Rainier, Oregon Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rainier, Oregon had a total population of 2,130, the 163rd largest city in Oregon, with a median household income of $66,989, which is 19% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Rainier Quick Facts
How Rainier 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 | 1,859 | 2,130 | +14.6% |
| Median household income | $62,847 | $66,989 | +6.6% |
| Median home value | $310,200 | $344,700 | +11.1% |
How Rainier 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+)
Rainier Rankings in Oregon
Explore Oregon Rankings
Other Cities in Columbia County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Helens | 14,258 | $82,865 | 10.0% | $394,200 |
| Scappoose | 8,179 | $97,708 | 7.2% | $455,700 |
| Vernonia | 2,786 | $83,411 | 10.0% | $351,900 |
| Clatskanie | 2,364 | $90,709 | 11.1% | $363,900 |
| Columbia City | 2,006 | $96,750 | 9.4% | $460,000 |
| Warren | 1,637 | $126,838 | 1.2% | $523,400 |
| Deer Island | 199 | N/A | 9.0% | N/A |
| Prescott | 34 | $105,000 | 8.8% | $316,700 |
Cities Similar to Rainier
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Irrigon | 2,120 | $74,336 | $207,500 | 11.3% | 12.2% |
| Enterprise | 2,131 | $58,393 | $319,800 | 37.5% | 10.2% |
| Union | 2,290 | $65,047 | $231,400 | 12.4% | 18.9% |
| Willamina | 2,193 | $58,906 | $317,600 | 7.5% | 6.8% |
| Waldport | 2,177 | $55,625 | $365,900 | 24.9% | 15.7% |
Population Overview
Rainier is a small community located in Oregon, within Columbia County. The total population is 2,130. It ranks as the 163rd most populous out of 420 Census-designated places in Oregon.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rainier is 35.2 years. This is 13% lower than the state median of 40.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Rainier is $66,989. This is 19% lower than the state median of $83,011. It is also 17% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.3%. This is 53% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. The unemployment rate is 7.5%. This is 40% higher than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $344,700. Housing costs are 28% lower than the state median of $477,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.1x. 60.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% lower than the state average of 63.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Rainier has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (5.0%) is well below the state average of 14.7%. The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 4.4%.
Education
15.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 58% 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 93.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rainier, 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 Rainier, Oregon?
Rainier, Oregon has a population of 2,130 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rainier, OR?
The median household income in Rainier is $66,989, which is 17% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rainier, OR?
The poverty rate in Rainier is 18.3%. This means approximately 390 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rainier, Oregon?
Rainier's population is 88.2% White, 1.0% Black, 5.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rainier, OR?
The median home value in Rainier is $344,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.1x.
How educated is Rainier, Oregon?
15.6% of adults (25+) in Rainier hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.