RANK #806 / 996 · POP 79,904 · OR
PROJECTED GROWTH: -0.6%
Umatilla County, Oregon, is defined by its agricultural heritage and the prominent presence of the Columbia River and Blue Mountains. Pendleton, the county seat, is widely recognized for the annual Pendleton Round-Up rodeo, a major cultural event. Located in northeastern Oregon, the county is roughly equidistant from larger cities like Portland, Oregon, and the Tri-Cities in Washington. Commuting within the county is generally manageable, with an average travel time of 19.1 minutes. The community offers a blend of rural charm and access to outdoor recreation, including hiking, fishing, and camping in areas like the Umatilla National Forest and along the Umatilla River.
Life in Umatilla County often centers around its smaller towns, with Hermiston being the largest and fastest-growing city. The economy, historically rooted in farming and ranching, is diversifying. Recent years have seen significant investment in sectors such as data centers and energy, particularly wind power, contributing to job growth in areas like Greater Hermiston. Public transportation options are available, with fare-free fixed routes connecting communities and providing access to essential services and educational institutions like Blue Mountain Community College.
Above national median (4.7x)
Contracting economy
Above national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 5.4x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Amazon Web Services (AWS) Data Center Campuses
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
|
$1,000M | Operating |
|
Nolin Hills Energy Project (Wind, Solar, Storage)
Capital Power
|
$600M | In Development |
|
Sabey Data Centers Umatilla Campus
Sabey Data Centers
|
$520M | Planned |
|
Wagon Trail Solar and Wheatridge East Wind Projects
NextEra Energy Resources
|
$480M | Proposed |
|
Fourmile Solar Project
1 Energy Renewables
|
$90M | Approved |
|
West End Solar Project
EE West End Solar LLC (subsidiary of Eurus Solar Holdings LLC)
|
$50M | Approved |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Umatilla County has a Boom Town Index score of 19/100, ranking #806 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -1.4% and a median household income of $70,322, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Umatilla County is $236,800 with median rent at $930/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.297, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.5% year-over-year. Job growth: -1.4%. Home values changed +1.9% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.38% of Umatilla County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.