep gap underscores the economic isolation of Oregon's most sparsely populated county.

Lowest income across Oregon

At $48,338, Harney County ranks at the very bottom statewide, trailing Oregon's county average of $69,965 by over $21,000. Per capita income of $27,919 is the state's lowest among these eight counties.

Significantly behind all eastern neighbors

Harney households earn $11,462 less than Grant County ($59,800) and $25,302 less than Deschutes County ($87,640). Geographic isolation and limited employment diversity compound Harney's economic challenges.

Housing is the bright spot

Harney County's 16.8% rent-to-income ratio is the lowest statewide, and median home values of $190,600 remain quite affordable. Housing costs consume minimal income, providing rare breathing room for this low-earning county.

Maximize low housing costs strategically

With housing expenses minimal, Harney residents should prioritize building an emergency fund and exploring remote work opportunities to boost income. Even modest additional earnings, combined with low housing drag, can generate meaningful long-term savings and wealth growth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Harney County

via HealthByCounty

Harney struggles with health disparities

Harney County's life expectancy of 76.1 years matches the U.S. average of 76.4 years, yet 20.8% of residents report poor or fair health—the highest rate in Oregon's examined eastern counties and well above the national average of 16.1%. This signals significant population health challenges despite average longevity.

Below state average, worst in region

Harney's 76.1-year life expectancy falls 0.9 years below Oregon's state average of 77.0 years, and its 20.8% poor/fair health rate is the worst among all examined counties. The 7.8% uninsured rate is slightly below the state average of 8.1%, indicating coverage isn't addressing the county's underlying health burden.

Highest health burden in eastern Oregon

Harney's 20.8% poor/fair health rate exceeds all neighboring counties, even Douglas (20.3%) and Jefferson (19.7%), suggesting concentrated health challenges. However, with 847 mental health providers per 100,000—the highest in the region—Harney invests heavily in behavioral health, though primary care remains limited at 53 providers per 100K.

Mental health strength, primary care gap

Harney County has invested in behavioral health capacity, with 847 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—highest in eastern Oregon. However, with only 53 primary care providers per 100K, residents lack the preventive and chronic disease management care that could reduce the county's elevated poor/fair health rates.

Access prevention through coverage

With one-fifth of Harney residents reporting poor health, preventive care is critical—yet 7.8% remain uninsured. Contact Harney County Health Services or call 2-1-1 to enroll in Oregon Health Plan or explore marketplace coverage, unlocking access to the primary care that could improve population health.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Harney County

via RiskByCounty

Harney: Very Low Overall Risk, Wildfire Exception

Harney County's composite score of 23.66 places it among America's safest counties, significantly below the national average. This very low rating masks one critical vulnerability: wildfire risk at 95.74, making it Oregon's most fire-prone county despite minimal other hazards. The paradox reflects Harney's unique semi-arid landscape and fire ecology.

Safe Overall, But Oregon's Wildfire Hotspot

Harney's 23.66 composite score sits far below Oregon's state average of 63.43, ranking it among the state's lowest-risk counties. Yet its 95.74 wildfire score represents the state's highest fire risk, creating a striking contrast. Earthquake (31.55), flood (28.53), and tornado (2.48) risks all remain minimal.

Safest County, Yet Most Fire-Vulnerable

Harney's overall risk profile resembles neighbors Grant (32.12) and Jefferson (29.87), but its 95.74 wildfire rating exceeds all surrounding counties. While earthquake and flood exposure trails neighboring counties, fire risk matches or exceeds even high-hazard communities like Deschutes and Jackson. The county represents an extreme case of single-hazard concentration.

Wildfire Dominates Harney's Disaster Profile

Wildfire risk at 95.74 stands as Harney's single significant hazard, creating the state's highest fire vulnerability despite minimal other exposures. Flood risk of 28.53 presents a distant secondary concern, while earthquake (31.55) and tornado (2.48) risks remain negligible. The high desert ecosystem's natural fire susceptibility drives this exceptional concentration.

Wildfire Coverage Non-Negotiable for Harney

Harney residents must ensure explicit wildfire coverage in homeowners policies, as this is the county's dominant risk by far. Create and maintain aggressive defensible space around all structures, clearing vegetation and dead wood within 100 feet. Earthquake and flood insurance remain optional given the county's very low exposure to these hazards.

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.