County Crime & Safety

Clackamas County, OR, maintains a moderate crime rate compared to state averages. In 2023, the violent crime rate was 2.3 per 1,000 residents, and the property crime rate was 19.1 per 1,000. The Sheriff’s Office reported over 4,800 property crimes and 580 violent crimes. While overall crime has slightly declined since 2021, theft and burglary remain concerns. The county emphasizes community policing and encourages residents to report suspicious activity, with over 9,000 annual incident reports submitted. Public safety initiatives aim to further reduce these numbers.

Education, Employment and Housing

Clackamas County, OR, hosts over 40 public high schools and numerous private schools, serving 40,000+ K-12 students. The county’s high school graduation rate is around 85%, with 38% of adults holding at least a bachelor’s degree. School safety initiatives and comprehensive programs, including STEM and dual-credit courses, foster academic excellence. Average public school ratings (GreatSchools) range from 6-8/10. Adult education is supported by institutions like Clackamas Community College, offering GED and workforce training, further enhancing educational opportunities.

Clackamas County, OR, had an employment rate of 62.5% in 2022. Major industries include health care/social assistance (16.7%), retail trade (11.6%), and manufacturing (11.2%). The largest occupation types are management, business, and science (39.4%), and service occupations (15.5%). About 78% of workers commute by car, with an average commute time of 28 minutes; over 45% work outside the county, mainly commuting to Portland.

Clackamas County, OR, features a homeownership rate of about 71%, with median home values around $570,000 in 2023. Typical rents average $1,800/month for a 2-bedroom. The market saw 3-5% price appreciation year-over-year. Housing varies from suburban single-family homes in Happy Valley and West Linn to rural properties in Sandy. Popular neighborhoods include Lake Oswego and Milwaukie. Property taxes average 1.04% of assessed value. Detached homes compose the majority, with some apartments and townhomes concentrated near urban centers.

Elections

Clackamas County, Oregon, has over 297,000 registered voters as of 2024, with roughly 37% Democrat, 32% Republican, and 27% non-affiliated. Elections include local, state, and federal races, all conducted by mail; ballot drop sites number over 20 countywide. The County Clerk’s office oversees administration, ensuring secure processes. Key recent issues include housing and transportation. In the 2022 general election, voter turnout topped 67%. Major parties are Democratic and Republican, with increasing independent participation. Official results and polling locations are available online at the county elections website.

Demographics

As of 2023, Clackamas County, Oregon, has a population of approximately 425,000. The median age is 41.6 years. Gender distribution is nearly even: 49.6% male and 50.4% female. Racially, the county is 81% White, 10% Hispanic or Latino, 4% Asian, 1.6% Black or African American, 1% Native American, and 2.4% reporting two or more races.