Corvallis
RANK #793 / 996 NAT · #15 / 18 OR · POP 95,615
1YR FORECAST: -0.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: +16%
Benton County, Oregon, stands out as the home of Oregon State University in Corvallis, a city often called the "heart of the valley" due to its central location in the Willamette Valley. The county is approximately 40 miles southwest of Salem and 45 miles northwest of Eugene. Commutes are generally short, with an average travel time of around 19 minutes. The community offers a blend of college town energy and small-town appeal, surrounded by rolling hills, forests, and rivers. Outdoor recreation is a significant draw, with over 60 miles of multi-use trails for hiking and biking, access to the Willamette River for paddling and fishing, and proximity to Marys Peak, the highest point in the Oregon Coast Range.
Life in Benton County is characterized by a high quality of life, partly due to its natural environment and active lifestyles. The presence of Oregon State University significantly influences the culture and economy, attracting a younger, educated population. While historically rooted in agriculture and timber, the economy has diversified. Major employers include the university and healthcare services. The area also fosters an innovation economy with a focus on engineering and high technology, alongside a growing wine industry.
Overvalued relative to economy
Below national median
Prices declining
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 8.3x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2022). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Horse Heaven Clean Energy Center
Scout Clean Energy
|
$1,500M | Under Construction |
|
Hop Hill Solar Generation and BESS
Undisclosed
|
$1,200M | Planned |
|
Wautoma Solar Project
Innergex Renewable Energy USA
|
$470M | Planned |
|
Safety and Justice Buildings
Benton County
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
County Courthouse and District Attorney's Office & Emergency Operations Center
Benton County
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
At 20/100, Benton County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $72,882 combined with job growth of -0.3% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Benton County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $442,300 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.16 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,315/month on average.
Benton County's population is growing — up +1.0% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of -0.3%). Home values shifted -0.1% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
In significant numbers — 8.7% of Benton County's current population relocated from another state, well above the national norm. That level of in-migration usually signals a county where jobs, affordability, or quality of life are pulling people in from elsewhere.