Population 1,485 · 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 Wheeler County: Best Neighborhoods · Walk Grade · Household income · Home prices · Race · Politics · Traffic noise · Internet
Population and households in Wheeler County
Household size in Wheeler County
| Period | Wheeler County | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.05 | 2.50 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 1.99 | 2.55 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.18 | 2.56 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.09 | 2.50 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.03 | +0.00 | −0.03 |
Wheeler County is a place of small households, averaging 2.09 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Only one other Oregon county has smaller 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 Wheeler County
| Period | Wheeler County | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 54.5 | 39.0 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 54.9 | 40.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 59.0 | 40.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 56.9 | 41.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.4 | +2.5 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 56.9, Wheeler County is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 54.5, but in a place this small, survey estimates can swing a lot from one release to the next. Only one other Oregon county is older.
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 Wheeler County
| Period | Wheeler County | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.1% | 10.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 4.3% | 10.8% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 7.5% | 9.9% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.3% | 10.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | −3.8 pts | −0.1 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Wheeler County: 3.3% of households, against 11.6% nationally. Wheeler County has the lowest share of single-parent households of any Oregon county.
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 Wheeler County
Renters in Wheeler County
| Period | Wheeler County | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 22.2% | 36.2% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 29.2% | 38.5% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 23.9% | 37.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 28.2% | 36.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | +6.0 pts | +0.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Nearly three in ten households in Wheeler County rent their homes (28.2%), below the national share of 34.8%; the rest own. Among homeowners, 55.3% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%.
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 Wheeler County
| Period | Wheeler County | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 29.6% | 8.9% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 26.8% | 9.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 33.3% | 8.3% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 19.0% | 7.4% | 9.6% |
| Change | −10.6 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Wheeler County: 19.0% of homes are empty, 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. Wheeler County has a higher vacancy rate than at least four in five Oregon counties.
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 Wheeler County
| Period | Wheeler County | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1963 | 1976 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1957 | 1977 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1967 | 1978 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1968 | 1981 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +5 | +6 |
Wheeler County is a place of older homes: half were built before 1968, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. Only three of Oregon's 36 counties have older homes.
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 Wheeler County
| Period | Wheeler County | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $585 | $870 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $567 | $982 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $643 | $1,183 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $929 | $1,601 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$344 | +$731 | +$606 |
The median renter in Wheeler County pays $929 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. The typical renter here spends 27.7% of household income on rent, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. Only three 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 Wheeler County
Bachelor's degrees in Wheeler County
| Period | Wheeler County | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.2% | 29.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 16.1% | 30.2% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 14.9% | 33.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 18.8% | 36.4% | 35.6% |
| Change | +0.6 pts | +7.3 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Wheeler County: 18.8% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. Wheeler County has a lower share of college graduates than at least four in five Oregon counties.
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 Wheeler County
| Period | Wheeler County | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 88.2% | 88.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 89.3% | 89.4% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 91.6% | 90.5% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 90.8% | 91.5% | 89.3% |
| Change | +2.6 pts | +3.0 pts | +4.3 pts |
About nine in ten adults in Wheeler County have finished high school (90.8%), a bit above the national rate of 89.3%. Oregon as a whole looks much the same.
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 Wheeler County
| Period | Wheeler County | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.7% | 8.8% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 8.7% | 10.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.4% | 5.6% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.6% | 5.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −4.1 pts | −3.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Wheeler County has been strong: just 2.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Few Oregon counties have lower unemployment: only three of 36. 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).
Wheeler 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheeler County | 2.09 | 56.9 | 3.3% | 28.2% | 19.0% | 1968 | $929 | 18.8% | 90.8% | 2.6% |
| Baker County | 2.25 | 46.4 | 8.1% | 28.5% | 12.9% | 1965 | $983 | 26.9% | 92.5% | 5.4% |
| Marion County | 2.76 | 38.5 | 13.3% | 37.7% | 5.3% | 1982 | $1,507 | 25.5% | 85.3% | 5.3% |
| Polk County | 2.71 | 38.8 | 11.0% | 35.3% | 6.2% | 1989 | $1,491 | 31.0% | 91.7% | 5.4% |
| Adams County | 2.66 | 53.1 | 3.5% | 15.3% | 32.1% | 1985 | $906 | 22.2% | 93.1% | 7.4% |
| Lincoln County | 2.23 | 51.8 | 9.7% | 28.5% | 25.8% | 1981 | $1,155 | 28.1% | 91.5% | 7.7% |
| Valley County | 2.95 | 47.7 | 3.2% | 18.1% | 63.7% | 1993 | $1,115 | 39.1% | 90.4% | 5.4% |
| Sheridan County | 2.33 | 42.6 | 5.9% | 29.3% | 9.3% | 1982 | $909 | 30.8% | 96.2% | 2.0% |
| Ziebach County | 3.23 | 36.5 | 27.3% | 42.9% | 16.9% | 1986 | $724 | 15.2% | 89.9% | 24.6% |
| Sully County | 2.41 | 46.1 | 4.0% | 27.2% | 31.5% | 1983 | $790 | 23.8% | 96.2% | 0.0% |
| Spink County | 2.44 | 45.6 | 4.4% | 27.3% | 18.4% | 1954 | $746 | 28.2% | 93.5% | 1.3% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Tyrrell County, NC · Carter County, MT · Castro County, TX · Catahoula Parish, LA · Catron County, NM · Cavalier County, ND · Ceiba Municipio, PR · Turner County, SD · Twiggs County, GA · Tyler County, WV
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 Wheeler 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.