Wasco County, OR

County

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2021 Population

26,603

1.25% 1-year growth

US Senator

Ron Wyden

Democratic Party

US Senator

Jeff Merkley

Democratic Party

2021 Median Age

40.3

0.249% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

9.72%

11% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$57,853

5.72% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$253,700

9.92% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

11,994

2.61% 1-year growth

About

In 2021, Wasco County, OR had a population of 26.6k people with a median age of 40.3 and a median household income of $57,853. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Wasco County, OR grew from 26,274 to 26,603, a 1.25% increase and its median household income grew from $54,725 to $57,853, a 5.72% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Wasco County, OR are White (Non-Hispanic) (73.2%), White (Hispanic) (10.2%), Two+ (Hispanic) (5.05%), Other (Hispanic) (3.85%), and Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (3.54%).

None of the households in Wasco County, OR reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

93.4% of the residents in Wasco County, OR are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Wasco County, OR are Columbia Gorge Community College (164 degrees awarded in 2021).

In 2021, the median property value in Wasco County, OR was $253,700, and the homeownership rate was 65.8%.

Most people in Wasco County, OR drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 17.8 minutes. The average car ownership in Wasco County, OR was 2 cars per household.

Wasco County, OR borders Clackamas County, OR, Gilliam County, OR, Hood River County, OR, Jefferson County, OR, Marion County, OR, Sherman County, OR, Wheeler County, OR, and Klickitat County, WA.

About the photo: 3rd Wasco County Courthouse (1914), The Dalles OR

Photo by Keith Ewing

United States Oregon The Dalles, OR

Population & Diversity

Wasco County, OR is home to a population of 26.6k people, from which 93.4% are citizens. As of 2021, 9.17% of Wasco County, OR residents were born outside of the country (2.44k people).

In 2021, there were 7.15 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (19.5k people) in Wasco County, OR than any other race or ethnicity. There were 2.72k White (Hispanic) and 1.34k Two+ (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

93.4%

2021 Citizenship

93.5%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 93.4% of Wasco County, OR residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Wasco County, OR was 93.5%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Wasco County, OR compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Wasco County, OR

White (Non-Hispanic)
19.5k ± 58
White (Hispanic)
2.72k ± 439
Two+ (Hispanic)
1.34k ± 429

19.4%

Hispanic Population

5.16k people

19.4% of the people in Wasco County, OR are hispanic (5.16k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Wasco County, OR as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Oregon.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
142,354 ± 9,105 people
Vietnam
23,437 ± 3,748 people
China
22,282 ± 3,655 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Oregon was Mexico, the natal country of 142,354 Oregon residents, followed by Vietnam with 23,437 and China with 22,282.

Foreign-Born Population

9.17%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

2.44k people

8.93%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

2.35k people

As of 2021, 9.17% of Wasco County, OR residents (2.44k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Wasco County, OR was 8.93%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Wasco County, OR compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
762 ± 128
Gulf War (2001-)
409 ± 123
Gulf War (1990s)
354 ± 105

Wasco County, OR has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.86 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Wasco County, OR employs 12k people. The largest industries in Wasco County, OR are Health Care & Social Assistance (2,077 people), Retail Trade (1,575 people), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (1,128 people), and the highest paying industries are Information ($66,875), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($66,471), and Utilities ($62,450).

Males in Oregon have an average income that is 1.27 times higher than the average income of females, which is $58,491. The income inequality in Oregon (measured using the Gini index) is 0.462, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

12k

2021 Value

± 718

2.61%

1 Year growth

± 8.16%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Wasco County, OR grew at a rate of 2.61%, from 11.7k employees to 12k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Wasco County, OR, are Management Occupations (1,437 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (1,344 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (1,155 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Wasco County, OR.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Oregon (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

12k

2021 Value

± 718

2.61%

1 Year growth

± 8.16%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Wasco County, OR grew at a rate of 2.61%, from 11.7k employees to 12k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Wasco County, OR, are Health Care & Social Assistance (2,077 people), Retail Trade (1,575 people), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (1,128 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Wasco County, OR, though some of these residents may live in Wasco County, OR and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$43,690

Median earning men ± $3,342

$31,934

Median earning women ± $3,128

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Information ($76,250), Public Administration ($65,227), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($64,722).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Information ($61,850), Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($48,906), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($45,234).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Oregon. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Oregon.

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

284
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
165
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
136
Retail Trade

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$116k
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$52.6k
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
$52.1k
Retail Trade

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Oregon to other states, or from other states to Oregon.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Oregon product (by dollars) was Electronics with $23.1B, followed by Mixed freight ($18.8B) and Wood prods. ($13.9B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Oregon products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Oregon.

$183B

2020 Value in Oregon

$358B

Projected 2050 Value in Oregon

95.4% growth

In 2020, total outbound Oregon trade was $183B. This is expected to increase 95.4% to $358B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Oregon trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Oregon to other states, or from other states to Oregon.

Most Common Trade Partners

Washington
$33.6B
California
$27.6B
Texas
$6.1B

In 2020, the top outbound Oregon domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Washington with $33.6B, followed by California with $27.6B and Texas and $6.1B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Oregon shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Wasco County, OR went to Donald J. Trump with 49.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (46.7%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (2.09%).

Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley are the senators currently representing the state of Oregon. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Oregon is currently represented by 6 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (49.8%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (46.7%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (2.09%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Wasco County, OR went to Donald J. Trump with 49.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (46.7%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (2.09%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Wasco County, OR for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Oregon

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Oregon.

Ron Wyden

Senator from Oregon

Assumed office on February 5, 1996
Elected to the seat following the resignation of Bob Packwood.

Jeff Merkley

Senator from Oregon

Assumed office on January 3, 2009

Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley are the senators currently representing Oregon.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Oregon over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Oregon

Oregon is currently represented by 6 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Oregon have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Wasco County, OR awarded 164 degrees. The student population of Wasco County, OR in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 220 male students and 424 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Wasco County, OR are White (98 and 59.8%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (49 and 29.9%), Unknown (9 and 5.49%), and American Indian or Alaska Native (7 and 4.27%).

The largest universities in Wasco County, OR by number of degrees awarded are Columbia Gorge Community College (164 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Wasco County, OR are Liberal Arts & Sciences (63 and 38.4%), General Studies (38 and 23.2%), and Medical Assistant (17 and 10.4%).

Admissions & Enrollments

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2021 there were 644 students enrolled in Wasco County, OR, 34.2% men and 65.8% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 317 records, of which 64% were women and 36% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Liberal Arts & Sciences
63 degree-majors awarded
General Studies
38 degree-majors awarded
Registered Nursing
16 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Wasco County, OR was Liberal Arts & Sciences with 63 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Associates Degree from schools in Wasco County, OR according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Columbia Gorge Community College

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

164 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Columbia Gorge Community College with 164 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

In 2021, 36 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Wasco County, OR, which is 0.281 times less than the 128 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 98 degrees mean that there were 2 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 49 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Public, 2-year ($4,032) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($720) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($1,200) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Oregon.

Measure

In 2021, 0.831% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.823% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Oregon.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were Some college (871k), High School or Equivalent (794k), and Bachelors Degree (678k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Wasco County, OR was $253,700 in 2021, which is 1.04 times larger than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $230,800 to $253,700, a 9.92% increase. The homeownership rate in Wasco County, OR is 65.8%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Wasco County, OR have an average commute time of 17.8 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Wasco County, OR is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Wasco County, OR is $57,853. In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Wasco County, OR was Census Tract 9703 with a value of $77,750, followed by Census Tract 9701 and Census Tract 9706, with respective values of $71,339 and $64,185.

In 2022, 16.1% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Wasco County, OR. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 0.626%.

Housing

Property

$253,700

Median Property Value 2021

±$12,033

$6,808

Median Property Taxes

±$472

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Wasco County, OR the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Wasco County, OR compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

65.8%

Homeownership

2021

65%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 65.8% of the housing units in Wasco County, OR were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 64.3%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Wasco County, OR compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 9703
Census Tract 9701
Census Tract 9706

In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Wasco County, OR was Census Tract 9703 with a value of $77,750, followed by Census Tract 9701 and Census Tract 9706, with respective values of $71,339 and $64,185.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Wasco County, OR colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$57,853

Median Household Income

± $3,761

10.3k

Number of Households

± 634

In 2021, the median household income of the 10.3k households in Wasco County, OR grew to $57,853 from the previous year's value of $54,725.

The following chart displays the households in Wasco County, OR distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Wasco County, OR is from Oregon.

0.462

2021 Wage GINI in Oregon

0.464

2020 Wage GINI in Oregon

In 2021, the income inequality in Oregon was 0.462 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.454% decline from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Oregon was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Oregon in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Oregon across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (79.2%)
Carpooled (8.35%)
Worked At Home (6.63%)

In 2021, 79.2% of workers in Wasco County, OR drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (8.35%) and those who worked at home (6.63%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

17.8 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Wasco County, OR have a shorter commute time (17.8 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 1.32% of the workforce in Wasco County, OR have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Wasco County, OR compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Wasco County, OR distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Wasco County, OR have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2022, 16.1% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Wasco County, OR. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 0.626%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

9.72% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Wasco County, OR (2.54k out of 26.1k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 65 - 74, followed by Females 55 - 64 and then Females 25 - 34.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Wasco County, OR is White, followed by Hispanic and Two Or More.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2022, 15.7% of the children was living in poverty in Wasco County, OR. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 10.1%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 159 in Wasco County, OR. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 80.8 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

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Health

91.6% of the population of Wasco County, OR has health coverage, with 37.6% on employee plans, 23.6% on Medicaid, 14.2% on Medicare, 14.6% on non-group plans, and 1.58% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Wasco County, OR see 1026 patients per year on average, which represents a 3.21% decrease from the previous year (1060 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1320 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 167 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 50.5% were men and 49.5% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,026 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Wasco County, OR

Primary care physicians in Wasco County, OR see an average of 1,026 patients per year. This represents a 3.21% decrease from the previous year (1,060 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Wasco County, OR in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 23.9% under 18 years, 19% between 18 and 34 years, 37.5% between 35 and 64 years, and 19.6% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 50.5% were men and 49.5% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

8.4%

Uninsured

37.6%

Employer Coverage

23.6%

Medicaid

14.2%

Medicare

14.6%

Non-Group

1.58%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Wasco County, OR declined by 0.0576% from 8.41% to 8.4%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Wasco County, OR changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2022, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 51.2 in Wasco County, OR.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Wasco County, OR.

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Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2022, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 33.7% in Wasco County, OR.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Wasco County, OR.

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