36 / 100

Douglas County, OR

Roseburg

RANK #635 / 996 NAT  ·  #9 / 18 OR  ·  POP 111,322

1YR FORECAST: -0.2%

5YR OUTLOOK: +20%

#23 Best Climate & Terrain
Douglas County's housing market is projected to grow -0.2% over the next year, below the national average.

[01] Why Douglas County?

Douglas County, Oregon, distinguishes itself with a diverse landscape stretching from the Pacific Ocean to the Cascade Mountains, encompassing the entire Umpqua River watershed. Roseburg, the county seat, sits roughly an hour north of Medford and an hour south of Eugene on Interstate 5. The county is known for its "Highway of Waterfalls" along the North Umpqua River, featuring Toketee Falls, Watson Falls, and Clearwater Falls, alongside the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area on the coast. These natural amenities support extensive outdoor recreation, including hiking, biking, fishing, and camping across 70 county parks, the first county park system in Oregon.

Life in Douglas County offers a small-town feel, with residents often knowing their neighbors and local business owners. The economy, historically tied to timber, is evolving, though forestry and logging still represent a significant portion of the state's jobs in the sector. Agriculture, particularly blueberries and grapes, and a growing wine industry also contribute to the local economy, with the Umpqua Valley being recognized as Oregon's first modern fine-wine region. The Umpqua Public Transportation District provides fixed-route and commuter services, connecting communities like Roseburg, Sutherlin, and Winston. The county is currently developing its first comprehensive economic development plan to support local businesses and enhance job creation.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
7.3x

Overvalued relative to economy

GDP Growth
+3.2%

Above national median

Home Prices
+0.3%

Well below national median

Climate & Terrain
6.8

Favorable climate & terrain

Price/Rent
16x

Above national median (13x)

Housing looks overvalued at 7.3x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Top Employers

  1. 1
    Roseburg Forest Products Manufacturing
    1,000+
  2. 2
    Mercy Medical Center Healthcare
  3. 3
    Umpqua Community College Education
  4. 4
    VA Roseburg Healthcare System Healthcare
  5. 5
    Douglas County Government Government
  6. 6
    North River Boats Manufacturing
    100+
  7. 7
    FCR Other
  8. 8
    The News-Review Other
  9. 9
    Douglas County Health & Social Services Government
  10. 10
    Sunrise Enterprises Other

Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Douglas County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
111,322
+0.58% YoY
Median Household Income
$56,440
Median Home Value
$262,400
+0.31% 12mo
Median Rent
$957
Average Annual Pay
$54,000
+5.7% YoY
Employment
38,573
-0.2% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.2151
Near national average
Migration Inflow
2.14%
of pop. from another state
Bachelor's Degree+
18.9%
of residents (national avg: 33%)

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$380,000
Days on Market
97
Slower market
Months of Supply
4.8
Balanced market
Sale-to-List Ratio
96.3%
Negotiation room for buyers
Sold Above List
14.3%
Listings w/ Price Drops
30.0%
Building Permits (2024)
190
Single-Family Permits
166

Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →

[05] Crime & Safety

B
SAFETY
GRADE
Homicide Rate
3.9
per 100K · nat avg 6.3
Firearm Fatalities
23.0
per 100K · nat avg 14.8
Injury Deaths
120.1
per 100K · nat avg 76.3
vs National Average
Below national avg
based on homicide rate

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 →

[06] Air Quality

B
AIR QUALITY
GRADE
Median AQI (3yr)
41.0
Good
Good Air Days
79%
325 of 411 days
Unhealthy+ Days (3yr)
5
Sensitive groups affected
Primary Pollutant
PM2.5
Fine particulate matter
Yearly Trend
2021
29
2022
53
Median AQI · lower is better

Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2022). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →

[07] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +3.2% 60 percentile
Population Growth +0.6% 56 percentile
Income Growth +7.5% 27 percentile
Vacancy Rate 0.8% 74 percentile
Home Price Change +0.3% 34 percentile
Rent Growth +2.4% 39 percentile
Price/Rent 16x 22 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[08] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Douglas County, OR a good place to move to?

At 36/100, Douglas County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $56,440 combined with job growth of -0.2% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.

Is Douglas County affordable?

Douglas County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $262,400 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.22 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $957/month on average.

Is Douglas County growing or shrinking?

Douglas County's population is growing — up +0.6% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of -0.2%). Home values shifted +0.3% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.

Are people moving to Douglas County?

There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.14% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Douglas County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.

[09] Similar Counties by Size & Score

Marion County, OR 32 Clackamas County, OR 32 Multnomah County, OR 29 Josephine County, OR 29 Yamhill County, OR 44 Lincoln County, OR 46 Grafton County, NH 36 Christian County, KY 36