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Oregon is renowned for its stunning landscapes and welcoming communities. However, like many states, it has areas facing significant economic challenges. These cities experience higher-than-average rates of poverty and unemployment, highlighting the ongoing issue of income inequality despite overall economic recovery.
As we continue to address the pressing concerns surrounding economic disparities across the nation, it’s essential to shed light on the cities in Oregon that are in need of support. In this article, we present an analysis of the latest Census data to identify the ten poorest cities in the Beaver State.
Using data from the 2021-2025 American Community Survey for the 147 cities in Oregon with populations exceeding 2,000, we compiled a list of the ten cities facing the most economic hardship:
- Ontario
- Milton-Freewater
- Prineville
- Winston
- Reedsport
- Cave Junction
- Phoenix
- Klamath Falls
- Roseburg North
- Independence
This analysis does not reflect the vibrant cultures or resilient communities within these cities; rather, it focuses on the economic statistics that indicate a need for intervention and support.
How We Identified the Poorest Places in Oregon
When evaluating the poorest areas, many people often think only of the poverty rate, which measures the percentage of individuals living below the federal poverty line for households of specific sizes. However, we believe that a more comprehensive view is necessary to understand what it means to be among the “poorest places.” Thus, we considered the following criteria from the 2021-2025 American Community Survey:
- Poverty Level
- Median Household Income (lower income indicates more poverty)
- Unemployment Rate (higher rates indicate more economic distress)
Median household income provides a clearer picture of economic well-being, while the unemployment rate indicates the potential for future growth. We compiled data for all 147 cities, ranking them according to these criteria, with 1 being the poorest.
We then averaged the rankings to create an overall “poverty score,” identifying Ontario as the “Poorest Place in Oregon.”
1. Ontario
Population: 11,148 Poverty Level: 31.3%
Unemployment Rate: 15.1%
2. Milton-Freewater
Population: 7,094 Poverty Level: 29.7%
Unemployment Rate: 17.0%
3. Prineville
Population: 9,184 Poverty Level: 27.8%
Unemployment Rate: 15.0%
4. Winston
Population: 5,356 Poverty Level: 27.8%
Unemployment Rate: 15.1%
5. Reedsport
Population: 4,107 Poverty Level: 25.9%
Unemployment Rate: 16.5%
6. Cave Junction
Population: 2,059 Poverty Level: 26.2%
Unemployment Rate: 13.9%
7. Phoenix
Population: 4,465 Poverty Level: 23.5%
Unemployment Rate: 19.9%
8. Klamath Falls
Population: 21,165 Poverty Level: 26.0%
Unemployment Rate: 16.2%
9. Roseburg North
Population: 6,140 Poverty Level: 26.3%
Unemployment Rate: 13.6%
10. Independence
Population: 8,654 Poverty Level: 32.6%
Unemployment Rate: 18.8%
Conclusion: The Poorest Places in Oregon
In summary, our exploration of Oregon’s poorest cities reveals areas that face significant economic challenges. This analysis is not a reflection of the character or resilience of the residents but rather an examination of the data that underscores the need for continued support and resources to improve living conditions. If you’re interested in contrasting economic landscapes, consider checking out the richest cities in Oregon:
Richest: Bethany
2nd Richest: West Haven-Sylvan
3rd Richest: Happy Valley
For additional insights about Oregon, explore our articles on:
- The Most Jaw-Dropping Aspects of Portland
- The 10 Luckiest Cities in Oregon
- The 10 Most Dangerous Cities in Oregon
Detailed List of Poorest Places in Oregon
| City | Rank |
|---|---|
| Ontario | 1 |
| Milton-Freewater | 2 |
| Prineville | 3 |
| Winston | 4 |
| Reedsport | 5 |
| Cave Junction | 6 |
| Phoenix | 7 |
| Klamath Falls | 8 |
| Roseburg North | 9 |
| Independence | 10 |
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
