CountyScore

Marion County

Oregon · OR

#34 in Oregon
59.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Marion County, Oregon

Marion County exceeds national standard

Marion County's composite score of 59.4 surpasses the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper 18th percentile of U.S. counties. This positions it above average nationally, though it underperforms several Oregon peers.

Below Oregon average but substantial

Marion's score of 59.4 trails Oregon's state average of 66.6 by 7.2 points, placing it in the lower-middle range of Oregon counties. While respectable, it lags most peers in this cohort.

Strong income and economic opportunity

Marion County posts the highest income score in this group at 32.1, with median household income of $74,624—supporting solid earning potential and middle-class stability. The health score of 66.7 provides adequate healthcare access for most residents.

Housing costs and tax burden elevated

The cost score of 61.0 reflects significant housing pressure, with median home values at $383,300 and median rent at $1,333/month—the highest in this group. An effective tax rate of 0.882% further strains household budgets and economic flexibility.

Suits established professionals and families

Marion County attracts middle-to-upper-income professionals and established families willing to accept higher housing and tax costs for strong wage opportunities and community stability. It's ideal for those with dual incomes, career ambitions, and the financial cushion to absorb Portland-metro-adjacent living expenses.

Score breakdown

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

Tax77.5Cost61SafetyComing SoonHealth66.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome32.1Risk4.5WaterComing Soon
🏛77.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠61
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼32.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤66.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡4.5
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 Marion County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Aleutians West Census Area
Alaska
59.4
Median income: $107,344
Livingston County
Illinois
59.4
Median income: $70,796
Angelina County
Texas
59.4
Median income: $58,847
Falls Church city
Virginia
59.4
Median income: $154,734
Chatham County
Georgia
59.3
Median income: $69,575

Deep Dives

Marion County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Marion County

via TaxByCounty

Marion County taxes rank well above U.S. average

Marion County's 0.882% effective tax rate exceeds the national median of 0.75% by 18%, placing it in the top 30% nationwide. The median tax bill is $3,382—26% higher than the national median of $2,690.

Marion County ranks second-highest in Oregon taxes

At 0.882%, Marion's effective rate ranks second only to Linn County's 0.908% among all Oregon jurisdictions. Marion residents pay $3,382 annually—23% above Oregon's median of $2,745.

Marion taxes exceed most peers in Willamette Valley

Marion's 0.882% rate rivals Lane (0.863%) and Linn (0.908%), making the Willamette Valley Oregon's highest-tax region. Only Linn edges Marion out in the statewide rankings.

Median Marion home costs $3,382 annually in tax

Marion County's median home value of $383,300 combined with its 0.882% rate produces an annual tax bill of approximately $3,382. With a mortgage, that figure climbs to roughly $3,447.

Marion County homeowners deserve assessment reviews

Despite Marion's high rates, many properties remain overassessed on county rolls. File a free property tax appeal if you believe your home's valuation exceeds its current fair market value.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Marion County

via CostByCounty

Marion's Incomes Support Elevated Rents

Marion County's rent-to-income ratio of 21.4% slightly exceeds Oregon's 19.4% average, but household income of $74,624 nearly matches the national median of $74,755. This income strength helps Marion residents manage housing costs that would strain lower-earning counties, positioning the county as reasonably affordable despite mid-range rents.

Above Average but Income-Supported

Marion's 21.4% rent-to-income ratio ranks above Oregon's state average of 19.4%, yet the county's strong incomes—highest in this comparison—ease the burden relative to its position. Marion represents the state's successful balance of employment opportunity and housing accessibility.

Willamette Valley's Premium Market

Marion's median rent of $1,333 exceeds all southern Oregon counties and rivals Linn County ($1,273) to the north, reflecting major-employer-area pricing. Unlike those regions, Marion residents earn $74,624—the highest in this analysis—making these rents proportionally more manageable despite higher absolute costs.

Highest Incomes Offset Highest Rents

Monthly rent averages $1,333 while homeownership costs $1,510, with median home values at $383,300, and households earning $74,624—the strongest in this analysis. Housing costs consume 21.4% of income for renters, demonstrating how robust earnings help Marion residents manage the state's steepest homeownership costs.

Premium Incomes for Premium Housing

Marion County attracts relocators seeking Willamette Valley employment and lifestyle without the tech-driven cost explosion of Portland's inner suburbs. For those with competitive earning potential, Marion balances career opportunity with housing costs markedly lower than the metro's core while maintaining easy access to state amenities.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Marion County

via IncomeByCounty

Marion nearly matches national income standard

Marion County's median household income of $74,624 virtually mirrors the national median of $74,755—a near-perfect alignment within $131. This parity reflects Marion's role as Oregon's most populous county with a diverse economy including agriculture, manufacturing, and Salem government employment. Nationally, Marion ranks solidly in the upper-middle tier of county earnings.

Oregon's highest-earning county

At $74,624, Marion County exceeds Oregon's state median of $69,965 by $4,659, ranking first among the state's 36 counties in median household income. This leadership reflects Salem's government payroll, agricultural prosperity, and industrial manufacturing base providing stable, well-paying employment. Marion's position as the income leader shows concentrated economic strength in the Willamette Valley.

State's clear income champion

Marion's $74,624 surpasses all featured peers: Linn County ($73,396), Lane County ($69,311), Lincoln ($61,314), and rural counties below $61,000. The $1,228 advantage over runner-up Linn, while modest, represents consistent outperformance across all county comparisons. Marion's diverse economy and population size drive earnings leadership.

Strong income supports homeownership access

Marion's rent-to-income ratio of 21.4% indicates housing costs claim a manageable share of median income, though median home value of $383,300 remains substantial. Households earning $74,624 can realistically afford homeownership while maintaining savings, though first-time buyers should plan carefully. The income-to-housing ratio enables wealth building through home equity accumulation.

Prime opportunity for long-term wealth growth

Marion County households earning $74,624 sit in the position to maximize retirement contributions, invest in index funds, and build substantial home equity. Targeting 20% of gross income toward savings (retirement, investments, emergency fund) enables $15,000 annual wealth building. Marion's economic stability provides the foundation for aggressive, diversified wealth-building strategies over decades.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Marion County

via HealthByCounty

Oregon's longest-living residents

Marion County residents live to 77.5 years, just 1.8 years shorter than the U.S. average of 79.3 years—among the nation's healthiest. Yet 22.2% report poor or fair health, slightly above the national rate of 21%, showing wealth alone doesn't eliminate chronic disease. Marion County's strong economy supports longevity even as health disparities persist.

Oregon's longest life expectancy

Marion County's 77.5-year life expectancy is the highest in this eight-county group and exceeds Oregon's 77.0-year average by a half-year. Its 22.2% poor/fair health rate is above the state average, revealing that Marion County trades higher chronic disease burden for better survival outcomes—likely due to economic resources and healthcare access. Marion County leads Oregon on longevity.

Leads on longevity, varies on burden

Marion County's 77.5-year life expectancy exceeds all eight counties shown here, but its 22.2% poor/fair health rate is higher than Lane County (19.5%) and Linn County (18.5%). The county's 10.3% uninsured rate is Oregon's highest in this group, offsetting its healthcare infrastructure advantages. Primary care access at 71 per 100,000 is solid, though mental health services at 488 per 100,000 lag Lane County.

Longest lived, but uninsured rising

Marion County achieves Oregon's highest life expectancy (77.5 years) despite a concerning 10.3% uninsured rate—the highest in this eight-county group. The uninsured trend suggests growing healthcare access gaps that could threaten future longevity gains. Primary care availability at 71 per 100,000 is moderate, but mental health providers at 488 per 100,000 may struggle to meet rising behavioral health demand.

Don't lose Marion's advantage

Marion County's high life expectancy depends on maintaining strong healthcare access—but the rising 10.3% uninsured rate is a warning sign. Visit healthcare.gov or Oregon's marketplace to confirm your coverage and explore subsidies, especially if income changed this year. Staying insured is how Marion County keeps its longevity edge in Oregon.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Marion County

via RiskByCounty

Marion ranks near the nation's highest risk

Marion County's composite risk score of 95.52 places it among America's most hazard-exposed counties, earning a Relatively High rating. The county's earthquake risk of 99.08 is nearly maximal, while flood risk of 90.52 creates compounding vulnerabilities. Marion's risk profile rivals seismically active zones in California or flood-prone Gulf Coast regions.

Oregon's second-highest risk county

Marion ranks second among Oregon's 36 counties at 95.52—surpassed only by Lane (96.41) and well above the state average of 63.43. Marion's extreme earthquake and flood risks place it in Oregon's highest-risk tier. The county's central Willamette Valley location concentrates these seismic and hydrologic hazards.

Riskier than most Willamette Valley peers

Marion (95.52) substantially exceeds nearby Linn (88.10) and sits just behind Lane (96.41) on composite risk. Marion's earthquake risk of 99.08 is the highest in the state, while its flood risk of 90.52 only trails Lane's 97.20. This makes Marion Oregon's inland hazard hotspot.

Earthquakes and floods are extreme threats

Marion faces near-maximal earthquake risk of 99.08 and severe flood risk of 90.52—two of Oregon's most dangerous exposures. Tornado risk of 22.46 is notably elevated statewide, adding a third concern to Marion's hazard profile. The combination of seismic, hydrologic, and atmospheric hazards makes Marion exceptionally vulnerable.

Earthquake and flood insurance non-negotiable

Marion County homeowners must secure earthquake insurance—the 99.08 risk makes it essential, not optional. Flood insurance is equally critical, particularly for Willamette River basin properties; verify separate flood coverage since standard policies exclude it. Review all coverage annually; Marion's extreme hazard exposure may trigger premium changes or coverage restrictions.

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.