Joseph ZIP Codes — Wallowa County, OR

There is one unique ZIP code in Joseph, Oregon and it is 97846. Area code: 541.

ZIP codes

449.85

sq mi land

2.50

sq mi water

541

area code

Joseph, OR ZIP code map

About Joseph, OR

Joseph, Oregon is a charming small town nestled in the scenic Wallowa Valley. Known for its stunning surroundings, this city offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. Joseph is situated at the foot of the majestic Wallowa Mountains, attracting visitors and residents alike to experience its unique atmosphere.

Location & geography

Joseph is located in Wallowa County, in the northeastern part of Oregon. It is approximately 17 miles away from the nearby city of Enterprise and about 26 miles from La Grande, offering a peaceful retreat from more densely populated areas. The town covers a land area of 449.85 square miles and includes 2.50 square miles of water, showcasing a diverse landscape that features mountains, forests, and rivers.

Community & economy

The community of Joseph is known for its friendly, small-town atmosphere and an active local culture that celebrates art and outdoor recreation. Key industries in the area include tourism, agriculture, and ranching, all of which contribute to the local economy. Daily life in Joseph revolves around its beautiful surroundings, with residents often participating in outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and exploring the nearby National Forests.

Transportation

Joseph is accessible via Oregon Route 82, which connects the town to nearby cities and attractions. The nearest major airport is located in Pendleton, approximately 70 miles away, providing regional air service. While public transit options are limited, local roads and highways allow for convenient travel around Wallowa County.

History

Joseph was founded in the late 19th century, primarily as a hub for nearby ranching and timber industries. The town played a significant role in the development of the region and has since evolved to focus on tourism and the arts, highlighted by its annual events and exhibits. Notable moments in its history include the establishment of art galleries and the town's designation as a center for outdoor activities.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Joseph is that it was named after Chief Joseph, a prominent leader of the Nez Perce tribe who played a significant role in the area's history. Additionally, Joseph is closely associated with the annual Chief Joseph Days celebration, which honors the legacy of the Native American leader.

ZIP codes for Joseph, OR (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
97846	Joseph	Wallowa	View map

Demographics & statistics

2,062

Population

56.1

Median age

$67,319

Median household income

$39,364

Per capita income

$364,500

Median home value

$950

Median monthly rent

74.2%

Home ownership

3.6%

Poverty rate

3.9%

Unemployment

1,265

Housing units

34.8%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

25–34

119

35–44

132

115

45–54

127

105

55–59

117

60–64

185

65–74

205

127

75–84

142

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	303	14.7%
18 and over	1,759	85.3%
65 and over	695	33.7%
Median age	56.1 years

Race & ethnicity

White 79.5%

Hispanic or Latino 8.5%

Other race 6.3%

Two or more races 4.5%

Asian 0.9%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.3%

Group	Count	%
White	1,792	79.5%
Hispanic or Latino	192	8.5%
Other race	141	6.3%
Two or more races	101	4.5%
Asian	20	0.9%
American Indian / Alaska Native	7	0.3%

Household income

Under $10k 1.9%

$10k–$15k 2.6%

$15k–$25k 8.7%

$25k–$35k 5.8%

$35k–$50k 16.7%

$50k–$75k 19.9%

$75k–$100k 18.9%

$100k–$150k 12.9%

$150k–$200k 8.1%

$200k+ 4.6%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	1.9%
$10k–$15k	2.6%
$15k–$25k	8.7%
$25k–$35k	5.8%
$35k–$50k	16.7%
$50k–$75k	19.9%
$75k–$100k	18.9%
$100k–$150k	12.9%
$150k–$200k	8.1%
$200k+	4.6%
Median income	$67,319

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 1.5%

$50k–$100k 1.9%

$100k–$150k 3.5%

$150k–$200k 3.1%

$200k–$300k 24.0%

$300k–$500k 42.5%

$500k–$1M 17.4%

$1M+ 6.2%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$364,500
Median rent / month	$950
Owner occupied	74.2%
Renter occupied	25.8%
Vacant	34.0%
Single-family detached	81.3%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	9.5%
Median rooms	5.0
Avg household size (owned)	2.03

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	7.5%
2000–2009	15.7%
1990–1999	18.2%
1980–1989	8.9%
1970–1979	13.8%
1960–1969	3.9%
1950–1959	11.0%
1940–1949	6.0%
1939 or earlier	14.9%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.7%
1 bedroom	11.7%
2 bedrooms	27.5%
3 bedrooms	51.5%
4 bedrooms	7.0%
5+ bedrooms	1.6%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	4.1%
1 vehicle	23.7%
2 vehicles	42.8%
3 or more	29.4%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	3.9%
Electricity	38.7%
Propane / LP gas	24.7%
Fuel oil	8.5%
Wood	22.7%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	584	58.1%
Cohabiting couple	41	4.1%
Male householder, no spouse	172	17.1%
Female householder, no spouse	209	20.8%
Households with children under 18	182	18.1%
Households with seniors (65+)	457	45.4%
Average household size	2.01

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	10.7%	8.6%
Married	69.4%	63.7%
Separated	0.0%	1.3%
Widowed	5.3%	8.6%
Divorced	14.6%	17.8%

Education

Less than 9th grade 3.6%

Some HS, no diploma 3.1%

HS graduate 24.8%

Some college, no degree 25.1%

Associate's degree 8.6%

Bachelor's degree 16.9%

Graduate / professional 17.9%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	93.4%
Bachelor's or higher	34.8%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	37	15.2%
Kindergarten	0	0.0%
Elementary school	138	56.6%
High school	35	14.3%
College / grad school	34	13.9%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 22.2%

Professional & management 19.3%

Agriculture & mining 14.2%

Arts, food & hospitality 9.8%

Retail trade 8.3%

Construction 5.4%

Finance & real estate 5.3%

Other services 5.1%

Public administration 4.2%

Transportation & utilities 2.3%

Manufacturing 2.2%

Information 1.6%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	48.6%
Service	13.1%
Sales & office	20.4%
Natural resources & construction	11.2%
Production & transportation	6.7%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	69.1%
Government	15.5%
Self-employed	15.4%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	69.5%
Carpool	8.2%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	3.5%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	16.4

Poverty

All people 3.6%

Under 18 years 0.3%

18 and over 4.2%

Married-couple families 0.0%

Female-led households 2.4%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	44.5%
Retirement income	29.1%
Supplemental Security	3.1%
Cash public assistance	0.5%
Food stamps / SNAP	8.4%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	35.9%
High cholesterol	36.3%
Heart disease	8.1%
Stroke	3.7%
Asthma	10.5%
Arthritis	29.4%
Kidney disease	3.4%
Pulmonary disease	7.8%
Cancer	9.1%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	15.0%
No physical activity	18.4%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	27.7%
Fair or poor health	14.4%
Poor mental health	13.7%
Poor physical health	11.1%
No health insurance	8.8%
Visited doctor (checkup)	75.8%
Visited dentist	70.6%
Cholesterol screening	92.6%
Teeth loss	11.9%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	229	13.0%

Disability	%
Any disability	19.8%
Under 18	3.6%
18–64 years	16.5%
65 and over	32.3%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	74.5%
Public insurance	46.9%
Uninsured under 19	1.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	1,939	94.0%
Spanish	68	3.5%
Other Indo-European	44	2.3%
Asian & Pacific Islander	12	0.6%
Other languages	12	0.6%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	1,974	95.7%
Born in same state	1,945	94.3%
Born in different state	1,015	49.2%
Foreign born	29	1.4%
Naturalized citizen	88	4.3%
Not a US citizen	47	53.4%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	304	14.7%
Italian	177	8.6%
Arab	143	6.9%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	91	4.4%
English	17	0.8%
Dutch	15	0.7%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	48.8%
Internet access	87.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Joseph, OR have?

Joseph, OR has one ZIP code: 97846. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.