Income and Poverty in the State of Oregon

Compared to other States throughout the nation, the State of Oregon accounted a medium-high median income for households of $47,872 (Adjusted to 2005 Dollars). This is 2.6 percent lower than the median household income level in the US of $49,133.

When put side-by-side with other States throughout the United States, the State of Oregon may be understood as having a medium-high rate of poverty among the people, accounting a rate of 11.6 percent of the individuals existing in families with incomes under the poverty level in 1999. The Hispanic race/ethnicity population cohort, has the uppermost poverty rate with 24.9 percent of the 2000 population living in poverty. People that are of the age Under 5 years are experiencing most percent people in poverty in Oregon, with 17.4 percent of the population in this age category living in poverty.

According to the 2000 Census, the counties in the State of Oregon range, in terms of total household income, from a high of $60,983 in Washington County to a low of $33,638 in Wheeler County.

Top ten counties in highest household income in the State of Oregon
Total Annual Household Income (Adjusted to 2005 Dollars)

1. Washington County ($60,983)
2. Clackamas County ($60,934 )
3. Columbia County ($53,582)
4. Yamhill County ($51,610)
5. Polk County ($49,504)
6. Benton County ($49,019)
7. Deschutes County ($48,961)
8. Multnomah County ($48,295)
9. Marion County ($47,167)
10. Hood River County ($44,841)


The poverty rate in the State of Oregon has increased by 2.5 percent from the levels reported in the Decennial Census of 2000, moving from 11.6 percent to 14.1 percent.

The median household income in the area has declined from the 2000 values (inflation adjusted). The median income has decreased to $42,944, posting a 10.3 percent decline. The State of Oregon ranks 4 of 46 states in terms of the decline in household income across the nation.

According to the 2000 Census, the counties in the State of Oregon range, in terms of rate a poverty, from a high of 18.6 percent in Malheur County to a low of 6.6 percent in Clackamas County.

Top ten counties in terms of poverty rate in the State of Oregon
Total Percent of Population Living Below Poverty

1. Malheur County (18.6 percent)
2. Klamath County (16.8 )
3. Lake County (16.1 percent)
4. Wheeler County (15.6 percent)
5. Coos County (15 percent)
6. Josephine County (15 percent)
7. Morrow County (14.8 percent)
8. Baker County (14.7 percent)
9. Jefferson County (14.6 percent)
10. Sherman County (14.6 percent)


As the median income level saw a decline during the period of 2000 to 2005 in the State of Oregon, the Race/Ethnicity group that experienced the largest decline in median income was the American Indian and Alaska Native Race/Ethnicity category. This group experienced a decline of 43.8 percent in the last five years. The White population group was least impacted by the household income decline in Oregon, encountering a 23.2 percent increase in median household income from 2000 to 2005.

It was reported in 2000 that the Asian headed households had median household incomes of $54,937. This household income level is 14.8 percent greater than the reported median household income, in the state, for all households. The American Indian and Alaska Native headed households in Oregon reported an income level of $35,960, this median was 24.9 percent less than the median for all households. Black or African American householders reported a median household income that was 25.6 percent less than the overall reported level in 2000, with a reported median of $35,611. Hispanic households in Oregon, as reported in 2000, had a median household income of $37,339, this median household income is 22 percent less than the areas median income level for all households. In the State of Oregon, White headed households reported household income (in 2005 Dollars) of $48,665 according to the Decennial Census of 2000, which was 1.7 percent greater than the median household income in 2000.

Datasource: U.S. Bureau of the Census. 2000 Decennial Census. 2005 American Community Survey.