The proportion of owner-occupied real estate in Benton County, Oregon (57 percent) is lower than the state average (64 percent) for the best of all possible reasons. Benton County--specifically, the city of Corvallis--is home to Oregon State University. Where there are colleges, there is rental property.

About Real Estate in Benton County, Oregon

The county encompasses about 675 square miles, of which 500 acres are university property. Its population density is higher than the state's average of 35 people per square mile. About 115 people per square mile occupy residential real estate in Benton County, Oregon. There are two reasons for this. First is that Willamette Valley is home to most Oregon residents. It has been since long before it became a state in 1859, since the first settlers made their way along the Oregon Trail in 1846. Second is the university.

Neighboring Linn County, for example, has about 45 people per square mile. Just to put things in perspective, the Portland OR-Vancouver WA greater metropolitan area has about 1,517. To put that into perspective, San Francisco County has about 16,634. All told, there are approximately 80,000 residents of Benton County. According to the most recent U.S. Census data, they live in approximately 33,000 residential dwellings. Of these, just under 30 percent are rental property, thanks in largest part to the university in Corvallis.

The median price of real estate in Benton County, Oregon is--per the most recent U.S. census data--about $152,000. Statistical averages being what they are, however, as you shop for houses chances are better that you'll see something different. The range for a three-bedroom house varies somewhat across the valley. In the Portland area it begins at $150,000. In Eugene it begins around $170,000. In Benton County, it runs from about $120,000 to $550,000.