Ontario, Oregon Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ontario, Oregon had a total population of 11,842, the 53rd largest city in Oregon, with a median household income of $46,308, which is 44% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 44% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Ontario Quick Facts
How Ontario 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 | 11,728 | 11,842 | +1.0% |
| Median household income | $43,887 | $46,308 | +5.5% |
| Median home value | $217,500 | $236,300 | +8.6% |
How Ontario 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 46 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Ontario Rankings in Oregon
Explore Oregon Rankings
Other Cities in Malheur County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Harper | 219 | $48,750 | 5.5% | $215,400 |
| 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 Ontario
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Grande | 13,058 | $58,427 | $278,700 | 26.8% | 20.9% |
| Monmouth | 11,428 | $69,170 | $413,200 | 27.3% | 16.1% |
| Newport | 10,583 | $60,568 | $441,400 | 31.3% | 16.2% |
| Prineville | 11,470 | $72,980 | $425,900 | 16.3% | 16.2% |
| Sweet Home | 10,078 | $56,927 | $273,300 | 11.3% | 19.4% |
Population Overview
Ontario is a small city located in Oregon, within Malheur County. The total population is 11,842. It ranks as the 53rd most populous out of 420 Census-designated places in Oregon.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ontario is 35.2 years. This is 13% lower than the state median of 40.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ontario is $46,308. This is 44% lower than the state median of $83,011. It is also 43% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.0%. This is 76% 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 5.5%. This is 3% higher than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $236,300. Housing costs are 51% lower than the state median of $477,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.1x. 55.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% lower than the state average of 63.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Ontario is White (non-Hispanic), making up 49.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 45.4%. The Black or African American population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 1.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (45.4% vs 14.7%). The Asian population (2.0%) is well below the state average of 4.4%.
Education
15.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 57% 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 82.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ontario, 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.
Free data download: Get all Oregon city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Ontario, Oregon?
Ontario, Oregon has a population of 11,842 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ontario, OR?
The median household income in Ontario is $46,308, which is 43% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ontario, OR?
The poverty rate in Ontario is 21.0%. This means approximately 2,444 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ontario, Oregon?
Ontario's population is 49.3% White, 0.7% Black, 45.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ontario, OR?
The median home value in Ontario is $236,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.1x.
How educated is Ontario, Oregon?
15.7% of adults (25+) in Ontario hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.