Population 31,954 · Census ACS 2020–24
Choose a measure to map it.Tap a measure to map it. Swipe the row for more. Arrows show the change since 2006–10.
Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
Younger residents
Older residents
Colorblind friendly
off
More maps of Malheur County: Best Neighborhoods · Walk Grade · Household income · Home prices · Race · Politics · Traffic noise · Internet
Population and households in Malheur County
Household size in Malheur County
| Period | Malheur County | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.65 | 2.50 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.65 | 2.55 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.63 | 2.56 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.76 | 2.50 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.12 | +0.00 | −0.03 |
The typical household in Malheur County holds 2.76 people, slightly more than the U.S. average of 2.65. Household size has climbed from 2.65 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell. Only two of Oregon's 36 counties have larger households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Malheur County
| Period | Malheur County | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 36.6 | 39.0 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 36.5 | 40.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 37.6 | 40.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 36.2 | 41.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | −0.4 | +2.5 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Malheur County is 36.2 years old, a few years younger than the national median of 40.1. Since 2006–10, the median age has edged down from 36.6, even as the national median rose. Malheur County has the youngest population of any Oregon county.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Malheur County
| Period | Malheur County | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.9% | 10.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 11.8% | 10.8% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 13.9% | 9.9% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 15.0% | 10.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | +3.0 pts | −0.1 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head just over one in seven households in Malheur County (15.0%), well above the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has risen 3.0 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell. Only two of Oregon's 36 counties have a higher share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Malheur County
Renters in Malheur County
| Period | Malheur County | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 35.4% | 36.2% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 39.6% | 38.5% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 41.7% | 37.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 36.8% | 36.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | +1.4 pts | +0.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting in Malheur County is about as common as it is nationally: 36.8% of households rent, against 34.8%. About half of owners (50.7%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the east and least common in the north. The renter share is up 1.4 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Malheur County
| Period | Malheur County | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.8% | 8.9% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 14.0% | 9.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 16.7% | 8.3% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 12.8% | 7.4% | 9.6% |
| Change | −2.0 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy runs high in Malheur County: 12.8% of homes are empty, against 9.6% nationally. The count includes vacation homes and homes between owners or tenants, not just abandoned ones. Vacancy is down 2.0 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Malheur County
| Period | Malheur County | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1968 | 1976 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1969 | 1977 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1971 | 1978 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1972 | 1981 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +5 | +6 |
Housing in Malheur County leans older: the median home dates to 1972, against 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1968 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Malheur County
| Period | Malheur County | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $609 | $870 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $619 | $982 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $699 | $1,183 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $843 | $1,601 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$234 | +$731 | +$606 |
The median renter in Malheur County pays $843 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $234 a month since 2006–10, up 38%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 26.9% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Only two of Oregon's 36 counties have lower rents.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Malheur County
Bachelor's degrees in Malheur County
| Period | Malheur County | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.9% | 29.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 13.8% | 30.2% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 14.5% | 33.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 15.4% | 36.4% | 35.6% |
| Change | +0.5 pts | +7.3 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Malheur County have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 15.4%, against 35.6% nationally. The share with a degree has edged up 0.5 points since 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally. Only one other Oregon county has a lower share of college graduates.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Malheur County
| Period | Malheur County | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 78.5% | 88.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 79.7% | 89.4% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 80.5% | 90.5% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 82.1% | 91.5% | 89.3% |
| Change | +3.5 pts | +3.0 pts | +4.3 pts |
Just over one in six adults in Malheur County never finished high school, well above the national share: only 82.1% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 3.5 points, mirroring the country. Only one other Oregon county has a lower share of high school graduates.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Malheur County
| Period | Malheur County | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.8% | 8.8% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 12.6% | 10.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.2% | 5.6% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.7% | 5.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −5.1 pts | −3.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
Jobs have been a little easier to find in Malheur County than nationally: unemployment was 4.7%, against 5.4%. Unemployment has fallen 5.1 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Malheur County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malheur County | 2.76 | 36.2 | 15.0% | 36.8% | 12.8% | 1972 | $843 | 15.4% | 82.1% | 4.7% |
| Payette County | 2.78 | 39.8 | 8.6% | 25.5% | 6.9% | 1980 | $912 | 16.5% | 85.7% | 3.4% |
| Gem County | 2.74 | 44.3 | 10.5% | 24.0% | 4.9% | 1985 | $1,059 | 20.0% | 89.4% | 3.0% |
| Boise County | 2.32 | 52.0 | 5.6% | 9.7% | 32.9% | 1989 | $1,015 | 31.0% | 96.2% | 3.4% |
| Deschutes County | 2.46 | 43.8 | 9.2% | 30.0% | 10.8% | 1997 | $1,910 | 44.4% | 95.4% | 4.2% |
| Madison County | 4.15 | 22.9 | 4.6% | 59.8% | 23.4% | 1996 | $1,057 | 29.5% | 98.5% | 9.2% |
| Fremont County | 2.92 | 40.0 | 9.2% | 17.4% | 18.3% | 1975 | $919 | 22.8% | 91.2% | 3.8% |
| Lane County | 2.40 | 42.1 | 10.2% | 40.3% | 6.2% | 1979 | $1,423 | 34.3% | 93.3% | 6.4% |
| Washakie County | 2.25 | 45.1 | 7.2% | 25.8% | 14.1% | 1970 | $723 | 22.9% | 90.5% | 2.9% |
| Weston County | 2.31 | 45.9 | 9.5% | 13.2% | 16.2% | 1976 | $753 | 20.8% | 91.3% | 1.4% |
| Pennington County | 2.41 | 40.7 | 10.2% | 30.7% | 10.8% | 1985 | $1,202 | 34.6% | 94.4% | 3.2% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Caroline County, MD · Vega Alta Municipio, PR · Van Wert County, OH · Uvalde County, TX · Utuado Municipio, PR · Upson County, GA · Upshur County, WV · Union County, SC · Union County, OR · Union County, MS
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Malheur County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
No other site shows detail at this level for free. We are able to keep this site free by receiving a small commission from the referring links on this page. Please share or cite this page if you aren’t able to otherwise support our work.