Contact
Downtown La Grande. (Oregon State Archives Photo)
County Seat: Union County Commissioners, 1106 K Ave., La Grande 97850
Phone: 541-963-1001 (General); 541-962-9500, ext. 232 (Court Administrator)
Fax: 541-963-1079
About
Population (2020): 26,840
Established: Oct. 14, 1864
Elev. at La Grande: 2,788'
Area: 2,038 sq. mi.
Average Temp.: January 30.9° July 70.4°
Assessed Value: $2,148,757,626
Real Market Value: $3,484,319,810
(includes the value of non-taxed properties)
Annual Precipitation: 18.79"
Economy: Agriculture, forest products, education and government
Related Resources
Incorporated Cities
Points of Interest
Meacham and Tollgate winter sports areas, Grande Ronde Valley, Eastern Oregon University (La Grande)
History and General Information
Union County was created in 1864 and named for the town of Union, which had been established two years before and named by its founders for patriotic reasons during the Civil War. The county comprised a part of the northern portion of Baker County. In 1899, Union County gave up its eastern portion to Wallowa County.
The Grande Ronde Valley in Union County is nearly table flat and is covered with the rich silt of an old lake bed. Highly diversified, with a 160-day growing season and an annual rainfall of 20 inches, the valley boasts of never having had a general crop failure. The county’s 1,092 farms average 473 acres a unit.
Union County’s front door opens to the rugged Wallowa Mountains. Its back door faces the Blue Mountains, which attract hikers, skiers and hunters.
County Officials
Commissioners—Chair Paul Anderes 2023, Donna Beverage 2025, Matt Scarfo 2023; Dist. Atty. Kelsie McDaniel 2023; Assess. Cody Vavra 2025; Clerk Robin Church 2025; Sheriff Cody Bowen 2025; Surv. Rick Robinson 2025; Treas. Donna Marshall 2025; Co. Admin. and Chief Info. Officer Shelley Burgess