Oregon is a state located in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is bordered by Washington to the north, Idaho to the east, California and Nevada to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. The state has an area of 98,381 square miles and a population of 4.2 million people as of 2019. Oregon is known for its diverse landscape which includes forests, mountains, valleys, and deserts.
Oregon’s economy is mainly driven by timber production, agriculture, tourism, and technology industries such as Intel and Nike who have large operations in the state. Oregon also has a strong manufacturing sector which produces items such as furniture, electronics components, food products, apparel items and more. The unemployment rate in Oregon was 3.8% in 2019 which was below the national average of 3.9%.
The climate in Oregon varies depending on location but generally has mild winters with temperatures ranging from 35-45 degrees Fahrenheit (2-7 degrees Celsius) and warm summers with temperatures between 65-85 degrees Fahrenheit (18-29 degrees Celsius). Rainfall is common throughout most of the year but especially during winter months when it can be quite heavy at times. Snowfall is not very common except at higher elevations where it can occur occasionally during winter months.
Education in Oregon is provided through public schools as well as numerous private institutions including universities such as Portland State University and University of Oregon which offer undergraduate programs along with postgraduate courses such as MBA programs or law school degrees.
Oregon’s largest city is Portland which is known for its vibrant arts scene featuring music venues and art galleries along with its many parks including Forest Park which covers over 5100 acres making it one of America’s largest urban parks. Other popular cities include Eugene which is home to University of Oregon; Salem which serves as Oregon’s capital city; Corvallis home to Oregon State University; Medford near Crater Lake National Park; Bend located near several ski resorts; Hood River known for its windsurfing spots; Astoria situated near Lewis & Clark National Historical Park; Tillamook famous for its cheese production; Seaside renowned for its beaches; Lincoln City located on the coast; Newport known for fishing activities; Cannon Beach close to Ecola State Park; Klamath Falls home to Crater Lake National Park; Roseburg situated on Umpqua River; Grants Pass located on Rogue River; Brookings situated near Redwood National Park; Coos Bay popular for fishing activities; Florence set close to Dunes National Recreation Area; Ashland home to Southern Oregon University.
Overall, living costs in Oregon tend to be slightly higher than most other places due mainly to higher housing prices but lower than average utilities costs offset some of these expenses when compared with larger cities across America. The cost of living index score (a measure of affordability) ranks just below average at 97 out 100 when compared with other states making it slightly more expensive than other places but still quite affordable overall.
Population of Oregon
Oregon is home to over 4.2 million people, making it the 27th most populous state in the United States. The population is spread across all of Oregon’s 36 counties, with the highest population density in the Willamette Valley and Portland metropolitan area.
The majority of Oregon’s population is white, making up almost 80% of the state’s total population. The next largest racial group in Oregon is Hispanic or Latino, which make up nearly 13% of Oregonians. Other racial groups include Asian (3%), African American (2%), Native American (2%), and other races (1%). Oregon also has a large Pacific Islander community, with over 100,000 people who identify as being from this group.
Oregon has a higher than average percentage of college graduates compared to other states; roughly 32% of adults in Oregon have obtained a bachelor’s degree or higher. The median household income for Oregon is $57,812 per year; however, there are significant disparities between urban and rural incomes. In addition to these disparities, there are also differences in income between ethnic groups; for example, African Americans earn an average household income that is almost 30% lower than white households.
Oregon also has a large elderly population; approximately 17% of the state’s residents are age 65 or older. This age group has grown significantly over the last decade due to increased life expectancy and migration from other states and countries seeking retirement benefits offered by Oregon’s climate and lifestyle options.
House Income in Oregon
The median household income in Oregon is $57,812 per year, a figure that has increased steadily over the past few years. However, there are large disparities in income between different areas of the state. In general, households located in urban areas such as Portland tend to have higher incomes than those located in rural areas. For example, the median household income in Portland is $72,744 per year compared to just $47,293 per year for rural households.
Income levels also vary significantly by race and ethnicity. On average, white households have an annual median income of $60,927 while African American households earn an average of only $41,979 per year. Similarly, Asian American households earn an average of $71,092 per year compared to Hispanic/Latino households which earn an average of just $45,817 annually.
Income inequality is also a major issue in Oregon; according to a 2018 report from the Oregon Center for Public Policy (OCPP), the top 1% of earners take home nearly 20% of all income earned within the state – more than double their share from 1980. The OCPP report also found that the bottom 20% of earners take home just 3% of all income earned within Oregon – down from 8% in 1980.
Overall, despite its relatively high median household income compared to other states across the country and its recent growth over time, there are still significant disparities between different groups based on geography and race/ethnicity that result in unequal access to economic opportunities for many Oregonians.
Cost of Living in Oregon
The cost of living in Oregon is higher than the national average, with prices for goods and services ranging from 8% to 16% higher than the national median. Housing costs are particularly high; the median home value in Oregon is $379,000, which is more than double the national median of $184,700. Renting a two-bedroom apartment will cost an average of $1,407 per month – significantly more than the national average of $949 per month.
Transportation costs are also high; the average cost of a gallon of gas in Oregon is approximately 10% higher than the national average. Additionally, public transportation fares are relatively high; a single ride on TriMet (the Portland area’s public transit system) will cost an adult between $2 and $3.50 depending on zone and time of day.
Utility costs in Oregon are also relatively high; electricity rates for residential customers range from 10 to 15 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh), depending on where you live and your energy provider. Natural gas prices can vary significantly depending on location but generally range from 6 to 12 cents per therm (a unit used to measure natural gas). Finally, water rates vary by city but typically range from around $20 to over $50 per month for residential customers.
Overall, while Oregon offers many benefits such as its beautiful scenery and diverse landscape, these come at a price – namely higher-than-average living expenses that must be taken into account when budgeting for life in the Beaver State.