1st Advantage MortgageThe median Tillamook County household earns $69,105, and 13% of residents live below the poverty line. Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- Tillamook County in brief
- What stands out in Tillamook County
- The Tillamook County housing market in figures
- Household income in Tillamook County
- Employment and commuting in Tillamook County
- Regional comparison for Tillamook County
- Tillamook and the rest of Tillamook County
- Tillamook County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Debt-to-income, Tillamook County edition
- What the numbers mean for Tillamook County borrowers
- Lender oversight for Tillamook County
- Checklist for Tillamook County applicants
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Tillamook County in brief
With an estimated 27,496 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Tillamook County ranks 21st of 36 in Oregon for population. Spread over 1,103 square miles, that works out to roughly 24.9 residents per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Tillamook County is not part of any metropolitan area. Tillamook (5,218 people) heads the county's list of 21 Census places, 7 incorporated and 14 census-designated.
What stands out in Tillamook County
The 3 Tillamook County numbers that rank furthest from typical in Oregon, and what each means for a borrower:
- The housing vacancy rate: 38% in Tillamook County, the highest of 36 in Oregon. Many empty units can point to seasonal housing.
- Few Oregon counties match Tillamook County on homeownership: 74% here, 63% for the state, ranking 3rd highest of 36. An owner-heavy county means repairs are a common reason to borrow.
- Few Oregon counties match Tillamook County on the uninsured rate: 4.8% here, 5.9% for the state, ranking 5th lowest of 36. Even insured households face deductibles; ask the provider about a payment plan.
The Tillamook County housing market in figures
A typical Tillamook County rental runs $1,246 a month including utilities, which is 18% below Oregon. About 4 in 10 Tillamook County renters pay 30% or more of income for rent. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $430,200, about 6.2 times the median household income. Owners occupy 74% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1980.
| Housing | Tillamook County | Oregon statewide | Tillamook County vs state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owners | 74% | 63% | +11.0 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 43% | 52% | -9.7 pts |
| Burdened owners | 37% | 31% | +6.6 pts |
| Median gross rent | $1,246/mo | $1,525/mo | 18% lower |
| Median home value | $430,200 | $477,600 | 10% lower |
With 74% of Tillamook County homes owner-occupied, equity is a real alternative for many readers; just remember a missed HELOC payment puts the home at risk.
Household income in Tillamook County
Median household income in Tillamook County: $69,105 (17% below Oregon, $83,011).
| Households earning | Tillamook County | +/- vs Oregon |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 25.6% | +5.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.7% | +5.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 23.9% | -4.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.8% | -5.9 pts |
About 26% of households earn under $35,000, while 31% clear $100,000. 12.7% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 11.9%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.446 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 Tillamook County median.
Employment and commuting in Tillamook County
Top Tillamook County industry by residents employed: education and health care, 20%; second, arts, lodging and food service, 11%. Relative to Oregon (9%), arts, lodging and food service is 2 points bigger in Tillamook County (11%). The survey's unemployment rate for Tillamook County averages 4.5% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.4%). Commutes of 45 minutes-plus: 9%; under 15 minutes: 53%. 4.3% of households have no vehicle.
| Top industries | Tillamook County share | +/- vs Oregon |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 20.0% | -3.8 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 11.3% | +2.5 pts |
| Manufacturing | 11.0% | +0.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.6% | -1.2 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.6% | -4.4 pts |
| Construction | 7.2% | +0.4 pts |
Self-employed in Tillamook County? Two years of tax returns usually stand in for pay stubs.
Regional comparison for Tillamook County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (26 to 57 miles). Richest neighbor: Washington County, $107,772. Poorest: Lincoln County, $63,165. Tillamook County: $69,105.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tillamook County | - | $69,105 | $1,246/mo | 74% |
| Yamhill County, OR | 26 mi | $90,063 | $1,480/mo | 69% |
| Washington County, OR | 33 mi | $107,772 | $1,849/mo | 61% |
| Clatsop County, OR | 39 mi | $71,822 | $1,180/mo | 63% |
| Polk County, OR | 42 mi | $85,118 | $1,299/mo | 65% |
| Columbia County, OR | 47 mi | $87,458 | $1,373/mo | 76% |
| Lincoln County, OR | 57 mi | $63,165 | $1,201/mo | 72% |
Tillamook and the rest of Tillamook County
21 Census places fall mainly inside Tillamook County; the 14 biggest are below. They account for 17,401 residents, leaving about 37% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Gap between richest and poorest larger place: $57,118, Manzanita over Fairview. Median rent ranges from $958 in Rockaway Beach to $1,563 in Fairview. None of the 21 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tillamook | city | 5,218 | $58,176 | $1,241 | 4 mi |
| Bay City | city | 1,875 | $82,589 | $1,221 | 8 mi |
| Rockaway Beach | city | 1,562 | $53,872 | $958 | 14 mi |
| Pacific City | CDP | 1,303 | $93,207 | $1,194 | 20 mi |
| Bayside Gardens | CDP | 1,128 | $77,727 | n/a | 19 mi |
| Netarts | CDP | 1,022 | $79,866 | $1,290 | 9 mi |
| Garibaldi | city | 796 | $53,828 | $1,109 | 10 mi |
| Manzanita | city | 568 | $105,577 | n/a | 20 mi |
| Fairview | CDP | 526 | $48,459 | $1,563 | 2 mi |
| Pleasant Valley | CDP | 486 | $112,500 | $1,423 | 6 mi |
| Wheeler | city | 448 | $64,792 | $994 | 17 mi |
| Oceanside | CDP | 430 | n/a | n/a | 10 mi |
| Hebo | CDP | 311 | n/a | n/a | 17 mi |
| Neskowin | CDP | 290 | n/a | n/a | 25 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
Tillamook County residents: age, schooling, coverage
In Tillamook County, 26% of adults have at least a four-year degree (37% in Oregon). Health coverage gaps: 4.8% of Tillamook County residents are uninsured.
| Residents | Tillamook County | Difference from Oregon | Difference from middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 26.2% | -10.6 pts | +4.0 pts |
| Median age | 49.0 | +8.6 yrs | +7.5 yrs |
| No vehicle | 4.3% | -2.8 pts | -1.1 pts |
| No high school diploma | 9.3% | +1.2 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.8% | -1.1 pts | -3.0 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.5% | -0.9 pts | +0.1 pts |
| Poverty rate | 12.7% | +0.8 pts | -0.4 pts |
| Work from home | 19.3% | +0.3 pts | +10.6 pts |
| One-way commute | Share of Tillamook County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 52.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 26.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 12.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 2.8% |
| 60+ min | 6.1% |
Debt-to-income, Tillamook County edition
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Tillamook County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- $69,105 a year is $5,759 of gross monthly income
- Less median rent of $1,246, which is 22% of it
- With a 43% ceiling, about $1,230 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Two-income households and single earners in Tillamook County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
What the numbers mean for Tillamook County borrowers
A few patterns in the Tillamook County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Retirement budgets. In a county with a 49.0 median age, keep any loan term shorter than your plans for the money.
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
Lender oversight for Tillamook County
Tillamook County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender.
Checklist for Tillamook County applicants
Before you apply, wherever you live in Tillamook County:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Tillamook County-area credit union.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Oregon borrowers.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Related local guides
The Oregon guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Tillamook County?
$69,105 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $83,011 for Oregon. It ranks 18th of 36 in the state.
Can a Tillamook County renter afford a loan payment?
At the $1,246 median rent and $5,759 median monthly income, rent alone uses 22%; add other debts before a new payment.
I live in a small Tillamook County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Tillamook, Bay City, Rockaway Beach, Pacific City, Bayside Gardens and 16 more.
Are Tillamook 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 Tillamook County?
Start with the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.