Lincoln City
RANK #530 / 996 NAT · #6 / 18 OR · POP 50,334
1YR FORECAST: +0.5%
5YR OUTLOOK: +23%
Lincoln County, Oregon, distinguishes itself with its dramatic Pacific coastline and notable towns like Newport, home to the Oregon Coast Aquarium and Hatfield Marine Science Center, and Depoe Bay, known as the "whale watching capital of the world." Situated on the central Oregon Coast, roughly 88 miles from Portland and 58 miles from Salem, the county offers a temperate climate and a community feel that blends coastal relaxation with access to outdoor recreation. Residents and visitors enjoy miles of sandy beaches, rocky cliffs, and opportunities for surfing, fishing, crabbing, and hiking in areas like the Siuslaw National Forest and numerous state parks. The county's natural amenities, including its diverse landscapes and water access, are highly rated.
Life in Lincoln County is shaped by its coastal environment and a growing retiree population. While traditional industries like timber and fishing have seen a decline, tourism remains a major employer, alongside trade, services, and an emerging "Blue Economy" focused on marine science and technology. The Lincoln County School District serves approximately 5,200 students across 11 regular and 4 charter schools, with a student-teacher ratio of 16:1. Commute options within the county include local bus services and Dial-A-Ride in Newport and Lincoln City, with regional connections to cities like Corvallis, Albany, and Salem via the Coast to Valley Express.
Overvalued relative to economy
Below national median
Prices declining
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 8.2x — 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 →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Lincoln County scores 46/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 996 U.S. counties (#530). Median household income is $57,794 and job growth is running at +0.3%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Lincoln County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $345,300 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.17 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,057/month on average.
Lincoln County's population is growing — up +0.9% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +0.3%). 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.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.65% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Lincoln County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.