Best counties to raise a family in Oregon
Best counties to raise a family in Oregon
Known in other parts of the world as shires, provinces, or territories, the United States’ counties (also known in certain states as boroughs or parishes) date back to the 1600s, when settlers first came to find freedom from British rule. Today, those counties remain, with the 50 states divided into several, each with its own unique makeup.
For people looking to find a home to raise a family in, choosing a county is an important decision. Most families place affordable homes, safe neighborhoods, a quality school system, and family-friendly activities at the top of their wishlists.
Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to raise a family in Oregon using data from Niche. Niche ranks counties based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, healthcare, recreation and weather. Listings and images are from realtor.com.
The list features counties that boast some of the top schools and fun, family-friendly activities for every season. Keep reading to explore the best counties to raise a family. Maybe you’ll find one that suits your brood.
#7. Deschutes County
- Median home value: $364,600 (67% own)
- Median rent: $1,208 (33% rent)
- Median household income: $67,043
- Top public schools: Summit High School (A-), Realms Middle School (A-), Highland Magnet School at Kenwood (A-)
- Top private schools: Cascades Academy (A-), Trinity Lutheran School (A-), Central Christian School (B+)
- Top places to live: Bend (B+), Redmond (B-), Deschutes River Woods (B-)
- Pictured: 60990 Bachelor View Rd, Bend ($4.2 million, 5 bedrooms)
#6. Marion County
- Median home value: $247,100 (60% own)
- Median rent: $985 (40% rent)
- Median household income: $59,625
- Top public schools: Victor Point Elementary School (A-), Evergreen Elementary School (A-), Pratum Elementary School (A-)
- Top private schools: Blanchet Catholic School (A), Salem Academy (B), Regis St. Mary Catholic School (B-)
- Top places to live: Silverton (B), Salem (B), Keizer (B)
- Pictured: 660 Eureka Ave, Silverton ($1.5 million, 3 bedrooms)
#5. Clackamas County
- Median home value: $395,100 (71% own)
- Median rent: $1,295 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $80,484
- Top public schools: Lakeridge High School (A+), Lake Oswego Senior High School (A+), West Linn High School (A+)
- Top private schools: La Salle Catholic College Preparatory (A), Portland Waldorf School (A-), North Clackamas Christian School (B)
- Top places to live: Lake Oswego (A+), West Linn (A+), Happy Valley (A)
- Pictured: 1500 Northshore Rd, Lake Oswego ($11.9 million, 5 bedrooms)
#4. Hood River County
- Median home value: $373,600 (67% own)
- Median rent: $1,133 (33% rent)
- Median household income: $65,679
- Top public schools: Westside Elementary School (A-), May Street Elementary School (A-), Hood River Valley High School (B+)
- Top private schools: Horizon Christian School (B+), Bright Beginnings Preschool & Kindergarten (unavailable), Mid-Columbia Adventist Christian School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Hood River (A-), Odell (B-), Cascade Locks (B-)
- Pictured: 4470 Booth Hill Rd, Hood River ($3.0 million, 2 bedrooms)
#3. Multnomah County
- Median home value: $386,200 (55% own)
- Median rent: $1,237 (45% rent)
- Median household income: $69,176
- Top public schools: Riverdale Grade School (A), Riverdale High School (A), Grant High School (A)
- Top private schools: Northwest Academy (A+), St. Mary's Academy (A+), Central Catholic High School (A)
- Top places to live: Eastmoreland (A+), Northwest District (A+), Pearl (A+)
- Pictured: 6712 SE 148th Ave, Portland ($729,000, 6 bedrooms)
#2. Washington County
- Median home value: $386,600 (62% own)
- Median rent: $1,359 (38% rent)
- Median household income: $82,215
- Top public schools: School of Science & Technology (A+), International School of Beaverton - High School (A+), Westview High School (A)
- Top private schools: Catlin Gabel School (A+), Oregon Episcopal School (A+), Jesuit High School (A+)
- Top places to live: Bethany (A+), Cedar Mill (A+), Five Oaks (A+)
- Pictured: 11732 NW Laidlaw Rd, Portland ($1.2 million, 4 bedrooms)
#1. Benton County
- Median home value: $331,300 (57% own)
- Median rent: $1,081 (43% rent)
- Median household income: $62,077
- Top public schools: Hoover Elementary School (A), Corvallis High School (A), Crescent Valley High School (A)
- Top private schools: Santiam Christian School (B+), Corvallis Waldorf School (unavailable), Ashbrook Independent School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Corvallis (A), Philomath (A-), Adair Village (A-)
- Pictured: 1920 NW McDougal Cir, Corvallis ($1.5 million, 4 bedrooms)
