Population 7,553 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Wallowa County
Household size in Wallowa County
| Period | Wallowa County | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.27 | 2.50 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.24 | 2.55 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.16 | 2.56 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.22 | 2.50 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.05 | +0.00 | −0.03 |
Wallowa County is a place of small households, averaging 2.22 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Since 2006–10, household size has edged down from 2.27, mirroring the country. Few Oregon counties have smaller households: only three of 36.
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 Wallowa County
| Period | Wallowa County | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 50.7 | 39.0 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 51.1 | 40.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 51.2 | 40.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 49.3 | 41.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | −1.5 | +2.5 | +2.3 |
Wallowa County skews older: half of its residents are older than 49.3, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. Since 2006–10, the median age has dropped from 50.7, even as the national median rose.
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 Wallowa County
| Period | Wallowa County | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.6% | 10.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 10.0% | 10.8% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.5% | 9.9% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.5% | 10.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | +1.9 pts | −0.1 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Wallowa County: 8.5% of households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share is up 1.9 points from 2006–10, even as the national share fell. Wallowa County has a lower share of single-parent households than the great majority of Oregon counties.
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 Wallowa County
Renters in Wallowa County
| Period | Wallowa County | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 25.3% | 36.2% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 29.7% | 38.5% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 30.3% | 37.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 27.5% | 36.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | +2.2 pts | +0.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Wallowa County own their homes; 27.5% rent, below the national share of 34.8%. Among homeowners, 53.5% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has risen 2.2 points since 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 Wallowa County
| Period | Wallowa County | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 25.4% | 8.9% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 24.4% | 9.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 21.1% | 8.3% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 21.5% | 7.4% | 9.6% |
| Change | −3.9 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 21.5% of the housing in Wallowa County, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy is down 3.9 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 Wallowa County
| Period | Wallowa County | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1967 | 1976 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1973 | 1977 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1968 | 1978 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1970 | 1981 | 1980 |
| Change | +3 | +5 | +6 |
Wallowa County is a place of older homes: half were built before 1970, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. The median year built has moved up from 1967 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the southeast, while the center has the oldest housing.
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 Wallowa County
| Period | Wallowa County | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $628 | $870 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $699 | $982 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $724 | $1,183 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,127 | $1,601 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$499 | +$731 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Wallowa County costs $1,127 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $499 a month since 2006–10, up 80%, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 28.5% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Rents run highest in the southeast and lowest in the center.
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 Wallowa County
Bachelor's degrees in Wallowa County
| Period | Wallowa County | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 22.4% | 29.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 25.6% | 30.2% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 26.8% | 33.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 38.7% | 36.4% | 35.6% |
| Change | +16.3 pts | +7.3 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are a bit more common in Wallowa County than nationally: 38.7% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 16.3 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the south and least in the west.
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 Wallowa County
| Period | Wallowa County | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 93.0% | 88.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 93.2% | 89.4% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 93.1% | 90.5% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 93.9% | 91.5% | 89.3% |
| Change | +0.9 pts | +3.0 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Wallowa County is above the national rate: 93.9% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has edged up 0.9 points, a smaller shift than nationally. Only three of Oregon's 36 counties have a higher 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 Wallowa County
| Period | Wallowa County | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.8% | 8.8% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 8.8% | 10.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.7% | 5.6% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.7% | 5.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −6.0 pts | −3.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Wallowa County runs below the national rate: 3.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 6.0 points, as it has nationally. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's 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).
Wallowa 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wallowa County | 2.22 | 49.3 | 8.5% | 27.5% | 21.5% | 1970 | $1,127 | 38.7% | 93.9% | 3.7% |
| Union County | 2.39 | 39.9 | 9.0% | 34.5% | 8.8% | 1971 | $1,039 | 26.0% | 93.6% | 5.6% |
| Gilliam County | 2.25 | 50.7 | 5.9% | 25.9% | 20.3% | 1971 | $1,174 | 20.6% | 88.3% | 2.6% |
| Sherman County | 2.40 | 43.8 | 9.4% | 34.1% | 17.0% | 1960 | $1,021 | 16.0% | 91.1% | 0.9% |
| Wasco County | 2.41 | 43.2 | 8.7% | 32.5% | 12.6% | 1970 | $1,125 | 22.0% | 85.7% | 8.0% |
| Clackamas County | 2.63 | 43.0 | 8.8% | 29.3% | 6.4% | 1985 | $1,847 | 40.3% | 94.7% | 4.3% |
| Multnomah County | 2.34 | 39.4 | 10.2% | 46.6% | 6.7% | 1969 | $1,755 | 47.6% | 91.9% | 5.6% |
| Madison County | 2.44 | 50.6 | 2.5% | 19.0% | 37.0% | 1995 | $1,165 | 32.7% | 93.6% | 3.0% |
| Washington County | 2.62 | 39.2 | 9.4% | 39.2% | 4.4% | 1989 | $1,997 | 47.6% | 92.6% | 4.4% |
| Tillamook County | 2.26 | 49.4 | 11.2% | 25.7% | 30.0% | 1978 | $1,263 | 26.9% | 90.5% | 4.8% |
| Carbon County | 2.39 | 52.1 | 5.9% | 22.0% | 24.6% | 1977 | $1,072 | 34.8% | 96.3% | 4.8% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Greer County, OK · Grant County, SD · Grant County, WV · Gray County, KS · Greeley County, KS · Greeley County, NE · Green County, KY · Greene County, AL · Greene County, IA · Greenlee County, AZ
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 Wallowa 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.
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