1st Advantage MortgageIn Jefferson County, Oregon, the typical household earns $76,260 a year and the typical rent is $941. 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
- Who lives in Jefferson County
- How much Jefferson County households make
- How Jefferson County residents earn a living
- Housing costs in Jefferson County
- Counties near Jefferson County
- The communities that make up Jefferson County
- Room for a loan payment in Jefferson County
- Before borrowing in Jefferson County
- People and households in Jefferson County
- Steps before you apply in Jefferson County
- Lender oversight for Jefferson County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Jefferson County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Jefferson County's population at 25,203; only 24 of Oregon's 36 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 1,782 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 14 per square mile. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Bend, OR metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 6 places in the county (3 incorporated, 3 census-designated); the largest is Madras, with about 7,676 residents, or 30% of the county.
How much Jefferson County households make
The median household income in Jefferson County is $76,260; statewide it is $83,011, so Jefferson County runs 8% below Oregon as a whole.
| Band | Jefferson County | Compared with Oregon |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 22.3% | +2.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.3% | +4.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 26.7% | -1.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.7% | -5.1 pts |
Some 22% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 34% have six-figure incomes. 13.4% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 11.9%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.426 here. For a borrower in Jefferson County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
How Jefferson County residents earn a living
Education and health care employs 22% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 13%. Compared with Oregon, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (8% against 3%). Averaged over the five survey years, 8.1% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 74% drive to work alone and 17% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 4.5% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Jefferson County | Gap to Oregon |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.1% | -1.7 pts |
| Manufacturing | 12.7% | +2.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.4% | -0.5 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.9% | -3.1 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 7.9% | +5.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.0% | -1.7 pts |
Where long drives are the norm, a car repair is one of the most common surprise bills. A small repair fund can keep a breakdown from turning into a loan.
Housing costs in Jefferson County
A typical Jefferson County rental runs $941 a month including utilities, which is 38% below Oregon. By the Census definition, 44% of Jefferson County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $374,200, or 4.9 years of median income. Owners occupy 72% of homes. Median construction year: 1991.
| Cost | Jefferson County | Oregon figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $941/mo | $1,525/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $374,200 | $477,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 72% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 44% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 31% | 31% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 16.4% | 7.1% | n/a |
Because most Jefferson County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
Counties near Jefferson County
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Jefferson County's, from 36 to 61 miles away. 3 of the six report a higher median household income than Jefferson County; Clackamas County is highest at $103,517 and Wheeler County lowest at $55,284.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson County | - | $76,260 | $941/mo | 72% |
| Wasco County, OR | 36 mi | $64,175 | $1,008/mo | 68% |
| Deschutes County, OR | 50 mi | $92,758 | $1,787/mo | 70% |
| Crook County, OR | 52 mi | $81,965 | $1,283/mo | 74% |
| Wheeler County, OR | 57 mi | $55,284 | $870/mo | 72% |
| Sherman County, OR | 58 mi | $60,161 | $1,032/mo | 66% |
| Clackamas County, OR | 61 mi | $103,517 | $1,758/mo | 71% |
The communities that make up Jefferson County
6 Census places fall mainly inside Jefferson County; the 6 biggest are below. They account for 19,005 residents, leaving about 25% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Culver has the highest median household income on the list ($91,463) and Warm Springs the lowest ($54,600), counting places with at least 500 residents. Median rent ranges from $557 in Warm Springs to $1,837 in Crooked River Ranch. Live in one of these Jefferson County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madras | city | 7,676 | $64,659 | $979 | 2 mi |
| Crooked River Ranch | CDP | 5,160 | $85,561 | $1,837 | 16 mi |
| Warm Springs | CDP | 2,480 | $54,600 | $557 | 11 mi |
| Culver | city | 2,254 | $91,463 | $1,340 | 9 mi |
| Metolius | city | 1,137 | $65,000 | $1,121 | 4 mi |
| Camp Sherman | CDP | 298 | $106,250 | $2,136 | 27 mi |
Room for a loan payment in Jefferson County
How much room does a median Jefferson County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Monthly gross at the median, Jefferson County: $6,355
- 15% goes to median rent ($941)
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $1,347 left for all other debt payments
- Under a 43% cap, $2,733 total minus rent leaves $1,792
Two-income households and single earners in Jefferson County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Before borrowing in Jefferson County
Where the Jefferson County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- 16% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
People and households in Jefferson County
College graduates make up 21% of the adult population. 7.3% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Jefferson County | Oregon | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.5 | 40.4 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 21.2% | 36.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 11.0% | 8.2% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.3% | 5.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.5% | 7.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 9.4% | 19.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 13.4% | 11.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 8.1% | 5.4% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 40.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 20.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 21.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.4% |
| 60+ min | 10.7% |
Steps before you apply in Jefferson County
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- A Oregon license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Lender oversight for Jefferson County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Jefferson County resident can confirm its license with the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. Statewide data and rules: Oregon guide.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Oregon guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Jefferson County household make?
About $76,260 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 8% below the Oregon median.
How does Jefferson County rent compare with Oregon?
$941 locally versus $1,525 for the state, 38% below.
I own my home in Jefferson County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 72% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
What are the biggest places in Jefferson County?
By population: Madras, Crooked River Ranch, Warm Springs, Culver, Metolius. The county has 6 Census places in all.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Jefferson County or elsewhere in Oregon, the same rules apply.