Joseph, Oregon Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Joseph, Oregon had a total population of 1,054, the 224th largest city in Oregon, with a median household income of $54,444, which is 34% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 34% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- 51.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Oregon.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.4%.
Joseph Quick Facts
How Joseph 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 | 1,090 | 1,054 | -3.3% |
| Median household income | $48,705 | $54,444 | +11.8% |
| Median home value | $314,200 | $334,900 | +6.6% |
How Joseph 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+)
Joseph Rankings in Oregon
Explore Oregon Rankings
Other Cities in Wallowa County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enterprise | 2,131 | $58,393 | 10.2% | $319,800 |
| Wallowa | 633 | $47,371 | 10.4% | $336,100 |
| Lostine | 255 | $80,521 | 18.3% | N/A |
| Wallowa Lake | 105 | $86,281 | 0.0% | $365,000 |
Cities Similar to Joseph
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oakland | 1,048 | $59,042 | $347,200 | 22.5% | 16.2% |
| Yoncalla | 971 | $55,260 | $266,700 | 13.0% | 13.4% |
| Drain | 1,078 | $46,103 | $287,700 | 10.6% | 35.3% |
| Umapine | 1,215 | $55,927 | $459,000 | 5.9% | 1.2% |
| Metolius | 1,137 | $65,000 | $251,600 | 14.8% | 18.4% |
Population Overview
Joseph is a small community located in Oregon, within Wallowa County. The total population is 1,054. It ranks as the 224th most populous out of 420 Census-designated places in Oregon.
Age Demographics
The median age in Joseph is 58.0 years. This is 44% higher than the state median of 40.4 years. 14.1% 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 Joseph is $54,444. This is 34% lower than the state median of $83,011. It is also 33% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.7%. This is 52% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. The unemployment rate is 1.4%. This is 74% lower than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $334,900. Housing costs are 30% lower than the state median of $477,600. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.2x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 67.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% higher than the state average of 63.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Joseph has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.5% of all residents. Asian residents account for 0.3%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 4.4%.
Education
51.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Joseph in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 41% higher 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 97.4%. Notably, 24.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Joseph, 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 Joseph, Oregon?
Joseph, Oregon has a population of 1,054 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Joseph, OR?
The median household income in Joseph is $54,444, which is 33% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Joseph, OR?
The poverty rate in Joseph is 5.7%. This means approximately 59 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Joseph, Oregon?
Joseph's population is 95.5% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Joseph, OR?
The median home value in Joseph is $334,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.2x.
How educated is Joseph, Oregon?
51.8% of adults (25+) in Joseph hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 24.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.