City · Oregon
Rainier, Oregon
Rainier, city, in Columbia County, Oregon. Rainier had 1,924 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.3% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 1,911 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 2,130 (±426). GEOID 4160850.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
1,924
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 1,911 · ACS 2020-2024: 2,130 ±426
Median household income
$66,989
±$13,130 (90% margin)
Oregon: $83,011
Median home value
$344,700
±$19,004 (90% margin)
Oregon: $477,600
Median gross rent
$942
±$150 (90% margin)
Oregon: $1,525
Where is Rainier and what county is it in?
Rainier is a city in Columbia County, Oregon. It covers 4.1 square miles of land, 468 residents per square mile in 2020.
Rainier is in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 7 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Rainier, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 1,924 people lived in Rainier on July 1, 2025, up 1.3% since 2020, in line with Oregon (+0.9%). The 2020 Census counted 1,911 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 2,130 (±426).
| Measure | Rainier | Columbia County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 2,130 ±426 | 53,493 | no clear change |
| Households | 841 ±146 | 20,928 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.50 ±0.36 | 2.53 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 885 ±151 | 22,167 | no clear change |
Rainier's population since 2000
From 1,687 in 2000 to 1,924 in 2025: up 14.0%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Rainier as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Rainier?
The median resident of Rainier is 35.2 years old; 27.3% are under 18 and 19.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 88.2%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 5.0%.
| Measure | Rainier | Columbia County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 35.2 ±4.6 | 43.3 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 27.3% ±7.1 pts | 20.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.5% ±6.3 pts | 20.1% | – |
| Male | 53.5% ±5.8 pts | 51.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 5.0% ±2.6 pts | 6.7% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 88.2% ±4.9 pts | 84.3% | +11.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.0% ±1.6 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.5% ±0.6 pts | 0.8% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.7% ±1.0 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.9 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.6% ±3.8 pts | 6.0% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.9 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.8% ±1.8 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.1% ±2.0 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.7% ±4.3 pts | 10.5% | – |
| With a disability | 20.7% ±4.8 pts | 17.0% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.4% ±3.3 pts | 5.4% | −7.0 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.9% ±3.5 pts | 89.7% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 15.6% ±7.6 pts | 19.8% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.6% ±2.9 pts | 5.7% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 91.6% ±4.6 pts | 88.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.9% ±2.9 pts | 2.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Rainier earn?
Half of Rainier's 841 households earn less than $66,989 a year (±$13,130), against $87,458 in Columbia County and $83,011 in Oregon. In 2015-2019 it was $62,511 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 18.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Rainier | Columbia County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $66,989 ±$13,130 | $87,458 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $82,594 ±$11,808 | $100,740 | – |
| Per capita income | $33,057 ±$5,146 | $39,867 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 18.3% ±7.8 pts | 8.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 18.6% ±14.3 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 19.9% ±9.8 pts | 15.6% | – |
| Households with a computer | 97.5% ±2.9 pts | 96.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 93.1% ±5.5 pts | 93.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Rainier?
Owners occupy 60.3% of Rainier's occupied homes and renters 39.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $344,700 by its owner (±$19,004). The median renter pays $942 a month including utilities, and 43.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Rainier | Columbia County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $344,700 ±$19,004 | $421,600 | +$113,576 |
| Median gross rent | $942 ±$150 | $1,373 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 43.8% ±21.5 pts | 45.0% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,597 ±$202 | $1,886 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 60.3% ±11.9 pts | 76.1% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 39.7% ±11.9 pts | 23.9% | – |
| Housing units | 885 ±151 | 22,167 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±7.6 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.0% ±11.3 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 62.5% ±12.1 pts | 74.1% | – |
| Mobile homes | 9.2% ±5.2 pts | 13.8% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.5% ±0.7 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 7.7% ±7.9 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 29.0% ±9.3 pts | 15.1% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 4.5% ±4.9 pts | 4.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Rainier building?
Rainier last reported building permits to the Census Bureau for 2020.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Rainier work and get to work?
71.0% of Rainier's workers drive alone and 10.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 24.4 minutes.
| Measure | Rainier | Columbia County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 59.8% ±7.2 pts | 57.9% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 7.5% ±5.2 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 71.0% ±10.5 pts | 70.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 13.4% ±7.6 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1% ±0.4 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Walked | 5.4% ±4.2 pts | 2.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.2% ±6.4 pts | 12.2% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 24.4 min ±4.7 | 31.7 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Rainier?
No census tract lies mostly in Rainier; 1 tract reaches into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9703Columbia County | 4,465 | $64,309 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Rainier) · Census block assignment files
How does Rainier compare with other places in Oregon?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Rainier is the 7,829th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 125th-most populous of 240 in Oregon.
Rainier ranks 148th of 223 places in Oregon with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 125th | 240 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 65th | 162 |
| Residents per square mile | 200th | 224 |
| Median household income | 148th | 223 |
| Per capita income | 159th | 224 |
| Median home value | 151st | 224 |
| Median gross rent | 182nd | 207 |
| Poverty rate | 28th | 175 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 176th | 219 |
| Median age | 189th | 224 |
| Owner-occupied share | 164th | 224 |
| Work from home | 130th | 169 |
| Travel time to work | 94th | 221 |
Rainier's figures with every place in Oregon (CSV)
Every place in Oregon, sortable · Compare Rainier with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Rainier?
18 of the 57 figures for Rainier on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Rainier are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Rainier.