Rockaway Beach, Oregon Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rockaway Beach, Oregon had a total population of 1,562, the 190th largest city in Oregon, with a median household income of $53,872, which is 35% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 35% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Rockaway Beach Quick Facts
How Rockaway Beach 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 | 1,577 | 1,562 | -1.0% |
| Median household income | $55,188 | $53,872 | -2.4% |
| Median home value | $341,100 | $342,300 | +0.4% |
How Rockaway Beach 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+)
Rockaway Beach 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 |
| 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 |
| Wheeler | 448 | $64,792 | 12.9% | $414,300 |
Cities Similar to Rockaway Beach
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Ronde | 1,549 | $52,669 | $318,500 | 3.6% | 24.8% |
| Elgin | 1,549 | $57,750 | $191,300 | 9.9% | 10.4% |
| John Day | 1,609 | $57,891 | $212,100 | 18.0% | 12.9% |
| Bunker Hill | 1,626 | $60,058 | $227,600 | 11.7% | 24.3% |
| Chenoweth | 1,445 | $63,425 | $228,600 | 15.5% | 10.9% |
Population Overview
Rockaway Beach is a small community located in Oregon, within Tillamook County. The total population is 1,562. It ranks as the 190th most populous out of 420 Census-designated places in Oregon.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rockaway Beach is 52.7 years. This is 30% higher than the state median of 40.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Rockaway Beach is $53,872. This is 35% 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 11.3%. This is 5% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. The unemployment rate is 6.7%. This is 25% higher than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $342,300. Housing costs are 28% lower than the state median of $477,600. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 77.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% higher than the state average of 63.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Rockaway Beach has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.9% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 3.2%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (3.2% vs 1.8%). The Hispanic or Latino population (2.6%) is well below the state average of 14.7%. The Asian population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 4.4%.
Education
27.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 26% 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 80.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rockaway Beach, 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 Rockaway Beach, Oregon?
Rockaway Beach, Oregon has a population of 1,562 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rockaway Beach, OR?
The median household income in Rockaway Beach is $53,872, which is 33% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rockaway Beach, OR?
The poverty rate in Rockaway Beach is 11.3%. This means approximately 176 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rockaway Beach, Oregon?
Rockaway Beach's population is 89.9% White, 3.2% Black, 2.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rockaway Beach, OR?
The median home value in Rockaway Beach is $342,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.4x.
How educated is Rockaway Beach, Oregon?
27.1% of adults (25+) in Rockaway Beach hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.