CountyScore

Tillamook County

Oregon · OR

#20 in Oregon
65.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Tillamook County, Oregon

Tillamook exceeds national median by 32%

Tillamook County's composite score of 65.8 surpasses the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 40% of U.S. counties. This coastal county delivers above-average livability despite its remote location.

Just shy of Oregon average

At 65.8, Tillamook ranks nearly at Oregon's state average of 66.6, reflecting its position as a small coastal county balancing rural character with modest livability metrics. It occupies the middle tier of Oregon's livable counties.

Tax rates are exceptionally low

Tillamook's standout strength is a tax score of 85.4—the highest of any county here—with an effective rate of just 0.599%. The cost score of 68.7 and median rent of $1,169/month provide reasonable housing affordability for a coastal community.

Income levels and risk exposure lag

Tillamook's income score of 26.8 reflects median household income of $66,551, notably below state norms. The risk score of 18.7 suggests moderate natural hazard exposure, typical for Oregon's coastal communities.

Ideal for tax-conscious coastal retirees

Tillamook County suits retirees, remote workers, and small business owners who prioritize minimal taxes and coastal living over high incomes. Its combination of exceptional tax rates and seaside character makes it attractive for those with fixed income or home-based earnings.

Score breakdown

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

Tax85.4Cost68.7SafetyComing SoonHealth71.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome26.8Risk18.7WaterComing Soon
🏛85.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠68.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼26.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤71.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡18.7
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 Tillamook County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Jefferson County
Arkansas
65.8
Median income: $48,552
Kent County
Delaware
65.8
Median income: $72,872
Citrus County
Florida
65.8
Median income: $55,355
Jefferson County
Georgia
65.8
Median income: $46,561
Polk County
Georgia
65.8
Median income: $55,308

Deep Dives

Tillamook County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Tillamook County

via TaxByCounty

Tillamook has nation's lowest rate

At 0.599%, Tillamook County boasts one of the nation's lowest effective property tax rates, well below the national median of 0.99%. Despite moderate home values, the $2,449 median annual tax is lower than the national median of $2,690, reflecting the county's exceptionally favorable tax climate.

Second-lowest rate in Oregon

Tillamook's 0.599% rate ranks second-lowest in Oregon, trailing only Wallowa County's 0.584%, and significantly undercuts the state average of 0.775%. The median property tax of $2,449 is well below Oregon's $2,745 state average, despite Tillamook homes being valued near state median.

Lowest coastal county rate

Tillamook's 0.599% rate is substantially lower than neighboring Clatsop and Yamhill counties, making it the Pacific Northwest coast's most tax-friendly jurisdiction. Its median home value of $408,600 places it squarely in the regional middle, but the exceptional rate offers significant savings.

Tillamook median tax: just $2,449

A typical Tillamook home worth $408,600 generates a median annual property tax of $2,449 at the county's remarkably low 0.599% rate. Homeowners with mortgages typically pay $2,493; those without mortgages pay approximately $2,357.

Low rates don't eliminate appeal opportunities

Even in Tillamook's tax-friendly environment, properties can be overassessed relative to recent market sales, making challenges worthwhile. Reviewing your assessment against comparable recent transactions ensures you're capturing every available tax advantage.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Tillamook County

via CostByCounty

Tillamook's coastal premium strains budgets

Tillamook County's 21.1% rent-to-income ratio exceeds the national average and Oregon's state average of 19.4%, reflecting coastal housing pressure. The median household income of $66,551 falls 11% below the national median, meaning residents pay a higher proportion of lower earnings toward rent.

Oregon's coast carries housing premium

At 21.1%, Tillamook County ranks among Oregon's least affordable counties for renters, exceeding the state average by nearly 2 percentage points. The $1,169 median rent reflects coastal demand, positioning Tillamook between rural and Portland-area prices.

Tillamook's coast commands pricing power

Tillamook's $1,169 rent undercuts Portland's $1,582 but exceeds most eastern Oregon counties, with the 21.1% rent-to-income ratio matching or exceeding Morrow (15.6%), Wallowa (15.7%), and Umatilla (16.7%). Coastal access here translates to housing premium that neighbors lack.

Coastal living's financial reality

Tillamook renters spend $1,169 monthly while homeowners pay $1,211, with the median home value of $408,600 reflecting desirable coastal property. At 21.1% of income going to rent, housing consumes a notably large share of household budgets.

Tillamook values coastal charm carefully

Tillamook County's coastal location drives housing costs that exceed rural Oregon significantly, making it best suited for those prioritizing beaches and nature over budget affordability. With a 21.1% rent-to-income ratio, you'll dedicate roughly one-fifth of earnings to rent—a meaningful commitment that assumes stable income.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Tillamook County

via IncomeByCounty

Tillamook trails national income standards

Tillamook County's median household income of $66,551 falls about 11% short of the U.S. median of $74,755, reflecting the income constraints of coastal rural regions. Despite this gap, the county maintains reasonable wage stability through dairy farming, tourism, and timber industries.

Below Oregon's state average

At $66,551, Tillamook County's median income ranks below Oregon's state average of $69,965 by about $3,400, placing it in the lower-middle tier statewide. Per-capita income of $37,336 slightly trails the state average of $37,652, suggesting more distributed earnings.

Moderate income in coastal region

Tillamook's $66,551 trails Polk County ($81,318) significantly but exceeds Wallowa County ($65,559) and Sherman County ($59,500). The county's tourism and dairy economy provides moderate income opportunities compared to purely agricultural or rural peers.

Housing costs create affordability pressure

Tillamook's rent-to-income ratio of 21.1% indicates rising pressure from housing costs, exacerbated by the median home value of $408,600 that rivals much wealthier counties. Coastal desirability is driving property values faster than local wages, squeezing affordability for existing and prospective residents.

Strategic saving for coast living

Given moderate incomes and elevated housing costs, Tillamook residents should focus on saving for down payments and maintaining stable employment. Consider geographic income opportunities or side income to offset housing cost pressures while building long-term financial resilience.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Tillamook County

via HealthByCounty

Coastal county faces life expectancy gap

Tillamook County residents live an average of 75.2 years, 3.1 years shorter than the U.S. average of 78.3 years and among the lowest in this dataset. The 17.3% poor/fair health rate aligns with the national average, but the significant life expectancy shortfall signals deeper health vulnerabilities.

Struggles compared to Oregon average

Tillamook County's 75.2-year life expectancy falls 1.8 years below Oregon's state average of 77.0 years, placing it among the state's lower-performing counties. This small, coastal population faces distinct health challenges that urgently need community and policy attention.

Coastal health challenge

Tillamook County's 75.2-year life expectancy is substantially lower than neighboring Polk County (79.0 years) and Yamhill County peers. The county's location and demographic profile create unique health pressures that exceed those of nearby Willamette Valley counties.

Primary care access adequate but facing gaps

Tillamook County provides 54 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, meeting rural standards, though mental health capacity at 332 per 100,000 may not fully serve demand. The 8.2% uninsured rate, near Oregon's 8.1% average, means some residents still face cost barriers to care.

Get covered and stay covered

In a county facing health headwinds, health insurance is essential protection against medical costs and access barriers. Visit Oregon Health Plan or Healthcare.gov to enroll and help reverse Tillamook's troubling health trends.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Tillamook County

via RiskByCounty

Tillamook faces moderate-to-high national risk

Tillamook County's composite risk score of 81.33 and Relatively Moderate rating exceed the U.S. average considerably. The coastal location and seismic setting combine to produce above-average hazard exposure.

Tillamook ranks among Oregon's higher-risk counties

At 81.33, Tillamook County's composite score markedly exceeds Oregon's 63.43 state average, placing it in the state's upper tier. The county faces above-average flood, earthquake, and wildfire exposure.

Riskier than neighboring coastal counties

Tillamook's score of 81.33 surpasses adjacent Clatsop and Yamhill counties' composite risks. The combination of coastal geography, winter precipitation, and seismic hazard creates particularly elevated exposure in Tillamook.

Floods and earthquakes dominate Tillamook

Flood risk reaches 76.34, driven by Pacific winter storms, coastal drainage, and rainfall; earthquake risk scores 95.45 due to Cascadia Subduction Zone proximity. Wildfire (43.58) poses a secondary but growing concern.

Flood and earthquake coverage critical

Tillamook residents should prioritize flood insurance—essential for anyone near coastal or lowland areas—and obtain earthquake riders on homeowners policies. Neither is typically included in standard coverage; combined, they add 15–25% to your policy cost but provide vital protection.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.