Cave Junction, Oregon Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cave Junction, Oregon had a total population of 1,691, the 179th largest city in Oregon, with a median household income of $39,291, which is 53% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 27.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 53% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (27.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 7.5x the median household income.
- Unemployment rate of 8.3% is notably above the national average.
Cave Junction Quick Facts
How Cave Junction Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,701 | 1,691 | -0.6% |
| Median household income | $35,927 | $39,291 | +9.4% |
| Median home value | $252,000 | $292,900 | +16.2% |
How Cave Junction Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 46 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Cave Junction Rankings in Oregon
Explore Oregon Rankings
Other Cities in Josephine County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grants Pass | 39,311 | $59,646 | 14.4% | $382,600 |
| Redwood | 3,721 | $68,125 | 10.8% | $397,800 |
| Merlin | 1,617 | $71,806 | 8.8% | $435,000 |
| New Hope | 1,296 | $65,000 | 19.1% | $437,900 |
| Williams | 760 | $78,094 | 8.3% | $592,000 |
| Takilma | 658 | $33,109 | 39.2% | $314,300 |
| Selma | 520 | $43,372 | 9.8% | $231,500 |
| O'Brien | 379 | $29,252 | 13.2% | $168,400 |
| Kerby | 187 | $28,686 | 47.1% | $241,000 |
Cities Similar to Cave Junction
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canyonville | 1,920 | $47,682 | $229,500 | 11.6% | 26.3% |
| Grand Ronde | 1,549 | $52,669 | $318,500 | 3.6% | 24.8% |
| Rockaway Beach | 1,562 | $53,872 | $342,300 | 27.1% | 11.3% |
| John Day | 1,609 | $57,891 | $212,100 | 18.0% | 12.9% |
| Bunker Hill | 1,626 | $60,058 | $227,600 | 11.7% | 24.3% |
Population Overview
Cave Junction is a small community located in Oregon, within Josephine County. The total population is 1,691. It ranks as the 179th most populous out of 420 Census-designated places in Oregon.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cave Junction is 53.6 years. This is 33% higher than the state median of 40.4 years. 10.9% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cave Junction is $39,291. This is 53% lower than the state median of $83,011. It is also 51% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 27.7%. This is 132% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 8.3%. This is 55% higher than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $292,900. Housing costs are 39% lower than the state median of $477,600. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.5x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 71.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% higher than the state average of 63.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Cave Junction is White (non-Hispanic), making up 79.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 13.1%. The Asian population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 4.4%.
Education
15.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 59% lower than the state rate of 36.8%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cave Junction, Oregon is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Oregon state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 420 Census-designated places in Oregon. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Cave Junction, Oregon?
Cave Junction, Oregon has a population of 1,691 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cave Junction, OR?
The median household income in Cave Junction is $39,291, which is 51% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cave Junction, OR?
The poverty rate in Cave Junction is 27.7%. This means approximately 469 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cave Junction, Oregon?
Cave Junction's population is 79.1% White, 0.0% Black, 13.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cave Junction, OR?
The median home value in Cave Junction is $292,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.5x.
How educated is Cave Junction, Oregon?
15.2% of adults (25+) in Cave Junction hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.