Harper, Oregon Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Harper, Oregon had a total population of 219, the 348th largest community in Oregon, with a median household income of $48,750, which is 41% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 41% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 9.6% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Harper Quick Facts
How Harper 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 | 159 | 219 | +37.7% |
| Median household income | $50,000 | $48,750 | -2.5% |
| Median home value | $173,400 | $215,400 | +24.2% |
How Harper 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+)
Harper Rankings in Oregon
Explore Oregon Rankings
Other Cities in Malheur County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | 11,842 | $46,308 | 21.0% | $236,300 |
| Nyssa | 3,240 | $69,183 | 16.9% | $204,300 |
| Vale | 2,348 | $50,313 | 16.4% | $173,300 |
| Annex | 340 | $67,000 | 12.7% | $225,000 |
| Adrian | 299 | $73,000 | 9.4% | $158,100 |
| Jordan Valley | 180 | $55,893 | 13.3% | $167,200 |
| Brogan | 38 | $119,167 | 0.0% | $181,300 |
| Juntura | 18 | N/A | 33.3% | $341,700 |
Cities Similar to Harper
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnesdale | 208 | $48,750 | $275,000 | 34.5% | 3.9% |
| Haines | 209 | $49,896 | $111,500 | 15.0% | 16.3% |
| Jeffers Gardens | 235 | N/A | $347,200 | 25.5% | 43.4% |
| Labish Village | 238 | N/A | $440,600 | 19.1% | 0.0% |
| Deer Island | 199 | N/A | N/A | 6.4% | 9.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 219, Harper's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Harper is a small community located in Oregon, within Malheur County. The total population is 219. It ranks as the 348th most populous out of 420 Census-designated places in Oregon.
Age Demographics
The median age in Harper is 34.4 years. This is 15% lower than the state median of 40.4 years. With 41.1% of the population under 18, Harper has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Harper is $48,750. This is 41% lower than the state median of $83,011. It is also 40% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.5%. This is 54% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. The survey records no unemployed residents in Harper, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $215,400. Housing costs are 55% lower than the state median of $477,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x. 82.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 30% higher than the state average of 63.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Harper has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 96.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.7%) is well below the state average of 14.7%.
Education
9.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 74% lower than the state rate of 36.8%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. No surveyed resident aged 25 or older reported leaving school before earning a high school diploma, though a rate of exactly 100% reflects the limits of a small sample.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Harper, 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 Harper, Oregon?
Harper, Oregon has a population of 219 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Harper, OR?
The median household income in Harper is $48,750, which is 40% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Harper, OR?
The poverty rate in Harper is 5.5%. This means approximately 12 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Harper, Oregon?
Harper's population is 96.8% White, 0.0% Black, 2.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Harper, OR?
The median home value in Harper is $215,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x.
How educated is Harper, Oregon?
9.6% of adults (25+) in Harper hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.