A Glimpse into the Geographic Data Aggregation of Eastern Oregon
April 23, 2026The Eastern Oregon Workforce Area is comprised of eight counties (Baker, Grant, Harney, Malheur, Morrow, Umatilla, Union, and Wallowa). The region covers a combined 38,044 square miles, roughly 40% of Oregon’s total geographic area, and is larger than thirteen U.S. states. Yet this area represents just 4.5% of the state’s total population. Counties in the region have a varied mix of industries, resources, demographics, and seasonality. Because many of the population centers are geographically isolated and there is minimal economic cohesion with other population centers, understanding the economic health of the region as a whole can be challenging.
Employment Projections and In-Demand Industries
Current industry employment projections for 2024-2034 show the information industry with a 10-year growth rate of 20%, increasing by 400 jobs across Eastern Oregon. The private education and health services industry is estimated to have the next highest growth rate of 14%, with an increase of 1,400 jobs. Areas of concern are estimated employment losses in federal government, local government education, and manufacturing throughout the eight-county area.
Baker, Grant, Harney, Malheur, Morrow, Umatilla, Union, and Wallowa Counties
| 2024 | 2034 | Change | % Change | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total employment | 85,100 | 89,300 | 4,200 | 4.9% |
| Total payroll employment | 78,700 | 82,700 | 4,000 | 5.1% |
| Total private | 60,000 | 63,700 | 3,700 | 6.2% |
| Natural resources and mining | 7,700 | 7,900 | 200 | 2.6% |
| Mining and logging | 400 | 400 | 0 | 0.0% |
| Construction | 3,400 | 3,700 | 300 | 8.8% |
| Manufacturing | 7,300 | 7,200 | -100 | -1.4% |
| Trade, transportation, and utilities | 15,400 | 15,900 | 500 | 3.2% |
| Wholesale and retail trade | 11,200 | 11,400 | 200 | 1.8% |
| Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | 4,200 | 4,500 | 300 | 7.1% |
| Information | 2,000 | 2,400 | 400 | 20.0% |
| Financial activities | 1,900 | 1,900 | 0 | 0.0% |
| Professional and business services | 3,400 | 3,700 | 300 | 8.8% |
| Private educational and health services | 10,200 | 11,600 | 1,400 | 13.7% |
| Leisure and hospitality | 6,800 | 7,400 | 600 | 8.8% |
| Other services | 1,900 | 2,000 | 100 | 5.3% |
| Government | 18,700 | 19,000 | 300 | 1.6% |
| Federal government | 1,800 | 1,700 | -100 | -5.6% |
| State government | 4,100 | 4,300 | 200 | 4.9% |
| Local government | 12,800 | 13,000 | 200 | 1.6% |
| Local government education | 6,100 | 5,900 | -200 | -3.3% |
| Self-employment | 6,400 | 6,600 | 200 | 3.1% |
As previously mentioned, this information can be obscured by looking at the eight counties collectively. There can be a bit clearer local picture by reviewing the Eastern Oregon sub areas of Columbia Basin (Morrow and Umatilla) separately from Eastern Six (Baker, Grant, Harney, Malheur, Union, and Wallowa).
Morrow and Umatilla Counties
| 2024 | 2034 | Change | % Change | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total employment | 44,220 | 46,660 | 2,440 | 5.5% |
| Total payroll employment | 40,510 | 42,800 | 2,290 | 5.7% |
| Total private | 31,760 | 33,930 | 2,170 | 6.8% |
| Natural resources and mining | 5,030 | 5,230 | 200 | 4.0% |
| Mining and logging | 60 | 60 | 0 | 0.0% |
| Construction | 1,810 | 2,000 | 190 | 10.5% |
| Manufacturing | 4,210 | 4,110 | -100 | -2.4% |
| Durable goods | 1,160 | 1,180 | 20 | 1.7% |
| Nondurable goods | 3,050 | 2,940 | -110 | -3.6% |
| Food manufacturing | 2,660 | 2,530 | -130 | -4.9% |
| Trade, transportation, and utilities | 7,770 | 8,080 | 310 | 4.0% |
| Wholesale trade | 1,110 | 1,180 | 70 | 6.3% |
| Retail trade | 3,670 | 3,670 | 0 | 0.0% |
| Food and beverage stores | 760 | 780 | 20 | 2.6% |
| General merchandise stores | 1,010 | 990 | -20 | -2.0% |
| Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | 2,990 | 3,230 | 240 | 8.0% |
| Information | 1,650 | 2,130 | 480 | 29.1% |
| Financial activities | 880 | 870 | -10 | -1.1% |
| Professional and business services | 1,690 | 1,870 | 180 | 10.7% |
| Private educational and health services | 4,700 | 5,290 | 590 | 12.6% |
| Nursing and residential care facilities | 1,070 | 1,240 | 170 | 15.9% |
| Leisure and hospitality | 3,150 | 3,430 | 280 | 8.9% |
| Other services | 870 | 920 | 50 | 5.7% |
| Government | 8,750 | 8,870 | 120 | 1.4% |
| Federal government | 570 | 540 | -30 | -5.3% |
| State government | 1,650 | 1,720 | 70 | 4.2% |
| Local government | 6,530 | 6,610 | 80 | 1.2% |
| Local government education | 2,640 | 2,520 | -120 | -4.5% |
| Self-employment | 3,710 | 3,860 | 150 | 4.0% |
Columbia Basin proves to be the primary driver of estimated information industry growth throughout Eastern Oregon. A projected increase of 480 jobs results in 29% industry growth in the combined two-county area. Although private education and health services show the second highest percentage growth, it is projected to have the greatest increase in total jobs with 590. More specifically, nursing and residential care facilities is projected to make up almost 30% of employment growth in this industry.
Baker, Grant, Harney, Malheur, Union, and Wallowa Counties
| 2024 | 2034 | Change | % Change | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total employment | 40,810 | 42,690 | 1,880 | 4.6% |
| Total payroll employment | 38,170 | 39,980 | 1,810 | 4.7% |
| Total private | 28,170 | 29,830 | 1,660 | 5.9% |
| Natural resources and mining | 2,640 | 2,690 | 50 | 1.9% |
| Mining and logging | 340 | 340 | 0 | 0.0% |
| Construction | 1,540 | 1,690 | 150 | 9.7% |
| Manufacturing | 3,130 | 3,110 | -20 | -0.6% |
| Trade, transportation, and utilities | 7,590 | 7,800 | 210 | 2.8% |
| Wholesale and retail trade | 6,410 | 6,510 | 100 | 1.6% |
| Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | 1,180 | 1,290 | 110 | 9.3% |
| Information | 300 | 280 | -20 | -6.7% |
| Financial activities | 1,050 | 1,040 | -10 | -1.0% |
| Professional and business services | 1,700 | 1,870 | 170 | 10.0% |
| Private educational and health services | 5,520 | 6,280 | 760 | 13.8% |
| Leisure and hospitality | 3,640 | 3,960 | 320 | 8.8% |
| Other services | 1,060 | 1,110 | 50 | 4.7% |
| Government | 10,000 | 10,150 | 150 | 1.5% |
| Federal government | 1,230 | 1,170 | -60 | -4.9% |
| State government | 2,490 | 2,580 | 90 | 3.6% |
| Local government | 6,280 | 6,400 | 120 | 1.9% |
| Local government education | 3,460 | 3,360 | -100 | -2.9% |
| Local government hospitals | 570 | 680 | 110 | 19.3% |
| Self-employment | 2,640 | 2,710 | 70 | 2.7% |
In contrast to Columbia Basin, the information industry in Eastern Six is projected to experience a 7% decline in jobs. Local government hospitals are estimated to have the highest industry growth rate of 19% resulting from 110 additional jobs. The private education and health services industry is estimated to have the largest total employment increase with 760 additional jobs throughout the six counties.