Hood River County
OR · Pop. 23,958 · Suburban County
Hood River County sits in Oregon across 522 square miles, home to 23,958 people at 45.9 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, lettuce. A median home price of $571,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.59% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 130-day growing season, average summer highs of 78.6°F and average winter lows of 27.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 34.1 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital is 14.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.1% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.59% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 97.1% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A low poverty rate of 5.5% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 130-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- A median home price of $571,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Hood River County, OR is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 49/100
- Median home price
- $571k
- Property tax
- 0.59%
- Growing season
- 130 days (zone 7b)
- Annual rainfall
- 34.1"
- Broadband
- 97.1%
- Nearest hospital
- Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital, 14.8 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Hood River County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Hood River County?
- Hood River County is in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 130-day growing season, average summer highs of 78.6°F, and average winter lows of 27.5°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, lettuce.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $571,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.59%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 97.1% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital is 14.8 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 Hood River 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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