City profile · Oregon · Census ACS 2023

Pendleton, OR

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

17,070
Residents
$70,179
Median income
$276,400
Median home
$1,241
Median rent (state)

Pendleton - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Pendleton lands in the 50th percentile for household income and the 15th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

50th
percentile, household income
61st
percentile, home value
40th
percentile, median rent
15th
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: Pendleton, OR

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 17,070 residents in Pendleton, a small town within Oregon. Pendleton households earn a median of $70,179 annually, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 10.8%. Pendleton's housing stock carries a median value of $276,400, and the median resident age is 36.5 years. Educational attainment runs 25.3% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 51.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 11 residential building permits were authorized in Pendleton (Construction Slowdown), down 39% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Pendleton's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 3089.7 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, above the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 52.0°F with 12.8 inches of precipitation per year and 15.7 inches of snowfall.

Oregon carries a cost-of-living premium: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Oregon scores 103.4 (Above Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,241 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Oregon's average monthly utility costs around $185 (state average). On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 82.3 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (High).

Population

17,070 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Oregon

Median Household Income

$70,179 /yr

Poverty 10.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

103.4 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Oregon average

How does Pendleton compare to other US cities?

Pendleton measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 50% higher than other cities
Home value 61% pricier than other cities
Median rent 40% pricier than other cities
Safety 15% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Oregon, Pendleton ranks #69 of 85 Oregon cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison 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 Pendleton'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.

50thIncome percentile
15thSafety percentile

50th percentile nationally for median household income · 15th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Pendleton's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Pendleton'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 38 Avg. percentile National median
Pendleton'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 Pendleton's home value compares nationally

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

$276,400 39th percentile more affordable than 39% 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%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Pendleton $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 - Pendleton, OR Pendleton, OR's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Pendleton, 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 Pendleton, OR median $70,179/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%
Pendleton, 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 Pendleton, OR. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 25.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 10.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 51.7%

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

Population
17,070
Median Income
$70,179
Median Home Value
$276,400
Median Age
36.5
Poverty Rate
10.8%
Labor force participation
51.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
25.3%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3089.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
408.5
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2681.2
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
52.0°F
Annual Precipitation
12.8"
Annual Snowfall
15.7"

Schools

Total Schools
9
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
16,700 residents16,800 residents16,900 residents17,000 residents17,100 residents17,200 residents 202020212022202320242025 17,009 residents 16,989 residents ▼ -0.1%
Pendleton's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
11
housing units authorized
Single-Family
9
detached homes
Multifamily
2
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.6
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 18
2020 68
2021 157
2022 285
2023 21
2024 11

Permit volume decreased 39% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
78.6%
Carpool
7.8%
Public Transit
1.2%
Walk
3.4%
Work from Home
7.8%
Other
1.2%

Based on 6,793 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 Pendleton sits in

Cost of Living Index
103.4
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,241/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
82.3 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Oregon

Dallas
17,214 people
Oak Grove
17,408 people
Four Corners
16,168 people
Canby
18,103 people
Troutdale
16,000 people
The Dalles
15,973 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Pendleton's 17,070 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Ferndale, MD
17,076 people
New Port Richey, FL
17,057 people
Sunland Park, NM
17,085 people
Norwalk, OH
17,054 people
Fairview Park, OH
17,049 people
Cañon City, CO
17,098 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Pendleton's $70,179 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Mountain View Acres, CA
$70,179 median income
Little Creek, DE
$70,179 median income
Webb, IA
$70,179 median income
Bronaugh, MO
$70,179 median income
Cooperstown, NY
$70,179 median income
Corinth, NY
$70,179 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Pendleton, 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 Pendleton, OR - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 81.3% 11.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 10.6% White 81.3% Black or African American 1.1% Asian 0.2% American Indian 1.8% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 4.5% Two or more races 11.0% 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 Pendleton 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
Pendleton (this city) 17,070 $70,179
Dallas 17,214 $65,647
Oak Grove 17,408 $81,611
Four Corners 16,168 $69,232
Census ACS 5-year FIPS OR FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Pendleton, OR?

What is the population of Pendleton, OR? +

Pendleton, OR counts 17,070 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Pendleton, OR? +

In Pendleton, the typical household earns $70,179 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Pendleton? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Pendleton; 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 Pendleton, OR safe? +

Pendleton has a total crime rate of 3089.7 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 Pendleton, OR? +

A typical home in Pendleton is worth $276,400, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Pendleton? +

Climate normals put Pendleton's yearly average temperature at 52.0°F, 12.8 inches of precipitation, and 15.7 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.