CountyScore

Wheeler County

Oregon · OR

#2 in Oregon
75.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Wheeler County, Oregon

Wheeler ranks among America's livable counties

Wheeler County's composite score of 75.5 is 51% higher than the national median of 50.0, placing it solidly in the top quartile of U.S. counties for livability. This exceptional ranking reflects exceptional affordability and low tax burden that few American communities can match.

Oregon's livability leader among these four

Wheeler County ranks first among these four Oregon counties and well above the state average of 66.6, claiming one of the highest composite scores in the state. Its success demonstrates that rural Oregon communities can deliver outstanding livability when housing and tax factors align.

Unbeatable affordability and tax rates

Wheeler County excels with a cost score of 81.4 and a tax score of 81.8, the strongest among all four counties, with an effective tax rate of just 0.727% and a median home value of $259,000. Median rent of $782/month makes both homeownership and renting exceptionally accessible for any income level.

Limited income growth and economic opportunity

The income score of just 16.8 and median household income of $51,250 reflect limited earning potential and economic growth prospects in this rural county. Additionally, the risk score of 92.9—the highest among these four—indicates significant environmental or natural hazard exposure that requires serious consideration.

Best for retirees and risk-tolerant frugalists

Wheeler County suits retirees with fixed incomes, remote workers, and individuals who prioritize minimal housing costs over job growth and earning potential. Only those comfortable with high environmental risk and remote rural living should overlook the county's income and risk profiles.

Score breakdown

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

Tax81.8Cost81.4SafetyComing SoonHealth75SchoolsComing SoonIncome16.8Risk92.9WaterComing Soon
🏛81.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠81.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼16.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤75
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡92.9
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

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Compare Wheeler County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Randolph County
Alabama
75.5
Median income: $51,551
Hoonah-Angoon Census Area
Alaska
75.5
Median income: $62,500
Wells County
Indiana
75.5
Median income: $69,741
Lyon County
Iowa
75.5
Median income: $72,881
Lac qui Parle County
Minnesota
75.5
Median income: $71,639

Deep Dives

Wheeler County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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

Cost of Living in Wheeler County

via CostByCounty

Wheeler offers the deepest affordability

Wheeler County's median household income of $51,250 falls well below the national average of $74,755, yet its 18.3% rent-to-income ratio remains competitive nationally despite rural poverty levels. At just $782 monthly, Wheeler's rents are among Oregon's cheapest, making this sparsely populated county an exceptional value for budget-conscious renters.

Oregon's most affordable rental market

Wheeler County's 18.3% rent-to-income ratio matches Wasco's affordability and beats Oregon's 19.4% state average, while its $782 median rent is the lowest among all four counties studied. Despite the lowest median household income at $51,250, Wheeler residents spend the smallest share of earnings on housing in this comparison.

Rural gem for budget renters

Wheeler County's $782 rent undercuts every regional peer—Wasco at $978, Yamhill at $1,377, and Washington County at $1,773—making it Oregon's bargain basement for housing costs. The tradeoff is sparse population (roughly 1,400 residents) and limited services, but renters willing to embrace rural isolation find unmatched affordability.

Modest income, minimal housing burden

Wheeler renters pay just $782 monthly while owner-occupants pay $856, with median home values of $259,000 and median household income of $51,250. Renters dedicate only 18.3% of income to housing, while mortgage costs consume roughly 20% of owner household income—the lowest housing burden in this four-county analysis.

Wheeler rewards remote workers and retirees

If you earn income from outside the county—through remote work, freelancing, or retirement savings—Wheeler County's $782 rents and $259,000 median homes offer exceptional purchasing power. Compare Wheeler's 18.3% rent-to-income ratio to your current housing costs and consider whether its rural character suits your lifestyle before making the move to this sparsely populated corner of Oregon.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

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

Health in Wheeler County

via HealthByCounty

Wheeler faces serious health gaps

Wheeler County data on life expectancy is limited, but one in five residents (20.2%) reports poor or fair health—the highest rate among our profiled counties and well above the national average of 13.3%. This signals substantial health challenges that deserve closer attention.

Oregon's most vulnerable county

Wheeler County's 20.2% poor/fair health rate significantly exceeds Oregon's typical outcomes, indicating residents face greater health burdens than most of the state. Limited life expectancy data makes full comparison difficult, but the high poor/fair health rate flags serious regional disparities.

Wheeler's health challenges run deep

Wheeler's 20.2% poor/fair health rate far exceeds Wasco County (18.7%), Yamhill County (17.0%), and Washington County (14.7%). Life expectancy data for Wheeler isn't available, but the population's self-reported health struggles suggest significant barriers to care and wellness.

Limited primary care, real gaps

Data on primary care providers in Wheeler is not currently available, but the county does have 279 mental health providers per 100,000 residents. With a 9.2% uninsured rate, nearly 1 in 10 Wheeler residents lack coverage, compounding access challenges in this underserved rural county.

Enrollment support available

If you're uninsured in Wheeler County, Oregon Health Plan covers preventive care at no cost. Contact your local community health center or call 1-800-699-9075 to connect with enrollment assistance and discover plans that work for your situation.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Wheeler County

via RiskByCounty

Wheeler County has very low disaster risk

Wheeler County scores just 7.16 on the national composite risk scale, placing it in the Very Low category and among the safest counties nationally. This exceptionally low score reflects Wheeler's relatively isolated geography and limited exposure to most major natural disasters.

Oregon's lowest-risk county

Wheeler County's 7.16 composite score sits far below Oregon's state average of 63.43, making it the state's least hazard-prone county by a substantial margin. This position reflects the county's unique geography and demographic profile compared to more developed areas of Oregon.

Wheeler stands apart as the safest county

Wheeler County's overall risk (7.16) is dramatically lower than Wasco (67.81) and Yamhill (82.86), and it ranks last among regional peers across almost every hazard category. Wildfire presents Wheeler's only meaningful comparative vulnerability at 88.74, though even this score remains below Wasco's 98.09.

Wildfire is Wheeler's primary natural hazard

Wheeler County's wildfire risk of 88.74 dominates its disaster exposure, reflecting the county's vast rangeland and forest acreage vulnerable to seasonal burning. All other hazards—earthquake (17.88), flood (12.31), and tornado (1.24)—pose minimal threat, making wildfire the clear priority for emergency preparedness.

Wildfire insurance and defensible space matter most

Wheeler County residents should verify their homeowners policies include wildfire coverage and create defensible space around structures through vegetation management and fuel reduction. Given the county's low overall risk profile, residents typically need less extensive coverage than those in higher-risk Oregon counties, but wildfire preparedness remains essential.

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.