Gilliam County
OR · Pop. 2,002 · Rural County
Gilliam County sits in Oregon across 1,205 square miles, home to 2,002 people at 1.7 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on wheat, hay, barley. A median home price of $158,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.01% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 129-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.9°F and average winter lows of 24.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 14.5 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Pioneer Memorial Hospital is 35.4 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 42.7% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $158,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- A strong agricultural economy built on wheat, hay, barley means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 1.7 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 129-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 14.5 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- Broadband reaches only 42.7% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- The nearest hospital, Pioneer Memorial Hospital, is 35.4 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
At a glance
Gilliam County, OR is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 21/100
- Median home price
- $158k
- Property tax
- 1.01%
- Growing season
- 129 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 14.5"
- Broadband
- 42.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Pioneer Memorial Hospital, 35.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Gilliam County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Gilliam County?
- Gilliam County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 129-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.9°F, and average winter lows of 24.5°F. The established crops are wheat, hay, barley.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $158,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.01%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 42.7% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Pioneer Memorial Hospital is 35.4 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Oregon Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Oregon
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The closest counties to Gilliam County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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