Nehalem, Oregon Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Nehalem, Oregon had a total population of 235, the 342nd largest city in Oregon, with a median household income of $76,071, which is 8% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 15.3% is notably above the national average.
Nehalem Quick Facts
How Nehalem 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 | 225 | 235 | +4.4% |
| Median household income | $69,464 | $76,071 | +9.5% |
| Median home value | $418,400 | $456,700 | +9.2% |
How Nehalem 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+)
Nehalem Rankings in Oregon
Explore Oregon Rankings
Other Cities in Tillamook County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tillamook | 5,218 | $58,176 | 11.8% | $298,800 |
| Bay City | 1,875 | $82,589 | 8.5% | $393,600 |
| Rockaway Beach | 1,562 | $53,872 | 11.3% | $342,300 |
| Pacific City | 1,303 | $93,207 | 16.9% | $466,000 |
| Bayside Gardens | 1,128 | $77,727 | 14.9% | $387,800 |
| Netarts | 1,022 | $79,866 | 9.8% | $441,300 |
| Garibaldi | 796 | $53,828 | 14.7% | $344,700 |
| Manzanita | 568 | $105,577 | 7.8% | $777,500 |
| Fairview | 526 | $48,459 | 1.4% | $277,700 |
| Pleasant Valley | 486 | $112,500 | 1.2% | $492,300 |
Cities Similar to Nehalem
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeffers Gardens | 235 | N/A | $347,200 | 25.5% | 43.4% |
| Labish Village | 238 | N/A | $440,600 | 19.1% | 0.0% |
| Fair Oaks | 233 | $67,422 | $447,500 | 30.8% | 30.0% |
| Pronghorn | 257 | N/A | $1,296,900 | 85.6% | 0.0% |
| Waterloo | 229 | $88,750 | $293,800 | 11.0% | 3.5% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 235, Nehalem'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
Nehalem is a small community located in Oregon, within Tillamook County. The total population is 235. It ranks as the 342nd most populous out of 420 Census-designated places in Oregon.
Age Demographics
The median age in Nehalem is 55.1 years. This is 36% higher than the state median of 40.4 years. Only 7.7% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 20.0% 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 Nehalem is $76,071. This is 8% lower than the state median of $83,011. It is also 6% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.9%. This is 25% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. The unemployment rate is 15.3%. This is 185% higher than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $456,700. Housing costs are 4% lower than the state median of $477,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.0x. 84.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 33% higher than the state average of 63.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Nehalem is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.4% of the population. Asian residents account for 5.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.7%) is well below the state average of 14.7%.
Education
26.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 27% 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 94.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Nehalem, 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 Nehalem, Oregon?
Nehalem, Oregon has a population of 235 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Nehalem, OR?
The median household income in Nehalem is $76,071, which is 6% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Nehalem, OR?
The poverty rate in Nehalem is 8.9%. This means approximately 21 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Nehalem, Oregon?
Nehalem's population is 80.4% White, 0.0% Black, 4.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Nehalem, OR?
The median home value in Nehalem is $456,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.0x.
How educated is Nehalem, Oregon?
26.7% of adults (25+) in Nehalem hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.