CountyScore

Jackson County

Oregon · OR

#30 in Oregon
62.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Jackson County, Oregon

Above national median, middle-of-pack

Jackson County's composite score of 62.3 ranks it 12 percentile points above the national median of 50.0, indicating solid livability. However, this performance places it in the middle tier nationally rather than among top performers.

Slightly below Oregon's state average

At 62.3, Jackson ranks slightly below Oregon's state average of 66.6, placing it in the lower-middle tier of Oregon counties. The county's profile reflects mixed strengths and constraints.

Tax efficiency and low risk shine

Jackson excels with a tax score of 81.0 and an exceptionally low risk score of 7.5, indicating minimal environmental or natural hazard concerns. Health outcomes at 70.8 add to a solid health and safety foundation.

Affordability and income both constrained

A cost score of 63.7 reflects median home values of $400,200 and rent at $1,310/month—expensive for a mid-tier county. Income score of 30.0 with median household earnings at $71,443 indicates limited high-wage opportunity relative to housing costs.

Suitable for families seeking safety

Jackson appeals to families prioritizing low natural disaster risk, reasonable tax burden, and stable communities, with modest income and housing budgets. It's a balanced choice for those seeking middle-ground livability without exceptional strengths.

Score breakdown

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

Tax81Cost63.7SafetyComing SoonHealth70.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome30Risk7.5WaterComing Soon
🏛81
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠63.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼30
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤70.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡7.5
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 Jackson County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Boulder County
Colorado
62.3
Median income: $102,772
Hardee County
Florida
62.3
Median income: $54,231
Martin County
Florida
62.3
Median income: $80,701
Okaloosa County
Florida
62.3
Median income: $79,097
Cumberland County
Maine
62.3
Median income: $92,983

Deep Dives

Jackson County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Jackson County

via TaxByCounty

Jackson's taxes slightly above U.S. average

Jackson County's effective tax rate of 0.758% sits above the national median of 0.720%, placing it in the upper-middle range of U.S. counties. The median tax bill of $3,032 exceeds the national median of $2,690, reflecting Jackson's higher median home value of $400,200.

Mid-range among Oregon counties

Jackson ranks 20th among Oregon's 36 counties by effective tax rate at 0.758%, slightly below the state average of 0.775%. Its median property tax of $3,032 runs 10% above Oregon's state median of $2,745.

Pricier than Hood River's rate

Jackson County's 0.758% rate exceeds Hood River's state-leading 0.588% and slightly trails Deschutes' 0.616%, positioning it as the middle option in south-central Oregon. Jackson's median home value of $400,200 falls between Hood River ($571,200) and Deschutes ($596,000).

What $400,200 homes cost to own

Jackson County homeowners pay $3,032 annually on a median home valued at $400,200. Those with mortgages pay slightly more at $3,078, while owners without mortgages pay $2,954.

Appeal overvalued assessments

Jackson County's mixed real estate market—spanning urban Medford to rural areas—can produce uneven assessments that favor some neighbors over others. If your home's assessed value exceeds recent comparable sales, Oregon gives you a free path to correct it through appeal.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Jackson County

via CostByCounty

Jackson County: above average cost pressure

Jackson County renters spend 22.0% of income on housing, significantly above both Oregon's 19.4% state average and the national norm. Median household income of $71,443 trails the national average, yet $1,310 monthly rent creates noticeable affordability pressure for many residents.

Southern Oregon's high-cost county

Jackson County's rent-to-income ratio of 22.0% ranks it among Oregon's least affordable counties, with rents $173 above the state median. The county's appeal as a cultural and outdoor destination drives housing costs notably higher than neighboring Douglas County.

Pricier than Douglas, cheaper than the mountains

Jackson's $1,310 monthly rent falls between Douglas County's $995 and the mountain counties—well below Deschutes' $1,674 but above Grant's $840. Home values of $400,200 place it in Oregon's mid-to-upper range, reflecting Medford's role as southern Oregon's regional hub.

Housing costs strain budgets significantly

Jackson County households earning $71,443 pay $1,310 in rent (22.0% of income) or $1,362 in owner costs (22.9% of income). Both tenure types consume more than one-fifth of gross income, representing meaningful affordability challenges for renters and modest homebuyers.

Southern Oregon's cultural center—at a price

Jackson County offers Medford's cultural amenities, arts scene, and southern Oregon lifestyle, but at a 22% rent-to-income ratio that strains budgets compared to Douglas County's 20.2%. Choose Jackson if the lifestyle amenities justify the affordability trade-off versus more affordable southern Oregon alternatives.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Jackson County

via IncomeByCounty

Jackson matches national income trends

Jackson County's median household income of $71,443 runs slightly below the U.S. median of $74,755, a modest $3,300 shortfall. The county's southern Oregon location supports diverse economies including healthcare, manufacturing, and agriculture.

Just below Oregon's county average

At $71,443, Jackson County slightly trails Oregon's county average of $69,965, though the difference is minimal. Per capita income of $38,797 exceeds the state average of $37,652.

Mid-range earner in southern Oregon

Jackson households earn $16,197 less than Deschutes County ($87,640) but $2,392 more than Jefferson County ($73,051). Economic diversification in Medford and Ashland supports relatively stable income levels compared to more rural counties.

Housing costs approach the limit

Jackson County's 22% rent-to-income ratio exceeds the recommended 20% threshold, with median home values at $400,200. Housing absorbs a growing share of income, particularly for families at the median income level.

Balance housing with future investments

As housing costs rise, Jackson residents should establish clear savings priorities: fund an emergency cushion, maximize employer retirement benefits, and then explore additional investment vehicles. Diversification protects wealth as property values fluctuate.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Jackson County

via HealthByCounty

Jackson near national health average

Jackson County's life expectancy of 77.3 years slightly exceeds the U.S. average of 76.4 years, but 20.1% of residents report poor or fair health—above the national rate of 16.1%. For a county of its size, Jackson shows mixed health signals with longevity offset by notable health challenges.

Slightly above state life expectancy

Jackson County's 77.3-year life expectancy edges past Oregon's state average of 77.0 years by 0.3 years, but its 20.1% poor/fair health rate ranks among the state's highest. The 7.7% uninsured rate is nearly aligned with the state average of 8.1%, leaving coverage gaps in a county facing health disparities.

Matches Douglas in health burden

Jackson and Douglas counties show parallel health profiles, with nearly identical poor/fair health rates (20.1% vs. 20.3%), but Jackson has better primary care access with 96 providers per 100K versus Douglas's 64. Jackson's 721 mental health providers per 100K exceed Douglas's 424, suggesting stronger behavioral health infrastructure.

Adequate providers, high health burden

Jackson County has 96 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 721 mental health providers per 100K, yet 20.1% report poor or fair health—the second-highest rate in the examined counties. This mismatch suggests that provider availability alone cannot solve Jackson's underlying population health challenges.

Insurance opens the door to care

With 1 in 5 Jackson County residents reporting poor health, accessing preventive and chronic care is essential—yet 7.7% still lack coverage. Contact Jackson County Health and Human Services or visit healthcare.gov to explore Oregon Health Plan and marketplace options, ensuring you can work with local providers on health improvement.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Jackson County

via RiskByCounty

Jackson: Among Nation's Most Hazardous Counties

Jackson County scores 92.53 on the composite risk scale, placing it among the most disaster-prone counties in America. This relatively moderate risk rating reflects extreme exposure across wildfire, earthquake, and flood hazards, with nearly all scoring above 93. The county faces one of the nation's most complex natural disaster environments.

Oregon's Second-Most Hazardous County

Jackson's 92.53 composite score ranks it second only to Douglas County in Oregon's disaster risk hierarchy, far exceeding the state average of 63.43. Wildfire (99.05), earthquake (97.36), and flood (93.13) all score at near-maximum levels, creating compounded vulnerability. Jackson represents Oregon's second zone of exceptional multi-hazard concentration.

Nearly As Dangerous As Douglas County

Jackson's 92.53 score nearly matches Douglas County's 92.94, making them the state's two most hazardous communities by far. Both counties share wildfire and earthquake exposure above 97, creating nearly identical multi-hazard profiles. All other neighboring counties—from low-risk Grant (32.12) to moderate-risk Deschutes (84.92)—face substantially lower overall exposure.

Wildfire, Earthquake, Flood: Maximum Triple Threat

Jackson County faces the nation's highest wildfire risk at 99.05, combined with earthquake (97.36) and flood (93.13) risks that are nearly equally severe. This convergence of three maximum-level hazards creates exceptional compound disaster vulnerability. Tornado activity remains minimal at 6.52, providing the only area of reduced exposure.

Comprehensive Multi-Hazard Insurance Mandatory

Jackson residents must immediately secure wildfire and earthquake insurance, as standard homeowners policies exclude both, leaving homes critically unprotected. Flood insurance is equally non-negotiable given the 93.13 risk score, especially for properties in designated zones. Consult a disaster-preparedness specialist to build a comprehensive insurance strategy for Oregon's second-most-hazardous county.

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.