County · Oregon
Jefferson County, Oregon
Jefferson County, Oregon. Jefferson County had 25,740 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 5.0% since 2020, faster than Oregon (+0.9%). It holds 6 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs and 3 census-designated) and 8 census tracts. GEOID 41031.
Jefferson County is one of the 3 counties of the Bend, OR metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
25,740
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 24,502 · ACS 2020-2024: 25,203
Median household income
$76,260
±$6,324 (90% margin)
Oregon: $83,011
Median home value
$374,200
±$13,618 (90% margin)
Oregon: $477,600
Median gross rent
$941
±$57 (90% margin)
Oregon: $1,525
How many people live in Jefferson County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 24,502 residents in Jefferson County. The Census Bureau estimates 25,740 for July 1, 2025, up 5.0% since 2020, faster than Oregon (+0.9%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 25,203 over 1,782 square miles of land.
| Measure | Jefferson County | Oregon | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 25,203 | 4,254,293 | +1,596 |
| Households | 8,814±249 | 1,718,422 | +720 |
| Average household size | 2.73±0.07 | 2.42 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 10,602±51 | 1,857,992 | +510 |
Jefferson County's population since 2000
From 19,009 in 2000 to 25,740 in 2025: up 35.4%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Jefferson County?
Jefferson County holds 6 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 3 census-designated places. The largest is Madras with 7,829 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Madras | 7,456 | $64,659 |
|---|---|---|
| Crooked River Ranch | 4,912 | $85,561 |
| Warm Springs | 2,435 | $54,600 |
| Culver | 1,602 | $91,463 |
| Metolius | 978 | $65,000 |
| Camp Sherman | 251 | $106,250 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Jefferson County?
The median resident of Jefferson County is 41.5 years old; 22.7% are under 18 and 19.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 57.3%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 21.3%. 6.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Jefferson County | Oregon | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.5±0.9 | 40.4 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.7%±0.3 pts | 19.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.9%±0.2 pts | 19.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 21.3% | 14.7% | +1.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 57.3%±1.9 pts | 71.4% | −3.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.3 pts | 1.8% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.2 pts | 4.4% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 11.0%±1.0 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 8.3%±2.1 pts | 6.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.9%±0.5 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 6.9%±0.8 pts | 9.8% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 17.0%±1.5 pts | 15.2% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.2%±1.4 pts | 7.2% | – |
| With a disability | 18.1%±1.9 pts | 15.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.3%±1.3 pts | 5.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 89.0%±1.6 pts | 91.8% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 21.2%±2.2 pts | 36.8% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.7%±1.3 pts | 14.1% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.6%±0.6 pts | 3.0% | – |
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 Jefferson County earn?
Half of Jefferson County's 8,814 households earn less than $76,260 a year (±$6,324), against $83,011 in Oregon. In 2015-2019 the median was $65,568 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $10,692 after inflation. 13.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Jefferson County | Oregon | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $76,260±$6,324 | $83,011 | +$10,692 |
| Mean household income | $93,094±$6,650 | $111,542 | – |
| Per capita income | $33,508±$2,056 | $45,612 | +$3,987 |
| People below the poverty line | 13.4%±2.4 pts | 11.9% | −4.5 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 17.5%±5.4 pts | 13.2% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 24.7%±3.1 pts | 16.0% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 89.9%±2.3 pts | 92.4% | – |
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 Jefferson County?
Owners occupy 72.0% of Jefferson County's occupied homes and renters 28.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $374,200 by its owner (±$13,618). The median renter pays $941 a month including utilities, and 37.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Jefferson County | Oregon | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $374,200±$13,618 | $477,600 | +$97,786 |
| Median gross rent | $941±$57 | $1,525 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 37.3%±7.5 pts | 43.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,809±$70 | $2,157 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 72.0%±3.3 pts | 63.3% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 10,602±51 | 1,857,992 | +510 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.6%±2.2 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 73.4%±2.6 pts | 62.7% | – |
| Mobile homes | 16.4%±1.9 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.4%±0.9 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 2.6%±1.0 pts | 10.7% | – |
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 Jefferson County building?
Builders took permits for 134 new housing units across Jefferson County in 2025 (112 single-family), 5.2 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Jefferson County get to work?
73.8% of Jefferson County's workers drive alone and 9.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 25.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 8.1%.
| Measure | Jefferson County | Oregon | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 55.1%±2.1 pts | 62.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 8.1%±1.9 pts | 5.4% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 73.8%±3.0 pts | 64.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 14.2%±2.2 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 2.2% | – |
| Walked | 2.2%±1.1 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 9.4%±1.9 pts | 19.0% | +3.7 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 25.3 min±1.8 | 23.0 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 are Jefferson County's census tracts?
Jefferson County is divided into 8 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $48,015 (Tract 9602.01) to $90,427 (Tract 9603.04).
| Tract 940041031940000 | 2,592±258 | $56,250 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 960141031960100 | 2,389±318 | $85,208 |
| Tract 9602.0141031960201 | 3,380±357 | $48,015 |
| Tract 9602.0241031960202 | 6,230±507 | $78,007 |
| Tract 9603.0141031960301 | 4,773±421 | $85,230 |
| Tract 9603.0341031960303 | 771±239 | $75,870 |
| Tract 9603.0441031960304 | 3,039±448 | $90,427 |
| Tract 9603.0541031960305 | 2,029±308 | $65,036 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Jefferson County compare with Oregon's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 25th of 36 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 4th of 36 |
| Residents per square mile | 22nd of 36 |
| Median household income | 13th of 36 |
| Median home value | 21st of 36 |
| Median gross rent | 30th of 36 |
| Poverty rate | 16th of 36 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24th of 36 |
| Median age | 21st of 36 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Jefferson County 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' school search.