Glaring Disparities Between Rich and Poor School Districts in Oregon

Glaring disparities exist between the rich and the poor school districts nationwide, and Oregon school districts are no different.

56% of Students in the Oakridge District Live in Poverty

The latest Census Bureau reveals that while Lake Oswego and Sherwood are among the top 5% of school districts in the U.S. where poverty is rare, in the Oakridge School District 360 of the 641 children between the ages of 5 to 17 live below the poverty line, representing 56% of the district’s school going population.

However, although Lake Oswego is recognized as the top school district in the nation, and as one of Oregon’s wealthiest suburbs, staff cutbacks are on the agenda for 2025 because of tighter federal funding for education.

Governor is Calling for $16 Billion to be Spent on Education

Oregon, as a state, is aware of the difficulties that face schools serving children from impoverished backgrounds. Those schools must work smarter and harder to ensure students earn diplomas to qualify for a college education and a brighter future.

Oregon awards 25% more funding to less affluent school districts where students live below the poverty line.

That is why Governor Tina Kotek has prioritized education as one of her top focus areas. She is asking lawmakers to allocate $16 billion to education in her 2025-27 budget recommendations.

The census, based on districts with at least 1,000 residents, reveals that school- going students in the Bethel district, 13% of the 6,300 children in the Eugene area live in poverty.

28% of Children from the Klamath Falls City Area Come from Financially Impoverished Backgrounds

However, even worse off are the 3,800 children in the Klamath Falls City area, representing 28% of the school-going population, who come from financially strapped backgrounds.

Klamath Falls City Schools are ranked among the top 10% of children living in poverty.

The Census Bureau collects data from the IRS, as well as from applications for food stamps. Its estimates involve every child living within a school district boundary, irrespective of whether they attend a school in that area.

Three of the four Oregon school districts with no fewer than 20,000 students have been ranked in the bottom third of the poverty line for districts of that size.

Salem-Kaizer has an 18% student population that lives below the poverty line. Next is Portland at 9%, closely followed by Beaverton at 8%.