countyscore
53.7
County Score
Safety 97.5Disaster Risk 92.9Water Quality 86

County Report Card

About Wheeler County, Oregon

Exceeding the National Median

Wheeler County stands out with a composite score of 55.3, comfortably surpassing the national median of 50.0. Its unique rural profile offers a higher level of overall livability than many urban counterparts.

A High Performer in Oregon

With a 55.3 score, Wheeler significantly outpaces the Oregon state average of 42.5. It represents a top-tier choice for residents prioritizing safety and environmental quality within the state.

Leading in Safety and Security

The county shines with a safety score of 97.5 and a risk score of 92.9. Residents also enjoy clean water, scored at 86.0, and affordable housing with a median home value of $259,000.

Limited Income and School Access

Economic opportunity is low with an income score of 17.3, and the school score sits at just 0.4. The median household income of $51,250 reflects a small, specialized local economy.

Ideal for Retirees and Remote Workers

Wheeler County is perfect for those who prioritize peace, safety, and a $782 median rent over career growth. It suits lifestyle-seekers who do not rely on local school systems or high-intensity job markets.

2040608010060.847.297.546.10.421.892.98643.7Tax60.8Cost47.2Safety97.5Health46.1Schools0.4Income21.8Risk92.9Water86Weather43.753.7/100
This county
National avg
3 above average3 below average

Wheeler County DNA

Foverall

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

Wheeler County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Disaster Risk (92.9/100) but notably weak in Schools (0.4/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
60.8+8.799999999999997
Cost
47.2
Safety
97.5+42.5
Health
46.1
Schools
0.4-53.6
Income
21.8-29.2
Risk
92.9+45.900000000000006
Water
86+28
Weather
43.7-12.299999999999997
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Compare mortgage rates in Wheeler County

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

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$272,400

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$870/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$272,400/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$34,800/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum4.9x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $55,284/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

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

Explore this county

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Nearby counties

Crook County
Oregon
47.8
Gilliam County
Oregon
44.6
Morrow County
Oregon
45.4
Sherman County
Oregon
52.7
Jefferson County
Oregon
49.1
Grant County
Oregon
66.9
Wasco County
Oregon
33.3
Deschutes County
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44.5

Deep Dives

Wheeler County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Wheeler County

via TaxByCounty

Wheeler County offers below-average tax rates

Wheeler County's effective tax rate of 0.727% is slightly below the national median of 0.75%, placing it in the 45th percentile nationally. The median property tax of $1,884 sits 30% below the national median of $2,690.

Lowest-taxing county in Oregon

Wheeler County ranks last among Oregon's 36 counties with an effective tax rate of 0.727%, well below the state average of 0.775%. This makes Wheeler one of Oregon's most tax-efficient properties for homeowners.

Wheeler offers the region's lowest burden

Wheeler County's 0.727% effective rate and $1,884 median tax are significantly lower than all nearby counties. Compared to Wasco ($2,784), Yamhill ($3,318), and Washington ($4,852), Wheeler properties face substantially lighter tax burdens.

A $259,000 home costs $1,884 yearly

The median Wheeler County home valued at $259,000 generates just $1,884 in annual property taxes using the county's 0.727% rate. Mortgaged homes average $2,010, while owned homes average $1,708 annually.

Even low taxes deserve a review

Even in lower-tax counties like Wheeler, homeowners should verify their assessments are accurate. If your tax bill deviates significantly from the county median, an appeal could confirm you're not overpaying.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Wheeler County

via IncomeByCounty

Wheeler faces steepest national income gap

Wheeler County's median household income of $51,250 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by $23,505—a 31% gap. This represents Oregon's most economically challenged county by household income, reflecting limited employment diversity in this sparsely populated rural region.

Lowest-earning Oregon county

Wheeler ranks last among Oregon's 36 counties, earning just $51,250 versus the state average of $69,965—a shortfall of $18,715. The county's small population and limited job market make economic development a persistent challenge.

Significantly trails all nearby counties

Wheeler's $51,250 median falls $12,352 below Wasco, $35,834 below Yamhill, and $53,184 below Washington County. The county's remote location and resource-dependent economy create the widest income gaps in this four-county comparison.

Low rent ratio masks income strain

Wheeler's rent-to-income ratio of 18.3% suggests affordable housing, but the county's low baseline income means households have limited discretionary spending despite manageable housing costs. A median home value of $259,000 remains elevated relative to local earning power.

Prioritize emergency savings in tight economy

Wheeler County households should focus on building cash reserves first, given income constraints and limited local job alternatives. Exploring remote work opportunities and skills-based education can help residents expand earning potential beyond the local market.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Wheeler County

via CrimeByCounty

Wheeler County Achieves Perfect Safety Scores

Wheeler County reports a perfect safety score of 100.0, with a recorded crime rate of 0.0 per 100K in 2022. This puts the county significantly below the national average crime rate of 2,385.5.

A Rare Safest-in-State Status

While the Oregon average safety score is 96.3, Wheeler leads the state with its score of 100.0. Three agencies report data for the county, though current figures show zero incidents for the period.

Comparing Peaceful Wheeler to Nearby Counties

Wheeler’s lack of reported crime makes it far safer than neighboring Wasco, which faces 3,209.6 crimes per 100K. The county stands as a statistical outlier for safety in the region.

Understanding the Absence of Reported Crime

Both violent and property crime rates sit at 0.0 per 100K, which may reflect a quiet environment or reporting limitations in a small population. In practical terms, this indicates an exceptionally low-risk environment for residents.

Maintaining Your Community's High Safety

Residents in high-safety areas should remain vigilant to preserve their community's status. Basic security measures like outdoor lighting ensure that your home remains unattractive to potential intruders.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Wheeler County

via WeatherByCounty

Cooler High-Desert Living

Wheeler County’s average annual temperature of 48.0°F is notably cooler than the national median. This high-altitude, semi-arid climate features crisp air and significant daily temperature swings.

Cooler and Drier Than the State Average

The county sits 2.5 degrees below the Oregon state average of 50.5°F. It is one of the state's driest regions, recording just 14.4 inches of precipitation annually compared to the 37.4-inch state average.

A Typical Central Oregon Profile

Wheeler shares the dry, sun-drenched characteristics of neighboring Grant and Gilliam counties. Its lower precipitation levels set it apart from the wetter forest zones found in the Cascades to the west.

Sharp Temperature Swings Throughout the Year

July averages a pleasant 66.1°F, though the county still sees 22 days of extreme heat over 90°F. While snowfall data is currently unavailable, the winter average of 34.3°F indicates a consistently cold season.

Dress in Layers for Desert Shifts

The gap between the 63.2°F summer average and 22 extreme heat days requires versatile clothing layers. Homeowners should focus on winterizing pipes to protect against the 34.3°F average winter temperatures.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Wheeler County

via SoilByCounty

Rugged Terrain with Unspecified Stats

Wheeler County lacks specific digital data for taxonomic order, dominant texture, and pH levels. While the national median pH is 6.5, the local chemistry remains unmapped in this survey. The county's landscape is defined more by its prehistoric fossils and basalt cliffs than by current soil records.

Missing Compositional Data

Sand, silt, and clay percentages are currently unavailable for Wheeler County's soil profiles. This data gap reflects the county's sparse population and rugged, often inaccessible geology. Gardeners should conduct individual soil tests to understand their specific land composition.

Challenging Regional Benchmarks

The county's organic matter and water capacity levels are not recorded, leaving them uncompared to the state's 29.41% organic matter average. This absence of data makes it difficult to assign a formal soil score. However, local rangelands continue to support resilient native vegetation.

Natural Drainage in High Relief

Specific drainage classes and hydrologic groups remain unclassified for Wheeler County. The steep terrain generally promotes fast runoff, making water conservation a primary concern for local land managers. Site-specific observation is necessary for any infrastructure development.

Hardy Growth in Zone 7a

Wheeler County sits in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a, where short growing seasons require resilient plant choices. Despite the missing soil data, drought-tolerant species and native grasses thrive in this environment. Plant a garden featuring hardy perennials to match the local climate.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Wheeler County

via LawnByCounty

Oregon's Toughest Turf Environment

Wheeler County presents a significant challenge with a lawn difficulty score of just 27.5, the lowest in this group. This score is far below the national median of 50.0 and the state average of 38.9. The 7a hardiness zone combined with arid conditions makes traditional lawn maintenance a high-effort endeavor.

Low Rain and Short Seasons

Annual precipitation is sparse at just 14.4 inches, necessitating heavy supplemental irrigation to keep grass alive. The county records 1751 growing degree days, indicating a slower growth rate compared to its neighbors. Lawn owners must carefully manage their resources to counteract the dry climate and 22 annual extreme heat days.

Planning Around Soil Uncertainty

Comprehensive soil data is currently unavailable for Wheeler County's specific drainage and texture profiles. Given the local climate, residents should test for high alkalinity or mineral imbalances that often occur in arid regions. Establishing a baseline through testing is the first step toward overcoming the county's low difficulty score.

Severe Drought Endurance Requirements

The county spent a grueling 38 weeks in drought over the past year, and the entire area remains abnormally dry today. Water conservation is mandatory for success, so consider low-water alternatives or xeriscaping for portions of your yard. If maintaining turf, use mulch-mowing to return moisture and nitrogen to the soil surface.

A Narrow Window for Success

Hardy, cool-season grasses like Buffalo grass or Wheatgrass are better suited for this 7a zone than traditional mixes. With a late spring frost on June 3 and an early fall frost on October 4, the planting window is exceptionally tight. Ensure your irrigation system is fully operational before you seed to support the grass through the dry summer months.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Wheeler County's county score?
Wheeler County, Oregon has a composite county score of 53.7 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 Wheeler County rank among counties in Oregon?
Wheeler County ranks #5 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 Wheeler County, Oregon?
The median annual property tax in Wheeler County is $1,893, with an effective tax rate of 0.69%. This earns Wheeler County a tax score of 60.8/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Wheeler County?
The median household income in Wheeler County, Oregon is $55,284 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Wheeler County earns an income score of 21.8/100 on CountyScore.
Is Wheeler County, Oregon a good place to live?
Wheeler County scores 53.7/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #5 in Oregon. The best way to evaluate Wheeler 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 Wheeler County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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