2018 Population Estimates – Umatilla County and Incorporated Cities

January 15, 2019

Portland State University’s Population Research Center recently released their certified population estimates for Oregon, its counties, and incorporated cities. From July 1, 2017 to July 1, 2018, Umatilla County’s population total rose by 265 residents to reach 80,765, an increase of 0.3 percent.
Oregon’s population grew by 54,200 residents in 2018 to total 4,195,300, an increase of 1.3 percent. Since 2012, Oregon’s population rose by 311,565 residents, an increase of 8.0 percent or 1.3 percent annually.

Annual population growth in Umatilla County ranged from 0.6 percent to 1.0 percent between 2013 and 2017, well above 2018’s 0.4 percent gain. Umatilla County’s population growth peaked in 2015, rising by 1.0 percent or 815 residents. Since 2012, Umatilla County’s population rose by 3,645 residents, an increase of 4.7 percent or 0.8 percent annually.

The City of Hermiston led incorporated areas in 2018, rising by 215 residents or 1.2 percent to total 18,200. The City of Stanfield impressed, with a 40-resident, 1.9 percent increase pushing its 2018 population total to 2,185 residents. The City of Umatilla increased its population total by 75 residents or 1.0 percent to reach 7,320. The City of Pendleton’s population fell by 80 residents in 2018 to total 16,810, a loss of 0.5 percent. Umatilla County’s unincorporated areas also lost residents in 2018, falling by 15 to total 24,265, a drop of 0.1 percent.
Unincorporated areas represented 30 percent of Umatilla County’s population in 2018, followed by the City of Hermiston at 23 percent and the City of Pendleton at 21 percent. The City of Umatilla and the City of Milton-Freewater were similar in size, each with about 9 percent of Umatilla County’s 2018 population, while its eight remaining incorporated cities together represented about 9 percent.

Unincorporated areas absorbed close to 50 percent of Umatilla County’s population growth since 2012. The City of Hermiston led incorporated areas, claiming just over one-third of the county’s population growth since 2012, followed by the City of Umatilla’s 8 percent share. The City of Stanfield claimed 3 percent of Umatilla County’s population growth since 2012, finishing just ahead of the City of Pendleton’s 2.6 percent share.