Deschutes County Public RecordsOregon

As of 2023, Deschutes County, OR has an estimated population of about 210,000. The median age is 42 years. The gender split is roughly 50.5% female and 49.5% male. Racially, the county is 87% White, 1.1% Black, 1.7% Asian, 0.9% Native American, and 6.8% Hispanic or Latino (of any race). Other races and those identifying with two or more races comprise the remainder.

Deschutes County, OR, had 151,080 registered voters for the November 2022 general election. The county conducts elections for federal, state, and local offices, as well as ballot measures. In 2022, voter turnout was 71%. Major parties include Democrats, Republicans, and non-affiliated voters (the latter forming nearly 40% of registrants). Polling locations include 12 official drop sites and the County Clerk’s office. Key issues include land use, housing, and water resources. Elections are administered by the County Clerk, with verified results posted at www.deschutes.org/clerk.

Deschutes County, OR, boasts over 50 public schools, including 13 high schools, with a graduation rate of around 83%. Approximately 39% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Districts like Bend-La Pine Schools have average test scores above the state average, with SAT scores near 1130. School safety initiatives include resource officers and anti-bullying programs. Adult education is supported by Central Oregon Community College and OSU-Cascades. Enrichment programs emphasize STEM, arts, and career-technical education, preparing students for college and careers.

Deschutes County, OR, boasts an unemployment rate of approximately 3.5% (2023). Leading industries include healthcare and social assistance (15%), retail trade (13%), and accommodation and food services (11%). Most employees are in management, business, science, and arts occupations (38%). About 80% of workers commute by car, with an average travel time of 19 minutes; 75% work within the county while 25% commute to other areas, notably Bend and Redmond.

Deschutes County, OR, has a homeownership rate of about 70%, with median home values around $600,000 as of 2024. Median monthly rent is approximately $2,200. Recent years have seen double-digit property value appreciation, though growth is leveling. Housing options include single-family homes, townhouses, and condos, with popular neighborhoods like Bend, Redmond, and Sisters. Property taxes average 1.04% of assessed value. The area attracts buyers for its scenic amenities and growing job market, though affordability challenges persist for many renters and first-time buyers.

Deschutes County, OR, experienced a crime rate of 26.7 per 1,000 residents in 2023, lower than the national average. Violent crime, including assault and robbery, accounted for 2.5 per 1,000, while property crime, such as burglary and theft, was at 24.2 per 1,000. The county’s law enforcement agencies report regular crime statistics, with most incidents concentrated in urban areas like Bend. Overall, residents report feeling safe, with a clearance rate of 24% for major crimes, and community policing efforts contribute to maintaining low crime rates.