Positioned just above California on the West Coast of the U.S., the "Beaver State" of Oregon covers 98,379 square miles (mi²) of territory, making it the 9th-largest state in the U.S. by total area. Despite the state's relatively massive size, its population as of 2023 is an estimated 4,359,110, 1.29% of the total U.S. population, and just the 27th-largest out of the 50 states.
Oregon is quite geographically diverse, with rugged mountains, including volcanoes, dense forests, many rivers and lakes, arid shrublands, and a high desert. It is one of the nation's leading producers of lumber, blueberries, and hazelnuts. Oregon is one of only two states, along with New Jersey, where consumers cannot pump their gas.
Oregon joined the union in February 1859 after being carved out of the Oregon Territory. The state voted almost exclusively Republican from its founding until 1984, except in 1868, 1912, and 1964, and the four elections won by Franklin Roosevelt during the Great Depression and World War II. In 1988, the state went Democratic and has done so. In 2020, Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump by 16%. Oregon's population has grown steadily, adding an electoral vote every few decades. After the last increase in 1984, the state will go from 7 to 8 for the 2024 election.
According to a 2022 study from the U.S. Census Bureau, this state's local governments consist of 36 counties, 240 cities, towns, and villages, and 1,029 special districts.
The median age across the population of Oregon is 39.1 years of age. In terms of the ratio of females to males, 50.5% females and 49.5% males is where the population currently stands.
In terms of the most preferred religions in Oregon, 61% of the population is affiliated with a Christian faith, 7% are affiliated with non-Christian faiths, and 31% are not affiliated with a religion of any kind.
According to the most recent ACS, the racial composition of Oregon was:
White: 80.69%
Two or more races: 7.74%
Asian: 4.44%
Other race: 3.77%
Black or African American: 1.85%
Native American: 1.1%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0.41%
Religion
Protestantism (43%)
Roman Catholicism (12%)
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (4%)
Eastern Orthodoxy (1%)
Other Christian (1%)
No religion (31%)
Judaism (2%)
Islam (1%)
Other religions (4%)
Don't know (1%)
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