Umatilla County, Oregon
County in Oregon, United States

County in Oregon
Umatilla County, Oregon
County
Stafford Hansell Government Center in Hermiston
Stafford Hansell Government Center in Hermiston
Map of Oregon highlighting Umatilla County
Location within the U.S. state of Oregon
Coordinates: 45°22′30″N 118°45′05″W / 45.375131°N 118.7513661°W / 45.375131; -118.7513661
Country United States
State Oregon
FoundedSeptember 27, 1862
Named afterUmatilla River
SeatPendleton
Largest cityHermiston
Area
 • Total
3,231 sq mi (8,370 km2)
 • Land3,216 sq mi (8,330 km2)
 • Water16 sq mi (41 km2)  0.5%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
80,075
 • Estimate 
(2024)
80,491 Increase
 • Density23/sq mi (9/km2)
Time zoneUTC−8 (Pacific)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−7 (PDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.co.umatilla.or.us

Umatilla County (/ˌjuːməˈtɪlə/) is one of the 36 counties in the U.S. state of Oregon. The population of 81,826 ranks it as the 14th largest in Oregon, and largest in Eastern Oregon.[1] Hermiston is the largest and fastest growing city in Umatilla County, but Pendleton remains the county seat.[2] Umatilla County is part of the Hermiston-Pendleton, OR Micropolitan Statistical Area, which has a combined population of 94,833.[1] It is included in the eight-county definition of Eastern Oregon.

The county is named for the Umatilla River.

History

Umatilla County was created on September 27, 1862, out of a portion of Wasco County. Adjustments were made to the county's boundaries following the creation of Grant, Morrow, Union, and Wallowa Counties. This legislative act also designated Marshall Station as the temporary county seat. An 1865 election selected Umatilla City, now known as Umatilla, as the county seat. With the development of wheat farming, population shifted to the north and east parts of the county, and a subsequent election in 1868 moved the county seat again to Pendleton.

The Umatilla Indian Reservation was established by the Treaty of Walla Walla in 1855. The Umatillas, Walla Wallas, and Cayuse tribes were resettled there, and is located immediately southeast of Pendleton.

EZ Wireless of Hermiston officially opened on February 4, 2004, one of the largest known Wi-Fi wide area networks in the United States, covering parts of Umatilla County, Morrow County and Benton County, Washington. Although created to facilitate communications among local police, firemen and EMT workers who immediately respond to possible accidents or terrorist attacks on the Umatilla Chemical Depot, where the U.S. Army maintained a national arsenal of nerve gas, the network can be accessed in some places by the public for free.[3]

Geography

Map of Umatilla County
Map of Umatilla County

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 3,231 square miles (8,370 km2), of which 3,216 square miles (8,330 km2) are land and 16 square miles (41 km2) (0.5%) are covered by water.[4] It borders the Columbia River across from Washington.

Adjacent counties

I-84 eastbound and McKay Reservoir in Umatilla County

National protected areas

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18702,916—
18809,607229.5%
189013,38139.3%
190018,04934.9%
191020,30912.5%
192025,94627.8%
193024,399−6.0%
194026,0306.7%
195041,70360.2%
196044,3526.4%
197044,9231.3%
198058,86131.0%
199059,2490.7%
200070,54819.1%
201075,8897.6%
202080,0755.5%
2024 (est.)80,491[5]0.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8]
1990–2000[9] 2010–2020[1]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 80,075. Of the residents, 24.6% were under the age of 18 and 16.6% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 37.2 years. For every 100 females there were 107.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 109.1 males. 68.3% of residents lived in urban areas and 31.7% lived in rural areas.[10][11][12]

The racial makeup of the county was 66.8% White, 0.9% Black or African American, 3.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% Asian, 0.2% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 15.6% from some other race, and 11.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 28.3% of the population.[12]

There were 28,372 households in the county, of which 34.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 25.2% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 25.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[11]

There were 31,098 housing units, of which 8.8% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 62.8% were owner-occupied and 37.2% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.5% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.1%.[11]

Umatilla County, Oregon – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 1980[13] Pop 1990[14] Pop 2000[15] Pop 2010[16] Pop 2020[17] % 1980 % 1990 % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 54,165 51,303 54,670 52,691 49,753 92.02% 86.59% 77.49% 69.43% 62.13%
Black or African American alone (NH) 132 350 535 557 652 0.22% 0.59% 0.76% 0.73% 0.81%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 1,500 1,746 2,258 2,383 2,571 2.55% 2.95% 3.20% 3.14% 3.21%
Asian alone (NH) 331 503 518 626 685 0.56% 0.85% 0.73% 0.82% 0.86%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) x [18] x [19] 51 95 130 x x 0.07% 0.13% 0.16%
Other race alone (NH) 51 40 118 55 295 0.09% 0.07% 0.17% 0.07% 0.37%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) x [20] x [21] 1,032 1,375 3,367 x x 1.46% 1.81% 4.20%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 2,682 5,307 11,366 18,107 22,622 4.56% 8.96% 16.11% 23.86% 28.25%
Total 58,861 59,249 70,548 75,889 80,075 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, 75,889 people, 26,904 households, and 18,647 families resided in the county.[22] The population density was 23.6 inhabitants per square mile (9.1/km2). The 29,693 housing units had an average density of 9.2 per square mile (3.6/km2).[23] The racial makeup of the county was 79.1% White, 3.5% American Indian, 0.9% Asian, 0.8% Black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 12.5% from other races, and 3.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 23.9% of the population.[22] In terms of ancestry, 21.4% were German, 12.8% were Irish, 11.6% were English, and 5.6% were American.[24]

Of the 26,904 households, 36.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.9% were married couples living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.7% were non-families, and 24.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.17. The median age was 35.7 years.[22]

The median income for a household in the county was $45,861 and for a family was $53,585. Males had a median income of $39,288 versus $30,489 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,035. About 11.0% of families and 15.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.4% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over.[25]

2021 US Census American Community Survey- Household Incomes

Strong economic growth in the west end of the county has propelled Hermiston well past Pendleton with the highest median household incomes in Umatilla County.

2021 Median household incomes[26]
Rank City Median Income % Change from 2010
1 Hermiston $60,971 +46.5%
2 Pendleton $58,093 +27.8%
3 Umatilla $51,790 +25.1%
4 Milton-Freewater $48,250 +43.3%

Government and politics

State legislature

Umatilla County contains two Oregon State House Districts: State House District 57, which is currently represented by Greg Smith, and State House District 58, which is currently represented by Bobby Levy. Umatilla County is also located in the 29th District of the Oregon State Senate, represented by Todd Nash. Smith, Levy, and Nash are registered Republicans.

Board of commissioners

Umatilla County is represented and governed by three county commissioners. The Umatilla County Board of Commissioners is currently made up of Dan Dorran, John Shafer, and Cindy Timmons.[27]

Make-up of Umatilla County voters

www.oregonvotes.org

Like all counties in eastern Oregon, the majority of registered voters who are part of a political party in Umatilla County are members of the Republican Party.[28] Registrations of Non-affiliated voters have increased significantly since Oregon began Automatic Voter Registration through the DMV in 2016.[29] Despite the increase in Non-affiliated voters, the Republican Party in Umatilla County has continued to see a 2:1 vote margin in Presidential elections between the years 2000 and 2024.

United States presidential election results for Umatilla County, Oregon[30]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
№  % №  % №  %
1904 2,642 66.27% 840 21.07% 505 12.67%
1908 2,328 55.67% 1,568 37.49% 286 6.84%
1912 1,261 29.30% 1,563 36.32% 1,480 34.39%
1916 3,664 42.33% 4,606 53.22% 385 4.45%
1920 4,979 58.03% 3,255 37.94% 346 4.03%
1924 3,854 44.71% 3,052 35.41% 1,714 19.88%
1928 5,277 67.83% 2,390 30.72% 113 1.45%
1932 2,930 33.01% 5,631 63.43% 316 3.56%
1936 2,943 31.27% 5,753 61.13% 715 7.60%
1940 5,193 51.11% 4,935 48.57% 32 0.31%
1944 5,379 51.77% 4,967 47.80% 45 0.43%
1948 5,726 48.69% 5,891 50.09% 144 1.22%
1952 10,529 59.60% 7,098 40.18% 40 0.23%
1956 9,654 55.70% 7,678 44.30% 0 0.00%
1960 9,374 53.77% 8,053 46.19% 6 0.03%
1964 6,138 36.41% 10,689 63.40% 32 0.19%
1968 8,975 54.80% 6,402 39.09% 1,002 6.12%
1972 10,470 57.94% 6,090 33.70% 1,511 8.36%
1976 9,345 51.83% 7,985 44.28% 701 3.89%
1980 12,950 57.78% 7,382 32.93% 2,082 9.29%
1984 14,211 63.12% 8,246 36.63% 57 0.25%
1988 10,254 54.02% 8,327 43.87% 400 2.11%
1992 7,095 36.12% 6,787 34.55% 5,761 29.33%
1996 9,703 45.14% 8,774 40.82% 3,018 14.04%
2000 14,140 61.32% 7,809 33.86% 1,111 4.82%
2004 17,068 64.84% 8,884 33.75% 370 1.41%
2008 15,254 59.77% 9,484 37.16% 785 3.08%
2012 15,499 62.07% 8,584 34.38% 886 3.55%
2016 17,059 61.81% 7,673 27.80% 2,865 10.38%
2020 21,270 64.38% 10,707 32.41% 1,061 3.21%
2024 20,973 67.17% 9,251 29.63% 1,001 3.21%

Economy

The gold rush of 1862 brought miners and stock raisers to the mountains and grasslands of Umatilla County. Another stimulus was the arrival of the railroad in 1881, opening the region to the development of dry-land wheat farming. Water for irrigation has been key to economic diversification and growth, most recently in the Hermiston area, where potatoes, onions, corn, and more than 200 other crops are grown commercially. Low-cost power through Umatilla Electric Cooperative and good freeway access are also driving growth in the Hermiston area, with amazon.com developing large data-center operations there, and major distribution facilities for Walmart, FedEx, UPS, and Meyer Distributing are all located in Hermiston.

The Greater Hermiston area, which encompasses the Hermiston, Umatilla, Stanfield, & Echo zip codes, and equates to a less than 10-minute commuting distance, has seen strong job growth since 2012. The Hermiston area added 2,930 jobs from 2012 to 2022, which equates to 91% of all net job growth in Umatilla County over that time.[31] More recently, Greater Hermiston accounted for 114% of Umatilla County job gains from 2019 to 2022 as a result of 1,121 jobs added compared to net losses of 74 and 48 jobs in Pendleton and Milton-Freewater respectively.[32]

Communities

Trestle seen off Sparks Station Rd at Pendleton Country Club, opposite of the McKay Reservoir, Pendleton, Oregon. Transportation linkages in Umatilla are one of the county's major advantages.[33]
An old grain elevator along Steen Road south of Milton-Freewater, Umatilla County.
Umatilla County Employment 2012-2022

Umatilla County is generally divided into three distinct economic and cultural areas, which are the West End, the Pendleton area, and the Milton-Freewater area. Although each of these communities shares some economic ties, the distance between each creates three very distinct communities. The West End includes the communities of Hermiston, Umatilla, Stanfield, and Echo. The Pendleton area includes Pendleton, Pilot Rock, Adams, and Athena. The Milton-Freewater area is largely tied to the Walla Walla, Washington area, and is considered a part of the Walla Walla Metropolitan Planning Organization. The similarities between the areas has created a long-standing rivalry, particularly between the West-End and the Pendleton-area, with regard to economic opportunity and public resources. The West End, led by Hermiston as its largest city, is now nearly twice the size of the Pendleton area, and is projected to be nearly three times the size of the Pendleton area by 2035.[34]

Cities

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Former communities

Education

School districts include:[35]

  • Athena-Weston School District 29J
  • Echo School District 5
  • Helix School District 1
  • Hermiston School District 8
  • Milton-Freewater School District 7
  • Pendleton School District 16
  • Pilot Rock School District 2
  • Stanfield School District 61
  • Ukiah School District 80
  • Umatilla School District 6

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "Population Estimate Reports". Portland State University. December 18, 2023. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "Wi-Fi Cloud Covers Rural Oregon". Wired News. CondéNet Inc. Associated Press. October 16, 2005. Retrieved December 10, 2006.
  4. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  5. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
  6. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  8. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  9. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 26, 2015. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  10. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
  11. ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
  12. ^ a b "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
  13. ^ "1980 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Oregon - Table 58 - Persons by Race and Table 59 - Total Persons and Spanish Origin Persons by Type of Spanish Origin and Race (p. 39/24-39/32)" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  14. ^ "1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Oregon - Table 5 - Race and Hispanic Origin" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. pp. 9–30.
  15. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Umatilla County, Oregon". United States Census Bureau.
  16. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Umatilla County, Oregon". United States Census Bureau.
  17. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Umatilla County, Oregon". United States Census Bureau.
  18. ^ included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
  19. ^ included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
  20. ^ not an option in the 1980 Census
  21. ^ not an option in the 1990 Census
  22. ^ a b c "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  23. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  24. ^ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  25. ^ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  26. ^ "QuickFacts- Hermiston City, Oregon; Pendleton City, Oregon; Umatilla City, Oregon; Milton-Freewater City, Oregon". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  27. ^ "Board of Commissioners". Umatilla County. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  28. ^ "HP Records Manager WebDrawer - 2009 April Voter Registration". records.sos.state.or.us. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
  29. ^ "Study finds steep 66% drop in party registration with automatic voter registration". Phys.org. May 3, 2023. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  30. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  31. ^ LeCompte, By Michael (September 2, 2025). "Greater Hermiston area driving strong job growth in Umatilla, Morrow Counties". Northeast Oregon Now. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  32. ^ Reports, Staff (September 1, 2025). "City of Hermiston: Greater Hermiston area adds 2,200 jobs 2012-22". Hermiston Herald. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  33. ^ 1996 Portrait: Regional (northwest) Economic Review And Outlook. DIANE Publishing Company. 2004. p. 32. ISBN 0-7881-3093-5.
  34. ^ "Coordinated Population Forecast for Umatilla County, its Urban Growth Boundaries (UGB), and Area outside UGBs 2016-2066" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on December 19, 2016. Retrieved December 24, 2016.
  35. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Umatilla County, OR" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved July 17, 2022. - Text list
  • Umatilla County (official website)

45°22′30″N 118°45′05″W / 45.375131°N 118.7513661°W / 45.375131; -118.7513661

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