Rufus, Oregon Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rufus, Oregon had a total population of 212, the 351st largest city in Oregon, with a median household income of $39,306, which is 53% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 53% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Rufus Quick Facts
How Rufus 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 | 212 | -5.8% |
| Median household income | $55,833 | $39,306 | -29.6% |
| Median home value | $173,400 | $182,800 | +5.4% |
How Rufus 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 46 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Rufus Rankings in Oregon
Explore Oregon Rankings
Other Cities in Sherman County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wasco | 455 | $65,000 | 17.4% | $229,300 |
| Moro | 392 | $79,688 | 12.5% | $245,300 |
| Grass Valley | 261 | $62,366 | 26.8% | $109,400 |
Cities Similar to Rufus
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alsea | 201 | $39,722 | $123,400 | 0.0% | 3.0% |
| Deer Island | 199 | N/A | N/A | 6.4% | 9.0% |
| Gardiner | 199 | N/A | N/A | 51.7% | 0.0% |
| Idanha | 201 | $40,208 | $263,100 | 0.6% | 29.1% |
| Long Creek | 200 | $42,614 | $100,000 | 18.3% | 33.5% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 212, Rufus'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
Rufus is a small community located in Oregon, within Sherman County. The total population is 212. It ranks as the 351st most populous out of 420 Census-designated places in Oregon.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rufus is 48.0 years. This is 19% higher than the state median of 40.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Rufus is $39,306. This is 53% lower than the state median of $83,011. It is also 51% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 24.5%. This is 105% 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 survey records no unemployed residents in Rufus, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $182,800. Housing costs are 62% lower than the state median of $477,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x. 72.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% higher than the state average of 63.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Rufus is White (non-Hispanic), making up 65.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 22.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (22.6% vs 14.7%).
Education
13.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 64% 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 82.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rufus, 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 Rufus, Oregon?
Rufus, Oregon has a population of 212 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rufus, OR?
The median household income in Rufus is $39,306, which is 51% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rufus, OR?
The poverty rate in Rufus is 24.5%. This means approximately 52 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rufus, Oregon?
Rufus's population is 65.6% White, 0.0% Black, 22.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rufus, OR?
The median home value in Rufus is $182,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x.
How educated is Rufus, Oregon?
13.2% of adults (25+) in Rufus hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.