countyscore
40.9
County Score
Income & Jobs 90.6Soil Quality 73.2Health 67.9

County Report Card

About Yamhill County, Oregon

Steady Performance Near the Median

Yamhill County earns a 40.9 composite score, placing it behind the national median of 50.0. Its ranking reflects a balance of high earning potential offset by rising coastal-adjacent costs.

Aligned with State Averages

The county's 40.9 score nearly mirrors the Oregon state average of 42.5. It holds its own as a reliable mid-range option for those living in the Willamette Valley region.

Strong Incomes and Favorable Taxes

Yamhill excels with an income score of 90.1 and a median household income of $87,084. A tax score of 57.7, supported by a 0.750% effective rate, helps residents keep more of their earnings.

Barriers to Housing Affordability

Housing costs are a challenge, reflected in a low cost score of 7.8 and median home values of $442,700. Additionally, the risk score of 17.1 indicates a need for better community resilience.

A Haven for Established Families

Yamhill County is best for mid-career professionals who want high income and good health services without the highest taxes. It appeals to those comfortable with a $1,377 median rent in exchange for a prosperous community.

2040608010057.57.726.767.947.590.617.13460.8Tax57.5Cost7.7Safety26.7Health67.9Schools47.5Income90.6Risk17.1Water34Weather60.840.9/100
This county
National avg
2 above average4 below average

Yamhill County DNA

Foverall

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

Yamhill County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (90.6/100) but notably weak in Cost of Living (7.7/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
57.5
Cost
7.7-40.3
Safety
26.7-28.3
Health
67.9+17.900000000000006
Schools
47.5
Income
90.6+39.599999999999994
Risk
17.1-29.9
Water
34-24
Weather
60.8
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$471,700

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,480/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$471,700/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$59,200/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum5.2x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $90,063/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

5.5

per 100K

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

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Nearby counties

Washington County
Oregon
41.1
Polk County
Oregon
43.7
Tillamook County
Oregon
43
Marion County
Oregon
30.5
Multnomah County
Oregon
44.1
Clark County
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38.1
Clackamas County
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36.5
Columbia County
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42.5

Deep Dives

Yamhill County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Yamhill County

via TaxByCounty

Yamhill County taxes track near national average

Yamhill County's effective tax rate of 0.750% matches the national median exactly, placing it at the 50th percentile nationally. The median property tax of $3,318 is 24% higher than the national median of $2,690, driven by higher home values.

Middle of the pack in Oregon

Yamhill County's 0.750% effective rate sits just below Oregon's state average of 0.775%, ranking it in the middle of the state's 36 counties. This places Yamhill homeowners in the statewide norm for tax burden.

Yamhill sits between Wasco and Wheeler

Yamhill's 0.750% rate falls between Wheeler's 0.727% and Wasco's 0.837%, making it a moderate option regionally. At $3,318 median tax, Yamhill is more affordable than Washington County ($4,852) but higher than Wheeler ($1,884).

A $442,700 home costs $3,318 yearly

The median Yamhill County home valued at $442,700 generates $3,318 in annual property taxes at the 0.750% rate. Homeowners with mortgages pay an average of $3,483, while those without pay $2,766.

Appeal if your tax bill exceeds the median

With a median tax of $3,318, Yamhill homeowners paying significantly more may be overassessed. Many counties underestimate appeal success rates—check your assessment and consider filing if your bill is above the county typical.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Yamhill County

via IncomeByCounty

Yamhill earns above national average

Yamhill County's median household income of $87,084 surpasses the U.S. median of $74,755 by $12,329—a 16% advantage. The county benefits from agricultural employment, small manufacturing, and proximity to Portland's suburban job market.

Upper-middle tier among Oregon counties

At $87,084, Yamhill ranks well above Oregon's state average of $69,965 by $17,119. The county places in Oregon's top tier of earners, reflecting a blend of rural agricultural and suburban Portland economic activity.

Strong showing between tier counties

Yamhill's $87,084 income positions it $23,482 ahead of Wasco County and $35,834 above Wheeler, but trails Washington County's $104,434. The county represents a middle ground between rural Eastern Oregon and the Portland metro tech hub.

Housing affordability solid at 19.0%

Yamhill's rent-to-income ratio of 19.0% indicates healthy affordability, with median home values of $442,700 remaining accessible to its income level. Households here enjoy better housing cost balance than Washington County while earning more than rural neighbors.

Build on strong income foundation

Yamhill residents benefit from moderate housing costs and above-average earnings, creating opportunity for meaningful wealth accumulation. Investing in retirement accounts and exploring real estate diversification can capitalize on the county's economic stability.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Yamhill County

via CrimeByCounty

Yamhill County's Impressive Safety Record

Yamhill County boasts a high safety score of 97.2, well above national standards. Its total crime rate of 1,781.3 per 100K is significantly lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

Ranking High Among Oregon Counties

The county's safety score of 97.2 outperforms the Oregon state average of 96.3. Seven agencies collaborate to manage and report crime data, keeping the community well-informed.

Yamhill Leads the Regional Comparison

With a crime rate of 1,781.3, Yamhill is safer than neighboring Washington County and far safer than Wasco. It also sits well below the overall Oregon crime average of 2,366.2.

Low Rates Across All Crime Categories

Violent crime is impressively low at 198.7 per 100K, while property crime is also modest at 1,582.6. These figures represent a community where crime is far less frequent than in most U.S. counties.

Keeping Your Yamhill Home Secure

To maintain these excellent safety numbers, homeowners should invest in reliable window locks and home security systems. Community awareness and reporting suspicious activity help keep Yamhill a regional safety leader.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Yamhill County

via WeatherByCounty

A Classic Maritime Climate Profile

Yamhill County’s 53.2°F average annual temperature sits right at the national median. The region is defined by a Mediterranean-style cycle of wet winters and dry, warm summers.

Warm and Exceptionally Wet

The county is nearly 3 degrees warmer than the Oregon state average of 50.5°F. It is significantly wetter than the rest of the state, averaging 52.3 inches of rain compared to the 37.4-inch state average.

The Heart of Wine Country Weather

Yamhill is notably wetter than its neighbor Washington County, receiving about 11 more inches of rain per year. This extra moisture and mild 53.2°F temperature make it a premier region for viticulture.

Lush Winters and Mild Harvest Summers

July is comfortable at 68.0°F with 18 days of extreme heat annually. Winters are chilly and damp, averaging 41.3°F and producing 7.2 inches of snowfall alongside heavy seasonal rains.

Prepare for Persistent Seasonal Rainfall

Invest in heavy-duty rain gear and ensure your property has excellent drainage to handle 52.3 inches of rain. While winters average 41.3°F, keep a shovel ready for the 7.2 inches of snow that usually arrives.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Yamhill County

via SoilByCounty

Gravelly Textures with High Potential

Yamhill County features stratified sand-to-gravel textures with an average pH of 5.31. This pH is slightly more basic than the state average of 5.26 but remains well below the national median of 6.5. A soil score of 73.2 indicates these lands are superior to the Oregon average of 70.2.

Silty Foundation for Strong Growth

The soil contains 53.9% silt and 24.8% clay, with sand making up the remaining 19.9%. This silty texture is the backbone of the county's famous agricultural productivity. The presence of gravel ensures that the heavy silt and clay don't become overly compacted.

Rich Organic Matter for Farming

Organic matter levels sit at 19.46%, which is nearly ten times higher than the national average of 2.0%. However, the available water capacity of 0.251 in/in falls slightly below the Oregon state average of 0.275. These soils provide a nutrient-dense foundation for deep-rooted crops.

Complex Subsurface Water Flow

Dominant drainage classes and hydrologic groups are not formally specified in the current dataset. The stratified sand and gravel texture suggests that vertical drainage is likely faster than in pure clay soils. Homeowners should still test for seasonal saturation before beginning large construction projects.

The Vineyard Heart of Zone 8b

Yamhill's Zone 8b climate and unique gravelly soils make it the premier destination for Oregon Pinot Noir. The soil’s ability to drain while providing high organic nutrients is perfect for viticulture and hazelnut orchards. Your garden will thrive here with just a bit of summer watering.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Yamhill County

via LawnByCounty

Above Average Growing in Yamhill

Yamhill County's lawn difficulty score of 43.2 sits comfortably above the Oregon state average of 38.9. While it falls slightly below the national median of 50.0, the 8b hardiness zone offers a long and productive growing season. Residents benefit from a climate that is naturally more hospitable to greenery than many eastern neighbors.

Abundant Water for Lush Lawns

The county receives a generous 52.3 inches of rain annually, which actually exceeds the ideal lawn range of 30-50 inches. This abundance reduces the need for summer watering but may lead to drainage issues during the peak of winter. With only 18 heat days, the risk of sun scorch is lower than the state average of 23 days.

Navigating Acidic and Clay Soils

The soil is notably acidic with a pH of 5.31, which is significantly lower than the ideal 6.0-7.0 range. A texture of 24.8% clay mixed with stratified sand and gravel means drainage is variable and compaction is a frequent risk. Regular lime applications and core aeration are essential tasks for maintaining a healthy Yamhill lawn.

Preparing for Periodic Dryness

Despite heavy annual rains, 65% of the county is currently abnormally dry after 29 weeks of drought last year. Even in this high-precip zone, installing a smart irrigation controller can help manage the transition into dry summer months. Proper soil amendment will help your lawn retain the moisture it receives during the wet winters.

Early Starts in the Willamette Valley

A blend of Perennial Ryegrass and Fine Fescue is ideal for Yamhill's climate and 8b hardiness zone. You can start planting as early as the last frost on April 5, giving the grass months to mature before the November 7 frost. The high rainfall and mild heat provide a fantastic head start for any new lawn project.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Yamhill County's county score?
Yamhill County, Oregon has a composite county score of 40.9 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 Yamhill County rank among counties in Oregon?
Yamhill County ranks #20 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 Yamhill County, Oregon?
The median annual property tax in Yamhill County is $3,425, with an effective tax rate of 0.73%. This earns Yamhill County a tax score of 57.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Yamhill County?
The median household income in Yamhill County, Oregon is $90,063 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Yamhill County earns an income score of 90.6/100 on CountyScore.
Is Yamhill County, Oregon a good place to live?
Yamhill County scores 40.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #20 in Oregon. The best way to evaluate Yamhill 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 Yamhill 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.