1st Advantage MortgageIn Gilliam County, Oregon, the typical household earns $66,917 a year and the typical rent is $1,125. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Oregon before sharing details.
On this page
- Gilliam County, OR: the basics
- How much Gilliam County households make
- Employment and commuting in Gilliam County
- Gilliam County housing compared with Oregon
- Places inside Gilliam County
- The counties around Gilliam County
- More Gilliam County figures
- What the numbers mean for Gilliam County borrowers
- A Gilliam County household budget, worked through
- A Gilliam County borrower's checklist
- Licensing and complaints for Gilliam County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Gilliam County, OR: the basics
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Gilliam County's population at 1,971; only 33 of Oregon's 36 county-level areas are larger. It covers 1,205 square miles of land, or about 2 people per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Gilliam County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 3 places in the county (3 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Arlington, with about 690 residents, or 35% of the county. With so few households sampled, Gilliam County estimates can move a lot between releases.
How much Gilliam County households make
Gilliam County households have a median income of $66,917 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 21st of 36 in Oregon.
| Income band | Share in Gilliam County | Difference from Oregon |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 29.1% | +9.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.2% | +4.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.1% | -7.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.5% | -6.2 pts |
The spread is wide: 28% of Gilliam County households make $100,000 or more, and 29% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 15.3%, 3 points higher than the state's 11.9%. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.459 here. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Gilliam County median.
Employment and commuting in Gilliam County
By the Census industry count, 20% of employed Gilliam County residents work in agriculture, forestry and mining and 16% in education and health care. Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 20% of workers here, versus 3% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Gilliam County averages 2.8% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.4%). Long commutes are the exception here: 11% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. 5.1% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Gilliam County workers | vs Oregon |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 20.4% | +17.6 pts |
| Education and health care | 16.2% | -7.6 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 15.6% | +3.6 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.9% | +1.1 pts |
| Public administration | 8.9% | +4.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 7.9% | -4.0 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Gilliam County housing compared with Oregon
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,125 in Gilliam County versus $1,525 statewide. By the Census definition, 38% of Gilliam County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $189,300, about 2.8 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 74%. Half the housing stock was built before 1961.
| Home costs | Gilliam County | Oregon | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,125/mo | $1,525/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $189,300 | $477,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 74% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 38% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 30% | 31% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 23% | 8% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Gilliam County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
Places inside Gilliam County
Here are the 3 most populous of the county's 3 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 68% of Gilliam County residents live in one of the 3. No Gilliam County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 3.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arlington | city | 690 | $76,694 | $1,349 | 24 mi |
| Condon | city | 623 | $35,667 | $850 | 11 mi |
| Lonerock | city | 36 | n/a | n/a | 28 mi |
The counties around Gilliam County
Six nearby counties, 20 to 67 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Income ranges from $55,284 in Wheeler County to $76,260 in Jefferson County; 3 of these neighbors top Gilliam County's median. Some neighbors are in Washington. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Gilliam County resident follows Oregon rules.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gilliam County | - | $66,917 | $1,125/mo | 74% |
| Sherman County, OR | 20 mi | $60,161 | $1,032/mo | 66% |
| Morrow County, OR | 33 mi | $75,448 | $995/mo | 72% |
| Klickitat County, WA | 42 mi | $71,042 | $1,105/mo | 77% |
| Wasco County, OR | 46 mi | $64,175 | $1,008/mo | 68% |
| Wheeler County, OR | 46 mi | $55,284 | $870/mo | 72% |
| Jefferson County, OR | 67 mi | $76,260 | $941/mo | 72% |
More Gilliam County figures
Degree holders: 21% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 5.6%, against 5.9% for Oregon.
| Measure | Gilliam County | Oregon statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 50.1 | 40.4 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 21.0% | 36.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 11.3% | 8.2% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.6% | 5.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.1% | 7.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.6% | 19.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 15.3% | 11.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.8% | 5.4% | 4.4% |
What the numbers mean for Gilliam County borrowers
Based on the Gilliam County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 14% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- Retirees. At a median age of 50.1, many borrowers here rely on award letters as proof of income; favor no prepayment penalty.
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
A Gilliam County household budget, worked through
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Gilliam County's medians:
- $5,576 a month: gross income for a household at the Gilliam County median
- 20% goes to median rent ($1,125)
- With a 35% ceiling, about $827 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- Under a 45% cap, $2,509 total minus rent leaves $1,384
Two-income households and single earners in Gilliam County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
A Gilliam County borrower's checklist
Steps that save money for Gilliam County residents:
- Price the Gilliam County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Oregon borrowers.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Licensing and complaints for Gilliam County
The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation is the place to verify any lender's Oregon license. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. Statewide data and rules: Oregon guide.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Oregon guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gilliam County a high-income county?
Its $66,917 median ranks 21st of 36 Oregon counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
Is Gilliam County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $1,125 against $1,525 statewide, and 38% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Should Gilliam County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 74% of Gilliam County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
I live in a small Gilliam County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Arlington, Condon, Lonerock.
Does living in Gilliam County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Gilliam County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.