Vale ZIP Codes — Malheur County, OR

There is one unique ZIP code in Vale, Oregon and it is 97918. Area code: 541.

ZIP codes

584.80

sq mi land

1.12

sq mi water

541

area code

Vale, OR ZIP code map

About Vale, OR

Vale, Oregon, is a small city nestled in Malheur County, known for its rich agricultural heritage and scenic landscapes. The city serves as a central hub for the surrounding rural areas and offers visitors a glimpse into the heart of southeastern Oregon. With a close-knit community and a vibrant local culture, Vale embodies the charm of the American West.

Location & geography

Vale is located in the southeastern part of Oregon, approximately 18 miles from Ontario and 25 miles from Nyssa. The city is set within a vast landscape, covering a total area of 584.80 square miles, which includes a modest water area of 1.12 square miles. The terrain is characterized by rolling hills and arid desert, offering a unique backdrop for outdoor activities.

Community & economy

The character of Vale is marked by its strong agricultural roots, with many residents engaged in farming and ranching. The local economy thrives on industries such as agriculture, retail, and services, making it a vital part of Malheur County's economy. Daily life in Vale is a mix of small-town friendliness and a strong sense of community, often highlighted by local events and gatherings.

Transportation

Transportation in Vale is primarily facilitated by U.S. Route 20/26, which runs through the city, providing easy access to larger cities and neighboring regions. The nearest major airport is Ontario Municipal Airport, located about 20 miles away, while local transit options are limited. Residents and visitors often rely on personal vehicles to navigate the area.

History

Vale was founded in the late 19th century and quickly developed as a vital stop for settlers and travelers in the region. Key industries in the area have historically included agriculture, which remains central to the local economy today. Notable events in Vale's history include the establishment of the Oregon Trail and the development of irrigation systems that transformed the agricultural landscape.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Vale is its proximity to several significant historical sites, including the Oregon Trail and the picturesque Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Additionally, the city's annual events, such as the Vale Arts Festival, celebrate local culture and attract visitors from across the region.

ZIP codes for Vale, OR (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
97918	Vale	Malheur	View map

Demographics & statistics

4,389

Population

39.6

Median age

$58,458

Median household income

$27,706

Per capita income

$235,200

Median home value

$842

Median monthly rent

64.9%

Home ownership

13.9%

Poverty rate

6.3%

Unemployment

1,215

Housing units

17.5%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

134

Under 5

147

223

5–9

243

141

10–14

153

118

15–19

128

20–24

232

25–34

253

225

35–44

245

299

45–54

326

116

55–59

127

126

60–64

137

240

65–74

262

110

75–84

121

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	1,228	28.0%
18 and over	3,161	72.0%
65 and over	835	19.0%
Median age	39.6 years

Race & ethnicity

White 81.6%

Hispanic or Latino 7.4%

Two or more races 5.6%

Other race 2.9%

American Indian / Alaska Native 1.5%

Asian 0.9%

Group	Count	%
White	3,870	81.6%
Hispanic or Latino	353	7.4%
Two or more races	264	5.6%
Other race	138	2.9%
American Indian / Alaska Native	73	1.5%
Asian	42	0.9%

Household income

Under $10k 4.4%

$10k–$15k 3.3%

$15k–$25k 11.3%

$25k–$35k 7.7%

$35k–$50k 15.9%

$50k–$75k 18.3%

$75k–$100k 13.7%

$100k–$150k 18.5%

$150k–$200k 2.9%

$200k+ 4.0%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	4.4%
$10k–$15k	3.3%
$15k–$25k	11.3%
$25k–$35k	7.7%
$35k–$50k	15.9%
$50k–$75k	18.3%
$75k–$100k	13.7%
$100k–$150k	18.5%
$150k–$200k	2.9%
$200k+	4.0%
Median income	$58,458

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 9.9%

$50k–$100k 9.3%

$100k–$150k 13.9%

$150k–$200k 9.9%

$200k–$300k 17.9%

$300k–$500k 24.6%

$500k–$1M 5.9%

$1M+ 8.7%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$235,200
Median rent / month	$842
Owner occupied	64.9%
Renter occupied	35.1%
Vacant	11.3%
Single-family detached	65.3%
Large apartment buildings	2.9%
Mobile homes	20.8%
Median rooms	5.5
Avg household size (owned)	2.97

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	7.9%
2000–2009	5.5%
1990–1999	10.4%
1980–1989	9.2%
1970–1979	22.2%
1960–1969	9.9%
1950–1959	7.5%
1940–1949	14.0%
1939 or earlier	13.6%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	3.0%
1 bedroom	4.9%
2 bedrooms	23.5%
3 bedrooms	46.9%
4 bedrooms	18.2%
5+ bedrooms	3.6%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	5.5%
1 vehicle	17.7%
2 vehicles	31.9%
3 or more	44.9%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	17.4%
Electricity	55.7%
Propane / LP gas	6.5%
Fuel oil	3.8%
Wood	14.6%
No fuel used	1.4%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	857	54.8%
Cohabiting couple	87	5.6%
Male householder, no spouse	288	18.4%
Female householder, no spouse	333	21.3%
Households with children under 18	505	32.3%
Households with seniors (65+)	532	34.0%
Average household size	2.74

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	24.1%	28.5%
Married	59.4%	52.0%
Separated	0.4%	0.9%
Widowed	5.1%	8.4%
Divorced	11.1%	10.3%

Education

Less than 9th grade 4.9%

Some HS, no diploma 5.0%

HS graduate 30.4%

Some college, no degree 28.2%

Associate's degree 14.0%

Bachelor's degree 12.7%

Graduate / professional 4.8%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	90.1%
Bachelor's or higher	17.5%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	94	8.2%
Kindergarten	46	4.0%
Elementary school	614	53.3%
High school	238	20.7%
College / grad school	160	13.9%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 20.0%

Agriculture & mining 18.4%

Public administration 11.3%

Transportation & utilities 11.2%

Retail trade 10.2%

Professional & management 8.7%

Construction 6.0%

Manufacturing 4.8%

Arts, food & hospitality 4.2%

Other services 3.1%

Information 0.9%

Finance & real estate 0.7%

Wholesale trade 0.4%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	35.2%
Service	16.7%
Sales & office	14.8%
Natural resources & construction	16.9%
Production & transportation	16.3%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	67.2%
Government	22.4%
Self-employed	8.9%
Unpaid family workers	1.5%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	80.1%
Carpool	5.7%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	5.4%
Other means	2.2%
Avg commute (minutes)	24.6

Poverty

All people 13.9%

Under 18 years 9.5%

18 and over 15.7%

Married-couple families 9.3%

Female-led households 29.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	35.5%
Retirement income	17.8%
Supplemental Security	8.2%
Cash public assistance	2.1%
Food stamps / SNAP	26.2%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	35.0%
High cholesterol	34.5%
Heart disease	8.4%
Stroke	4.2%
Asthma	11.2%
Arthritis	28.6%
Kidney disease	3.7%
Pulmonary disease	9.4%
Cancer	7.4%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	16.5%
No physical activity	23.8%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	30.2%
Fair or poor health	18.9%
Poor mental health	16.0%
Poor physical health	13.3%
No health insurance	15.3%
Visited doctor (checkup)	73.3%
Visited dentist	61.0%
Cholesterol screening	87.9%
Teeth loss	19.3%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	267	8.4%

Disability	%
Any disability	17.8%
Under 18	6.5%
18–64 years	13.5%
65 and over	47.8%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	59.4%
Public insurance	45.6%
Uninsured under 19	1.5%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	4,108	93.6%
Spanish	163	4.0%
Other Indo-European	155	3.8%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	8	0.2%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	4,160	94.8%
Born in same state	4,135	94.2%
Born in different state	1,927	43.9%
Foreign born	25	0.6%
Naturalized citizen	229	5.2%
Not a US citizen	164	71.6%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	762	17.4%
Italian	455	10.4%
Arab	245	5.6%
English	74	1.7%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	69	1.6%
Dutch	32	0.7%
German	8	0.2%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	35.7%
Internet access	91.7%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Vale, OR have?

Vale, OR has one ZIP code: 97918. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.