SALEM, Ore. (May. 18, 2026) — New economic data by State of Oregon Regional Analysts, Guy Tauer, shows Jackson County posted stronger-than-average income growth in 2024, with per capita personal income rising 5.8% from the previous year and outpacing both Oregon and national growth rates.
Figures released by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis show Jackson County’s per capita personal income, or PCPI, reached $65,802 in 2024, up from 2023 levels. The county ranked 760th among the nation’s 3,115 counties, improving from 819th a year earlier.
The growth slightly exceeded Oregon’s statewide PCPI increase of 5% and the national increase of 4.6%.
PCPI is commonly used as a measure of economic prosperity because it combines income from wages, business earnings, government transfer payments and investment income, then divides that total by population. Economists caution, however, that the figure does not account for differences in cost of living or wealth accumulation and can be influenced by the age of a region’s population.
Jackson County’s economy reflects that demographic reality, with a larger share of retirees than many parts of Oregon.
About 49.9% of personal income in Jackson County came from net earnings such as wages and business income in 2024, well below the U.S. share of 60.7% and Oregon’s 58%. Per capita net earnings in the county were $32,860, compared with Oregon’s statewide figure of $41,059.
Government transfer payments accounted for 27.7% of Jackson County personal income, significantly above the national average of 18.3%. Economists attributed much of that difference to retirement-related income tied to the region’s older population.
Nearly 92% of transfer payments in the Rogue Valley came from retirement and related income sources. Jackson County residents received $16,856 per capita from retirement and other income programs, above Oregon’s statewide average of $13,762.
The county also exceeded the state average in “income maintenance” payments, which include programs such as Supplemental Security Income, SNAP food assistance, WIC nutrition benefits and Earned Income Tax Credits. Jackson County averaged $1,164 per capita in those benefits, compared with Oregon’s $978.
Investment income also remained an important component of local earnings. Dividends, interest and rental income accounted for 22.4% of Jackson County’s total personal income in 2024, slightly above the statewide and national averages of 21%.
Despite the gains, Jackson County still trailed Oregon overall in income levels. The county’s PCPI remained 7.1% below the statewide average, a gap of $5,021 per resident.
Historically, Jackson County’s income levels have fluctuated between roughly 14% below the state average to near parity during stronger economic periods, according to long-term federal data.
Neighboring Josephine County also recorded strong annual growth. Its per capita personal income rose 6.6% to $57,206 in 2024, ranking 1,444th nationally. However, Josephine County remained substantially below state and national averages, with PCPI standing at 80.8% of Oregon’s figure and 78.1% of the U.S. average.
Josephine County’s economy showed an even greater reliance on retirement income and government transfers than Jackson County. Transfer receipts made up 38.2% of personal income there, while only 43.2% came from net earnings.
Discover more from Medford Alert News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
