Fossil, OR

Oregon

Fossil is a small town in Oregon with a population of 448. Residents earn $48,438 per year, which is 36% below the national average.

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
448 Population 574/sq mi density
$48,438 Median Income $31,690 per capita
$143,800 Home Value $257,725 Zillow
$752 Median Rent
47°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.6 / 5.0
$48,438 median income, 1.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$143,800 home value, $752/mo rent
C+
Education
2.8 / 5.0
23.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $48,438
36% lower than US avg
Home Value $143,800
49% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 23.0%
32% lower than US avg
Median Rent $752
35% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.6%
14% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.2%
67% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 12.0%
3% lower than US avg

How Fossil Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population448
Median Age53.7 yrs
Density574/mi²
Male / Female43% / 57%
Largest GroupWhite 95%

Economy

B+
Median Income$48,438
Per Capita$31,690
Unemployment1.2%
Poverty12.0%
County GDP$52M
Commute11 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$143,800
Rent$752
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$257,725

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity36.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression30.2%
Heart Disease6.1%

Climate

Avg Temp47°F
AQI32 (Good)
Rain15.1 in/yr
Elevation2,658 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+23.0%
High School+85.7%
School Score5.14

Community

2024 VoteR 71% / D 24%
Commute11 min
EV Stations1
Libraries1

Is Fossil a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Fossil receives an overall livability score of 3.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Fossil offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Fossil is $48,438, 36% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.2%. 12.0% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 11 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Fossil is $143,800, 49% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $752 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

23.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 85.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.1/10.

Climate & Weather

Fossil experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 15.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.

Fossil has a population of 448 with a density of 574 people per square mile. The median age is 53.7 years, 38% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (94.6%), with 1.3% Hispanic.

Population

448
Total Population
574
People / sq mi
53.7yrs
Median Age
38% above US avg
0.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 43.1%
Female 56.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Fossil vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.5%
25% above US avg
Spanish1.5%
89% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Fossil vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Fossil is $48,438, which is 36% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 12.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 11 minutes.

Income: Fossil vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$48,438
36% below US avg
Per Capita Income$31,690
Avg Weekly Wage$820
IRS Avg AGI$48,653

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.2%
67% below US avg
Poverty Rate12.0%
3% below US avg
Establishments (County)72
County GDP$52M

Business (County)

Restaurants4
Retail7

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time11.1 min
Work from Home10.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Fossil is $143,800, 49% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $752 (35% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $257,725.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$143,800
49% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$257,725

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$752
35% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,051
1 Bedroom$1,143
2 Bedrooms$1,425
3 Bedrooms$1,963
4 Bedrooms$2,318

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied77.6%

Property Tax

In Fossil, 36.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 30.2% report depression. 21.9% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Fossil vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.6%
14% above US avg
Diabetes10.4%
Heart Disease6.1%
High Blood Pressure31.4%
Asthma13.1%
COPD7.7%
Stroke3.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.3%
Physical Inactivity21.9%
Depression30.2%
Mental Distress21.1%
Physical Distress15.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.7%
Checkup Rate70.1%
Premature Death4,380/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment3.2/10
Exercise Access12.6%

Crime Rates: Fossil vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Fossil has an average annual temperature of 47°F (9°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. Annual precipitation is 15.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.

Temperature

34°F Jan (1°C) 65°F Jul (18°C)
Annual Average47.4°F
12% below US avg
January Average34°F (1°C)
July Average65°F (18°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall15.1 inches
60% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median32.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation2,658 ft (810 m)
Area0.8 sq mi (2.0 km²)
Population Density574/sq mi
Coordinates44.9981°N, 120.2146°W
County FIPS41069
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 23.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (32% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 47.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 71.4%
D 24.3%

Winner: Republican by 47.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+23.0%
32% below US avg
High School+85.7%
School Test Score5.14
C+ Education Grade (2.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density574/sq mi
Total Area0.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries1
Restaurants4
Retail Stores7

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute11.1 min
Work from Home10.8%

Nearby Cities

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