Umatilla County
OR · Pop. 80,087 · Rural County
Umatilla County is a rural county in Oregon, spanning 3,215 square miles with 80,087 residents at a density of 24.9 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on wheat, hay, potatoes. The median home price is $256,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.99%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 164-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.4°F and average winter lows of 27.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 14.8 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. St Anthony Hospital is 5.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 90.3% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 90.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- St Anthony Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 5.5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on wheat, hay, potatoes means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 24.9 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A 164-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 14.8 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
At a glance
Umatilla County, OR is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 32/100
- Median home price
- $256k
- Property tax
- 0.99%
- Growing season
- 164 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 14.8"
- Broadband
- 90.3%
- Nearest hospital
- St Anthony Hospital, 5.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Umatilla County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Umatilla County?
- Umatilla County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 164-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.4°F, and average winter lows of 27.8°F. The established crops are wheat, hay, potatoes.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $256,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.99%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 90.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- St Anthony Hospital is 5.5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
Explore Oregon Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
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More counties in Oregon
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The closest counties to Umatilla 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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