RANK #681 / 996 · POP 95,615 · OR
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.1%
Benton County, Oregon, stands out as the home of Oregon State University in Corvallis, a city often called the "heart of the valley" due to its central location in the Willamette Valley. The county is approximately 40 miles southwest of Salem and 45 miles northwest of Eugene. Commutes are generally short, with an average travel time of around 19 minutes. The community offers a blend of college town energy and small-town appeal, surrounded by rolling hills, forests, and rivers. Outdoor recreation is a significant draw, with over 60 miles of multi-use trails for hiking and biking, access to the Willamette River for paddling and fishing, and proximity to Marys Peak, the highest point in the Oregon Coast Range.
Life in Benton County is characterized by a high quality of life, partly due to its natural environment and active lifestyles. The presence of Oregon State University significantly influences the culture and economy, attracting a younger, educated population. While historically rooted in agriculture and timber, the economy has diversified. Major employers include the university and healthcare services. The area also fosters an innovation economy with a focus on engineering and high technology, alongside a growing wine industry.
Overvalued relative to economy
Below national median
Prices declining
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 8.3x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Horse Heaven Clean Energy Center
Scout Clean Energy
|
$1,500M | Under Construction |
|
Hop Hill Solar Generation and BESS
Undisclosed
|
$1,200M | Planned |
|
Wautoma Solar Project
Innergex Renewable Energy USA
|
$470M | Planned |
|
Safety and Justice Buildings
Benton County
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
County Courthouse and District Attorney's Office & Emergency Operations Center
Benton County
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Benton County has a Boom Town Index score of 32/100, ranking #681 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -0.3% and a median household income of $72,882, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Benton County is $442,300 with median rent at $1,315/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.1648, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +1.0% year-over-year. Job growth: -0.3%. Home values changed -0.1% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 8.7% of Benton County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.