by Kristen Carney
Updated: December 17, 2024
The richest city in Oregon is Dunthorpe in Multnomah County with an average household income of $451,719 as of 2023. While exceptionally affluent, Dunthorpe only has a population of 1,984 as of 2023. The richest city in Oregon with at least 5,000 people is Cedar Mill in Washington County with an average household income of $223,012 as of 2023 and 19,482 people as of 2023 according to the most current Census data available (citation).
Rank | City | County | Population | Average Income | Median Income |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Dunthorpe | Multnomah | 1,984 | $451,719 | $250,001 |
2 | Gilchrist | Klamath | 293 | $428,152 | -$1 |
3 | Tetherow | Deschutes | 750 | $419,491 | $210,893 |
4 | Pronghorn | Deschutes | 180 | $355,582 | -$1 |
5 | Rivergrove | Clackamas; Washington | 533 | $251,004 | $208,158 |
6 | Seventh Mountain | Deschutes | 530 | $243,546 | $137,885 |
7 | Kirkpatrick | Umatilla | 242 | $225,278 | $206,875 |
8 | Cedar Mill | Washington | 19,482 | $223,012 | $167,037 |
9 | Stafford | Clackamas | 1,572 | $218,462 | $182,372 |
10 | Lake Oswego | Clackamas; Multnomah | 39,924 | $207,312 | $140,441 |
11 | Cove | Union | 618 | $203,494 | $67,813 |
12 | Dilley | Washington | 206 | $194,878 | $250,001 |
13 | Raleigh Hills | Washington | 6,669 | $190,699 | $109,306 |
14 | Bethany | Washington | 31,700 | $189,343 | $164,315 |
15 | West Linn | Clackamas | 26,629 | $182,503 | $138,526 |
16 | Bull Mountain | Washington | 9,465 | $179,332 | $160,755 |
17 | West Haven-Sylvan | Multnomah; Washington | 8,265 | $169,059 | $120,709 |
18 | Running Y Ranch | Klamath | 841 | $164,013 | $166,375 |
19 | Maywood Park | Multnomah | 801 | $163,744 | $140,357 |
20 | McKay | Umatilla | 87 | $159,282 | $205,550 |
We usually suggest using median income data – either instead of or in addition to – average income data as a true indicator of wealth. If you haven’t thought about median versus average since your last standardized test, you aren’t alone. Here’s what they are:
Now let’s say you had the following simplified set of income data.
Household 1: $30,000
Household 2: $50,000
Household 3: $1,000,000
The average income for this set is $360,000. The outlier data point ($1,000,000) skews the average WAY up. Conversely, the average income would be skewed WAY down if someone had an income of $500. The median income for the same data set is $50,000. Outlier data doesn’t skew the median.
So most business owners should use the median income as a true indicator of wealth, because it provides a more accurate representation of a typical income, especially in areas with significant income disparity.
If your target market is high-income households, the average income may be more relevant. This is because the average income can highlight the presence of a higher concentration of wealthy individuals, which is beneficial for luxury goods and services marketing. We’re using average income on this page because using the Census’s highest reported median value of $250,001 could result in multiple ties for the richest geography.
The Census' American Community Survey uses $250,000+ as a jam value for median income estimates to protect privacy, ensure data consistency, and simplify reporting. A "jam value" in survey data refers to a placeholder or default value used when actual data points are unavailable, incomplete, or exceed certain thresholds. We represent this jam value as $250,001 to make it easy for you to sort.
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United States Census Bureau. Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023. U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division. Web. May 2024. http://www.census.gov/.
United States Census Bureau. B01001 SEX BY AGE, 2023 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey Office. Web. 12 December 2024. http://www.census.gov/.
United States Census Bureau. B19013 Median Household Income, 2023 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey Office. Web. 12 December 2024. http://www.census.gov/.
United States Census Bureau. “DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS.” 2023 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey Office. Web. 12 December 2024. http://www.census.gov/.
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