countyscore
37.8
County Score
Disaster Risk 65.3Schools 57Property Tax 52.2

County Report Card

About Malheur County, Oregon

Remote Living with Unique Trade-offs

Malheur County earns a composite score of 37.8, which is roughly 12 points behind the national median. This reflects the challenges and advantages of a remote, rural border county.

Outperforming Neighbors in Key Metrics

At 37.8, Malheur scores below the Oregon average of 42.5. However, it outperforms many of its western neighbors in specific resilience metrics like environmental safety.

Environmental Resilience and Affordability

The county excels in environmental safety with a risk score of 65.3 and maintains a respectable school score of 57.0. Housing is also relatively affordable, with a cost score of 52.0.

Economic and Public Safety Concerns

Economic and safety metrics are low, with an income score of 14.3 and a safety score of 5.6. The median household income of $49,902 is among the lowest in the region.

Ideal for Cost-Conscious Rural Families

This county is ideal for those seeking an affordable rural lifestyle with good schools and low environmental risk. It suits families who are comfortable with lower income levels in exchange for resilience.

2040608010052.2525.634.95714.365.311.432.7Tax52.2Cost52Safety5.6Health34.9Schools57Income14.3Risk65.3Water11.4Weather32.737.8/100
This county
National avg
1 above average5 below average

Malheur County DNA

Foverall

How Malheur County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Malheur County falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Safety (5.6/100), though Disaster Risk (65.3/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
52.2
Cost
52
Safety
5.6-49.4
Health
34.9-15.100000000000001
Schools
57
Income
14.3-36.7
Risk
65.3+18.299999999999997
Water
11.4-46.6
Weather
32.7-23.299999999999997
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Whether buying or refinancing in Malheur County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$221,300

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$819/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$221,300/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$32,760/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum4.4x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $49,902/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

9.5

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

Canyon County
Idaho
36.8
Payette County
Idaho
49.3
Ada County
Idaho
45.3
Washington County
Idaho
56.8
Gem County
Idaho
54.9
Owyhee County
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49.3
Baker County
Oregon
36.3
Harney County
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55.6

Deep Dives

Malheur County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 11 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Malheur County

via TaxByCounty

Malheur County taxes run slightly above national average

Malheur County's 0.813% effective tax rate exceeds the national median of 0.75%, placing it in the top 45% nationwide. At $1,799 median tax, residents pay 33% less than the national median of $2,690, reflecting lower home values.

Malheur County ranks eighth among Oregon tax rates

Malheur's 0.813% rate runs 5% above Oregon's 0.775% state average, placing it in the middle-to-upper tier statewide. The median tax of $1,799 remains 34% below Oregon's median of $2,745 due to cheaper homes.

Malheur taxes remain moderate for eastern Oregon

Malheur's 0.813% rate exceeds Lake (0.641%) and Klamath (0.678%) counties in the south-central region. Eastern Oregon generally enjoys lower home values, which keeps annual tax bills manageable despite moderate rates.

Median Malheur home costs $1,799 annually in tax

With a median home value of $221,300 and a 0.813% effective rate, Malheur homeowners pay roughly $1,799 per year in property taxes. Adding a mortgage raises that to approximately $2,058.

Malheur homeowners can reduce taxes through appeals

Many Malheur County properties are assessed above fair market value, creating an opportunity for savings. The county assessor accepts free appeals—verify your assessment aligns with comparable sales in your area.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Malheur County

via CostByCounty

Malheur: Cheapest Housing, Lowest Incomes

Malheur County delivers Oregon's lowest median rent at just $819 monthly, with a rent-to-income ratio of 19.7%—matching Oregon's state average despite the nation's lowest household income at $49,902. This combination reflects a rural agricultural economy where affordable housing pairs with limited earning potential.

Balanced Affordability on Tight Incomes

Malheur's 19.7% rent-to-income ratio equals Oregon's state average of 19.4%, placing it squarely in the middle affordability-wise despite the state's lowest median household income. The county's low absolute rents offset income constraints, preserving reasonable housing cost burdens.

Lowest Absolute Rents in Comparison

Malheur's median rent of $819 undercuts all regional peers—even Lake County ($861)—making it the state's cheapest rental market in this analysis. However, household incomes of $49,902 run $11,320 below Lake County, meaning renters here face genuine earning limitations despite favorable rent levels.

Affordable Rent, Limited Incomes

Monthly rent averages just $819 while homeownership runs $860, with median homes valued at $221,300—the state's most affordable. Despite these low costs, household income of $49,902 limits overall financial flexibility, meaning renters spend proportionally the same as better-earning counties despite lower absolute housing expenses.

Affordability Without Employment Anchors

Malheur offers the state's lowest housing costs, ideal for retirees or remote workers unconcerned with local employment; traditional job-seekers may struggle with limited regional opportunities. Those relocating here should prioritize income stability independent of local markets to fully capitalize on exceptional housing affordability.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Malheur County

via IncomeByCounty

Malheur faces steepest income gap

Malheur County's median household income of $49,902 represents the state's lowest and falls a dramatic 33% below the national median of $74,755. This $24,853 shortfall—the largest among the featured counties—reflects a rural economy dependent on agriculture and ranching with limited wage diversity. Nationally, Malheur ranks among the poorest-earning U.S. counties.

Oregon's lowest county income

At $49,902, Malheur County trails Oregon's state median of $69,965 by $20,063—a gap more than twice as large as any other featured county. This $20,000 disparity places Malheur at the bottom of Oregon's 36-county income ranking, creating unique economic hardship. The isolation of eastern Oregon and dependence on commodity agriculture drive this disadvantage.

Isolated economic distress in eastern Oregon

Malheur's $49,902 income trails the lowest other featured county, Josephine ($59,097), by $9,195, creating a widening gap suggesting severe regional isolation. No featured county comes close to Malheur's poverty level, reflecting eastern Oregon's distinct economic crisis. The county's remoteness from job centers compounds income challenges.

Affordable housing offers survival cushion

Malheur's rent-to-income ratio of 19.7% is among the state's most favorable, with a median home value of $221,300 offering true housing affordability. Yet this advantage becomes irrelevant when median household income falls this far short of meeting basic needs beyond housing. Water, food, healthcare, and transportation costs create acute affordability stress.

Economic development focus over individual wealth

For Malheur households earning $49,902, household financial stability precedes wealth building—focusing on emergency savings and debt reduction first proves more urgent. Many households may qualify for low-income assistance programs (LIHEAP, SNAP, Medicaid) that free up limited income for savings. Community development initiatives and local workforce training programs offer pathways to wage growth beyond individual investment strategies.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Malheur County

via CrimeByCounty

Crime rates exceed the national average

Malheur County reports a total crime rate of 3,357.9 per 100K, which is significantly higher than the national average of 2,385.5. Its safety score currently sits at 94.7.

Safety score trails state benchmarks

The county's safety score of 94.7 is below the Oregon average of 96.3. Five reporting agencies are active in the county to address these elevated crime levels.

Higher activity than many rural neighbors

Malheur sees more frequent crime incidents per capita than many of its rural neighbors in Eastern Oregon. This elevated rate reflects challenges unique to this border region.

Elevated rates for both crime types

Violent crime is 469.3 per 100K, which is well above the national average of 369.8. Property crime is also high, reaching 2,888.6 per 100K.

Enhanced security provides better protection

A monitored home alarm system is a wise investment given the higher local crime rates. Ensuring all windows and doors have sturdy locks helps protect against property theft.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in Malheur County

via SchoolsByCounty

Education in Eastern Oregon's Malheur County

Malheur County supports 25 public schools serving 5,504 students across 9 distinct school districts. The system includes 14 elementary schools and 5 high schools situated mostly in rural areas.

Strong Graduation Rates and High Investment

Malheur County achieves an impressive 87.1% graduation rate, exceeding both the state average and the national benchmark. This success correlates with a higher-than-average state per-pupil expenditure of $9,044.

Ontario and Nyssa District Success

Ontario SD 8C is the largest district with 7 schools and 2,218 students, followed by Nyssa SD 26. Three charter schools operate here, including the Four Rivers Community School which serves 361 students.

Small-Scale Learning in Rural Settings

With 15 rural and 10 town schools, the county maintains a small average school size of 220 students. Ontario High School is the largest facility with 656 students, providing a more personalized learning environment.

Finding a Home Near High-Performing Schools

Families seeking strong academic results in a rural setting should explore the Ontario and Nyssa areas. The county's high graduation rates make it a standout choice for homebuyers prioritizing education in Eastern Oregon.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Malheur County

via RiskByCounty

Malheur sits below national risk average

Malheur County's composite risk score of 34.76 places it well below the national average for natural disaster exposure. The Very Low risk rating makes Malheur one of America's safer counties overall. However, wildfire risk of 91.44 deserves serious attention despite the county's favorable low-hazard profile.

Oregon's second-safest county

At 34.76, Malheur ranks second-lowest among Oregon's 36 counties—significantly below the state average of 63.43. Only Lake County (19.08) shows lower composite risk in Oregon. Malheur's remote southeastern location and sparse development explain much of this favorable standing.

Safer than most of eastern Oregon

Malheur (34.76) sits between Lake County's very low 19.08 and Klamath's moderate 77.93. Malheur's wildfire risk of 91.44 is high, but other hazard exposures remain minimal compared to western Oregon counties. This creates an unusual profile: low overall risk with one significant wildfire vulnerability.

Wildfire dominates Malheur's hazards

Malheur County's wildfire risk of 91.44 is the overwhelming concern, while flood (52.00), earthquake (71.56), and tornado (8.78) risks remain low. The county's arid high-desert climate creates extended fire seasons and rapid spread potential. This single vulnerability dominates Malheur's disaster preparedness calculus.

Prioritize wildfire protection measures

Malheur homeowners should focus preparedness on wildfire mitigation—maintaining defensible space and using fire-resistant materials is more critical than additional insurance riders. Standard homeowners coverage typically addresses wildfire exposure, but review your policy for any local exclusions. Given the county's low overall risk, earthquake and flood insurance are optional unless you have specific property vulnerabilities.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Water Quality in Malheur County

via WaterByCounty

Malheur County faces severe compliance challenges

Malheur County carries an 'F' grade with 57 health violations recorded in five years. Its violation rate of 282.9 per 100,000 residents is more than four times the state average of 65.5.

Watershed health data currently unavailable

Water bodies in Malheur County have not yet been formally assessed under federal Clean Water Act §303(d) standards. No official records of impairment are present in the latest reporting cycle.

Focus on inorganic and nutrient monitoring

A network of 162 sites has produced 12,378 measurements over the past five years. Key focus areas for data collection include physical characteristics, nutrients, and inorganic compounds.

Owyhee River flows drop below 50%

The Owyhee River below Owyhee Dam is currently flowing at 158 cfs, or 41% of its long-term mean. This low flow reflects the arid conditions and high demands on the basin's water resources.

Immediate water quality awareness for Malheur

With a high violation rate and river flows at 41%, residents should verify their water through professional testing. It is important to stay updated on inorganic contaminant levels in local drinking water supplies.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Weather & Climate in Malheur County

via WeatherByCounty

Arid Climate with Hot Summer Peaks

Malheur County's 50.3°F average annual temperature is just below the national median. However, its extremely low precipitation makes it one of the driest regions in the nation.

Oregon's Hotspot for Extreme Heat

Malheur averages 55 days of heat over 90°F, far more than most of the state. It also receives only 9.9 inches of rain, making it much drier than the 37.4-inch state average.

Warmer and Drier Than Lake County

Malheur is warmer than neighboring Lake County by nearly 4 degrees on average. It also experiences over twice as many extreme heat days as Lake County.

Intense Summers and Cold Winters

July averages a hot 73.8°F, and the county faces nearly two months of extreme heat. Winters are cold and dry, averaging 31.7°F with 9.9 inches of annual snowfall.

Focus on Cooling and Irrigation

With 55 days of extreme heat, robust air conditioning and hydration plans are essential for safety. The arid 9.9 inches of rain means outdoor landscaping requires drought-resistant plants.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Malheur County

via SoilByCounty

Arid soils of Eastern Oregon

Specific pH and taxonomic data for Malheur County are currently unavailable. In this arid region, soils often trend closer to the 6.5 national median than the more acidic 5.26 average seen in Western Oregon. Knowing your pH is the first step toward mastering high-desert agriculture.

Texture in the high desert

Our records do not currently list the percentages of sand, silt, and clay for Malheur County. Texture is especially important here, as it determines how often you need to irrigate your crops. A grittier, sandy soil will drain faster, requiring more frequent watering in the summer heat.

Feeding the desert soil

Data for organic matter and water capacity are missing for this county. While the Oregon average for organic matter is 29.41%, desert soils typically require more amendments to reach that level of fertility. Strategic composting can help you bridge the gap and boost your garden's potential.

Planning for desert irrigation

Drainage class and hydrologic group information is not currently specified for this region. In Malheur's climate, understanding how your soil absorbs irrigation water is the key to preventing salt buildup. Monitoring water infiltration on your property will help you build a more sustainable garden.

Heat-loving crops in Zone 7a

Malheur County sits in Hardiness Zone 7a, which is perfect for sun-loving crops like melons, peppers, and onions. The long, hot summers provide the energy these plants need to produce massive yields. Start your seeds early and watch your desert oasis thrive.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Malheur County

via LawnByCounty

Arid Challenges in Eastern Oregon

Malheur County scores a 41.5 on lawn difficulty, reflecting the challenges of a high-desert climate in zone 7a. It is more difficult than the national average but slightly easier than the overall Oregon state average. Success here depends entirely on the homeowner's ability to manage water in a very dry landscape.

High Heat and Limited Rainfall

With only 9.9 inches of annual precipitation, Malheur is far below the 30-50 inches needed for healthy grass. The county also experiences 55 extreme heat days annually, the highest among its neighbors. However, 2663 growing degree days mean that with enough water, grass will grow very rapidly during the summer.

Building Soil for Water Retention

The lack of specific soil metrics suggests that homeowners should focus on the common regional issue of low organic matter. In such an arid climate, adding compost is vital to prevent water from simply running off or evaporating. Focus on creating a soil sponge that can hold onto every drop of irrigation you provide.

Conserving Water Under Heat Stress

The county faced 15 weeks of drought last year, and 72.8% of the area remains abnormally dry. Given the 55 heat days, irrigation should be focused on the early morning to minimize evaporation. Consider using a smart irrigation system that adjusts for the high July average of 73.8°F to keep the lawn alive.

Heat-Tolerant Varieties for Zone 7a

Turf-type tall fescue is highly recommended here for its deep root system and heat tolerance. Wait until after the last frost on May 22nd to start your spring planting once the desert soil has warmed. The first fall frost arrives early on September 29th, so make sure any fall seeding is completed by late August.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Malheur County's county score?
Malheur County, Oregon has a composite county score of 37.8 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 Malheur County rank among counties in Oregon?
Malheur County ranks #21 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 Malheur County, Oregon?
The median annual property tax in Malheur County is $1,799, with an effective tax rate of 0.81%. This earns Malheur County a tax score of 52.2/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Malheur County?
The median household income in Malheur County, Oregon is $49,902 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Malheur County earns an income score of 14.3/100 on CountyScore.
Is Malheur County, Oregon a good place to live?
Malheur County scores 37.8/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #21 in Oregon. The best way to evaluate Malheur 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 Malheur County with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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.