Oregon

Malheur

31,571
2020 population
1890
first census record
14
census records

About Malheur

Malheur, Oregon, first appears in the United States federal census in 1890, when it recorded a population of 2,601. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 31,571.

Its recorded population peaked at 31,615 in 2000.

On the ground today, 14 documented military engagements have been recorded within the county, among them Snake War – Jordan Valley Operations, Snake War — Battle of Malheur River (1866), Battle of Owyhee River, and 19 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
202031,571
201031,313
200031,615
199026,038
198026,896
197023,169
196022,764
195023,223
194019,767
193011,269
192010,907
19108,601
19004,203
18902,601
Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Battles & engagements in Malheur

Military engagements that took place in Malheur, Oregon.

Snake War – Jordan Valley Operations
1865
Snake War — Battle of Malheur River (1866)
1866
Battle of Owyhee River
1866
Battle of Malheur River
1866
Battle of the Malheur River
1866
Snake War – Malheur River Engagement
1866
Owyhee River Fight — Jordan Valley
1866
Snake War – Battle at Malheur River
1867
Bannock War Battle of Silver Creek
1878
Sheep Ranch Fight
1878
Bannock War – Willow Springs Engagement
1878
Bannock War – Egan's Band Pursuit
1878
South Mountain Battle (Bannock War)
1878
Battle of Bernard Creek
1878

Historic places in Malheur

National Register of Historic Places listings in Malheur, Oregon.

Owyhee Dam Historic District
Adrian
Vale Hotel and Grand Opera House
Vale
Oregon Short Line Railroad Depot
Ontario
Hotel Western
Nyssa
First Bank of Vale
Vale
Old Stone House
Vale
Hart, Moses and Mary, Stone House and Ranch Complex
Westfall
Pelota Fronton
Jordan Valley
Browse all Oregonhistoric sites ›

Other counties in Oregon

Explore census history and historic records for more Oregon counties.

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Everything a full report reveals about Malheur County, Oregon

This page charts the census history of Malheur County, Oregon. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
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Frequently asked about Malheur

When does Malheur first appear in the US census?
Malheur, Oregon first appears in the federal census in 1890, with a recorded population of 2,601.
What is the population of Malheur?
At the most recent federal census (2020), Malheur had a recorded population of 31,571.
When did Malheur's population peak?
Malheur's recorded population peaked at 31,615 in 2000.
Were any battles fought in Malheur?
14 documented military engagements took place in Malheur, including Snake War – Jordan Valley Operations, Snake War — Battle of Malheur River (1866), Battle of Owyhee River.
How many historic places are in Malheur?
19 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Malheur, Oregon.
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