Pilot Rock is a city in Umatilla County, Oregon, United States. The population was 1,328 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Pendleton–Hermiston Micropolitan Statistical Area. The main industries are timber and agriculture. Pilot Rock is home to Pilot Rock High School. The name of Pilot Rock refers to a large basalt rock formation which is visible from the old Oregon Trail and was used in navigating wagon trains through the area.

Official town website ↗

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

Town numbers

ZIP code97868

Area code541

Living in Pilot Rock

Housing in Pilot Rock

$249K▲ 6.3% in a year Typical home value · Zillow

The typical Pilot Rock home is worth about $249,000, up 6.3% in a year, 50% below the Oregon typical home.

Only 1 sale in May 2026, too few for a market read. The typical value is the steadier guide.

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →

Safety in Pilot Rock

—

Not graded

A grade needs all of the FBI's latest years (2023–2025). Pilot Rock's police department reported only 2023 and 2024, so we don't grade it yet. The figures below are still real.

Violent crime per 1,000

Pilot Rock 3.1

Oregon 3.4

U.S. 3.6

Property crime per 1,000

Pilot Rock 8.5

Oregon 24.5

U.S. 17.7

FBI crime data, 2024 · crimes reported to policeCrime & safety →

Work & commute in Pilot Rock

Full picture →

Most working residents leave Pilot Rock for work: only 10% work in town. The top destinations are Pendleton (38%), Mission (6%) and Portland (5%). Half commute less than 14 miles.

Pendleton

38%

Mission

Portland

La Grande

10%Work in townlive and work in Pilot Rock 14 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 229Jobs based herea commuter town

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Pilot Rock →

Health in Pilot Rock

Health Grade B

Healthier than 58% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates.

Compared with Oregon

1better than OR·2worse

of 26 measures CDC estimates. The other 23 are too close to call.

Conditions 2▼ 10 close Habits all close Care 1▲ 6 close Mind all close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

75%More adults treating high blood pressureOR 71.4% · better 31.9%More adults with arthritisOR 27.4% · worse

Care nearby

St. Anthony HospitalPendleton · 12.3 mi · ER · rural critical access

Mirasol Family Health CenterHermiston · 33.7 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careShortage · county-wide

DentalShortage · county-wide

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CDC's estimate for Pilot Rock · CMS · HRSAHealth in Pilot Rock →

Natural hazards in Pilot Rock

Very high

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 87% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding🔥 Wildfire🥶 Cold waves

4Does Pilot Rock flood?paid flood claims since 2020 1Disasters that paid out herefederal disaster sent FEMA money to Pilot Rock

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Pilot Rock →

Climate in Pilot Rock

Full climate →

Pilot Rock has chilly winters and warm summers, with very little rain. A typical July afternoon reaches 89°, a January night drops to 27°, and about 10 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

45° / 27°Winter

63° / 37°Spring

85° / 51°Summer

65° / 37°Fall

How much snow does Pilot Rock get?About 10 inches a winter.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Oct 4, with the last in spring around May 7.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+1.9° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Pilot Rock →

Schools in Pilot Rock

All Pilot Rock schools →

School Grade C

The public schools Pilot Rock’s kids attend trail 74% of Oregon’s districts on state tests. Among towns with similar incomes, they rank near the bottom.

DistrictPilot Rock SD 2Schools2

Pilot Rock Elementary School C+Elementary · Grades K–6 · 136 students Pilot Rock High School C+High · Grades 7–12 · 149 students

School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results, graded within OR. Ratings are from neighbors.