Jackson County Ranks 8th in Oregon for Per Capita Income as Southern Region Lags

MEDFORD, Ore. (Mar. 29, 2026) — Southern Oregon counties continued to lag behind much of the state in per capita personal income in 2024, even as Oregon posted modest overall growth, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis compiled by economist Molly Hendrickson.

Oregon, which has 36 counties, reported a per capita personal income (PCPI) of $70,908 in 2024, a 5.0% increase from the previous year and about 97% of the national average of $73,204.

Within Southern Oregon, Jackson County stood out as the region’s top performer and ranked among the top 10 counties statewide, placing eighth with a PCPI of $65,831. While still below the state average, Jackson County outpaced neighboring counties and remains the key economic hub for the region.

By comparison, surrounding counties ranked significantly lower. Josephine County placed 25th statewide with a PCPI of $57,769, followed by Douglas County at 28th with $56,312 and Klamath County at 31st with $54,913. The data highlights a persistent income gap between non-urban counties in Southern Oregon and more economically concentrated regions of the state.

Across Oregon, higher incomes are generally found in metropolitan and high-growth areas. Deschutes County led the state in 2024 with a PCPI of $87,383, followed by Clackamas County at $83,798 and Washington County at $81,333.

Personal income is calculated as the sum of wages and salaries, government transfer payments such as Social Security and Medicare, and income from investments including dividends, interest, and rent. Statewide, net earnings accounted for 58% of total personal income in 2024, while transfer receipts and investment income each made up 21%.

Regional differences in income levels are often tied to demographics. Rural areas, including much of Southern Oregon, tend to have older populations, which can reduce the share of income coming from wages while increasing reliance on retirement-related benefits. The share of residents age 65 and older in rural Oregon rose from 25% in 2014 to 29% in 2024.

As a result, counties with lower PCPI often show a higher proportion of income from transfer receipts such as Social Security and Medicare. Analysts note that PCPI reflects income rather than total wealth, meaning some residents — particularly retirees — may still hold significant assets despite lower annual income.

While Jackson County ranks among the top 10 counties statewide and remains comparatively strong within Southern Oregon, the broader region continues to reflect longstanding economic disparities tied to demographics, industry mix, and income sources.