Moving to Oregon

Oregon, otherwise known as ‘The Beaver State’, is a fabulous state to work and live. If you are moving or relocating to OR, we have assembled a detailed list of some important facts and useful information to help make your move an easy transition.

Geography

Located in the Pacific Region of the country, Oregon is bordered by California, Idaho, Nevada and Washington. With a total land area of over 98,380.64 Square Miles, it comes in as the 9th largest state.

Population

Currently, the population of OR is 4,093,465 making it the 23rd least populated state in the union and the 10th least densely populated. The state capital, Salem, has a population of 146120. which is the 24th smallest capital in the country.

Notable Oregonians

Oregon is home to various famous and some infamous citizens such as, Cecil D Andrus a memorable secretary of the interior is from Hood River and Garner Ted Armstrong a notable evangelist is from Eugene. Others include people like James Beard a food expert and Raymond Carver a writer poet .

Climate

Oregon’s climate varies widely from eastern to western regions of the state. On the western side, temperatures are generally mild due to the Pacific Ocean’s moderating effect. The Pacific Ocean also provides abundant moisture, causing frequent precipitation west of the Cascade Mountains from October to May. Temperatures in the central and eastern portions of the state exhibit a greater annual and diurnal range. The Cascades block the flow of moisture and as a result it is much drier east of the Cascades. Oregon seldom experiences severe thunderstorms, compared to other states in the nation.

Average annual temperatures have increased
approximately 2°F since the beginning of the
20th century. Winter warming has been characterized
by rising nighttime temperatures, with the
number of very cold nights falling far below
average during recent years. Under a higher
emissions pathway, historically unprecedented
warming is projected by the end of the 21st century.

Snowpack plays a critical role in spring and summer water supplies. Projected rising temperatures will lead to more occurrences of rain falling instead of snow, and earlier melting of the snowpack; this could have negative impacts on critical sectors.

Precipitation varies greatly across this diverse state and throughout the year. Projected increases in winter precipitation and decreases in summer precipitation will change the dry season availability of water, leading to challenges for water management. Both the frequency of wildfire occurrence and wildfire severity are projected to increase in Oregon.

National Parks

Oregon is home to 1 beautiful national park.

• Crater Lake

  Crater Lake lies in the caldera of an ancient volcano called Mount Mazama that collapsed 7,700 years ago. It is the deepest lake in the United States and is noted for its vivid blue color and water clarity. There are two more recent volcanic islands in the lake, and, with no inlets or outlets, all water comes through precipitation.

Crime Statistics

Safety and security should always be an important factor when relocating to a new location. A state’s crime rate affects more than just the safety of its citizens, it highly affects property value, economics and the overall quality of life. Based on the last FBI Crime Statistics, Oregon’s violent crime rate is 23 per 10k residents which is less than the national average of 37.3. In addition, the state’s property crime rate is 287per 10k residents which is greater than the national average of 248.7.

Oregon ranks #39 in the US for violent crime and #18 for property crime.

Schools & Education

Whether you are a student, have children, or neither, a state’s educational system is not only important to those attending, it’s vital to the overall quality of life, culture and economics of the state. Based on data from multiple public and private sources, we were able to rank Oregon’s educational system.

Overall Grade: C-

Oregon spends on average $10963.00 per pupil, which is less than the national average ($11,900). OR ranks #39 in the US compared to the rest of the country. While OR ranks #39 in spending, the latest graduation rate is 73.80%%.

Another important factor is the percentage of families that enroll their young children (ages 3-4) in an accredited pre-school program. Oregon ranks #30 with over 43.10% of children attending a early educational program.

Taxes

The current income tax rate for Oregon is 10.64% which ranks 48th favorable amongst other states. If you are purchasing property, you may want to consider the the property tax burden rate. This is the amount you pay in taxes per $1000 earned. OR’s rate is $33.54 which ranks 34th in the US.

Currently, OR sales tax is $0.00 for which it comes in as 1st compared to other states.

Sports

Oregon fans are not only loyal but also very faithful to their local major league teams. Oregon is home to the following teams: the Portland Trail Blazers, and the Portland Timbers .

Utility Companies

Before you move to Oregon, it’s advised that you know who your utility companies are. We have an extensive list of both public and private utility companies in OR.

Other Resources

For more information about moving to Oregon, visit their website at http://www.oregon.gov