RANK #843 / 1001 NAT · #10 / 18 OR · POP 112,072
1YR FORECAST: -0.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: +22%
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.
Douglas County is one of 78 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +0.8% runs above the profile's typical -0.8%.
See all 78 Western Premium Correction counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Well below national median
Prices detached from rents
Housing looks overvalued at 16.1x — 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.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
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 →
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Douglas County scores just 15/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #843 of 1001 counties. Job growth at -0.6% and median household income of $61,310 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Douglas County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $310,300 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.20 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,055/month on average.
Population and employment in Douglas County are both close to flat — population +0.2% YoY and jobs -0.6%. Home values shifted +0.8% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.16% 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.