Prineville has been recently recognized as the poorest town in Oregon, according to a report by 24/7 Wall Street. This analysis focused on incorporated cities with populations of 25,000 or fewer, and Prineville stood out with the lowest median household income in the state, recorded at $29,959.
Alongside financial struggles, the town also faces significant challenges in terms of educational attainment, with fewer than 11% of adults holding a bachelor’s degree—well below Oregon’s statewide average of nearly 30%.
Variations in Poverty Rankings
However, it’s important to note that different data sources and methodologies sometimes lead to differing conclusions. For instance, RoadSnacks, in a more recent ranking, named Ontario as the poorest city in Oregon.
This was based on a combination of factors, including low wages and a lack of job opportunities. Ontario had a median household income of $39,750 and a poverty rate of 21.4%. Similarly, a 2019 report by 24/7 Wall Street listed Coquille as the poorest town, reporting a median household income of $31,220 and a poverty rate of 21.7%.
These differences arise due to variations in the year of data collection, city size thresholds, and the poverty metrics used to evaluate each town.
Key Factors for Prineville’s Ranking
Prineville’s distinction as the poorest town in Oregon is largely due to its low median household income and poor educational outcomes.
With only 11% of the adult population holding a bachelor’s degree, Prineville lags behind other Oregon towns in terms of workforce readiness, which can contribute to lower-paying job opportunities. Educational attainment has long been linked to economic mobility, making this a key factor in Prineville’s ongoing economic challenges.
Sources:
1. https://kbnd.com/kbnd-news/local-news-feed/148025
2. https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/poorest-big-city-every-state
3. https://www.roadsnacks.net/poorest-places-in-oregon/
