Crook County
OR · Pop. 25,651 · Rural County
Crook County, Oregon covers 2,979 square miles with a population of 25,651 and a density of 8.6 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on hay, haylage, herbs. The median home price is $423,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.64%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 73-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.5°F and average winter lows of 20.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 13.8 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. St Charles Prineville is 24.3 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 64.2% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.64% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A strong agricultural economy built on hay, haylage, herbs means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 8.6 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low poverty rate of 9.7% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 73-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 13.8 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- A median home price of $423,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
- Broadband reaches only 64.2% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
At a glance
Crook County, OR is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 14/100
- Median home price
- $423k
- Property tax
- 0.64%
- Growing season
- 73 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 13.8"
- Broadband
- 64.2%
- Nearest hospital
- St Charles Prineville, 24.3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Crook County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Crook County?
- Crook County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 73-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.5°F, and average winter lows of 20.8°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, herbs.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $423,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.64%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 64.2% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- St Charles Prineville is 24.3 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Oregon Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Oregon
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The closest counties to Crook County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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