Jefferson County, Oregon Income Statistics
Jefferson County Wealth Score
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of a county's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
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D
Jefferson County Well below averageAmong the 5 least wealthy counties in Oregon
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Jefferson County | Oregon Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $76,058 | $83,617 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $51,720 | $63,212 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 6.2% | 5.7% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 7.9% | 14.2% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 7.7% | 12.7% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Jefferson County is about 9% lower than in Oregon. Income has been growing faster in Jefferson County (6.2%/yr) than in Oregon (5.7%/yr).
About 8% of adults in Jefferson County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Oregon average of 14%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Jefferson County, Oregon grew by 89.1% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $76,058 in 2024. That's an average of about 6.2% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in Jefferson County
| Metric | Jefferson County | Oregon Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.545 | 0.538 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $58,705 | $71,900 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $55,433 | $60,417 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 5.6% | 16.0% | 18.4% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Jefferson County, it is 0.545, higher than Oregon's 0.538, so income is less evenly distributed here than there, and lower than the US's 0.552, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 6% more than women's income in Jefferson County, Oregon. Over a 35-year career, a 6% wage gap accumulates to roughly $114,520 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Jefferson County, Oregon has narrowed from about 20% to 6% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 27% in 2012, and in 2023 women out-earned men by 1%. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $3,816 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Jefferson County | Oregon Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 5.3% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 9.4% | 19.0% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 20 | 20 | 22 |
Approximately 897 people are unemployed in Jefferson County, Oregon.
The average commute time in Jefferson County is 20 minutes, about the same as in Oregon.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Jefferson County, Oregon has fallen from 15.2% to 8.1% in 2024. Over that period the rate peaked at 16.1% in 2013 and fell as low as 7.0% in 2022.
Jefferson County, OR Wealth Compared With Nearby Counties
Jefferson County, OR is typical in size for this group, 25,203 residents against a local median of 26,277, so the measures below are close to a like for like comparison. Where Jefferson County, OR breaks from the counties next to it is unemployment, sitting 84% above the local median of 4.4% at 8.1%. That is the weaker end of the local range on this measure.
The counties themselves spread 6.6% on unemployment, so Jefferson County, OR sits at one end of an already wide local range rather than apart from it. Jefferson County, OR has the 6th lowest unemployment of the 6 areas compared here.
| Area | Population | Median household income | Income growthAverage yearly change in median household income since 2016. Each year is measured in its own dollars, so this is growth before inflation. | Unemployment | Income inequalityGini coefficient: 0 would mean every household earns the same, 1 that a single household earns everything. The lower the number, the more equally income is shared here. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson County, OR | 25,203 | $76,058 #4/6 | 6.2%/yr #3/6 | 8.1% #6/6 | 0.545 #6/6 |
| Wasco County, OR | 26,553 | $64,105 | 3.9%/yr | 7.7% | 0.515 |
| Deschutes County, OR | 206,229 | $93,904 | 7.1%/yr | 4.4% | 0.517 |
| Sherman County, OR | 1,937 | $60,469 | 4.6%/yr | 1.0% | 0.538 |
| Crook County, OR | 26,277 | $82,119 | 9.6%/yr | 5.9% | 0.515 |
| Hood River County, OR | 23,904 | $90,888 | 6.0%/yr | 3.8% | 0.524 |
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Jefferson County, Oregon has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it somewhat worse than Oregon, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Jefferson County, Oregon.
How Rich Is Jefferson County, Oregon?
Jefferson County has a wealth index grade of D. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a D grade means residents are somewhat worse off than the U.S. average. The median household income is $76,058, about 9% lower than the Oregon average of $83,617.
How fast is household income rising in Jefferson County, Oregon?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in Jefferson County, Oregon rose 89%, from $40,224 to $76,058. Over the same years, income here outpaced Oregon as a whole: +89% against +71%.
What was the median household income in Jefferson County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Jefferson County, Oregon was $72,991, up 5% from $69,347 in 2022. The Oregon median that year was $80,917.
What was the median household income in Jefferson County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Jefferson County, Oregon was $56,033. By 2024 it had risen 36% to $76,058.
Is unemployment high in Jefferson County, Oregon?
Unemployment in Jefferson County, Oregon is 8.1%, well above the Oregon rate of 5.3%, so job seekers may face more competition than elsewhere.
What is the Gini coefficient in Jefferson County, Oregon?
The Gini coefficient in Jefferson County is 0.545. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is lower than the US average of 0.552, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Jefferson County, Oregon?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Jefferson County, Oregon has narrowed from about 20% to 6% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 27% in 2012, and in 2023 women out-earned men by 1%. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $3,816 since 2009.
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