Population & Demographics: Understanding Our Diverse Community
Roseburg is a small city by national standards but functions as the primary population center for Douglas County's roughly 112,000 residents. The Roseburg micropolitan area combines the city itself with the surrounding towns of Sutherlin, Winston, Myrtle Creek, Reedsport, and Glide. Mercy Medical Center's service area extends across this footprint and totals about 105,000 people. Growth is slow and steady, with the city adding less than 1% per year since the 2020 census.
Demographic Snapshot
| Metric |
Roseburg (City) |
Douglas County |
| Population (2025 est.) | ~24,000 | ~112,000 |
| Annual Growth Rate | 0.13% | 0.13% |
| Median Age | 39.6 years | ~46 years |
| Median Household Income | $53,918 | $58,000 |
| Per Capita Income | $41,460 | $34,000 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | ~19% | ~18% |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Average Commute Time | 18 minutes | 22 minutes |
Age Distribution
Roseburg skews slightly older than the U.S. average due in part to the VA Roseburg Healthcare System, which draws retired veterans to the area. The city itself has a younger median age than the county overall because of the higher concentration of working families and college students. Roughly 27% of city residents are seniors. About 41% of households have children under 18, giving the community a strong family base alongside its older population.
Diversity and Cultural Makeup
Roseburg is predominantly White, with smaller Hispanic, Native American, Asian, and multiracial populations. The Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua Tribe is headquartered in the region and operates the Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation, Seven Feathers Casino Resort in Canyonville, and a range of healthcare and economic-development initiatives.
| Race/Ethnicity |
Roseburg (Approx.) |
| White | 84.7% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 7.5% |
| Two or More Races | 5.0% |
| Native American | 1.5% |
| Asian | 1.2% |
| Black or African American | 0.5% |
| Other | 3.7% |
Employment and Major Industries
Healthcare overtook timber as the top employment sector for Douglas County in 2021. Retail, manufacturing, and education round out the largest sectors within the city of Roseburg itself. The county's overall employment base is broader, with significant timber, forest products, and agriculture workforces outside the city limits.
Top regional employers include:
- Mercy Medical Center (part of CommonSpirit Health)
- VA Roseburg Healthcare System (114-acre campus)
- Roseburg Forest Products
- Roseburg Public Schools
- Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians / Seven Feathers Casino Resort
- Umpqua Community College
- Douglas County government
- Wal-Mart and other regional retail
- Umpqua Dairy
- Pacific Power and other utility operations
The largest employment sectors for Roseburg residents (by share of workforce):
- Retail Trade (~16%)
- Health Care and Social Assistance (~14%)
- Manufacturing (~13%)
- Educational Services (~10%)
- Public Administration (~9%)
- Accommodation and Food Services (~8%)
Household Income
Roseburg's median household income is below the Oregon state median, reflecting both the cost-of-living gap with the Portland and Eugene metros and the predominance of timber, retail, and service-sector employment in the local economy. Income distribution is wider than the median suggests: roughly 21% of households earn under $25,000, while 8% earn over $150,000. Physicians, mill owners, and senior administrators sit at the upper end of the local income range.
Median income by household age range:
- Householders 25-44 years: $58,675
- Householders 45-64 years: $63,000 (estimated)
- Householders 65+: $42,000 (estimated)
Education Levels
About 19% of Roseburg adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, lower than the Oregon state average of about 37%. The community has a strong vocational and trades workforce alongside its healthcare professionals. Umpqua Community College serves as the primary postsecondary institution and produces nursing, allied health, viticulture, and skilled-trade graduates each year. Many Roseburg residents complete four-year and graduate degrees at the University of Oregon in Eugene or Oregon State University in Corvallis.
Community Character
Locals describe Roseburg as family-focused and tight-knit, with multiple generations often staying in the area or returning after college. The community supports a steady mix of working families, retirees, agricultural and trades professionals, and a growing healthcare workforce. Physicians who land well in Roseburg generally connect with patients across this full economic and cultural range. A typical clinic schedule will include retired veterans, mill workers, school district staff, ranch and farm families, and the children of multi-generational Roseburg households.
