Commute
High scores in the commute category could indicate that this area offers short commute times to work and readily available public transportation options.
Cost Of Living
Residents in this area benefit from an affordable cost of living. This includes goods and services, transportation, housing, utilities, groceries and healthcare.
Crime
This area is characterized by a crime rate, per 100,000 individuals, that falls well below the national average, indicating its potential as a very safe place to live.
Housing
The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Amenities
It appears that many amenities may not be conveniently situated within walking distance, potentially necessitating the use of a vehicle or public transit.
Schools
Factors such as lower than average graduation rates, lackluster reading and math scores and the limited accessibility of local elementary and high schools could contribute to the low schools score.
Ratings
Polls and surveys done by AreaVibes among area residents did not yield positive feedback when it came to the walkability of amenities, safety, nearby parks and the overall sense of community.
Independence is a mid-sized city located in the state of Oregon. The city has a population of 10,178 people. In Independence, there are 3,413 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. According to the most recent Census, 79% of Independence residents are White, 0% Black and 0% Asian. Additionally, more than a quarter of the population of Independence are of Hispanic or Latino origin, and 26% of the population also speak Spanish. Independence could be a great place for young adults and students as the average age of 28 years old is below the nation’s average. Independence is not known to have a high population (over 15 years old) of married people. At only 45% married, this city falls well below the national average. Long travel times to work can be one of the most frustrating things in the world - right behind housework! If you decide that living in Independence is the right fit for you, your one way commute time will average 25 minutes, which is about average when compared to the national commute time of 26 minutes.
Whether you’re relocating to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Independence could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Oregon if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. Finding the best places to live in Independence and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes amenities, crime, cost of living, education, housing and other important metrics.
Independence has a livability score of 66/100 and is ranked #170 in Oregon and #10,235 in the USA. If we take a closer look at each of the categories on their own, we see that Independence ranks well for crime (A), cost of living (B) and housing (A+). There are some categories that Independence scores poorly for, including: amenities (F), education (F) and employment (D). It might be worth taking a closer look to determine why.
Ensuring a sense of security is paramount for the majority of residents in any area. Low crime rates exert a positive influence on various aspects, including home prices, rates of home appreciation and the cultivation of positive community dynamics and social cohesion. In the case of Independence, it boasts a notably low violent crime rate of 164 crimes per 100,000 residents, which significantly outperforms the national average.
Finding affordable real estate and housing in Independence can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.
Assuming that Independence meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Independence. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Independence are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Independence come in at $220,100, which is 11% lower than the Oregon average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Independence, the home price to income ratio is 4, which is 13% lower than the Oregon average.
| Statistic | Independence | Oregon | National |
| Average one way commute | 25min | 23min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 73.9% | 71.4% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 17.0% | 10.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.0% | 4.4% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 1.5% | 2.4% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 3.2% | 3.9% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 4.3% | 6.4% | 4.6% |
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