1st Advantage MortgageWallowa County households have a median income of $67,112 and median rent of $981 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). 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
- Getting oriented in Wallowa County
- How much Wallowa County households make
- Employment and commuting in Wallowa County
- Housing costs in Wallowa County
- Regional comparison for Wallowa County
- Towns and communities in Wallowa County
- Who lives in Wallowa County, in numbers
- What the numbers mean for Wallowa County borrowers
- Budget math at the Wallowa County median
- Steps before you apply in Wallowa County
- Lender oversight for Wallowa County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Wallowa County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Wallowa County's population at 7,553; only 30 of Oregon's 36 county-level areas are larger. Spread over 3,146 square miles, that works out to roughly 2.4 residents per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Of the 5 Census places inside Wallowa County, Enterprise leads by population with about 2,131; 4 of the 5 are incorporated. Small populations mean wide margins of error, so read every Wallowa County figure on this page as a rough guide.
How much Wallowa County households make
Wallowa County households have a median income of $67,112 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 20th of 36 in Oregon.
| Yearly household income | Wallowa County | Gap to Oregon |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 22.5% | +2.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 51.5% | +13.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.0% | -7.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.0% | -7.7 pts |
The spread is wide: 26% of Wallowa County households make $100,000 or more, and 22% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 7.8%, 4 points lower than the state's 11.9%. None of these numbers decides a Wallowa County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Employment and commuting in Wallowa County
Education and health care employs 24% of working residents, the largest share; agriculture, forestry and mining is next with 14%. Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 14% of workers here, versus 3% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Wallowa County averages 3.8% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.4%). 8% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 17% work from home.
| Top industries | Wallowa County share | +/- vs Oregon |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.5% | -0.3 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 13.6% | +10.9 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 11.5% | -0.5 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.7% | +0.9 pts |
| Construction | 8.2% | +1.4 pts |
| Public administration | 7.7% | +2.9 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Housing costs in Wallowa County
A typical Wallowa County rental runs $981 a month including utilities, which is 36% below Oregon. 45% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 22% spend half or more. Home values center on $394,800, or 5.9 years of median income. 72% of Wallowa County households own their home and 28% rent. The median home was built in 1973, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Wallowa County | Oregon | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $981/mo | $1,525/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $394,800 | $477,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 72% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 45% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 30% | 31% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
Regional comparison for Wallowa County
Six nearby counties, 41 to 60 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Nez Perce County leads the group on income ($72,599), Lewis County trails ($51,615), and Wallowa County out-earns 3 of the six. The list crosses into Idaho, Washington, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wallowa County | - | $67,112 | $981/mo | 72% |
| Asotin County, WA | 41 mi | $72,283 | $1,043/mo | 73% |
| Union County, OR | 44 mi | $65,661 | $982/mo | 66% |
| Nez Perce County, ID | 55 mi | $72,599 | $1,015/mo | 70% |
| Lewis County, ID | 58 mi | $51,615 | $737/mo | 76% |
| Columbia County, WA | 60 mi | $71,810 | $985/mo | 78% |
| Garfield County, WA | 60 mi | $64,884 | $791/mo | 77% |
Towns and communities in Wallowa County
The table lists the 5 largest of 5 Census places in Wallowa County, by population. Together all 5 hold about 4,178 people, so roughly 45% of residents live outside any named place. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $47,371 in Wallowa to $58,393 in Enterprise. Median rent ranges from $699 in Wallowa to $1,151 in Joseph. Live in one of these Wallowa County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enterprise | city | 2,131 | $58,393 | $798 | 12 mi |
| Joseph | city | 1,054 | $54,444 | $1,151 | 17 mi |
| Wallowa | city | 633 | $47,371 | $699 | 17 mi |
| Lostine | city | 255 | $80,521 | $1,368 | 14 mi |
| Wallowa Lake | CDP | 105 | $86,281 | n/a | 20 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
Who lives in Wallowa County, in numbers
Degree holders: 38% of adults over 25. About 6% go without health insurance.
| People and households | Wallowa County | Oregon | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 49.7 | 40.4 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 38.2% | 36.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 6.1% | 8.2% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.3% | 5.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.7% | 7.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 16.8% | 19.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 7.8% | 11.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.8% | 5.4% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Wallowa County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 58.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 26.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 7.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.2% |
| 60+ min | 3.0% |
What the numbers mean for Wallowa County borrowers
A few patterns in the Wallowa County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Benefit income. With half of residents older than 50, lenders often see pension and Social Security income, which counts like wages.
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
Budget math at the Wallowa County median
How much room does a median Wallowa 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, Wallowa County: $5,593
- 18% goes to median rent ($981)
- At 43%, room after rent is $1,424 a month
If your rent is above $981, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Steps before you apply in Wallowa County
Quick steps for Wallowa County:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Wallowa County-area credit union.
- Verify the Oregon license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Lender oversight for Wallowa County
Consumer lenders serving Wallowa County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Oregon that is the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. See the Oregon state guide for the statewide picture.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Oregon guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Wallowa County earn?
The median is $67,112; 26% earn $100,000 or more and 22% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How much is rent in Wallowa County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $981 a month; 45% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
What are the biggest places in Wallowa County?
By population: Enterprise, Joseph, Wallowa, Lostine, Wallowa Lake. The county has 5 Census places in all.
Does living in Wallowa County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Wallowa County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Where can someone in Wallowa 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.