Malheur County, Oregon
Income Data
At a Glance
How Malheur County Compares
Detailed Income Statistics
Data Story
About Household Income in Malheur County, Oregon
Malheur faces steepest income gap
Malheur County's median household income of $49,902 represents the state's lowest and falls a dramatic 33% below the national median of $74,755. This $24,853 shortfall—the largest among the featured counties—reflects a rural economy dependent on agriculture and ranching with limited wage diversity. Nationally, Malheur ranks among the poorest-earning U.S. counties.
Oregon's lowest county income
At $49,902, Malheur County trails Oregon's state median of $69,965 by $20,063—a gap more than twice as large as any other featured county. This $20,000 disparity places Malheur at the bottom of Oregon's 36-county income ranking, creating unique economic hardship. The isolation of eastern Oregon and dependence on commodity agriculture drive this disadvantage.
Isolated economic distress in eastern Oregon
Malheur's $49,902 income trails the lowest other featured county, Josephine ($59,097), by $9,195, creating a widening gap suggesting severe regional isolation. No featured county comes close to Malheur's poverty level, reflecting eastern Oregon's distinct economic crisis. The county's remoteness from job centers compounds income challenges.
Affordable housing offers survival cushion
Malheur's rent-to-income ratio of 19.7% is among the state's most favorable, with a median home value of $221,300 offering true housing affordability. Yet this advantage becomes irrelevant when median household income falls this far short of meeting basic needs beyond housing. Water, food, healthcare, and transportation costs create acute affordability stress.
Economic development focus over individual wealth
For Malheur households earning $49,902, household financial stability precedes wealth building—focusing on emergency savings and debt reduction first proves more urgent. Many households may qualify for low-income assistance programs (LIHEAP, SNAP, Medicaid) that free up limited income for savings. Community development initiatives and local workforce training programs offer pathways to wage growth beyond individual investment strategies.
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Income Comparison Calculator
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Your income is above the Malheur County median
County median: $49,902 per year
vs. County Median
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vs. State Average
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vs. National Median
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Your monthly income ($4,159) vs. median rent ($819/mo). A ratio of 3.3x or higher means rent is under 30% of income.
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Compare RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.