St. Helens
RANK #485 / 996 NAT · #4 / 18 OR · POP 52,865
1YR FORECAST: -0.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: +24%
Columbia County, Oregon, distinguishes itself with its direct access to the Columbia River, offering extensive recreational opportunities. The county seat, St. Helens, gained recognition as a filming location for the movie *Twilight* and hosts an annual "Spirit of Halloweentown" festival. Located less than an hour from Portland, Columbia County provides a semi-rural atmosphere with a commute option via the CC Rider bus service to downtown Portland. The landscape features forests, rivers, and lakes, supporting activities like fishing, boating, kayaking, cycling, and bird-watching. Notable outdoor areas include Scappoose Bay, Vernonia Lake, and the Banks-Vernonia State Trail.
Life in Columbia County often appeals to families and individuals seeking a balance between natural surroundings and proximity to urban centers. The community has seen growth in housing developments, which has contributed to an expansion of local businesses, including restaurants and retail. The economy is experiencing new growth, with major investment flowing into energy sectors, including renewable fuel manufacturing. The Port of Columbia County, which spans 51 miles along the Columbia River, supports numerous businesses and jobs, contributing to the local economy.
Overvalued relative to economy
Well below national median
Prices declining
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 12.3x — 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 (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Mist Underground Natural Gas Storage Facility Expansion
NW Natural
|
$100M | Operating |
|
Broadleaf Arbor Affordable Housing Development
Northwest Oregon Housing Authority
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Boulder Ridge Subdivision
Shawn Clark of North 8th Street, LLC
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Columbia County scores 51/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 996 U.S. counties (#485). Median household income is $83,265 and job growth is running at +0.7%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Columbia County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $365,100 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.23 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,211/month on average.
Columbia County's population is growing — up +0.9% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +0.7%). Home values shifted -0.9% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.08% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Columbia County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.