Columbia County

As of the 2020 Census, Columbia County, Oregon had a population of approximately 52,589. The racial makeup was about 91.4% White, 1.6% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 0.4% Black or African American, 0.2% Pacific Islander, and 4.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino individuals of any race made up 6.1% of the population. The median household income was around $67,639, and approximately 8.8% of the population lived below the poverty line.

As of 2023, Columbia County, OR, has a median home price of approximately $425,000. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment stands at around $1,200 per month. The homeownership rate is about 75%, and the vacancy rate is roughly 4%. Housing options include single-family homes, apartments, and manufactured homes. The market has seen a modest annual growth rate of 5-7%, driven by its scenic landscapes and proximity to Portland.

Columbia County, Oregon, conducts elections for various local, state, and federal positions. Voter registration is essential and can be done online or in-person. The county's voter turnout typically ranges between 70-80% in presidential election years and 50-60% in midterms.

Recent elections included races for County Commissioner seats, among others. For the County Commissioner Position 1, candidates included incumbent Henry Heimuller and challenger Margaret Magruder. Local ballot measures often address issues like school funding, public safety, and infrastructure.

For accurate candidate lists, ballot measures, and detailed results, refer to the Columbia County Elections Office or their official website. Voting by mail is prevalent in Oregon, ensuring accessibility for all registered voters.

As of recent data, Columbia County, OR, shows moderate education levels compared to national and state averages. Approximately 90.6% of residents aged 25 and older have completed high school or higher, which is slightly less than the national average of 91% and the state average of 91.7%. However, only 19.3% hold a bachelor's degree or higher, which is below the national average of 33.1% and Oregon's average of 33.7%. These figures indicate that while high school graduation rates are comparable, higher education attainment significantly lags behind both state and national levels.

As of the most recent data available, Columbia County, OR, has an employment base with notable representation in manufacturing, health care and social assistance, retail trade, and educational services. Approximately 4,000 people are employed in the manufacturing sector, which is significantly higher than both state and national averages. Health care and social assistance employ around 2,500 individuals, reflecting state trends but somewhat below the national average. Retail trade employs about 2,000 people, aligning closely with national levels but slightly above the state average. Educational services in Columbia County employ approximately 1,500 individuals, which is consistent with state averages but below the national percentage.

Overall, Columbia County's employment is heavily skewed towards manufacturing compared to broader state and national data, with other sectors generally aligning more closely to those larger trends.

As of the most recent data, the median household income in Columbia County, Oregon is approximately $68,000. This is slightly higher than the state average for Oregon, which stands at around $67,000, but lower than the national median household income, which is about $71,000.

These figures highlight that while Columbia County is doing comparatively well within its state, it still falls slightly short of the national median. This information is valuable for understanding the economic positioning of Columbia County residents in relation to broader state and national trends.

As of the most recent data, Columbia County, OR, has a crime rate lower than the national average, with a total crime rate of approximately 23.4 per 1,000 residents annually. The violent crime rate is around 2.4 per 1,000 residents, and the property crime rate is about 21 per 1,000 residents.

Crime Statistics Table (Annual per 1,000 residents)

This data helps illustrate how most crimes in the county are property-related rather than violent.