Poverty Rates in Oregon
Malheur County and Corvallis Have Higher Percentages of Poor People
With a poverty rate of 12.9%, Oregon has the 19th highest poverty rate in the United States, a position that it shares with South Dakota.
This is just slightly lower than the poverty rate of Missouri, and just slightly higher than the poverty rate of Michigan.
Where the Worst Poverty in Oregon Occurs
Though Oregon is one of several states where the poverty rate remains relatively close to the state average in every major city and county, there is still one city and one county with poverty rates that reach critical levels.
The county with a critical poverty rate (at least 50% above the state average) is Malheur County, with a poverty rate of 19.5%. Malheur County is an extremely rural county with a population density of 3.2 people per square mile (see map below article).
The major city (25,000 or more people) with a critical poverty rate is Corvallis, with a poverty rate of 20.6%.
Why the Worst Poverty in Oregon Exists
Areas of critical poverty in Oregon occur in both the most heavily populated areas of the state, and the least populated areas of the state. Because of this, it is important to understand the set of reasons behind why each area can be prone to poverty.
In rural areas such as Malheur County, it can be much more difficult to access basic utilities such as electricity, water, and a sanitary sewage system than it is in urban areas.
Also, due to poor road maintenance, long distances, or lack of reliable transportation, it can be much more difficult to reach a school or hospital in some rural areas.
In the major cities like Corvallis, however, the higher poverty rates can be linked to a different set of reasons.
In heavily populated urban areas, people are completely reliant on the market for all of their most basic needs. These needs include things like food, shelter, utilities, education, and health care.
Most people living in poverty do work one or more jobs. However, if the cost of these basic needs goes up at a faster rate than the minimum wage, then the working poor living in these highly populated urban areas suffer.
The inability of people in these circumstances to save up assets makes them extremely vulnerable to any sort of crisis as well.
All of this aside, it is important to keep in mind that the reasons for poverty are as unique as the individuals who live through it. Though finding trends in a specific area is important, no generalization can account for everyone.
What is Being Done about Poverty in Oregon
One extra step that Oregon’s state government has taken in combating poverty in its own state is to create an Oregon Hunger Relief Task Force in 1989.
This task force works to advocate for Oregonians who are hungry or at risk of hunger, and to coordinate and publicize services available to help those in need.
In addition to the task force, the USDA works to improve infrastructure and housing in rural areas through its Rural Development branch which is active in Oregon.
Also, in more urban areas, legislators who worked to raise the minimum wage did a great service to the working poor in cities like Corvallis. A higher minimum wage will mean that individuals and families will be better equipped to sustain themselves without federal assistance.
References:
United States Census Bureau
Oregon Hunger Relief Task Force
United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development
