City profile · Oregon · Census ACS 2023

La Grande, OR

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for La Grande - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

13,059
Residents
$56,409
Median income
$244,200
Median home
$1,222
Median rent (state)

La Grande - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, La Grande places in the 29th percentile for household income and the 17th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

29th
percentile, household income
54th
percentile, home value
39th
percentile, median rent
17th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: La Grande, OR

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 13,059 residents in La Grande, a small town within Oregon. Median household income here is $56,409 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 11.6%. Home values in La Grande run a median of $244,200, and the median resident age is 32.5 years. 25.0% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 57.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 17 residential building permits were authorized in La Grande (Growing), up 13% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. La Grande's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 2923.7 crimes per 100,000 residents, above the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score). NOAA puts La Grande's yearly average temperature at 49.4°F with 17.4 inches of precipitation per year and 9.4 inches of snowfall.

Oregon carries a cost-of-living premium: the state registers 103.4 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Above Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,222 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $185 across Oregon, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 43.5 out of 100 (Low).

Population

13,059 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Oregon

Median Household Income

$56,409 /yr

Poverty 11.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

103.4 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Oregon average

How does La Grande compare to other US cities?

Here's how La Grande stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 29% higher than other cities
Home value 54% pricier than other cities
Median rent 39% pricier than other cities
Safety 17% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just Oregon and the picture shifts: La Grande ranks #66 of 85 Oregon cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below La Grande's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Oregon, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

29thIncome percentile
17thSafety percentile

29th percentile nationally for median household income · 17th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

La Grande's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

La Grande's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 33 Avg. percentile National median
La Grande's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How La Grande's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$244,200 46th percentile more affordable than 46% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). This entry sits in this band. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. La Grande $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - La Grande, OR La Grande, OR's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not La Grande, OR-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution La Grande, OR median $56,409/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
La Grande, OR's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for La Grande, OR. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 25.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 11.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 57.5%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
13,059
Median Income
$56,409
Median Home Value
$244,200
Median Age
32.5
Poverty Rate
11.6%
Labor force participation
57.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
25.0%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2923.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
254.6
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2669.1
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
49.4°F
Annual Precipitation
17.4"
Annual Snowfall
9.4"

Schools

Total Schools
5
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
12,900 residents13,000 residents13,100 residents13,200 residents 202020212022202320242025 13,077 residents 12,985 residents ▼ -0.7%
La Grande's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

🏗️ Growing
Total Permits (2024)
17
housing units authorized
Single-Family
15
detached homes
Multifamily
2
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.3
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 15
2020 23
2021 132
2022 15
2023 20
2024 17

Permit volume increased 13% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
69.1%
Carpool
13.2%
Public Transit
0.4%
Walk
8.3%
Work from Home
5.7%
Other
3.3%

Based on 5,793 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Oregon - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$85
avg/month
Natural Gas
$50
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$50
avg/month
Total Utilities
$185
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Oregon state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Oregon state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county La Grande sits in

Cost of Living Index
103.4
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,222/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
43.5 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Oregon

Sandy
12,738 people
Oatfield
12,709 people
Cornelius
13,700 people
Gladstone
11,986 people
St. Helens
14,152 people
Ontario
11,728 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to La Grande's 13,059 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Stoughton, WI
13,063 people
Claremont, NH
13,054 people
Fords, NJ
13,052 people
Grand Terrace, CA
13,069 people
Palos Verdes Estates, CA
13,047 people
Linganore, MD
13,044 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to La Grande's $56,409 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Douglas, AL
$56,406 median income
Lost Bridge, AR
$56,406 median income
Edinburgh, IN
$56,406 median income
Clemons, IA
$56,406 median income
Lincoln, NH
$56,406 median income
Port Clinton, PA
$56,406 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - La Grande, OR Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition La Grande, OR - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 86.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 6.2% White 86.6% Black or African American 1.2% Asian 1.9% American Indian 0.7% Native Hawaiian 1.6% Some other race 2.4% Two or more races 5.6% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How La Grande compares to nearby Oregon cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
La Grande (this city) 13,059 $56,409
Sandy 12,738 $102,201
Oatfield 12,709 $103,483
Cornelius 13,700 $90,071
Census ACS 5-year FIPS OR FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about La Grande, OR?

What is the population of La Grande, OR? +

La Grande, OR counts 13,059 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in La Grande, OR? +

In La Grande, the typical household earns $56,409 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in La Grande? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for La Grande; the closest available measure is the Oregon state average, a cost of living index of 103.4 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Oregon vary by metro area.

Is La Grande, OR safe? +

La Grande has a total crime rate of 2923.7 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in La Grande, OR? +

La Grande's median home value sits at $244,200, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in La Grande? +

The average annual temperature in La Grande runs 49.4°F, 17.4 inches of precipitation, and 9.4 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.