Wheeler County, Oregon (OR)
County owner-occupied free and clear houses and condos in 2010: 264
County owner-occupied houses and condos in 2000: 471
Renter-occupied apartments: 218 (it was 182 in 2000)
| % of renters here: | 28% |
| State: | 38% |
Land area: 1715 sq. mi.
Water area: 0.5 sq. mi.
Population density: 1 people per square mile (very low).
Industries providing employment: Educational, health and social services (22.8%), Agriculture,forestry,fishing and hunting, and mining (14.7%), Public administration (13.3%), Construction (12.9%), Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation and food services (12.7%).
Type of workers:
- Private wage or salary: 63%
- Government: 27%
- Self-employed, not incorporated: 10%
- Unpaid family work: 1%
- OSM Map
- General Map
- Google Map
- MSN Map
- 1,19380.0%White Non-Hispanic Alone
- 15210.2%Hispanic or Latino
- 1258.4%Two or more races
- 120.8%Some other race alone
- 90.6%Asian alone
| Median resident age: | 52.6 years |
| Oregon median age: | 40.1 years |
| Males: 763 |  (51.3%) |
| Females: 727 |  (48.7%) |
Recent posts about Wheeler County, Oregon on our local forum with over 2,400,000 registered users. Wheeler County is mentioned 36 times on our forum:
 | Phased Reopening (120 replies) |
| Could I build a city there? (32 replies) |
| 4th of July weekend attractions (8 replies) |
| Moving to Oregon with family...question about living in an RV/camper on land and other small living space options. (32 replies) |
| Summer 2014 official thread (123 replies) |
| Questions about racial issues in Portland (208 replies) |
| Wheeler County: | 2.0 people |
| Oregon: | 2 people |
Estimated median household income in 2021: $47,631 ($28,750 in 1999)
| This county: | $47,631 |
| Oregon: | $71,562 |
Median contract rent in 2021 for apartments: $445 (lower quartile is $420, upper quartile is $552)
| This county: | $445 |
| State: | $1150 |
Estimated median house or condo value in 2021: $220,103 (it was $82,100 in 2000)
| Wheeler: | $220,103 |
| Oregon: | $422,700 |
Mean price in 2021:
Median monthly housing costs for homes and condos with a mortgage: $1,166Detached houses: $208,432
Here: $208,432 State: $498,099 Mobile homes: $203,449
Here: $203,449 State: $191,594
Median monthly housing costs for units without a mortgage: $395
Institutionalized population: 17
Crime in 2018 (reported by the sheriff's office or county police, not the county total):
- Murders: 0
- Rapes: 0
- Robberies: 0
- Assaults: 0
- Burglaries: 0
- Thefts: 1
- Auto thefts: 0
Crime in 2016 (reported by the sheriff's office or county police, not the county total):
- Murders: 0
- Rapes: 0
- Robberies: 0
- Assaults: 2
- Burglaries: 3
- Thefts: 1
- Auto thefts: 1
Single-family new house construction building permits:
- 2003: 0 buildings
- 2002: 2 buildings, average cost: $134,000
- 2001: 1 building, cost: $134,000
- 2000: 4 buildings, average cost: $134,000
- 1999: 1 building, cost: $134,000
- 1998: 3 buildings, average cost: $134,000
- 1997: 4 buildings, average cost: $134,000
Graphs represent county-level data. Detailed 2008 Election Results
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with mortgages in 2021: $2,221 (0.9%)
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with no mortgage in 2021: $1,513 (0.7%)
| Wheeler County: | 14.1% |
| Oregon: | 12.2% |
Median age of residents in 2021: 52.6 years old
(Males: 51.4 years old, Females: 53.6 years old)
(Median age for: White residents: 57.3 years old, American Indian residents: 62.8 years old, Asian residents: 18.5 years old, Hispanic or Latino residents: 21.3 years old, Other race residents: 21.6 years old)
Fair market rent in 2006 for a 1-bedroom apartment in Wheeler County is $483 a month.
Fair market rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $583 a month.
Fair market rent for a 3-bedroom apartment is $790 a month.
| Here: | 3.0% |
| Oregon: | 3.7% |
Current college students: 31
People 25 years of age or older with a high school degree or higher: 89.1%
People 25 years of age or older with a bachelor's degree or higher: 20.4%
Number of foreign born residents: 69 (15.6% naturalized citizens)
| Wheeler County: | 4.6% |
| Whole state: | 9.7% |
- Year of entry for the foreign-born population
- 132010 or later
- 42000 to 2009
- 321990 to 1999
- 61980 to 1989
- 101970 to 1979
- 4Before 1970
Mean travel time to work (commute): 30.8 minutes
Percentage of county residents living and working in this county: 79.6%
Housing units in structures:
- One, detached: 709
- One, attached: 13
- Two: 9
- 3 or 4: 6
- 10 to 19: 10
- 50 or more: 4
- Mobile homes: 193
Housing units in Wheeler County with a mortgage: 215 (11 second mortgage, 0 home equity loan, 10 both second mortgage and home equity loan)
Houses without a mortgage: 12
| Here: | 94.7% with mortgage |
| State: | 97.9% with mortgage |
Religion statistics for Wheeler County
| Religion | Adherents | Congregations |
|---|---|---|
| Evangelical Protestant | 166 | 3 |
| Mainline Protestant | 85 | 1 |
| Other | 49 | 2 |
| Catholic | 40 | 1 |
| None | 1,101 | - |
Source: Clifford Grammich, Kirk Hadaway, Richard Houseal, Dale E.Jones, Alexei Krindatch, Richie Stanley and Richard H.Taylor. 2012. 2010 U.S.Religion Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study. Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center.
Food Environment Statistics:
Number of grocery stores: 1
| Wheeler County: | 7.37 / 10,000 pop. |
| State: | 2.03 / 10,000 pop. |
Number of convenience stores (with gas): 1
| Wheeler County: | 7.37 / 10,000 pop. |
| Oregon: | 1.69 / 10,000 pop. |
Number of full-service restaurants: 3
| This county: | 22.11 / 10,000 pop. |
| State: | 9.93 / 10,000 pop. |
Adult diabetes rate:
| Wheeler County: | 8.5% |
| Oregon: | 7.4% |
Adult obesity rate:
| Wheeler County: | 24.9% |
| State: | 25.6% |
Agriculture in Wheeler County:
Average size of farms: 4501 acresAverage value of agricultural products sold per farm: $38,152
Average value of crops sold per acre for harvested cropland: $48.17
The value of livestock, poultry, and their products as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 90.09%
Average total farm production expenses per farm: $43,371
Harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 1.74%
Irrigated harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 63.87%
Average market value of all machinery and equipment per farm: $54,371
The percentage of farms operated by a family or individual: 87.20%
Average age of principal farm operators: 60 years
Average number of cattle and calves per 100 acres of all land in farms: 2.78
Milk cows as a percentage of all cattle and calves: 0.06%
Vegetables: 8 harvested acres
Land in orchards: 25 acres
Earthquake activity:
Wheeler County-area historical earthquake activity is significantly above Oregon state average. It is 1388% greater than the overall U.S. average.On 10/3/1915 at 06:52:48, a magnitude 7.6 (7.6 UK, Class: Major, Intensity: VIII - XII) earthquake occurred 318.9 miles away from Wheeler County center
On 4/13/1949 at 19:55:42, a magnitude 7.0 (7.0 UK) earthquake occurred 211.9 miles away from the county center, causing $80,000,000 total damage
On 10/28/1983 at 14:06:06, a magnitude 7.3 (6.2 MB, 7.3 MS, 7.0 MW) earthquake occurred 309.1 miles away from the county center, causing 2 deaths (2 shaking deaths) and 3 injuries, causing $15,000,000 total damage
On 2/28/2001 at 18:54:32, a magnitude 6.8 (6.5 MB, 6.6 MS, 6.8 MW, Class: Strong, Intensity: VII - IX) earthquake occurred 205.3 miles away from the county center, causing $2,000,000,000 total damage and $305,000,000 insured losses
On 2/28/2001 at 18:54:32, a magnitude 6.8 (6.8 MD, Depth: 32.2 mi) earthquake occurred 212.8 miles away from Wheeler County center
On 1/31/1922 at 13:17:28, a magnitude 7.6 (7.6 UK) earthquake occurred 396.8 miles away from the county center
Magnitude types: body-wave magnitude (MB), duration magnitude (MD), surface-wave magnitude (MS), moment magnitude (MW)
Most recent natural disasters:
- Oregon Covid-19 Pandemic, Incident Period: January 20, 2020, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-4499-OR: March 28, 2020, FEMA Id: 4499, Natural disaster type: Other
- Oregon Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides, Incident Period: April 6, 2019 - April 21, 2019, FEMA Id: 4452, Natural disaster type: Storm, Mudslide, Landslide, Flood
- Oregon Severe Winter Storm and Flooding, Incident Period: December 14, 2006 to December 15, 2006, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1683: February 22, 2007, FEMA Id: 1683, Natural disaster type: Winter Storm, Flood
- Oregon Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides, Incident Period: December 18, 2005 to January 21, 2006, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1632: March 20, 2006, FEMA Id: 1632, Natural disaster type: Storm, Mudslide, Landslide, Flood
- Oregon Hurricane Katrina Evacuation, Incident Period: August 29, 2005 to October 01, 2005, Emergency Declared EM-3228: September 07, 2005, FEMA Id: 3228, Natural disaster type: Hurricane
- Oregon Severe Winter Storms, Incident Period: December 26, 2003 to January 14, 2004, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1510: February 19, 2004, FEMA Id: 1510, Natural disaster type: Winter Storm
- Oregon Severe Winter Storms/Flooding, Incident Period: December 25, 1996 to January 06, 1997, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1160: January 23, 1997, FEMA Id: 1160, Natural disaster type: Winter Storm, Flood
- Oregon Severe Storms/Flooding, Incident Period: February 04, 1996 to February 21, 1996, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1099: February 09, 1996, FEMA Id: 1099, Natural disaster type: Storm, Flood
- Oregon Drought, Incident Period: April 29, 1977, Emergency Declared EM-3039: April 29, 1977, FEMA Id: 3039, Natural disaster type: Drought
- Oregon Heavy Rains & Flooding, Incident Period: December 24, 1964, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-184: December 24, 1964, FEMA Id: 184, Natural disaster type: Flood, Heavy Rain
The number of natural disasters in Wheeler County (10) is smaller than the US average (15).
Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 7
Emergencies Declared: 2
Means of transportation to work:
- Drove a car alone: 272 (55.6%)
- Carpooled: 39 (8.0%)
- Light rail, streetcar or trolley: 13 (2.7%)
- Walked: 55 (11.2%)
- Worked at home: 127 (26.0%)
- Health care and social assistance (21%)
- Public administration (16%)
- Educational services (12%)
- Administrative and support and waste management services (9%)
- Accommodation and food services (8%)
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting (4%)
- Finance and insurance (4%)
- Health care and social assistance (23%)
- Public administration (17%)
- Educational services (14%)
- Administrative and support and waste management services (10%)
- Accommodation and food services (9%)
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting (5%)
- Finance and insurance (5%)
- Management occupations (22%)
- Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations (12%)
- Material moving occupations (11%)
- Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (10%)
- Construction and extraction occupations (9%)
- Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations (7%)
- Food preparation and serving related occupations (6%)
- Office and administrative support occupations (18%)
- Business and financial operations occupations (16%)
- Food preparation and serving related occupations (11%)
- Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (10%)
- Educational instruction, and library occupations (10%)
- Community and social service occupations (7%)
- Management occupations (4%)
- Mexico (62%)
- Germany (6%)
- Canada (4%)
- Korea (3%)
- England (3%)
- Thailand (1%)
- Taiwan (1%)
- American (27%)
- German (12%)
- English (9%)
- Irish (6%)
- Scottish (6%)
- European (4%)
- Norwegian (2%)
7 people in college/university student housing
People in group quarters in Wheeler County, Oregon in 2000:
- 17 people in other noninstitutional group quarters
- 8 people in other nonhousehold living situations
- 6 people in college dormitories (includes college quarters off campus)
7.04% of this county's 2021 resident taxpayers lived in other counties in 2020 ($44,909 average adjusted gross income)
| Here: | 7.04% |
| Oregon average: | 8.20% |
10 or fewer of this county's residents moved from foreign countries.
7.04% relocated from other counties in Oregon ($44,909 average AGI)
10 or fewer of this county's residents relocated from other states.
4.60% of this county's 2020 resident taxpayers moved to other counties in 2021 ($24,524 average adjusted gross income)
| Here: | 4.60% |
| Oregon average: | 8.24% |
10 or fewer of this county's residents moved to foreign countries.
4.60% relocated to other counties in Oregon ($24,524 average AGI)
10 or fewer of this county's residents relocated to other states.
Deaths per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 12.3
Deaths per 1000 population from 2000 to 2009: 9.5
Deaths per 1000 population from 2010 to 2019: 6.9
Persons under 19 years old without health insurance coverage in 2018: 6.7%
Persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare) in July 1, 2007: 409 (369 aged, 40 disabled)
Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2007: 48 (23%)
Population without health insurance coverage in 2000: 28%
Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2000: 31%
Medical specialist MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 2,199
Household type by relationship:
Households: 1,490- Male householders: 266 (86 living alone), Female householders: 381 (119 living alone)
328 spouses (328 opposite-sex spouses), 26 unmarried partners, (26 opposite-sex unmarried partners), 283 children (259 natural, 6 adopted, 17 stepchildren), 38 grandchildren, 15 brothers or sisters, 0 parents, 0 foster children, 87 other relatives, 52 non-relatives
- In group quarters: 16
Size of family households: 226 2-persons, 95 3-persons, 38 4-persons, 21 5-persons, 12 6-persons, 4 7-or-more-persons.
Size of nonfamily households: 205 1-person, 45 2-persons.
156 married couples with children.
56 single-parent households (15 men, 41 women).
93.3% of residents of Wheeler speak English at home.
5.9% of residents speak Spanish at home (83% speak English very well, 17% speak English well).
0.7% of residents speak other Indo-European language at home (70% speak English very well, 30% speak English well).
0.7% of residents speak Asian or Pacific Island language at home (56% speak English very well, 44% speak English well).
0.2% of residents speak other language at home (100% speak English well).
In fiscal year 2004:
Federal Government expenditure: $10,566,000 ($7,125 per capita)
Department of Defense expenditure: $232,000
Federal direct payments to individuals for retirement and disability: $5,469,000
Federal other direct payments to individuals: $2,307,000
Federal direct payments not to individuals: $379,000
Federal grants: $1,796,000
Federal procurement contracts: $155,000 ($0,000 Department of Defense)
Federal salaries and wages: $459,000 ($0,000 Department of Defense)
Federal Government direct loans: $625,000
Federal guaranteed/insured loans: $88,000
Federal Government insurance: $1,540,000
Population change from April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2005:
Births: 44| Here: | 30 per 1000 residents |
| State: | 65 per 1000 residents |
Deaths: 90
| Here: | 62 per 1000 residents |
| State: | 44 per 1000 residents |
Net international migration: +5
| Here: | +3 per 1000 residents |
| State: | +20 per 1000 residents |
Net internal migration: -49
| Here: |   -34 per 1000 residents |
| State: |  +21 per 1000 residents |
Total withdrawal of fresh water for public supply: 0.36 millions of gallons per day (64% from ground, 36% from surface)
Median number of rooms in houses and condos:
| Here: | 6.0 |
| State: | 6.2 |
Median number of rooms in apartments:
| Here: | 5.0 |
| State: | 4.0 |
- Year house built in Wheeler County, Oregon
- 02020 or later
- 752010 to 2019
- 1052000 to 2009
- 2111990 to 1999
- 431980 to 1989
- 1221970 to 1979
- 151960 to 1969
- 511950 to 1959
- 791940 to 1949
- 2321939 or earlier
- Rooms in owner-occupied houses in Wheeler County, Oregon
- 111 room
- 12 rooms
- 133 rooms
- 694 rooms
- 875 rooms
- 1076 rooms
- 807 rooms
- 598 rooms
- 439+ rooms
- Rooms in renter-occupied apartments in Wheeler County, Oregon
- 41 room
- 172 rooms
- 153 rooms
- 314 rooms
- 395 rooms
- 336 rooms
- 167 rooms
- 38 rooms
- 219+ rooms
- Bedrooms in owner-occupied houses in Wheeler County, Oregon
- 11no bedroom
- 191 bedroom
- 1552 bedrooms
- 1913 bedrooms
- 744 bedrooms
- 155+ bedrooms
- Bedrooms in renter-occupied apartments in Wheeler County, Oregon
- 4no bedroom
- 181 bedroom
- 802 bedrooms
- 513 bedrooms
- 224 bedrooms
- 65+ bedrooms
- Cars and other vehicles available in Wheeler County in owner-occupied houses/condos
- 6no vehicle
- 1051 vehicle
- 2012 vehicles
- 1003 vehicles
- 324 vehicles
- 215+ vehicles
- Cars and other vehicles available in Wheeler County in renter-occupied apartments
- 20no vehicle
- 581 vehicle
- 572 vehicles
- 283 vehicles
- 74 vehicles
- 125+ vehicles
86.9% of Wheeler County residents lived in the same house 1 years ago.
Out of people who lived in different houses, 31% lived in this county.
Out of people who lived in different counties, 51% lived in Oregon.
| Wheeler County: | 86.9% |
| State average: | 84.2% |
Place of birth for U.S.-born residents:
- This state: 897
- Other state: 521
- Northeast: 36
- Midwest: 71
- South: 80
- West: 333
- 37.6%Wood
- 37.1%Electricity
- 14.0%Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.
- 5.6%Bottled, tank, or LP gas
- 4.0%Utility gas
- 1.6%Other fuel
- 0.2%Solar energy
- 45.6%Wood
- 33.3%Electricity
- 16.7%Bottled, tank, or LP gas
- 4.4%Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.
Private vs. public school enrollment:
Students in private schools in grades 1 to 8 (elementary and middle school): 29
| Here: | 32.2% |
| Oregon: | 13.8% |
Students in private schools in grades 9 to 12 (high school): 0
| Here: | 0.0% |
| Oregon: | 9.2% |
Students in private undergraduate colleges: 3
| Here: | 13.0% |
| Oregon: | 18.3% |
Wheeler County government finances - Expenditure in 2018:
- Current Operations - Regular Highways: $886,000
General - Other: $449,000
Police Protection: $324,000
Central Staff Services: $234,000
Financial Administration: $210,000
Transit Utilities: $133,000
Solid Waste Management: $120,000
Judicial and Legal Services: $93,000
Parks and Recreation: $51,000
Corrections - Other: $30,000
Health - Other: $2,000
Natural Resources - Other: $1,000
- General - Interest on Debt: $43,000
- Other Funds - Cash and Securities: $5,304,000
- Total Salaries and Wages: $2,068,000
Wheeler County government finances - Revenue in 2018:
- Current Operations - Regular Highways: $886,000
General - Other: $449,000
Police Protection: $324,000
Central Staff Services: $234,000
Financial Administration: $210,000
Transit Utilities: $133,000
Solid Waste Management: $120,000
Judicial and Legal Services: $93,000
Parks and Recreation: $51,000
Corrections - Other: $30,000
Health - Other: $2,000
Natural Resources - Other: $1,000
- General - Interest on Debt: $43,000
- Other Funds - Cash and Securities: $5,304,000
- Total Salaries and Wages: $2,068,000
Wheeler County government finances - Debt in 2018:
- Current Operations - Regular Highways: $886,000
General - Other: $449,000
Police Protection: $324,000
Central Staff Services: $234,000
Financial Administration: $210,000
Transit Utilities: $133,000
Solid Waste Management: $120,000
Judicial and Legal Services: $93,000
Parks and Recreation: $51,000
Corrections - Other: $30,000
Health - Other: $2,000
Natural Resources - Other: $1,000
- General - Interest on Debt: $43,000
- Other Funds - Cash and Securities: $5,304,000
- Total Salaries and Wages: $2,068,000
Wheeler County government finances - Cash and Securities in 2018:
- Current Operations - Regular Highways: $886,000
General - Other: $449,000
Police Protection: $324,000
Central Staff Services: $234,000
Financial Administration: $210,000
Transit Utilities: $133,000
Solid Waste Management: $120,000
Judicial and Legal Services: $93,000
Parks and Recreation: $51,000
Corrections - Other: $30,000
Health - Other: $2,000
Natural Resources - Other: $1,000
- General - Interest on Debt: $43,000
- Other Funds - Cash and Securities: $5,304,000
- Total Salaries and Wages: $2,068,000
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in 2006:
- Total number of recipients: 19
- Number of aged recipients: 3
- Number of blind and disabled recipients: 16
- Number of recipients under 18: 0
- Number of recipients between 18 and 64: 11
- Number of recipients older than 64: 0
- Number of recipients also receiving OASDI: 7
- Amount of payments (thousands of dollars): 8
| Most common first names in Wheeler County, OR among deceased individuals | ||
| Name | Count | Lived (average) |
|---|---|---|
| Robert | 17 | 70.7 years |
| Mary | 10 | 84.4 years |
| William | 8 | 79.2 years |
| Donald | 7 | 74.1 years |
| George | 7 | 79.7 years |
| Charles | 7 | 79.0 years |
| Helen | 6 | 77.8 years |
| Margaret | 6 | 73.2 years |
| James | 5 | 80.2 years |
| Frank | 5 | 75.6 years |
| Most common last names in Wheeler County, OR among deceased individuals | ||
| Last name | Count | Lived (average) |
|---|---|---|
| Dyer | 6 | 76.9 years |
| Williams | 6 | 89.8 years |
| Luther | 5 | 80.8 years |
| Steiwer | 5 | 77.0 years |
| Conlee | 4 | 74.8 years |
| Humphrey | 4 | 77.0 years |
| Asher | 4 | 81.2 years |
| Dunn | 4 | 77.2 years |
| Miller | 4 | 74.8 years |
| Wright | 4 | 83.0 years |
Businesses in Wheeler County, OR
- Chevrolet: 1
Wheeler County on our top lists:
- #29 on the list of "Top 101 counties with highest percentage of residents voting for 3rd party candidates in the 2012 Presidential Election"
- #68 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest number of deaths per 1000 residents 2007-2013"
- #88 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest surface withdrawal of fresh water for public supply"