St. Helens: Economy & Jobs
$82,865 is the median household income in St. Helens (1.1× below Columbia County median $87,458; about the same as Oregon median $83,982), with homes at a median value of $394,200. The surrounding county supports 11,981 jobs (avg $54,228).
- $77,388 avg taxable income per return — similar than the median household income.
Income & Affordability
Median household income $82,865 — near the Oregon median ($83,981). Poverty rate 10.0% (U.S. average ~12.5%).
| Affordability · Price To Income Ratio | 4.8× |
|---|---|
| Affordability · Rent To Income Pct | 20.5% |
| Affordability · Interpretation | moderate |
| Irs Income · IRS tax returns filed | $25,140 |
| Irs Income · Total Adjusted Gross Income (thousands) | $1,945,546 |
| Irs Income · Average AGI per return | $77,388 |
| Irs Income · Year | 2022 |
| Income Estimate | $93,580 |
| Median Household Income | $82,865 (vs Oregon $83,982) |
| Poverty Rate | 10.0% |
Sources: IRS SOI 2022 · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Economic Character
Qualitative classification derived from Census occupation, industry, and income data — workforce composition (white-collar/blue-collar), top employing sector, and income tier.
| Economic Character · Workforce | mixed |
|---|---|
| Economic Character · Top Industry | Manufacturing |
| Economic Character · Income Level | upper-middle |
| Economic Character · Median Income | $82,865 |
Employment & Workforce
Employment + workforce stats. The county-level employment count covers all jobs within the county, not just town residents. Unemployment rate 2.1% — below the U.S. average of ~4%. 13% work from home (U.S. average ~15%).
| Commuter Profile · Mean Commute Min | 30.30 |
|---|---|
| Commuter Profile · Work From Home Pct | 13.2% |
| Commuter Profile · Profile | moderate commute |
| Employment · Avg annual employment (county) | 11,981 |
| Employment · Total annual wages (county) | $649,733,773 |
| Employment · Average annual pay | $54,228 |
| Employment · Year | 2024 |
| State Occupation Wages · Year | 2023 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Soc Code | 00-0000 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Title | All Occupations |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Employment | 1,943,180 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.1% (vs Oregon 5.6%) |
Sources: BLS QCEW 2023 · BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Industry Sectors
Major industries by establishment count from Census County Business Patterns (2022). Sectors are NAICS-coded; counts are county-wide employer establishments.
| Agriculture · Total Farms | 26 |
|---|---|
| Agriculture · Land In Farms Acres | 49,276 |
| Agriculture · Avg Farm Size Acres | 1,895.20 |
| Agriculture · Top Commodities | Fruit & Tree Nut Totals, Berry Totals, Grain, Equine, Vegetable Totals |
| Agriculture · Year | 2022 |
| Business Patterns · Establishments (employer count) | 1,011 |
| Business Patterns · Total Employees | 9,172 |
| Business Patterns · Annual Payroll Thousands | 428,404 |
| Business Patterns · Year | 2022 |
Sources: USDA NASS Census 2022 — county FIPS matched · Census CBP API — county FIPS match
Local Business Mix
Retail and service businesses by category (Census CBP NAICS-coded). Counts cover the surrounding county, not just the town. Reflects the everyday commercial mix residents can access.
| Local Businesses · Grocery Stores | 9 |
|---|---|
| Local Businesses · Convenience Stores | 5 |
| Local Businesses · Liquor Stores | 4 |
| Local Businesses · Gas Stations | 16 |
| Local Businesses · General Merchandise | 4 |
| Local Businesses · Pet Stores | 4 |
| Local Businesses · Used Car Dealers | 3 |
| Local Businesses · Beauty Salons | 5 |
Sources: Census CBP — NAICS detail codes
Dining Scene
Eating + drinking establishments by NAICS category (Census CBP 2022) — full-service restaurants, fast-food, bars, coffee shops. County-level counts.
| Dining Scene · Full Service Restaurants | 38 |
|---|---|
| Dining Scene · Fast Food | 28 |
| Dining Scene · Bars | 14 |
| Dining Scene · Coffee Snacks | 16 |
Sources: Census CBP NAICS 722
Banking
FDIC-insured bank branches with addresses. Branch density correlates with population — fewer branches per resident in lower-density areas.
Branches (2)
SNAP & Food Access
USDA-authorized SNAP retailers — supermarkets, super stores, convenience stores, and other locations where SNAP benefits can be redeemed. Per-1K density tracks food access.
Sample (1)
| Nearest Snap · Name | Columbia City Mini Mart 1 |
|---|---|
| Nearest Snap · Total In Area | 27 |
Sources: USDA SNAP — county FIPS aggregate
Chamber of Commerce
IRS-registered chamber of commerce organizations matched to this town. Reflects the IRS Exempt Organizations BMF; some chambers operate informally and may not appear here.
| Chamber Of Commerce · Name | SOUTH COLUMBIA COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE |
|---|
Sources: IRS EO BMF · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Spending & Tax
Federal spending flowing to the surrounding county — direct payments, grants, contracts, loans (USAspending.gov).
| Federal Spending · Federal Spending Fy2024 | $369,040,456 |
|---|---|
| Federal Spending · Per Capita | 7,017.45 |
| Federal Spending · Population | 52,589 people |
Sources: USAspending API
Other
| Pct Drove Alone | 63.8% |
|---|---|
| Pct Public Transit | 2.2% |
| Pct Walked | 13.2% |
| Retirement Score · Median age | 39.8 years (vs Oregon 40.6y) |
| Retirement Score · Ss Household Pct | 33.3% |
| Retirement Score · Va Access | Yes |
| Retirement Score · Factors | strong SS base, VA nearby |
| Retirement Score · Rating | fair |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12