Umatilla County

Umatilla County is an administrative division in northeastern Oregon that extends across thousands of square miles and encompasses several cities from the Columbia River to the Blue Mountains. The region connects settlements of different sizes and shapes the character of eastern Oregon.

The area was established as an administrative district in 1862, emerging from the overlap of tribal territories and European settlement patterns. This founding marked a turning point in how the region organized itself between established communities and newcomers.

Pendleton, the county seat, preserves regional traditions through annual rodeos and agricultural fairs that draw participants from multiple states. These events shape the community's identity and reflect deep ties to rural life.

Administrative services for elections, marriage licenses, and property records are available to residents through local offices or online. County buildings are located in and around Pendleton and are accessible during regular business hours.

The region served as a significant crossroads along historic trade routes that connected Indigenous peoples, fur traders, and later settlers. This meeting point of pathways shaped the area's early character and economic life.

Location: Oregon

Inception: 1862

Capital city: Pendleton

Shares border with: Benton County, Walla Walla County, Columbia County, Wallowa County, Union County, Grant County, Morrow County

Website: http://co.umatilla.or.us

GPS coordinates: 45.37513,-118.75137

Latest update: December 20, 2025 15:41