1st Advantage MortgageGrant County (7,209 residents) has a $59,450 median household income and $789 median rent, by the latest Census five-year survey. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- 7,209 residents: Grant County basics
- Where Grant County differs from the rest of Oregon
- Earnings across Grant County households
- Grant County industries and commutes
- Housing costs in Grant County
- Towns and communities in Grant County
- Counties near Grant County
- Borrowing situations common in Grant County
- What a median Grant County budget can carry
- People and households in Grant County
- Before you sign
- Lender oversight for Grant County
- More guides for Grant County
- Frequently asked questions
7,209 residents: Grant County basics
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Grant County's population at 7,209; only 32 of Oregon's 36 county-level areas are larger. It covers 4,528 square miles of land, or about 2 people per square mile. Grant County is classed as nonmetropolitan in the OMB's July 2023 list. Of the 10 Census places inside Grant County, John Day leads by population with about 1,609; 10 of the 10 are incorporated. Census margins of error grow as populations shrink; for a county of 7,209, read each figure as a range.
Where Grant County differs from the rest of Oregon
- Grant County ranks the highest of 36 Oregon counties for homeownership: 77%, against 63% statewide. An owner-heavy county means repairs are a common reason to borrow.
- On households without a vehicle, Grant County sits near the bottom of Oregon at 2.4%, the lowest of 36. Nearly every household has a vehicle, so repair costs are a common reason to borrow.
- On median gross rent, Grant County sits near the bottom of Oregon at $789/mo, 2nd lowest of 36. Cheaper housing gives many renters more slack in a budget.
Earnings across Grant County households
At $59,450, the typical Grant County household income is 9% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). That places it 32nd among Oregon's 36 county-level areas.
| Income band | Share in Grant County | Difference from Oregon |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 25.8% | +5.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 48.7% | +10.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.9% | -6.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.7% | -9.1 pts |
Some 26% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 26% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 12.8% of Grant County residents in poverty, against 11.9% across Oregon. None of these numbers decides a Grant County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Grant County industries and commutes
By the Census industry count, 21% of employed Grant County residents work in education and health care and 19% in agriculture, forestry and mining. Relative to Oregon (3%), agriculture, forestry and mining is 16 points bigger in Grant County (19%). 5.2% of Grant County's labor force reported being unemployed, averaged across 2020 to 2024. 10% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 12% work from home. Households without a car make up 2.4% of the total (7.1% statewide).
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Grant County | Gap to Oregon |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.1% | -2.7 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 19.2% | +16.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.3% | -2.5 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.5% | -0.3 pts |
| Construction | 7.5% | +0.7 pts |
| Manufacturing | 6.9% | -3.8 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Grant County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Housing costs in Grant County
Renters in Grant County pay a median of $789 a month, 48% below the Oregon figure of $1,525. About 4 in 10 Grant County renters pay 30% or more of income for rent. Median value $229,700; median income $59,450; ratio 3.9. The ownership rate is 77%. Nationally, Grant County's $789 rent is 10% below the middle county.
| Home costs | Grant County | Oregon | Compared with Oregon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $789/mo | $1,525/mo | 48% lower |
| Median home value | $229,700 | $477,600 | 52% lower |
| Owners | 77% | 63% | +13.4 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 38% | 52% | -14.5 pts |
| Burdened owners | 35% | 31% | +4.8 pts |
| Mobile homes | 19.3% | 7.1% | +12.2 pts |
With 77% of Grant County homes owner-occupied, equity is a real alternative for many readers; just remember a missed HELOC payment puts the home at risk.
Towns and communities in Grant County
Places, by size: the top 10 of 10. Roughly 41% of Grant County lives outside all of them, in open country or unnamed settlements. Gap between richest and poorest larger place: $26,439, Canyon City over Prairie City. No Grant County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 10.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Day | city | 1,609 | $57,891 | $910 | 6 mi |
| Canyon City | town | 900 | $73,750 | $804 | 8 mi |
| Prairie City | city | 615 | $47,311 | $916 | 15 mi |
| Mount Vernon | city | 364 | $63,281 | $789 | 7 mi |
| Dayville | town | 206 | $54,271 | $1,031 | 26 mi |
| Long Creek | city | 200 | $42,614 | $588 | 16 mi |
| Monument | city | 185 | $38,419 | $669 | 30 mi |
| Seneca | city | 109 | $39,821 | n/a | 25 mi |
| Granite | city | 93 | $16,563 | n/a | 36 mi |
| Greenhorn | city | 0 | n/a | n/a | 29 mi |
Counties near Grant County
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Grant County's, from 53 to 77 miles away. 5 of the six report a higher median household income than Grant County; Crook County is highest at $81,965 and Wheeler County lowest at $55,284.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grant County | - | $59,450 | $789/mo | 77% |
| Wheeler County, OR | 53 mi | $55,284 | $870/mo | 72% |
| Baker County, OR | 67 mi | $60,936 | $865/mo | 71% |
| Morrow County, OR | 70 mi | $75,448 | $995/mo | 72% |
| Crook County, OR | 71 mi | $81,965 | $1,283/mo | 74% |
| Union County, OR | 75 mi | $65,661 | $982/mo | 66% |
| Umatilla County, OR | 77 mi | $67,728 | $997/mo | 68% |
Borrowing situations common in Grant County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Grant County borrowers.
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 19% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- Fixed incomes. Grant County's median age is 50.4. Social Security and pensions count as income when documented.
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
What a median Grant County budget can carry
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Grant County's medians:
- $4,954 a month: gross income for a household at the Grant County median
- Median rent: $789, or 16 cents of every gross dollar
- Under a 40% cap, $1,982 total minus rent leaves $1,193
A household below the $59,450 median has less room than this, often none.
People and households in Grant County
Bachelor's degree or higher: 18% of Grant County adults. About 7% go without health insurance.
| Indicator | Grant County | +/- Oregon | +/- U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 50.4 | +10.0 yrs | +8.9 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 17.7% | -19.1 pts | -4.5 pts |
| No high school diploma | 8.4% | +0.2 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.5% | +1.6 pts | -0.3 pts |
| No vehicle | 2.4% | -4.7 pts | -3.0 pts |
| Work from home | 12.1% | -6.9 pts | +3.4 pts |
| Poverty rate | 12.8% | +0.9 pts | -0.4 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.2% | -0.2 pts | +0.8 pts |
| Commute length | Grant County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 65.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 18.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 6.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 2.8% |
| 60+ min | 7.0% |
Before you sign
Quick steps for Grant County:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Oregon.
- Ask a Grant County credit union about member loans.
Lender oversight for Grant County
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Grant County, check the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. The Oregon page has statewide figures to set beside Grant County's.
More guides for Grant County
Next step up from Grant County:
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Grant County household make?
About $59,450 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 28% below the Oregon median.
What is the median rent in Grant County, OR?
$789 a month, utilities included, or $9,468 a year.
What are the biggest places in Grant County?
By population: John Day, Canyon City, Prairie City, Mount Vernon, Dayville. The county has 10 Census places in all.
Are Grant County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Grant County?
Start with the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.