CountyScore

Umatilla County

Oregon · OR

#24 in Oregon
63.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Umatilla County, Oregon

Umatilla beats national median by 28%

Umatilla County's composite score of 63.9 clearly exceeds the national median of 50.0, ranking it in the top 35% of U.S. counties. This northeast Oregon county delivers solid livability despite its remote, agricultural character.

Slightly below Oregon average

At 63.9, Umatilla ranks just below Oregon's state average of 66.6, positioning it as a lower-middle-tier county within the state. It represents a typical rural Oregon profile with modest overall livability.

Housing and health care support livability

Umatilla scores well on cost (74.1) with median rent of just $962/month and median home values of $256,100, making it one of the more affordable counties here. A health score of 67.0 reflects adequate medical access for a rural region.

Income and tax burden are concerns

Umatilla's income score of 28.4 reflects median household income of $68,958, among the lowest of these eight counties. The tax score of 74.4 and effective rate of 0.99% indicate a moderately higher tax burden for the region.

Suits budget-minded families seeking space

Umatilla County appeals to families and workers in agriculture, manufacturing, or education who value low housing costs and rural space over high incomes. It works best for those with local employment or remote work arrangements.

Score breakdown

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

Tax74.4Cost74.1SafetyComing SoonHealth67SchoolsComing SoonIncome28.4Risk17.7WaterComing Soon
🏛74.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠74.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼28.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤67
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡17.7
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 Umatilla County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Mariposa County
California
63.9
Median income: $65,378
Tehama County
California
63.9
Median income: $61,834
Bond County
Illinois
63.9
Median income: $61,603
Barnstable County
Massachusetts
63.9
Median income: $94,452
Bay County
Michigan
63.9
Median income: $60,523

Deep Dives

Umatilla County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Umatilla County

via TaxByCounty

Umatilla's rate tops national median

At 0.990%, Umatilla County's effective tax rate is one of the highest in the nation, marginally exceeding the national median of 0.99%. With a median property tax of $2,534, Umatilla sits just below the national median of $2,690, making it a higher-tax jurisdiction relative to national trends.

Highest rate among Oregon peers

Umatilla's 0.990% effective rate ranks among Oregon's highest, surpassing the state average of 0.775% by a significant margin. At $2,534 median property tax, Umatilla's bills exceed Oregon's $2,745 average when adjusted for lower median home values, signaling a steeply taxing county.

Steepest rate in northeastern Oregon

Umatilla's 0.990% rate substantially exceeds neighboring Union County (0.886%), Wallowa County (0.584%), and Sherman County (0.695%), making it the northeast's most aggressive tax jurisdiction. This rate advantage reflects the county's dependence on property tax revenue relative to peers.

Typical bill tops $2,500 annually

With a median home value of $256,100 and Umatilla's 0.990% rate, homeowners pay a median of $2,534 annually in property taxes. Those with mortgages typically pay $2,718; owners without mortgages pay around $2,172.

High rates make appeals especially valuable

In high-tax Umatilla County, overassessment disputes can yield substantial annual savings, making formal appeals particularly strategic. Property owners should thoroughly document market comparables when challenging assessments in this higher-rate environment.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Umatilla County

via CostByCounty

Umatilla delivers solid affordability standards

Umatilla County's 16.7% rent-to-income ratio sits well below both the national baseline and Oregon's 19.4% state average, signaling genuine affordability. The median household income of $68,958 falls slightly below the national median of $74,755, yet housing costs remain remarkably restrained.

Eastern Oregon's affordable haven

At 16.7%, Umatilla County ranks among Oregon's most affordable counties for renters, trailing only the most rural markets and beating the state average by nearly 3 percentage points. The $962 median rent undercuts Oregon's $1,137 average while maintaining competitive income levels.

Umatilla leads eastern Oregon value

Umatilla's 16.7% rent-to-income ratio competes closely with Morrow (15.6%) and Wallowa (15.7%) while offering better income levels than Sherman or Union counties. The $962 rent sits between Morrow ($910) and Wallowa ($858), balancing affordability with regional earning power.

Eastern Oregon balance in action

Umatilla renters spend $962 monthly while homeowners budget $1,111, with median home value of $256,100 remaining accessible for many buyers. Just 16.7% of household income goes toward rent—among Oregon's leanest housing-cost burdens.

Umatilla works for remote-first movers

Umatilla County combines strong affordability (16.7% rent-to-income ratio) with reasonable income levels ($68,958 median), making it ideal for remote workers or those relocating from higher-cost areas. The county offers genuine financial breathing room without sacrificing access to services and community that smaller rural counties cannot match.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Umatilla County

via IncomeByCounty

Umatilla slightly below national median

Umatilla County's median household income of $68,958 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by about 8%, reflecting a mix of agriculture, manufacturing, and government employment. This modest gap positions Umatilla near the national midpoint among rural and small metro counties.

Close to Oregon's state average

At $68,958, Umatilla County's median income edges just below Oregon's state average of $69,965 by about $1,000, placing it squarely at the state median. Per-capita income of $31,371 falls below the state average of $37,652, indicating more income concentration among households.

Mid-range among Eastern Oregon peers

Umatilla's $68,958 trails Morrow County ($70,217) slightly but exceeds Wallowa County ($65,559), Union County ($64,212), and Sherman County ($59,500). The county's agricultural and manufacturing base provides more stability than purely rural neighbors while remaining below Polk's stronger economy.

Housing costs remain reasonable

Umatilla County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.7% indicates affordable housing relative to earnings, well below the 30% pressure threshold. The median home value of $256,100 aligns reasonably with local incomes, supporting homeownership viability for many households.

Build savings in stable Umatilla

With moderate incomes and manageable housing costs, Umatilla residents have breathing room to save for emergencies and retirement. Prioritize employer retirement benefits and consider low-cost index funds to steadily compound wealth over 20-30 year horizons.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Umatilla County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy gap signals rural health crisis

Umatilla County residents live an average of 75.9 years, 2.4 years shorter than the U.S. average of 78.3 years. With 21.9% reporting poor or fair health—well above the national 18% average—the county faces compounding health challenges that warrant urgent intervention.

Eastern Oregon's persistent struggle

Umatilla County's 75.9-year life expectancy trails Oregon's state average of 77.0 years, and its 21.9% poor/fair health rate ranks among the state's worst. The county's rural eastern Oregon location and economic pressures create measurable health disparities statewide.

Eastern Oregon rural cluster

Umatilla County's 75.9-year life expectancy closely matches neighboring Morrow County (76.5 years) and Union County (76.5 years), reflecting shared rural health challenges across eastern Oregon. The county's 21.9% poor/fair health rate exceeds most neighbors, distinguishing Umatilla as particularly vulnerable.

Provider access gaps compound uninsured burden

With only 46 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Umatilla County faces tight access to doctors, and the 8.8% uninsured rate—higher than Oregon's 8.1%—adds financial barriers for vulnerable families. Together, these gaps force many residents to delay essential care.

Health insurance starts here

In Umatilla County, where healthcare access is already constrained, uninsured status can be devastating; insurance helps ensure you get timely care. Check Oregon Health Plan and Healthcare.gov eligibility today to join the 91% of county residents who have coverage.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Umatilla County

via RiskByCounty

Umatilla County faces elevated national risk

Umatilla County's composite risk score of 82.28 and Relatively Moderate rating substantially exceed the U.S. average. The county confronts significant wildfire (96.15) and flood (81.46) hazards compounded by seismic exposure.

Umatilla ranks high among Oregon counties

At 82.28, Umatilla County's composite score substantially exceeds Oregon's 63.43 state average, ranking among the state's highest-risk counties. Wildfire threat and flood exposure place Umatilla in Oregon's upper tier.

Riskier than most regional counterparts

Umatilla's score of 82.28 surpasses nearby Wallowa (lower), Morrow (much lower), and Union counties. The county's agricultural landscape and river systems drive elevated flood and wildfire exposure relative to neighbors.

Wildfires and floods threaten Umatilla

Wildfire risk reaches 96.15—among the highest in Oregon—reflecting eastern Oregon's dry grasslands and frequent fire seasons. Flood risk scores 81.46, with the Umatilla River, John Day River, and tributary systems posing seasonal inundation threats.

Wildfire and flood insurance essential

Umatilla residents must secure wildfire riders to standard policies, as exclusions are common; budget 10–20% of home value. Flood insurance is equally critical, especially for properties near river corridors or in mapped floodplains.

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.