Seniors in Eastern Oregon

Statewide, less than 15 percent of Oregon's population was at least 65 years of age on July 1, 2012, according to estimates from Portland State University's Population Research Center. Each of the six easternmost counties of Oregon exceeded that share, sometimes by a lot. In Grant and Wallowa counties, a quarter or more of the entire population was at least 65 years old. Only Wheeler (30.1%) and Curry (29.4%) counties had higher percentages.

As of July 1, 2012, seniors captured the smallest share of the population in Washington (10.8%) and Multnomah (11.1%) counties. However, Multnomah County had more senior citizens (83,122) than any other Oregon county, thanks to its overall standing as Oregon's most populous county.

Yet is it possible to be both older than average and younger than average at the same time? Malheur and Union counties are trying to answer yes to that question. These two Eastern Oregon counties show above-average shares of children in the latest PSU population estimates. Statewide, 22.3 percent of the population was under 18 in 2012 and Malheur County's 25.3 percent share was fifth highest among Oregon's 36 counties. The highest percentage of youth as a share of total population in 2012 was found in Morrow County, where the tally was 27.7 percent.

For more information on Eastern Oregon's population, check out the full article by Regional Economist Jason Yohannan or select an eastern county on the Regional Information map on QualityInfo.org.