countyscore
44.3
County Score
Water Quality 86Health 62Disaster Risk 56.5

County Report Card

About Union County, Oregon

Holding steady against national trends

Union County's composite score of 43.2 places it somewhat below the national median of 50.0. It offers a mix of high-quality resources and significant local challenges.

Matching the Oregon state average

With a score of 43.2, Union County performs almost exactly in line with the Oregon state average of 42.5. It serves as a reliable representative of the Eastern Oregon lifestyle.

Excellent water quality and health services

The county shines with a water score of 86.0 and a health score of 62.0. These factors suggest a healthy physical environment and good access to medical infrastructure.

Addressing safety and housing affordability

A safety score of 18.6 is the county's most significant hurdle. While median rents are a manageable $982, the cost score of 32.6 indicates that overall affordability remains a challenge for many residents.

Ideal for health-conscious rural residents

Union County is a great fit for people who value clean water and reliable healthcare in a rural setting. It appeals most to those who can look past safety scores to enjoy the high environmental quality of the region.

2040608010048.137.118.66254.15056.58641Tax48.1Cost37.1Safety18.6Health62Schools54.1Income50Risk56.5Water86Weather4144.3/100
This county
National avg
2 above average3 below average

Union County DNA

Foverall

How Union County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Union County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Water Quality (86/100) but notably weak in Safety (18.6/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
48.1
Cost
37.1-10.899999999999999
Safety
18.6-36.4
Health
62+12
Schools
54.1
Income
50
Risk
56.5+9.5
Water
86+28
Weather
41-15
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Compare mortgage rates in Union County

Whether buying or refinancing in Union County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$294,600

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$982/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$294,600/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$39,280/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum4.5x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $65,661/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

22.9

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Deep Dives

Union County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Union County

via TaxByCounty

Union's rate exceeds national median

Union County's 0.886% effective tax rate runs above the national median of 0.99%, placing it in the higher-tax tier nationally. The median property tax of $2,307 falls below the national median of $2,690, reflecting moderate home values despite the steep effective rate.

Above-average rate among Oregon counties

At 0.886%, Union's effective rate significantly exceeds Oregon's 0.775% state average, ranking it among the state's higher-taxing counties. The $2,307 median property tax is slightly below Oregon's $2,745 average, though Union's rate structure is notably aggressive for the rural northeast.

Middle ground in northeast Oregon

Union's 0.886% rate sits between Umatilla County's 0.990% (highest in the region) and Wallowa County's 0.584% (lowest), reflecting Union's moderate position among northeast peers. Its $260,500 median home value aligns with similarly sized rural counties nearby.

Annual tax on median home: $2,307

A typical Union County home worth $260,500 generates a median annual property tax of $2,307 at the county's 0.886% rate. Homeowners with mortgages pay approximately $2,287; those without mortgages pay around $2,336.

Assessment challenges can provide relief

Union County's above-average effective rate makes formal assessment appeals worthwhile, especially if recent market sales suggest lower valuations. Requesting a reassessment aligned with current comparable properties can reduce your annual tax burden.

Income & Jobs in Union County

via IncomeByCounty

Union faces significant income gap

Union County's median household income of $64,212 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by about 14%, placing it well below the national midpoint. This gap reflects the economic realities of small, rural counties dependent on timber, ranching, and limited service employment.

Below Oregon average, rural tier

At $64,212, Union County's median income falls nearly $6,000 below Oregon's state average of $69,965, ranking it among the state's lower-income counties. Per-capita income of $34,745 trails the state average of $37,652, indicating limited income diversity and growth.

Lower end of regional spectrum

Union's $64,212 trails Morrow County ($70,217), Wallowa County ($65,559), and Umatilla County ($68,958), but slightly exceeds Sherman County ($59,500). The county's reliance on extractive industries and small-scale agriculture limits wage growth compared to more diversified neighbors.

Tight budgets with rising home values

Union County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.4% is manageable, but the median home value of $260,500 now exceeds what typical household earnings support comfortably. Prospective homebuyers should carefully assess affordability, as property values have climbed faster than wage growth.

Prioritize debt reduction and savings

Union residents should focus on minimizing high-interest debt and building emergency reserves, given the income vulnerability of resource-dependent economies. Explore employer retirement plans, even modest contributions, and consider secondary income sources to accelerate wealth-building.

Safety in Union County

via CrimeByCounty

Union County's Solid Safety Record

Union County maintains a safety score of 96.6, keeping its total crime rate of 2,153.3 below the national average of 2,385.5. This reflects a stable and secure rural community.

Matching the Oregon State Average

The county's safety score of 96.6 is slightly higher than the Oregon state average of 96.3. This performance is consistent with other Eastern Oregon counties of similar size.

A Safer Alternative to Umatilla

Union County is considerably safer than neighboring Umatilla County, which has a much higher crime rate of 2,858.4. Residents benefit from a quieter regional environment.

Property and Violent Crime Breakdown

The property crime rate of 1,928.8 stays below the national level of 2,015.7. Violent crime is also low at 224.5, which is roughly 40% lower than the national violent crime average.

Proactive Security for Union Residents

Maintaining visibility around your home can deter property crime, which is the most common local issue. Trimming tall shrubs and using outdoor lighting are easy, effective security measures.

Weather & Climate in Union County

via WeatherByCounty

Cooler Temperatures in the Blue Mountains

Union County averages 48.8°F annually, making it cooler than the national median. The region receives a modest 20.6 inches of precipitation, balancing mountain moisture with inland aridity.

Colder and Drier Than State Norms

The county's 48.8°F average falls below the Oregon state average of 50.5°F. It receives roughly 17 inches less precipitation than the state average of 37.4 inches.

Milder Than Wallowa's High Peaks

Union County is about 3 degrees warmer on average than neighboring Wallowa County. While it receives 12.8 inches of snow, it is significantly less than Wallowa's 51-inch average.

Hot July Days and Freezing Winters

The county sees 30 days of extreme heat each year, with July temperatures averaging 68.5°F. Winter is cold, with a January average of 32.1°F and frequent frost.

Prepare for Wide Seasonal Swings

A versatile wardrobe is necessary to handle a 30-day heat season and 12.8 inches of winter snow. Homeowners should ensure pipes are well-insulated against the 32.1°F January average.

Soil Quality in Union County

via SoilByCounty

The Soils of the Grande Ronde

Union County's specific pH and taxonomic classifications are not currently listed in this dataset. The county's geography is defined by the Grande Ronde Valley, which contains diverse soils quite different from the state's 5.26 pH average. These mountain-valley soils are the lifeblood of local ranching and farming.

Complex Mountain Valley Composition

Data regarding the sand, silt, and clay percentages for Union County remains uncollected. The mixture likely varies significantly from the valley floor to the surrounding Blue Mountains. This complexity generally provides various niches for both timber and forage production.

Natural Potential in the Blue Mountains

Specific organic matter and available water capacity figures are unavailable for this county. Despite the lack of data, the region's lush valleys indicate a high capacity for supporting life. Local agriculture thrives on the natural fertility found throughout the district.

Hydrology of an Intermontane Basin

The drainage and hydrologic groups for Union County are not currently documented in our records. In such a mountainous region, water movement is heavily influenced by slope and snowmelt patterns. Understanding local drainage is essential for any land development or gardening project.

High-Country Gardening in Zone 6b

With a 6b hardiness zone, Union County has a shorter but vibrant growing season suited for root vegetables and berries. The cooler nights and distinct seasons are perfect for producing sweet fruits and hardy perennials. Start your high-country garden and enjoy the unique rewards of mountain soil.

Lawn Care in Union County

via LawnByCounty

Union's Demanding High-Desert Turf

Union County is a challenging place for lawns, scoring just 29.9 on the difficulty scale. This Zone 6b region is much tougher than the Oregon state average of 38.9.

Cold Winters and Dry Summers

The county receives 20.6 inches of rain, which is below the 30-50 inch ideal for lawns. Grass must survive 30 extreme heat days while navigating a relatively short growing season.

Soil Data Gaps

Current data for soil texture and pH is not available for this county. A local soil test is essential to determine if your ground is too acidic or alkaline for your chosen grass type.

Battling Severe Drought

Union County has spent 42 weeks in drought, with 58.9% of the area currently in severe conditions. Prioritize efficient watering and avoid mowing during the hottest part of the day to reduce grass stress.

Timing the Short Season

Choose cold-hardy grasses like Fine Fescue or Kentucky Bluegrass for this Zone 6b environment. You have a narrow window to seed between the last frost on May 11 and the first fall frost on September 26.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Union County's county score?
Union County, Oregon has a composite county score of 44.3 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 Union County rank among counties in Oregon?
Union County ranks #13 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 Union County, Oregon?
The median annual property tax in Union County is $2,446, with an effective tax rate of 0.83%. This earns Union County a tax score of 48.1/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Union County?
The median household income in Union County, Oregon is $65,661 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Union County earns an income score of 50/100 on CountyScore.
Is Union County, Oregon a good place to live?
Union County scores 44.3/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #13 in Oregon. The best way to evaluate Union 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 Union County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

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