Wasco County

Wasco County is located in north-central Oregon along the Columbia River, extending south across the eastern slopes of the Cascade Range into the arid Columbia Plateau. Established in 1854, it was one of Oregon’s early large counties and later subdivided as the state’s interior regions were organized. The county is mid-sized in population, with roughly 26,000 residents, and is anchored by The Dalles—its county seat and a long-standing transportation and trade center on the Columbia. Wasco County is largely rural outside the city of The Dalles, with an economy shaped by agriculture (notably wheat, orchards, and vineyards), food processing, and regional services, alongside employment connected to river and highway freight corridors. Landscapes range from forested mountain terrain to open grasslands and basalt canyons, reflecting a transition from wetter western Oregon to the drier interior. Cultural life blends Columbia River history with agricultural and small-city communities.

Wasco County is located in north-central Oregon along the Columbia River Gorge, with The Dalles serving as the county seat. The county sits east of the Portland metropolitan area and includes a mix of river corridor communities and inland agricultural areas.

Population Size

According to the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Wasco County, Oregon, the county had an estimated population of 26,939 (2023).

Age & Gender

Age and sex statistics are reported by the U.S. Census Bureau via QuickFacts and related census tables for Wasco County.

• Under 18 years: 20.1%
• 18–64 years: 58.5%
• 65 years and over: 21.4%
• Female: 49.8%
• Male: 50.2%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (Wasco County, Oregon).

Racial & Ethnic Composition

Race and Hispanic/Latino ethnicity are reported separately by the U.S. Census Bureau (individuals who identify as Hispanic/Latino may be of any race). Key QuickFacts measures for Wasco County include:

• White alone: 84.6%
• Black or African American alone: 0.8%
• American Indian and Alaska Native alone: 1.6%
• Asian alone: 1.7%
• Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone: 0.3%
• Two or more races: 8.4%
• Hispanic or Latino (of any race): 17.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (Wasco County, Oregon).

Household & Housing Data

Household and housing indicators below are from the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Wasco County.

• Households: 10,584
• Persons per household: 2.46
• Owner-occupied housing unit rate: 67.0%
• Median value of owner-occupied housing units: $311,900
• Median gross rent: $1,131

Source: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (Wasco County, Oregon).

Local Government Reference

For local government and planning resources, visit the Wasco County official website.

Wasco County’s largely rural geography outside The Dalles and long east–west travel corridors in the Columbia River Gorge shape digital communication by concentrating higher-quality connectivity near population centers and leaving more remote areas dependent on limited last‑mile infrastructure.

Direct county-level email usage statistics are not routinely published; email adoption is commonly inferred from proxy indicators such as household broadband and computer access reported by the U.S. Census Bureau (data.census.gov). These measures indicate the practical ability to maintain email accounts and use webmail or client-based email.

Age structure also influences email adoption because older populations tend to rely more on email for services and communication, while younger cohorts often emphasize mobile messaging; county age distributions are available through U.S. Census Bureau age tables. Gender distribution is generally not a primary driver of access at the county scale; demographic profiles, including sex by age, are available via QuickFacts for Wasco County.

Connectivity constraints relevant to email access include patchy rural broadband availability and affordability; planning and infrastructure context is commonly documented by Wasco County government and statewide broadband reporting.

Wasco County is in north-central Oregon along the Columbia River, with population concentrated around The Dalles and large rural areas extending south onto the east slopes of the Cascade Range. The county’s mix of a small urban center, river corridor transportation routes (I‑84/US‑30), and extensive mountainous and high-desert terrain contributes to uneven mobile signal propagation and backhaul availability, with stronger coverage near towns and highways and weaker coverage in remote valleys, forested areas, and higher elevations. County profile context is available through the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Wasco County.

Key distinction: network availability vs. household adoption

Network availability refers to where mobile providers report service (coverage). Household adoption refers to whether residents subscribe to mobile service, use mobile broadband, or rely on cellular as their primary internet connection. These measures are not interchangeable, and county-level adoption metrics are often reported at coarser geographic scales (state or multi-county regions) or as modeled estimates rather than direct counts.

Mobile penetration or access indicators (adoption and subscription)

Household phone access (mobile-only vs. landline)

County-level “mobile-only household” measures are most commonly derived from federal survey programs (for example, the National Health Interview Survey) that are not designed to produce consistent county estimates. As a result, Wasco County–specific mobile-only household shares are not generally published as official county statistics.

For a county-level indicator that reflects communications access more broadly, the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) provides tables on telephone service availability (presence/absence of telephone service) and related household characteristics, though the ACS does not directly publish a standard “mobile subscription” rate at the county level in the same way it publishes broadband subscription. County demographics that correlate with phone adoption (age structure, income, housing) are accessible via data.census.gov and the Census QuickFacts page.

Broadband subscription vs. cellular reliance

The ACS publishes household internet subscription indicators (including cellular data plans as a subscription type in many ACS tabulations). These data can be used to describe internet adoption in Wasco County, but they do not isolate “mobile phone ownership” alone. County-level ACS internet subscription tables can be accessed through data.census.gov (search terms commonly include “Wasco County OR internet subscription” and ACS table metadata).

Limitation: ACS measures are survey-based estimates with margins of error, and they describe subscription status rather than the technical quality of mobile coverage.

Mobile internet usage patterns (4G/5G availability and typical connectivity)

Reported 4G LTE and 5G availability (coverage)

The most widely cited source for reported mobile coverage in the United States is the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The FCC’s mobile broadband coverage information is available through the FCC’s broadband data tools and mapping resources, which compile provider-submitted availability at granular geographies.

• FCC mobile broadband availability and maps: FCC National Broadband Map
• FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC) program background and methodology: FCC Broadband Data Collection

In practice for Wasco County, reported service is typically strongest in:

• The Dalles urban area and nearby communities along the Columbia River corridor
• Major road corridors (notably I‑84 and other primary routes)
• Areas with easier terrain and closer proximity to towers and backhaul

Reported service is more likely to be limited or variable in:

• Remote rural census blocks away from highways and towns
• Mountainous/forested areas and complex terrain south of the river corridor
• Areas with sparse tower density and constrained backhaul

Limitation: FCC availability reflects provider-reported service areas and does not directly measure user experience (indoor reception, congestion, topography-related shadowing). Availability also does not equal adoption.

Typical usage patterns: mobile as supplement vs. primary access

County-specific “how residents use mobile data” (primary home internet vs. supplemental, streaming vs. messaging, etc.) is not consistently published as a county statistic. However, in rural counties, mobile broadband is often used as:

• A supplement to fixed broadband where cable/fiber/DSL is available but coverage is uneven outside town centers
• A stopgap or primary connection in areas where fixed broadband infrastructure is limited or high-cost

This pattern is better supported using a combination of:

• County-level ACS internet subscription indicators (adoption)
• FCC fixed and mobile availability data (network reach)
• State broadband planning documents and challenge processes that describe unserved/underserved conditions by geography

Oregon’s statewide broadband planning and mapping resources are available through the Oregon Broadband Office, which compiles information used for planning and federal broadband programs.

Common device types (smartphones vs. other devices)

Direct county-level device-type breakdowns (smartphone vs. flip phone, tablets, hotspots) are generally not published as official statistics for Wasco County. Most publicly available device ownership detail is reported at national or state levels via surveys, academic studies, or private measurement firms, not as official county datasets.

What can be stated using public data sources:

• The ACS captures types of internet subscription (including cellular data plans) rather than enumerating handset types.
• FCC data addresses network availability (4G/5G) rather than consumer device composition.
• Device-type distribution is influenced by age, income, and rurality, which can be described using Census demographic profiles for Wasco County (see Census QuickFacts).

Limitation: Without a county-specific survey that explicitly asks about handset type, statements about smartphones vs. non-smartphones remain unquantified at the county level.

Demographic and geographic factors influencing mobile usage and connectivity

Terrain, land use, and settlement patterns (connectivity)

• Terrain and vegetation: Mountainous topography, canyons, and forested areas can block or attenuate signal and reduce consistent outdoor/indoor coverage, particularly away from the Columbia River corridor and urban centers.
• Population density and tower economics: Lower-density areas typically have fewer cell sites per square mile, increasing the likelihood of coverage gaps and weaker indoor service.
• Transportation corridors: Coverage is commonly denser along interstate and state highway corridors, where providers prioritize continuity of service and backhaul access.

These factors shape availability and quality, but they do not directly measure adoption.

Socioeconomic and demographic factors (adoption and device usage)

Demographic factors associated with differences in mobile adoption and reliance on cellular for internet include:

• Income and housing costs: Lower-income households are more likely to substitute mobile data plans for fixed broadband in some contexts, while higher-income households are more likely to maintain multiple connections (fixed + mobile). County income and poverty indicators are available via data.census.gov.
• Age distribution: Older populations tend to have lower smartphone adoption and lower rates of mobile-only internet use in many survey findings, though county-level device measures are not published as official statistics for Wasco County.
• Rurality and access to fixed infrastructure: In areas where fixed broadband availability is limited, mobile adoption can be high while broadband performance and data caps constrain usage patterns.

Data availability notes and limitations (Wasco County specificity)

• Coverage (availability): Best addressed using the FCC National Broadband Map, which distinguishes mobile coverage by technology and provider reporting.
• Adoption (household subscription): Best addressed using ACS internet subscription tables via data.census.gov. These measures capture whether households subscribe to internet and may include cellular data plans, but they do not directly quantify smartphone ownership or 4G/5G usage.
• Device types and detailed usage behaviors: Generally not available as official county-level statistics; most detailed device/behavior measures come from national surveys or commercial datasets not published as county indicators.

Summary

• Network availability: Reported 4G LTE and some 5G availability can be evaluated through the FCC’s coverage datasets and maps, with stronger coverage expected near The Dalles and major corridors and more variable coverage in rugged and sparsely populated areas.
• Household adoption: Publicly accessible county-level adoption information is more robust for internet subscription (ACS) than for mobile phone ownership or smartphone share.
• Devices and usage: Smartphone prevalence and detailed mobile usage behaviors are not reliably available as official Wasco County metrics; demographic context from the Census helps explain likely variation without supplying county-specific device counts.

Wasco County is in north-central Oregon along the Columbia River Gorge, with The Dalles as the county seat and a mix of agriculture, renewable energy (notably wind), transportation corridors (I‑84/US‑97), and tourism tied to the Gorge. This blend of rural and small-city life, combined with commuter and visitor traffic, tends to favor mobile-first social media use, community-information sharing, and platform choices common across Oregon and the broader U.S.

User statistics (local availability and best-supported proxies)

• County-level penetration: Public, methodologically consistent social media penetration estimates are generally not published at the county level in the U.S. by major survey organizations.
• State context: Oregon’s overall internet access and smartphone ownership levels are high by national standards, supporting broad social media reach; however, platform-specific usage is typically reported at national (not county) samples. For baseline U.S. adult social media adoption and trend lines used as proxies, refer to the Pew Research Center social media fact sheet.
• U.S. adult adoption benchmark (proxy): Nationally, a large majority of U.S. adults use at least one social media site, and usage is strongly age-stratified (Pew). This benchmark is commonly used for rural counties where local survey samples are not available.

Age group trends

• Highest-use groups: National survey evidence shows 18–29 and 30–49 are the most active cohorts across most major platforms, with usage declining with age. Source: Pew Research Center (platform-by-age breakouts).
• Platform skews by age (national pattern used as proxy):
  • Younger adults (18–29): higher use of Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok.
  • Middle adults (30–49): broad multi-platform use; Facebook and YouTube remain prominent.
  • Older adults (50+): higher reliance on Facebook and YouTube relative to newer short-form platforms.
• Local implication for Wasco County: With a substantial rural population and family households, the most durable reach for broad community messaging typically aligns with Facebook + YouTube, consistent with national age patterns.

Gender breakdown

• Overall pattern (national): Gender differences vary by platform more than for “any social media.” Pew’s platform-level tables show:
  • Women tend to over-index on Pinterest and often Instagram.
  • Men tend to over-index on YouTube and some discussion-oriented networks. Source: Pew Research Center platform demographics.
• Local implication for Wasco County: In the absence of county-specific polling, platform-specific gender skews are best inferred from national demographic splits rather than a single county-wide gender penetration estimate.

Most-used platforms (percentages where well-supported)

County-specific platform shares are not reliably published in major public datasets; the most defensible percentages come from national survey series used as proxies.

• YouTube and Facebook consistently rank among the top-used platforms among U.S. adults (Pew).
• Additional widely used platforms include Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, LinkedIn, Snapchat, and X with strong age-related differences. Percentages and time series are provided in the Pew Research Center social media fact sheet.
• For complementary national usage measurement that includes daily use and time spent perspectives, see Edison Research’s Infinite Dial (U.S. social media and audio consumption tracking).

Behavioral trends (engagement patterns and preferences)

• Mobile-centric usage: Rural and mixed rural–small-city counties typically show high reliance on smartphones for social networking and video, reflecting national patterns of mobile access. Pew’s ongoing internet and technology research provides the underlying ownership and access context: Pew Research Center: Internet & Technology.
• Video as a dominant format: Short- and long-form video consumption (especially on YouTube, plus TikTok/Instagram video) is a primary engagement mode nationally; this typically translates locally into high reach for video explainers, local news clips, and how-to content.
• Community-information use cases: In counties with smaller population centers (e.g., The Dalles) and wide rural geography, Facebook groups/pages commonly function as hubs for:
  • local events and school updates
  • road/weather and wildfire-related updates
  • buy/sell and service recommendations
    These behaviors align with broader U.S. patterns of Facebook use for community and local information rather than entertainment-only consumption.
• Engagement cadence: National survey findings consistently show that a meaningful share of users access major platforms daily, with higher frequency among younger cohorts and video-forward platforms; benchmark daily-use patterns are tracked in sources such as Edison Research’s Infinite Dial and Pew’s platform reporting.

Note on data limits: For Wasco County specifically, the most reliable publicly accessible information typically consists of (1) county demographics from official sources and (2) national social media usage surveys. Platform-by-platform percentages cited for local populations generally require proprietary ad-platform audience estimates or paid market research and are not consistently validated as county-representative in public methodology.

Wasco County family and associate-related public records include vital records (birth and death), court records, and recorded documents that can identify family relationships. Birth and death records are Oregon vital records administered by the state through the Oregon Center for Health Statistics; certified copies are requested via the state’s vital records system rather than the county (Oregon Vital Records (OHA)). Adoption records are generally sealed under Oregon law and handled through state processes; access is restricted and may require specific statutory eligibility (Oregon Adoption Records (OHA)).

Associate-related and family-connected information also appears in property and marriage-related filings recorded locally. Wasco County Clerk’s recorded instruments (deeds, mortgages, liens, and some marriage records, where applicable) are accessible through the county’s recording and clerk services, including in-person access and any county-provided search tools (Wasco County Clerk). Court case records (family relations, probate, guardianship, and civil matters) are maintained by Oregon Circuit Courts; Wasco County Circuit Court filings and registers are available through the Oregon Judicial Department and statewide online search for many case types (Wasco County Circuit Court, OJD Online Records Search (OJIN)).

Privacy restrictions commonly apply to sealed adoption files, some domestic relations records, and protected personal identifiers (e.g., Social Security numbers) that may be redacted.

Types of records available

• Marriage licenses and certificates
  • Oregon counties (including Wasco County) issue marriage licenses through the county clerk’s office. After the ceremony, the officiant returns the completed license for recording, and the recorded document functions as the county’s marriage record.
• Divorce (dissolution of marriage) records
  • Divorces are handled as civil cases in the Circuit Court. Records commonly include the Judgment of Dissolution (final decree) and related filings (petitions, motions, orders).
• Annulments
  • Annulments are also court matters (typically filed as marriage annulment actions) in the Circuit Court, with a final Judgment of Annulment and related case filings.

Where records are filed and how they can be accessed

• Marriage records (Wasco County)
  • Filed/recorded by: Wasco County Clerk (marriage licenses are issued and recorded at the county level).
  • State-level vital record: Oregon Health Authority (Center for Health Statistics) maintains statewide vital records and can issue certified copies under state rules.
  • Access methods: Requests are generally made through the county clerk for county records or through the Oregon Health Authority for state-certified vital records.
  • Reference: Oregon Health Authority Vital Records (marriage/divorce certificates) https://www.oregon.gov/oha/ph/birthdeathcertificates/vitalrecords/
• Divorce and annulment records (Wasco County)
  • Filed by: Oregon Judicial Department, Wasco County Circuit Court (case file maintained by the court clerk).
  • Statewide case access: Case register information and some docket-level details may be available through Oregon Judicial Department online services, while full documents are typically obtained from the court records office, subject to confidentiality rules.
  • Reference: Oregon Judicial Department circuit court information https://www.courts.oregon.gov/courts/wasco/Pages/default.aspx

Typical information included in these records

• Marriage license/record
  • Full legal names of both parties (and prior names where recorded)
  • Ages/birth dates (varies by form version), places of birth (commonly recorded)
  • Residence information at time of application
  • Date and place of marriage ceremony
  • Officiant name/title and signature
  • Witness information (when required/recorded)
  • License number, issuance/recording details, and county recording information
• Divorce (dissolution) judgment/decree and case file
  • Names of parties and case number
  • Date of filing and date judgment entered
  • Terms of dissolution (property division, debts, support)
  • Parenting time and custody determinations (when applicable)
  • Child support orders (when applicable)
  • Restoration of former name (when requested/ordered)
• Annulment judgment and case file
  • Names of parties and case number
  • Legal basis for annulment and findings
  • Date judgment entered
  • Ancillary orders (property, support, custody/parenting issues) when applicable

Privacy or legal restrictions

• Vital records restrictions (marriage and divorce certificates)
  • Oregon restricts access to certified copies of many vital records and requires identity verification and eligibility consistent with state law and administrative rules. Non-certified informational copies may be available in limited circumstances depending on the record type and the issuing authority’s policies.
  • The Oregon Health Authority publishes eligibility requirements and ordering rules for vital records, including marriage and divorce certificates: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/ph/birthdeathcertificates/vitalrecords/
• Court record confidentiality (divorce/annulment case files)
  • Oregon court files are generally public, but specific information and documents may be confidential or sealed by law or court order. Common restrictions involve protected personal identifiers (such as Social Security numbers), certain financial account data, and information involving minors, safety, or protected parties.
  • Access to restricted documents is controlled by the court, and copies may require redaction or may be unavailable to the general public depending on the applicable confidentiality rules and orders in the case.

Wasco County is in north-central Oregon along the Columbia River Gorge, anchored by The Dalles and extending south onto the high desert plateau. The county has a mid-sized rural population (about 27,000–28,000 residents in recent Census estimates) with a mix of small-city services in The Dalles and widely dispersed agricultural and rangeland communities elsewhere. Demographics and settlement patterns reflect a regional service-and-trade hub surrounded by farming, forestry, and renewable-energy development.

Education Indicators

Public schools (counts and names)

Wasco County’s public K–12 system is primarily served by North Wasco County School District 21 (The Dalles area) and Dufur School District 55 (Dufur area). School listings and directories are maintained by the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) and the districts:

• North Wasco County SD 21 schools commonly listed include The Dalles High School, The Dalles Middle School, and several elementary schools serving The Dalles area (school rosters vary slightly by year as programs and grade configurations change). District reference: North Wasco County SD 21.
• Dufur SD 55 typically operates a K–12 program in Dufur (often organized as an elementary and junior/senior high configuration or a unified K–12 campus depending on the year). District reference: Dufur School District.
• For the most current count of public schools and official school names in the county, ODE’s directory and district “At-A-Glance” profiles are the canonical source: Oregon Department of Education school and district information.

Data note: A single “countywide” public-school count is not consistently reported as a standalone statistic across datasets; ODE district and school directories are the most reliable source for the current year’s roster.

Student–teacher ratios and graduation rates

• Student–teacher ratios in Wasco County public schools generally align with small-to-mid-sized Oregon districts, commonly falling in the mid-to-high teens students per teacher depending on school and grade span. District- and school-specific ratios are best verified in ODE district profiles and school report cards (updated annually).
• High school graduation rates are reported by ODE for each district and high school. Wasco County graduation rates typically track near statewide patterns for rural counties, with variation by cohort and student group. The most recent cohort graduation data are published in ODE’s annual graduation reports and district At-A-Glance profiles: ODE graduation data.

Data note: Because graduation rates and staffing can change year to year and differ by district (North Wasco vs. Dufur), district-level ODE reports are the appropriate “most recent” reference rather than a single countywide roll-up.

Adult educational attainment (countywide)

American Community Survey (ACS) county estimates indicate:

• High school diploma or higher (age 25+): Wasco County is generally in the high-80% to low-90% range, typical of many non-metro Oregon counties.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher (age 25+): Wasco County is generally below Oregon’s statewide share, commonly reported around the high-teens to low-20% range in recent ACS 5-year profiles.

The standard county source is the U.S. Census Bureau’s ACS tables (educational attainment): U.S. Census Bureau data portal.

Notable programs (STEM, CTE, AP)

• Career and Technical Education (CTE) offerings are common in rural Oregon districts and typically include pathways such as manufacturing/industrial arts, agriculture-related coursework, business/IT, and health-related introductory programs; offerings vary by year and staffing.
• Advanced Placement (AP) / college-credit options: Oregon districts frequently offer AP and/or dual-credit opportunities via partnerships with Oregon community colleges; local availability is school-specific and is commonly documented in high school course catalogs and counseling offices.
• Regional postsecondary access: Workforce and community-college pathways for Wasco County residents are strongly influenced by Columbia Gorge and Central Oregon regional institutions; program availability is best captured through local school counseling materials and regional community college program pages rather than county aggregates.

Data note: A single countywide inventory of STEM/AP/CTE programs is not consistently published; district course catalogs and ODE CTE reporting provide the most accurate program lists.

School safety measures and counseling resources

• Oregon districts typically implement secure-entry procedures, visitor management, emergency operations plans, and required safety drills consistent with state guidance and district policy. District safety plans and board policies are generally posted on district websites.
• Student counseling is commonly provided through school counselors and additional supports that may include social workers, school psychologists (often shared across schools), and partnerships with local mental/behavioral health providers. Service levels vary by school size and funding; staffing ratios are not uniform across the county.

Employment and Economic Conditions

Unemployment rate (most recent year available)

• The most recent official county unemployment measures are published by the Oregon Employment Department (OED) and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (LAUS program). Wasco County’s unemployment rate in recent years has generally been in the mid-single digits, with seasonal variation tied to agriculture, tourism, and construction. Authoritative sources:
• Oregon Employment Department – Labor Market Information
• BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS)

Data note: “Most recent year” depends on whether annual averages or the latest monthly estimate is used; OED provides both series for counties.

Major industries and employment sectors

Wasco County’s employment base typically reflects:

• Public administration, education, and health services (county/city government, schools, clinics and regional healthcare access)
• Retail trade and accommodation/food services (The Dalles as a regional service center; Columbia Gorge travel)
• Agriculture and food systems (orchards, wheat and hay, livestock; seasonal labor patterns; agricultural services)
• Transportation and warehousing (Columbia River and I‑84 corridor logistics; regional distribution)
• Construction and specialty trades (housing, infrastructure, energy projects)
• Energy and utilities (wind energy development in the region; related construction and operations roles)

County industry detail is available through OED/QCEW and related LMI products.

Common occupations and workforce breakdown

Occupational patterns in Wasco County generally include:

• Office and administrative support, sales, and food preparation/serving tied to local services
• Transportation and material moving linked to logistics and warehousing
• Construction and extraction and installation/maintenance/repair
• Production roles in local manufacturing/processing where present
• Education, healthcare support, and protective services connected to public and health sectors

Detailed occupational employment estimates are typically presented at the regional level (workforce areas) or via OED occupational data products rather than a single county snapshot.

Commuting patterns and mean commute time

ACS commuting data typically show Wasco County residents:

• Most commonly commute by driving alone, with smaller shares carpooling and limited transit use outside The Dalles.
• Mean commute times in similar Oregon rural counties commonly fall around 20–25 minutes, with variation by residence (The Dalles vs. outlying areas).

Commuting mode share and travel time data are reported in ACS commuting tables: ACS commuting estimates.

Local employment vs. out-of-county work

• Wasco County functions as both a local employment center (The Dalles) and a commuter county for some residents working elsewhere in the Columbia Gorge and Portland metro fringe. Net commuting patterns (inflow/outflow) are best captured by the Census Bureau’s LEHD/OnTheMap tools: LEHD OnTheMap commuting flows.
• In practice, local employment is concentrated in The Dalles, while out-of-county commuting is more common among residents living near I‑84 or seeking specialized jobs in larger labor markets.

Data note: Precise shares working in-county vs. out-of-county are dataset-dependent and are most reliably obtained from LEHD Origin-Destination Employment Statistics rather than ACS alone.

Housing and Real Estate

Homeownership rate and rental share

ACS housing tenure data for Wasco County typically indicate:

• Homeownership is the majority tenure (commonly around the low- to mid-60% range).
• Renters typically comprise the mid-30% range.

Official tenure estimates are available through ACS housing tables: ACS housing tenure.

Median property values and recent trends

• ACS median owner-occupied home values for Wasco County have generally risen since 2020, consistent with Oregon-wide appreciation, with moderation compared with the Portland metro core. Recent 5-year ACS medians commonly fall in the mid-$300,000 range (with market values varying widely by location, condition, and proximity to The Dalles).
• Transaction-based medians (MLS/assessor summaries) can differ from ACS; ACS remains the consistent countywide statistical source: ACS median home value.

Data note: “Recent trends” are sensitive to the source (ACS vs. MLS). ACS captures self-reported values and is best used for long-run county comparisons rather than month-to-month market timing.

Typical rent prices

• ACS median gross rent in Wasco County in recent profiles is commonly reported around the low-$1,000s per month, varying by unit size and location; The Dalles generally commands higher rents than more remote areas. Source: ACS median gross rent.

Housing types

Wasco County’s housing stock is characterized by:

• Single-family detached homes as the dominant form, especially outside central The Dalles
• Manufactured homes and rural properties on larger lots, more common in outlying areas
• Apartments and small multifamily concentrated in The Dalles, near employment and services

These patterns are consistent with ACS “units in structure” distributions for rural Oregon counties.

Neighborhood characteristics (proximity to schools or amenities)

• The Dalles contains the county’s most walkable clusters of services and the greatest proximity to schools, healthcare, retail, and civic amenities; housing includes older neighborhoods, small-lot subdivisions, and pockets of multifamily.
• Outlying communities and rural areas offer larger parcels and agricultural/residential mixes, with longer travel distances to schools and services and heavier reliance on private vehicles.

Data note: Countywide datasets describe broad patterns; neighborhood-level characteristics vary by census tract and city planning areas.

Property tax overview (rate and typical homeowner cost)

• Oregon property taxes are based on assessed value limits (Measure 5/Measure 50 framework) and local levy rates. Wasco County effective rates commonly fall around ~1.0%–1.3% of real market value in many owner situations, but actual bills vary materially by taxing district, bonded indebtedness (school bonds), and assessed value growth limits.
• Typical annual tax amounts for a median-priced owner-occupied home often fall in the several-thousand-dollars-per-year range; precise typical bills are best obtained from the Wasco County Assessor and Oregon Department of Revenue property tax summaries. References:
• Oregon Department of Revenue – property tax overview
• Wasco County government (assessor and tax information)

Data note: A single county “average property tax rate” is an approximation because levy rates differ by location and tax code area; assessor statements provide the definitive parcel-level amounts.*