The 10 Worst Places To Live In Oregon For 2023

The 10 Worst Places To Live In Oregon For 2023

Ontario sits along the Snake River, just across the water from Idaho. I-84 runs through town, making the community a key gateway between the two states. The car traffic hasn’t done much to boost the local economy, however. Instead, Ontario’s financial woes land it on this list of the least appealing sites in Oregon.

Of the town’s 11,465 inhabitants, 21.4% live below the poverty line. Meanwhile, housing, safety, and education represent major concerns as well. For example, the crime rate tracks more than 170% above the national average.

Still, if you’re stopping by, there are some sights to see. You can check out the Four Rivers Cultural Center & Museum, or head to the Ontario State Recreation Site along the river.

What could sound more inviting than a place called “Sweet Home”? Don’t be fooled by the name, though. Most places in Oregon would make a better home sweet home.

First off, it’s tough to locate employment in Sweet Home, leading to an unemployment rate of 9.0%. On top of this, the town suffers from a major safety issue. The crime rate more than doubles the national average. Affordability and education also weigh on the community.

Located in the west-central part of the state, Sweet Home does earn its name in some areas. Built along the Foster Reservoir, residents get scenic views and outdoor entertainment.

Madras got a lot of attention in 2017. Sitting in the path of a solar eclipse, visitors streamed to the town of 7,381 people to witness the celestial event. Under normal circumstances, though, these folks would likely want to stay away from the number 3 worst place to live in Oregon.

A lack of jobs weighs on the community. The unemployment rate reaches 14.0%, while 21.3% of locals make due with sub-poverty conditions. Meanwhile, the median home value hovers at $227,500, a difficult mortgage to swing when the town’s median income hovers just below $35,000.

Still, there are benefits to life in the area. Besides the occasional solar eclipse, Madras features the Erickson Aircraft Collection.

Klamath Falls is located in the southern part of the state, nestled between two lakes, Lake Ewauna and Upper Klamath Lake. This affords the town’s 21,710 residents scenic views and ample access to outdoor activities. However, that doesn’t mean life is all fishing and boating trips. A weak economy and high crime make this the number 4 least inviting hometowns in Oregon.

The local population faces a significant unemployment problem, with the jobless rate running 8.4%. The median income sits at $42,047, contributing to a poverty rate of 23.0%. At the same time, the town’s crime rate tracks at more than 50% above the national average.

The good news is, according to a story we recently did, Prineville is the 10th luckiest city in Oregon, based on lottery winnings per capita.

The bad news is if you hit it big, someone might steal your money here. Prineville doesn’t have the worst crime in the state, but it’s sure up there. And when you factor in one of the lowest household incomes in the state and a sky high unemployment rate, this town on the desert side of Bend may not be your first choice for a vacation.

Located along the coast in the central part of the state, Coos Bay sits along its namesake body of water. As you might guess, this has its benefits. Beyond the excellent views, the town comes with its share of amenities. You can check out the Coos Art Museum or the Coos History Museum & Maritime Collection.

Day-to-day life in Coos Bay has its challenges, though. Jobs are hard to find, with an unemployment rate of 7.8%. This economic hardship has contributed to a high crime rate, which more than doubles the U.S. norm. The local schools are generally below average as well, with most scoring a 5/10 or worse on Great Schools.

Among the far eastern ring of Portland suburbs, Gresham sits along the Columbia River, just across the water from Washington. The town features plenty of green spaces and excellent access to the city (downtown Portland is about a half hour away).

Still, Gresham has its problems. Housing in the area is terrible and the public schools often come up short. In terms of the economy, the area supports a 6.2% unemployment rate and a $61,826 median income.

Like much of the area, affordability poses a problem as well. The cost of living in Gresham tops the national average by 20%. The median home value equals $347,600.