The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 97846 sells for about $649,900, or $255 per square foot.
Prices are up +2.4% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 120 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $1,450 a month.
ZIP 97846 — Joseph
The housing market in 97846 remains stable with high price points driven by limited inventory and strong demand for lifestyle properties. While sales volume is low, values have continued to appreciate modestly, reflecting the area's appeal as a destination market.
This ZIP is ideal for retirees, remote workers seeking mountain lifestyle, and outdoor enthusiasts, while offering limited appeal to traditional commuters due to its remote location.
Median prices moved up 2.4% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 120 days on market with 9.3 months of supply — a slower-moving market.
15% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 96.5% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 4.1% · poverty 9.8% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 11.4%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 9.2%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
net influx — more people moved in than out
ZCTA 97846, Wallowa County OR
ACS 2024 5-year estimates. Aggregate published statistics for this ZIP — never individual records, and never an attribute of any individual property or resident.
Crime rates in Joseph are significantly lower than the national average, with property and violent crime incidents remaining rare in this rural mountain community.
The area is served by the Joseph School District, which maintains a strong reputation for small class sizes and high graduation rates, though extracurricular options are limited by the district's small size.
The region faces elevated wildfire risks during summer months, necessitating proactive defensible space management for residential properties and influencing local insurance availability.
Economic momentum is driven primarily by tourism, outdoor recreation, and small-scale agriculture, with limited large-scale industrial or corporate development.
Property taxes are assessed by Wallowa County based on real market value; there are no local sales taxes, but residents are subject to standard Oregon state income tax rates.
Commuting is primarily local within Wallowa County; travel to larger employment hubs like La Grande requires a drive of over an hour.
The area is a premier destination for outdoor enthusiasts, featuring immediate access to Wallowa Lake, the Eagle Cap Wilderness, and numerous hiking trails, alongside a historic downtown with art galleries and local dining.
The rental market is tight with low vacancy rates, heavily influenced by seasonal demand and a significant portion of housing stock utilized for short-term vacation rentals.
The local economy is anchored by tourism, the arts, and agriculture, with limited diversification into other sectors.
Public transit is minimal; the area is served by regional highways with no major rail or air infrastructure.
Development is strictly managed by local zoning to preserve the rural and historic character of the Joseph area.
The Wallowa County Assessor manages property valuations, typically conducting reappraisals to align with market trends.
Parcels are subject to standard school district and county-level service taxes; no major MUDs or PIDs are present.
Property insurance premiums are rising due to regional wildfire exposure and the increasing cost of construction in remote areas.
Data retrieved from US Census Bureau ACS tables for ZCTA 97846.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
- Wallowa Lake Trailhead4.81.3 mi
- Joseph Branch Railriders4.87.5 mi
- JO Paddle North End Meeting4.85.9 mi
- Joseph City Park4.86.9 mi
- The Bookloft4.812.7 mi
- Wallowa Lake State Park4.82.3 mi
- Wallowa Lake Trailhead4.81.3 mi
- Joseph City Park4.86.9 mi
- Wallowa Lake Marina4.82.5 mi
- Wallowa Lake4.94.3 mi
- Safeway412.9 mi
Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area from Google Maps, ranked by popularity within the radius shown.
A major recreational anchor offering boating, fishing, and swimming.
Extensive trail system for hiking and backpacking.
Historic district known for bronze foundries and art galleries.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.