Yamhill County
OR · Pop. 108,122 · Mixed County
Yamhill County is a mixed rural-suburban county in Oregon, spanning 716 square miles with 108,122 residents at a density of 151 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on grasses, hay, haylage. The median home price is $443,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.75%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 196-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.2°F and average winter lows of 34.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 74 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Willamette Valley Medical Center is 8.1 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 90.6% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 196-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.75% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 90.6% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Willamette Valley Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 8.1 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- Annual rainfall of 74 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
Cons
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A median home price of $443,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
- Wildfire risk is high, so defensible space and fire preparedness should be part of any build plan.
At a glance
Yamhill County, OR is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 28/100
- Median home price
- $443k
- Property tax
- 0.75%
- Growing season
- 196 days (zone 8b)
- Annual rainfall
- 74"
- Broadband
- 90.6%
- Nearest hospital
- Willamette Valley Medical Center, 8.1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Yamhill County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Yamhill County?
- Yamhill County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 196-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.2°F, and average winter lows of 34.4°F. The established crops are grasses, hay, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $443,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.75%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 90.6% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Willamette Valley Medical Center is 8.1 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
Explore Oregon Resources
Partner links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
LandWatch
Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.
Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.
More counties in Oregon
All Oregon countiesNearby counties
The closest counties to Yamhill 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.