Downtown La Grande. (Oregon State Archives Scenic Images collection)
Contact
County Seat: Union County Commissioners, 1106 K Ave., La Grande 97850
Phone: 541-963-1001 (General); 541-962-9500, ext. 232 (Court Administrator)
Email: webmaster@union-county.org
Web: unioncountyor.gov
About
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: $2,448,455,383
Real Market Value: $4,116,327,774
(includes the value of non-taxed properties)
Annual Precipitation: 18.79"
Economy: Agriculture, forest products, education and government
Related Resources
Historical Records Inventory
Union County Scenic Images
"County QuickFacts" (population and economic data from U.S. Census Bureau)
County Seat Map (from Google Maps)
County Map (from ODOT)
Incorporated Cities
Cove | Elgin | Imbler | Island City | La Grande | North Powder | Summerville | Union
Points of Interest
Meacham and Tollgate winter sports areas, Grande Ronde Valley, Eastern Oregon University (La Grande)
History and General Information
Situated between the Blue and Wallowa mountains, Union County was created in 1864. It was named for the town of Union, which references the Union states of the Civil War. In 1899 Union County gave up its eastern portion to Wallowa County.
The Grande Ronde Valley in Union County is nearly a tableland and is covered with the rich silt of an old lake bed. With a 160-day growing season and an annual rainfall of nearly 20 inches, the valley boasts of never having general crop failure.
Union County’s initial economic interest was mining, but most of the mines in the area were annexed by Baker County in 1901. Agriculture, timber and wind energy drive the local economy now. The nearby mountains and streams provide excellent hunting, fishing, skiing and camping, which draw tourism to the area.
County Officials
Commissioners: Chair Paul Anderes (2027); Matt Scarfo (2027), Jake Seavert (2029); Dist. Atty. Kelsie McDaniel (2027); Assess. Cody Vavra (2029); Clerk Lisa Feik (2027); Justice of the Peace J. Logan Joseph (2029); Sheriff Cody Bowen (2029); Surv. Jeffery Hsu (2029); Treas. Camee Jensen (2027); Co. Admin. and Chief Info. Officer Shelley Burgess