Best small towns to live in Oregon

1. 1
   Stanfield, OR Score 76/100

   1,902 people · typical home $208k · household income $60k · 182 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 37% of OR · 4.0% unemployment · 6 mi to a hospital

2. 2
   Dundee, OR Score 75/100

   3,213 people · typical home $493k · household income $107k · 98 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 22% of OR · 4.0% unemployment · 3 mi to a hospital

3. 3
   John Day, OR Score 75/100

   1,609 people · typical home $212k · household income $58k · schools in the top 16% of OR · 7.0% unemployment · 3 mi to a hospital

4. 4
   Juniper Canyon, OR Score 74/100

   2,666 people · typical home $409k · household income $85k · 38 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 27% of OR · 1.0% unemployment · 12 mi to a hospital

5. 5
   Baker City, OR Score 73/100

   10,210 people · typical home $271k · household income $62k · 138 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 19% of OR · 7.0% unemployment · 3 mi to a hospital

6. 6
   Lakeview, OR Score 72/100

   3,270 people · typical home $203k · household income $71k · schools in the top 60% of OR · 1.0% unemployment · 8 mi to a hospital

7. 7
   Culver, OR Score 71/100

   2,254 people · typical home $333k · household income $91k · 40 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 52% of OR · 5.0% unemployment · 13 mi to a hospital

8. 8
   Carlton, OR Score 71/100

   2,759 people · typical home $421k · household income $98k · 93 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 39% of OR · 5.0% unemployment · 8 mi to a hospital

9. 9
   Vale, OR Score 70/100

   2,348 people · typical home $173k · household income $50k · schools in the top 24% of OR · 5.0% unemployment · 12 mi to a hospital

10. 10
    Odell, OR Score 69/100

    2,218 people · typical home $434k · household income $97k · 79 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 36% of OR · 9.0% unemployment · 3 mi to a hospital

11. 11
    Coquille, OR Score 68/100

    4,002 people · typical home $305k · household income $58k · 137 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 33% of OR · 5.0% unemployment · 1 mi to a hospital

12. 12
    Roseburg North, OR Score 68/100

    4,601 people · typical home $238k · household income $65k · 203 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 37% of OR · 2.0% unemployment · 8 mi to a hospital

13. 13
    Stayton, OR Score 67/100

    8,292 people · typical home $410k · household income $78k · 161 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 36% of OR · 3.0% unemployment · 4 mi to a hospital

14. 14
    Lafayette, OR Score 66/100

    4,490 people · typical home $417k · household income $98k · 98 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 52% of OR · 8.0% unemployment · 8 mi to a hospital

15. 15
    Union, OR Score 66/100

    2,290 people · typical home $231k · household income $65k · 237 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 29% of OR · 3.0% unemployment · 16 mi to a hospital

16. 16
    Athena, OR Score 65/100

    1,377 people · typical home $239k · household income $72k · 224 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 41% of OR · 2.0% unemployment · 19 mi to a hospital

17. 17
    Bay City, OR Score 65/100

    1,875 people · typical home $394k · household income $83k · 207 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 26% of OR · 4.0% unemployment · 7 mi to a hospital

18. 18
    Cottage Grove, OR Score 65/100

    10,698 people · typical home $347k · household income $81k · 185 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 51% of OR · 6.0% unemployment · 3 mi to a hospital

19. 19
    Bunker Hill, OR Score 64/100

    1,626 people · typical home $228k · household income $60k · 210 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 56% of OR · 2.0% unemployment · 5 mi to a hospital

20. 20
    Prineville Lake Acres, OR Score 64/100

    1,497 people · typical home $453k · household income $80k · 38 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 27% of OR · 5.0% unemployment · 14 mi to a hospital

21. 21
    Joseph, OR Score 64/100

    1,054 people · typical home $335k · household income $54k · schools in the top 6% of OR · 2.0% unemployment · 13 mi to a hospital

22. 22
    Boardman, OR Score 63/100

    4,064 people · typical home $235k · household income $67k · 99 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 77% of OR · 2.0% unemployment · 20 mi to a hospital

23. 23
    Metolius, OR Score 63/100

    1,137 people · typical home $252k · household income $65k · 40 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 73% of OR · 6.0% unemployment · 8 mi to a hospital

24. 24
    Green, OR Score 62/100

    7,541 people · typical home $266k · household income $67k · 203 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 58% of OR · 3.0% unemployment · 7 mi to a hospital

25. 25
    Amity, OR Score 62/100

    2,089 people · typical home $378k · household income $87k · 98 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 71% of OR · 4.0% unemployment · 8 mi to a hospital

How we ranked them

Every small town in Oregon with 1,000–15,000 people that stands on its own (not part of a big metro core, by USDA rural-urban codes) and has solid Census data. Each town is scored against the others in Oregon on: affordability (household income vs. home prices), safety (violent crime, FBI), schools (reading proficiency vs. other Oregon districts), jobs (unemployment, half weight) and everyday access (distance to a hospital and a grocery store, quarter weight each). Missing numbers count as average.

The "best" town is different for everyone — weather, size, politics, things to do and more all matter too.

All places in Oregon →