John Day, Oregon Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, John Day, Oregon had a total population of 1,609, the 186th largest city in Oregon, with a median household income of $57,891, which is 30% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 30% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
John Day Quick Facts
How John Day 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 | 1,543 | 1,609 | +4.3% |
| Median household income | $75,917 | $57,891 | -23.7% |
| Median home value | $199,400 | $212,100 | +6.4% |
How John Day 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+)
John Day Rankings in Oregon
Explore Oregon Rankings
Other Cities in Grant County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canyon City | 900 | $73,750 | 10.1% | $200,700 |
| Prairie City | 615 | $47,311 | 17.3% | $205,900 |
| Mount Vernon | 364 | $63,281 | 9.9% | $143,000 |
| Dayville | 206 | $54,271 | 9.2% | $220,300 |
| Long Creek | 200 | $42,614 | 33.5% | $100,000 |
| Monument | 185 | $38,419 | 24.3% | $2,000,000+ |
| Seneca | 109 | $39,821 | 22.0% | $156,300 |
| Granite | 93 | $16,563 | 80.7% | N/A |
Cities Similar to John Day
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bunker Hill | 1,626 | $60,058 | $227,600 | 11.7% | 24.3% |
| Elgin | 1,549 | $57,750 | $191,300 | 9.9% | 10.4% |
| Rockaway Beach | 1,562 | $53,872 | $342,300 | 27.1% | 11.3% |
| Grand Ronde | 1,549 | $52,669 | $318,500 | 3.6% | 24.8% |
| Merlin | 1,617 | $71,806 | $435,000 | 16.9% | 8.8% |
Population Overview
John Day is a small community located in Oregon, within Grant County. The total population is 1,609. It ranks as the 186th most populous out of 420 Census-designated places in Oregon.
Age Demographics
The median age in John Day is 44.7 years. This is 11% higher than the state median of 40.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in John Day is $57,891. This is 30% lower than the state median of $83,011. It is also 28% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.9%. This is 8% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. The unemployment rate is 6.9%. This is 28% higher than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $212,100. Housing costs are 56% lower than the state median of $477,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 50.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% lower than the state average of 63.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
John Day has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.8% of all residents. Asian residents account for 3.3%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 1.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 14.7%.
Education
18.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 51% 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 92.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for John Day, 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 John Day, Oregon?
John Day, Oregon has a population of 1,609 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in John Day, OR?
The median household income in John Day is $57,891, which is 28% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in John Day, OR?
The poverty rate in John Day is 12.9%. This means approximately 199 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of John Day, Oregon?
John Day's population is 85.8% White, 0.4% Black, 1.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in John Day, OR?
The median home value in John Day is $212,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is John Day, Oregon?
18.0% of adults (25+) in John Day hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.