Wasco County
County Seat: The Dalles
Area (square miles): 2,381
Population (2018): 26,700
Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Population Share: 25%
Households: 10,266
Regional Typical Annual Household Income: $43,422
Poverty & Energy Burden
Energy Burdened* Households: 25%
Federal Poverty Level (family of three): $21,720
200% Federal Poverty Level: $43,440
Annual Energy Burden Gap**: $597
Homes
Homes Built Before 1990: 74%
Owner-occupied Homes: 65%
Renter-occupied Homes: 35%
Energy
Average Annual Residential Electricity: 13,628 kWh
Average Annual Electricity Cost: $1,651
Average Annual Residential Natural Gas Therms: 663
Average Annual Natural Gas Cost: $627
Electricity and Natural Gas Average Costs (percent of typical income): 5%
Home Primary Heating
Electricity: 73%
Natural Gas: 12%
Propane: 2%
Wood: 11%
Travel
Average Annual Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) Per Household: 22,452
VMT Cost (fuel, maintenance, repairs): $3,600
VMT as Percent of Regional Typical Income: 8%
VMT as Percent of 200% Federal Poverty Level Income:17%
*An individual or family is considered energy burdened if they spend 6% or more of their income on energy costs.
** Amount needed to reduce energy costs to 6% of household income for household at 200% federal poverty level.