1st Advantage MortgageSherman County households have a median income of $60,161 and median rent of $1,032 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). 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
- A quick profile of Sherman County
- Household income in Sherman County
- Sherman County housing compared with Oregon
- The Sherman County job picture
- Sherman County towns compared
- The counties around Sherman County
- A Sherman County household budget, worked through
- Before borrowing in Sherman County
- Sherman County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Oregon rules that apply in Sherman County
- Steps before you apply in Sherman County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Sherman County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Sherman County's population at 1,938; only 34 of Oregon's 36 county-level areas are larger. It covers 824 square miles of land, or about 2 people per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. The Census Bureau counts 5 places in the county (4 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Wasco, with about 455 residents, or 23% of the county. With so few households sampled, Sherman County estimates can move a lot between releases.
Household income in Sherman County
The median household income in Sherman County is $60,161; statewide it is $83,011, so Sherman County runs 28% below Oregon as a whole.
| Yearly household income | Sherman County | Gap to Oregon |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 33.3% | +13.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 37.8% | -0.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.9% | -3.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.0% | -8.7 pts |
Some 33% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 29% have six-figure incomes. 22.0% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 11.9%). For a borrower in Sherman 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.
Sherman County housing compared with Oregon
A typical Sherman County rental runs $1,032 a month including utilities, which is 32% below Oregon. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 38% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $211,800, about 3.5 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 66%. The median home was built in 1960, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Measure | Sherman County | Oregon | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,032/mo | $1,525/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $211,800 | $477,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 66% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 38% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 29% | 31% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 28.6% | 7.1% | n/a |
The Sherman County job picture
The biggest employer of Sherman County residents, by industry, is public administration at 15% of workers, followed by education and health care (15%). Compared with Oregon, the county leans toward public administration (15% against 5%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 1.0% in Sherman County. About 69% drive to work alone and 14% have trips of 45 minutes or more. 6.2% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Sherman County workers | vs Oregon |
|---|---|---|
| Public administration | 14.9% | +10.1 pts |
| Education and health care | 14.6% | -9.2 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 10.1% | +7.4 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.2% | -2.8 pts |
| Construction | 7.9% | +1.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 7.7% | -4.2 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Sherman County towns compared
5 Census places fall mainly inside Sherman County; the 5 biggest are below. They account for 1,320 residents, leaving about 32% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Live in one of these Sherman County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wasco | city | 455 | $65,000 | $1,229 | 13 mi |
| Moro | city | 392 | $79,688 | $990 | 6 mi |
| Grass Valley | city | 261 | $62,366 | $337 | 6 mi |
| Rufus | city | 212 | $39,306 | $800 | 20 mi |
| Biggs Junction | CDP | 0 | n/a | n/a | 20 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
The counties around Sherman County
Six nearby counties, 20 to 56 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. 5 of the six report a higher median household income than Sherman County; Hood River County is highest at $88,947 and Wheeler County lowest at $55,284. Some neighbors are in Washington. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Sherman County resident follows Oregon rules.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sherman County | - | $60,161 | $1,032/mo | 66% |
| Gilliam County, OR | 20 mi | $66,917 | $1,125/mo | 74% |
| Wasco County, OR | 29 mi | $64,175 | $1,008/mo | 68% |
| Klickitat County, WA | 33 mi | $71,042 | $1,105/mo | 77% |
| Hood River County, OR | 48 mi | $88,947 | $1,417/mo | 69% |
| Morrow County, OR | 52 mi | $75,448 | $995/mo | 72% |
| Wheeler County, OR | 56 mi | $55,284 | $870/mo | 72% |
A Sherman County household budget, worked through
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Sherman County's medians:
- $60,161 a year is $5,013 of gross monthly income
- Less median rent of $1,032, which is 21% of it
- Under a 35% cap, $1,755 total minus rent leaves $723
- $1,224: what a 45% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Before borrowing in Sherman County
Based on the Sherman County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 29% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- 22% below poverty. Emergency aid, payment plans and counseling (list) come first.
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
Sherman County residents: age, schooling, coverage
College graduates make up 16% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 2.6%, against 5.9% for Oregon.
| Sherman County | Oregon | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.7 | 40.4 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 16.0% | 36.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 8.8% | 8.2% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 2.6% | 5.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.2% | 7.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 10.0% | 19.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 22.0% | 11.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 1.0% | 5.4% | 4.4% |
Oregon rules that apply in Sherman County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Sherman County resident can confirm its license with the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. The Oregon guide covers state rules in more detail.
Steps before you apply in Sherman County
Steps that save money for Sherman County residents:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Oregon guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Sherman County earn?
The median is $60,161; 29% earn $100,000 or more and 33% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How does Sherman County rent compare with Oregon?
$1,032 locally versus $1,525 for the state, 32% below.
Does this page cover Wasco?
Yes, along with the other 4 Census places in Sherman County, such as Moro, Grass Valley, Rufus.
Are Sherman 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.
Where can someone in Sherman County check a lender's license?
With the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.