Fossil, OR
Full City Profile · Oregon · Wheeler County County
3.7
/5.0
B+
Good
448
Population
574/sq mi density
$48,438
Median Income
$31,690 per capita
$143,800
Home Value
$273,800 Zillow
$752
Median Rent
19.8% income on rent
47°F
Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$48,438 median income, 3.3% 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
Fossil experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 15.0 inches. The area receives 25.5 inches of snow annually.
Temperature
34°F Jan (1°C)
65°F Jul (18°C)
| Annual Average | 47.4°F |
| 12% below US avg | |
| January Average | 34°F (1°C) |
| July Average | 65°F (18°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,658 ft (810 m) |
| Area | 0.3 sq mi (0.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 574/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.9981°N, 120.2146°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Wheeler County County |
| Nearest Airport | Columbia Gorge Regional/The Dalles Municipal (DLS) 63 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 7.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 75.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 11.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Nearby Volcanoes
11 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Hood (123 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Hood | Stratovolcano | 3,426 m (11,240 ft) | 1866 | 123 km |
| Jefferson | Stratovolcano | 3,199 m (10,495 ft) | 950 | 130 km |
| Belknap | Shield(s) | 2,095 m (6,873 ft) | 480 | 151 km |
| Sand Mountain Field | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 1,664 m (5,459 ft) | -950 | 152 km |
| Three Sisters | Complex | 3,159 m (10,364 ft) | 440 | 156 km |
| Indian Heaven | Shield(s) | 1,806 m (5,925 ft) | -6250 | 163 km |
| Bachelor | Stratovolcano | 2,763 m (9,065 ft) | -5800 | 163 km |
| Newberry | Shield | 2,434 m (7,986 ft) | 690 | 163 km |
| Adams | Stratovolcano | 3,742 m (12,277 ft) | 950 | 167 km |
| Devils Garden | Volcanic field | 1,698 m (5,571 ft) | Unknown | 173 km |
| West Crater | Volcanic field | 1,329 m (4,360 ft) | -5750 | 176 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP). Sorted by distance.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 34°F (1°C) | 1.4 in | |
| February | 36°F (2°C) | 1.2 in | |
| March | 40°F (4°C) | 1.5 in | |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 1.4 in | |
| May | 52°F (11°C) | 2.1 in | Wettest |
| June | 58°F (14°C) | 1.3 in | |
| July | 65°F (18°C) | 0.4 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 65°F (18°C) | 0.6 in | |
| September | 57°F (14°C) | 0.6 in | |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 1.5 in | |
| November | 38°F (4°C) | 1.4 in | |
| December | 33°F (0°C) | 1.8 in | Coldest |
Fossil has a seasonal temperature swing of 33°F / from 33°F in December to 65°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.1 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.1") and July the driest (0.4").