Vale, OR

Oregon

Vale is a small town in Oregon with a population of 2,259. Residents earn $48,854 per year, which is 35% below the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
2,259 Population 1,931/sq mi density
$48,854 Median Income $20,567 per capita
$162,500 Home Value $329,399 Zillow
$844 Median Rent 28.4% income on rent
50°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.8 / 5.0
$48,854 median income, 4.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.8 / 5.0
$162,500 home value, $844/mo rent
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
14.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $48,854
35% lower than US avg
Home Value $162,500
42% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 14.9%
56% lower than US avg
Median Rent $844
27% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.0%
25% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.0%
11% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 22.4%
81% higher than US avg

How Vale Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population2,259
Median Age32.9 yrs
Density1,931/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 81%
Veterans9.4%

Economy

C+
Median Income$48,854
Per Capita$20,567
Unemployment4.0%
Poverty22.4%
County GDP$1,553M
Commute21 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$162,500
Rent$844
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$329,399
Rent Burden28.4%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity40.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.4%
Heart Disease6.1%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI32 (Good)
Rain10.0 in/yr
Elevation2,243 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+14.9%
High School+83.9%
School Score5.14

Community

2024 VoteR 71% / D 26%
Commute21 min
Broadband86.9%
EV Stations1
Libraries4

Is Vale a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Vale receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Vale offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Vale is $48,854, 35% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.0%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 22.4% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Vale is $162,500, 42% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $844 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.3x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

14.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 83.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.1/10.

Climate & Weather

Vale experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 10.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.

Vale has a population of 2,259 with a density of 1,931 people per square mile. The median age is 32.9 years, 15% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (81.3%).

Population

2,259
Total Population
1,931
People / sq mi
32.9yrs
Median Age
15% below US avg
1.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.4%
Female 48.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Vale vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only83.0%
6% above US avg
Spanish17.0%
27% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Vale vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Vale is $48,854, which is 35% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.0% (above the 3.6% US average). 22.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Income: Vale vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$48,854
35% below US avg
Per Capita Income$20,567
Avg Weekly Wage$937
IRS Avg AGI$52,308

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.0%
11% above US avg
Poverty Rate22.4%
81% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,135
County GDP$1,553M

Business (County)

Restaurants94
Healthcare105
Retail124
Manufacturing29

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,344
4% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.06%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.2 min
Drive Alone82.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Vale is $162,500, 42% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $844 (27% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $329,399.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$162,500
42% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$329,399
Median List Price$237,500

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$237,500
$/Sq Ft$182
Homes Sold2
Sale-to-List Ratio97.3%
Price Drops16.7%
Inventory6

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$844
27% below US avg
Rent Burden28.4%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,051
1 Bedroom$1,143
2 Bedrooms$1,425
3 Bedrooms$1,963
4 Bedrooms$2,318

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied58.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,344
4% below US avg
Effective Rate2.06%
In Vale, 40.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 27.4% report depression. 24.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Vale vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.0%
25% above US avg
Diabetes11.1%
Heart Disease6.1%
High Blood Pressure32.0%
Asthma12.6%
COPD7.3%
Stroke3.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.1%
Physical Inactivity24.3%
Depression27.4%
Mental Distress20.2%
Physical Distress15.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.3%
Checkup Rate69.8%
Premature Death8,886/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.5/10
Exercise Access47.0%
Healthcare Facilities105

Crime Rates: Vale vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Vale has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 10.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.

Temperature

28°F Jan (-2°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average49.9°F
8% below US avg
January Average28°F (-2°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall10.0 inches
74% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median32.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation2,243 ft (684 m)
Area1.2 sq mi (3.0 km²)
Population Density1,931/sq mi
Coordinates43.9839°N, 117.2421°W
County FIPS41045
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 14.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (56% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 44.4-point margin. 86.9% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 70.7%
D 26.4%

Winner: Republican by 44.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+14.9%
56% below US avg
High School+83.9%
School Test Score5.14
C Education Grade (2.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density1,931/sq mi
Total Area1.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access86.9%
EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities105
Restaurants94
Retail Stores124

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.2 min
Drive Alone82.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.0%

Nearby Cities

Compare Vale with another city: