1st Advantage MortgageThe median Jackson County household earns $73,999, and 12% of residents live below the poverty line. A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Oregon license first.
On this page
- Jackson County by the numbers
- Jobs and commutes in Jackson County
- How much Jackson County households make
- What it costs to live in Jackson County
- Jackson County towns compared
- Regional comparison for Jackson County
- More Jackson County figures
- What the numbers mean for Jackson County borrowers
- A Jackson County household budget, worked through
- A Jackson County borrower's checklist
- Checking a lender's license in Oregon
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Jackson County by the numbers
Roughly 222,645 residents live in Jackson County, Oregon, 6th by population among the state's 36 counties and county equivalents. It covers 2,783 square miles of land, or about 80 people per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Medford, OR metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Medford is the biggest of its 17 Census places, at roughly 86,315 people (39% of the county total).
Jobs and commutes in Jackson County
The biggest employer of Jackson County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 26% of workers, followed by retail trade (14%). Retail trade stands out: 14% of workers here, versus 12% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Jackson County averages 5.4% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.4%). 5% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 13% work from home. 5.8% of households have no vehicle.
| Where residents work | Jackson County | Difference from Oregon |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.6% | +1.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 14.3% | +2.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.2% | +1.4 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.7% | -3.3 pts |
| Manufacturing | 7.3% | -3.4 pts |
| Construction | 6.4% | -0.4 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Jackson County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
How much Jackson County households make
At $73,999, the typical Jackson County household income is 13% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). Only 14 Oregon counties post a higher median.
| Households earning | Jackson County | +/- vs Oregon |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 23.0% | +2.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.3% | +3.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 26.4% | -2.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 8.4% | -4.3 pts |
The spread is wide: 35% of Jackson County households make $100,000 or more, and 23% make less than $35,000. 12.4% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 11.9%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.461 (0 is perfect equality). None of these numbers decides a Jackson County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
What it costs to live in Jackson County
A typical Jackson County rental runs $1,358 a month including utilities, which is 11% below Oregon. By the Census definition, 56% of Jackson County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $430,200, or 5.8 years of median income. The ownership rate is 66%. Half the housing stock was built before 1985.
| Housing | Jackson County | Oregon statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,358/mo | $1,525/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $430,200 | $477,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 66% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 56% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 33% | 31% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 9.6% | 7.1% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 6% | 8% | n/a |
When half or more of renters are already stretched, a new payment needs a stress test: what happens if a paycheck is a week late?
Jackson County towns compared
The table lists the 14 largest of 17 Census places in Jackson County, by population. Together all 17 hold about 172,154 people, so roughly 23% of residents live outside any named place. Incomes vary by place: $90,341 at the median in Jacksonville, $23,427 in Trail. No Jackson County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 17.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medford | city | 86,315 | $73,230 | $1,376 | 10 mi |
| Ashland | city | 21,259 | $68,028 | $1,387 | 15 mi |
| Central Point | city | 19,216 | $86,058 | $1,364 | 12 mi |
| White City | CDP | 10,750 | $71,175 | $1,379 | 8 mi |
| Eagle Point | city | 9,839 | $84,126 | $1,307 | 8 mi |
| Talent | city | 6,254 | $62,543 | $1,579 | 13 mi |
| Phoenix | city | 4,390 | $66,508 | $1,225 | 12 mi |
| Shady Cove | city | 3,076 | $57,000 | $1,110 | 15 mi |
| Jacksonville | city | 2,991 | $90,341 | $1,615 | 16 mi |
| Rogue River | city | 2,238 | $54,537 | $1,348 | 25 mi |
| Gold Hill | city | 1,288 | $56,359 | $1,471 | 19 mi |
| Ruch | CDP | 1,151 | $83,700 | $1,907 | 22 mi |
| Foots Creek | CDP | 1,110 | $73,786 | n/a | 24 mi |
| Trail | CDP | 769 | $23,427 | n/a | 19 mi |
Regional comparison for Jackson County
Josephine County is closest, 46 miles from center to center; the sixth, Del Norte County, is 81 miles off. None of the six report a higher median household income than Jackson County; Del Norte County is highest at $67,058 and Klamath County lowest at $58,830. The list crosses into California, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson County | - | $73,999 | $1,358/mo | 66% |
| Josephine County, OR | 46 mi | $60,098 | $1,194/mo | 72% |
| Klamath County, OR | 56 mi | $58,830 | $991/mo | 69% |
| Siskiyou County, CA | 57 mi | $59,095 | $1,091/mo | 69% |
| Douglas County, OR | 65 mi | $61,310 | $1,055/mo | 73% |
| Curry County, OR | 78 mi | $62,244 | $1,241/mo | 74% |
| Del Norte County, CA | 81 mi | $67,058 | $1,233/mo | 70% |
More Jackson County figures
32% of Jackson County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. The uninsured rate is 5.7%, against 5.9% for Oregon.
| Jackson County | Oregon | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.8 | 40.4 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 31.7% | 36.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 8.0% | 8.2% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.7% | 5.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.8% | 7.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 12.9% | 19.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 12.4% | 11.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.4% | 5.4% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 39.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 43.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 12.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 2.3% |
| 60+ min | 3.2% |
What the numbers mean for Jackson County borrowers
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Jackson County borrowers.
- 56% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
- Check your file. An error fixed before you apply can change the offers a Jackson County borrower sees (free reports).
A Jackson County household budget, worked through
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Jackson County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- $6,167 a month: gross income for a household at the Jackson County median
- 22% goes to median rent ($1,358)
- At 43%, room after rent is $1,294 a month
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
A Jackson County borrower's checklist
Steps that save money for Jackson County residents:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Jackson County.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Checking a lender's license in Oregon
Jackson County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. See the Oregon state guide for the statewide picture.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Oregon guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Jackson County earn?
The median is $73,999; 35% earn $100,000 or more and 23% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How does Jackson County rent compare with Oregon?
$1,358 locally versus $1,525 for the state, 11% below.
Which towns does the Jackson County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 17 Census places: Medford, Ashland, Central Point, White City, Eagle Point.
Is the fit check different in Jackson County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Jackson County?
Start with the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.