CountyScore

Union County

Oregon · OR

#12 in Oregon
69.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Union County, Oregon

Union ranks 39% above national median

Union County's composite score of 69.5 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 30% of U.S. counties. This small northeast Oregon county delivers livability that rivals many larger, better-known regions.

Above Oregon's state average

At 69.5, Union ranks solidly above Oregon's average of 66.6, making it one of the state's more livable smaller counties. Among these eight counties, it places fourth overall.

Cost and tax efficiency are exceptional

Union scores 76.1 on cost and 77.4 on tax, reflecting median rent of just $982/month and median home values of $260,500. The low tax burden and affordable housing create strong financial livability.

Income and economic opportunity are limited

Union's income score of 25.3 reflects median household income of $64,212, the second-lowest of these eight counties. The risk score of 56.5 suggests moderate natural hazard exposure typical of rural northeastern Oregon.

Best for retirees and remote workers

Union County appeals to retirees, remote professionals, and self-employed individuals seeking minimal taxes and housing costs in a tight-knit mountain community. It requires either portable income or ability to live frugally on fixed resources.

Score breakdown

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

Tax77.4Cost76.1SafetyComing SoonHealth71.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.3Risk56.5WaterComing Soon
🏛77.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠76.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤71.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡56.5
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 Union County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Carroll County
Arkansas
69.5
Median income: $55,187
Burke County
Georgia
69.5
Median income: $50,739
Henderson County
Illinois
69.5
Median income: $65,651
Hamilton County
Iowa
69.5
Median income: $71,750
Coffey County
Kansas
69.5
Median income: $67,377

Deep Dives

Union County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Union County

via CostByCounty

Union offers rural affordability benefits

Union County's 18.4% rent-to-income ratio falls just below Oregon's 19.4% state average, delivering solid affordability compared to national standards. The median household income of $64,212 trails the national median of $74,755, but housing costs scale appropriately to lower earnings.

Union ranks mid-tier on Oregon affordability

At 18.4%, Union County sits slightly above Oregon's median affordability, making it one of the state's more reasonably priced housing markets. The $982 median rent falls significantly below Oregon's $1,137 average, offering rural value.

Union competes in eastern market

Union's 18.4% rent-to-income ratio trails the most affordable eastern counties—Morrow (15.6%), Wallowa (15.7%), and Umatilla (16.7%)—but beats the coastal and Portland comparisons. The $982 rent sits between Morrow ($910) and Wallowa ($858) while matching regional income patterns.

Modest costs reflect modest incomes

Union renters spend $982 monthly while homeowners pay $956, with the median home value of $260,500 reflecting rural accessibility. Housing consumes 18.4% of household income—a reasonable burden given the county's lower earning levels.

Union County suits stability seekers

Union's 18.4% rent-to-income ratio and $982 rent appeal to those seeking rural living without extreme isolation, though income opportunities remain limited. The county works best for retirees, remote workers, or those with established income sources who value small-town character and genuine housing affordability.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

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.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Union County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy below national average

Union County residents live an average of 76.5 years, 1.8 years shorter than the U.S. average of 78.3 years. The 18.6% poor/fair health rate closely matches the national average, though the overall life expectancy shortfall points to underlying health vulnerabilities.

Trails Oregon health benchmarks

Union County's 76.5-year life expectancy falls 0.5 years below Oregon's state average of 77.0 years, placing it among the lower performers statewide. The 18.6% poor/fair health rate ranks near the state median, indicating moderate health challenges for this small eastern Oregon county.

Eastern Oregon's health peer

Union County's 76.5-year life expectancy matches Morrow County (76.5 years) and falls just short of Wallowa County (77.7 years) to the east. The county's 18.6% poor/fair health rate ranks better than Umatilla County (21.9%), suggesting relatively stable health outcomes for rural eastern Oregon.

Strong primary care for rural county

Union County stands out with 84 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, among the highest in this dataset and well above rural averages. The 7.3% uninsured rate—below Oregon's 8.1%—means most residents can access affordable primary care without major barriers.

Protect your health coverage

Union County's robust primary care access is only valuable if you have insurance to afford it; maintain your coverage for preventive care. Visit Oregon Health Plan or Healthcare.gov to confirm your current plan meets your needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Union County

via RiskByCounty

Union County's risk moderately above average

Union County's composite risk score of 43.54 and Relatively Low rating exceed the U.S. average, reflecting above-average wildfire and earthquake exposure. The county faces moderate multi-hazard risk concentrated in specific threat types.

Union County below Oregon's average risk

At 43.54, Union County's composite score falls below Oregon's 63.43 state average, placing it in the state's lower-middle tier. The county's mountainous terrain and lower population density contribute to below-average overall exposure.

Safer than most adjacent counties

Union County's score of 43.54 remains below nearby Wallowa (33.97), Umatilla (82.28), and Baker counties. The county benefits from lower density and distance from major river floodplains relative to regional counterparts.

Wildfires and earthquakes concern Union

Wildfire risk scores 91.89, reflecting Union's location in fire-prone eastern Oregon; earthquake risk reaches 76.72 due to regional seismic activity. Flood (37.47) and tornado (6.14) threats remain minimal.

Prioritize wildfire and quake coverage

Union County homeowners should secure wildfire insurance riders—standard policies typically exclude it—at 10–15% of home value. Adding an earthquake rider provides comprehensive protection for this county's two primary hazards.

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.